Hi everyone

Please excuse my total beginner ignorance I wish I could say it's due to my extreme youth; sadly, that's not the case. An old clarinetist/saxophonist who has recently returned to the instrument(s) by purchasing a Roland Aerophone AE-01, which I've been puddling around with for 3 mths -- think I've got that, and wanted some accompaniment plus some opportunities for jazz jamming. Not easy in these COVID days.

"Get Band-In-A-Box!" I was told. So I did -- BIAB 2020 for Mac! I think I'm happy I did, but...wow...is it complex on first sight. I'm overwhelmed, to say the least, and have many questions. The first is as simple as connecting my aerophone as a MIDI device, so that I can play via/with BIAB...but that will only lead to more questions.

So, I guess I'm trying to see if there's anyone out there that is using an aerophone (or other wind synth) with BIAB, who might offer a little patient advice. I will warn in advance -- it may be excruciating -- but I will be very grateful.

Cheers, Tim

Tim, firstly, a big welcome.

While I cannot answer your inquiry, please consider also posting in the Mac forum, where experts more familiar with that O/S may be able to offer better/additional assistance.

Welcome.

I too play an instrument over backing tracks created in BIAB.
Getting a handle on BIAB does take some effort.
Perhaps you might leave the midi connection aside for now.
Its not absolutely necessary as your aerophone has an external speaker

Instead you might first get comfortable creating arrangements using BIAB. You can simply play these arrangements on your computers spearkers/audio out and play along with the aerophone and/or the ipad app. Adjust the 2 volumes till everything is groovy.

As you get more comfortable with the software you can decide whether this midi connection from the Aerophone to biab is even necessary (except for recording perhaps). Personally, I've been using biab for decades and I pretty much never connect my "performance" instrument (typically guitars, sometimes midi keyboard)with BIAB.

I do all my recording in a DAW (Logic Pro) but that may be a subject for another thread.

Anyway that's my $.02. I generally prefer a simple approach I can rely on.

I play a Yamaha WX5 Wind MIDI Controller and a PC computer.

To get the WX into the PC I need a MIDI (5 pin DIN) to USB interface.

Your AE already has USB MIDI as an output, so it depends on what ports you have on your Mac. If your Mac has a USB port you're in luck, if all it has is Firewire, you'll need a USB to Firewire interface.

As mentioned by others, I'd create some backing tracks in BiaB first and then play along with your AE.

Band-in-a-Box is an auto-accompaniment program at heart, with a lot of additional features added on. So first learn how to create songs on BiaB in the most basic form.

Self promoting plug: I have entire song books of backing tracks already made, but they are commercial. One you might try if you are a jazzer is one I made to go with The Real Book 6th Edition.

OK enough of that. Learn how to enter chords and choose styles. Do a simple one first, perhaps 12 bar blues, and when you get the hang of it (it may seem daunting at first, but it's easy) go on to more advanced work.

This is a very friendly, helpful forum, so if you get stuck, someone here will probably race to help you. I might be one of them but usually some of the other kind, generous BiaB users beat me to the punch.

Welcome to the forum and the adventure.

Insights and incites by Notes

Thank you everyone for the very helpful replies — especially about the KISS approach, and NOT plugging in — of course!!