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Well don, Stephan. And thank you. I could have written a thesis or would have gladly taken the stage and given a one hour lecture (or two). You were very modest!
Follow That Dream Sam Karaoke King -------------------- Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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The OP's issue was that he wanted simple backing track, and while that may have been representative of what BIAB was years ago, it isn't an accurate answer today. When I bought my first version of BIAB, 6 or 7 or something back then, I think it came on floppies. It was relatively inexpensive, and couldn't hold a candle to what it does today, not even the Melodist feature. PTW was 3.5 or something at the time.  Today, to shell out $570 for an UltraPakPlus, which is the minimum to get all the styles, all the Real Drums and all the Real Tracks is a substantial and hefty investment There are some pretty good Yamaha arranger keyboards that you can get for that, as well as getting the Ketron SD2. Something like Groove Agent in Cakewalk products would most likely have suited this person's needs. As an established BIAB user, I don't object heavily to spending $100 a year or so to upgrade and to support PG Music. But, unless a person is truly and fully aware of what BIAB does today, versus what it did even five years ago, there is no justifiable, or 'apparent' justifiable reason to spend $570 for software. Band In A Box, today more than ever, is music production tool like none other. It is, seriously, Pro Grade. But, unless people KNOW, have had the opportunity to see what Band In A Box is TRULY capable of, then they don't understand that it's not overpriced. What I would love to see is someone like Matt Finley take some of his songs that he's written with BIAB, and PERFORM them with BIAB, and get someone like Harvey Gerst to master them. Put that out there for the community of musicians to see, and get an idea of the full potential of BIAb, and then people will start to realize what it's really worth. Of course, an updated review by EM or Keyboard wouldn't hurt, either. Gary
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Gary, Have you seen Keyboard recently? I haven't seen it at Borders for a long time. EM is about 1/8th of an inch thick. They are dying off due to lack of advertising. The Internet is taking over. Perhaps Peter should go on Twitter and Tweet..... My recent review of BiaB at www.cakewalknet.com has generated a bunch of email from people who are very interested in the program but are trying to get their heads around what BiaB does. It would be wise for Peter and company to figure out how to better explain the program to those who love music and who play but are afraid of computers and software.That means a LOT of middle-aged and older men.(I wonder if Peter knows the median age of his users?) I sat down with a really good middle-aged musician last week who had bought BiaB on my recommendation. He was paralyzed. I coached him through the creation and rendering of a song and he was off and running. You can get into BiaB for a reasonable price if you don't buy every RTrack set. A friend of mine bought the basic version over the winter and will buy the Country Pak soon. If you are only into one genre of music, you could buy just jazz, rock, or country. I have used BiaB as part of my arranging and recording workflow since the mid-90s. RealDrums improved my last CD and I expect RTs will do the same for my next few. A major studio liked a fiddle track in a set of files I sent for a songwriter and never doubted I had recorded a fiddler. Musical snobbery will always be with us. I just go about my work and forget about it. And I get other musicians to buy the program and I teach them how to use it. Hopefully, they will do the same. Fred
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I think the cost of BIAB would be perfect if the Audiophile version were the standard.
If one upgrades twice a year, in the long run gets a bunch of useless hard-disks.
They don't cost so much but they add dollars in the final price.
It took just 5 hours to download the 2009a superpak, so it would be just a few days to download the Audiophile version.
I even would pay a 20% extra if I could download all the audiophile realtracks.
Sergino
Bandinabox 2024 standard (2020 Audiophile)
VST3 plugins on Studio One Pro 6.1
Windows 11(SSD) - AMD Radeon R9 5950X - 32GB RAM
MOTU: 2408 MkIII - 24i - Traveler - MIDI Express XT
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I think that when a companies software becomes so large that its impossible to place it on dvd (or becomes inconvenient for the end user to install it from dvd's) and it has to be sold on a hard drive, then the cost of the hard drive + any mark-up will all add to the final price to the user.
I suppose in a sense the company becomes a hard ware seller as well as a software seller.
Musiclover
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Data delivery systems have systematically grown in size and bandwidth as time marches on. The old 360K floppy was once enough room to deliver entire programs. Soon extincted by program size, the 1.4mb floppy came along and soon was out of the forefront, replaced by the data CD and later on the DVD data disk. Today one cannot buy a new computer with a floppy drive already built into the thing.
The use of a hard drive for software delivery therefor doesn't represent a paradigm change for the industry.
As usual, Peter and company are at the forefront of innovation in this regard.
I think that with the advent of more and more computer sales being based upon multimedia rather than the more "mundane" aspects of computing, that we will see delivery of softwares plus files that are "clip art" in nature for other multimedia softwares too, such as video production suites and the like.
The cost of USB hard drives in quantity is not that much as compared to the cost of producing the bits and bytes that are delivered. Matter of fact it may just be about equal to the older costs of jobbing out pro quality CD or DVD data install disks with silkscreening, jacket, etc. Might even be less money at this point, or close to the same.
The actual BIAB program is still relatively small in size and could fit on just about any delivery system considering multiple-disk installers for the smaller sized media.
It is not data in the sense of program data that takes up the room here. The RealTracks are media, just like the old Clip Art media, in the sense that they are usable by any legal owner in the public domain. If you consider how long the graphics crowd has had the Clip Art stuff, then having it in the music industry domain is not a paradigm shift either.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I tend to agree with Mac that Real Tracks and Real Drums are like clip art. However, I don't agree or think that you could buy the Pro Pak and then work up from there. You *CAN*, but it's akin to saying 'Okay, I'm going to get this art program, and I'll get 5% of the clip art that's available for it, hope it works, and then move up as I need more.' To my way of thinking, that's a way to spend a lot of money and not get what you want.
I still believe that we need more examples of how easy it is to use BIAB, and what it really takes.
Let me think about that for a while.
Gary
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Hi all,
Good thread. I have always wondered about the huge market for BIAB lurking in the background. I think it would be to great if Peter hired some "experts" to shop BIAB to all the College's & Music schools around the country. The only reason why BIAB has not caught on more is that most schools have very little idea how the program works, much less how it could benefit students. Sibelius has a HUGE investment in education, thus it has far surpassed Finale in most music schools. Heck, I would be honored to travel around preaching the PG programs, I know that many schools would pick it up in a flash. I have yet to see a musician here who isn't totally blown away by the sound of Real Tracks, by the time I show them the Lead Sheet printouts, they are more than sold.
Ed
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I have found BIAB in every music school I've visited.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Quote:
Hi all,
Good thread. I have always wondered about the huge market for BIAB lurking in the background. I think it would be to great if Peter hired some "experts" to shop BIAB to all the College's & Music schools around the country. The only reason why BIAB has not caught on more is that most schools have very little idea how the program works, much less how it could benefit students. Sibelius has a HUGE investment in education, thus it has far surpassed Finale in most music schools. Heck, I would be honored to travel around preaching the PG programs, I know that many schools would pick it up in a flash. I have yet to see a musician here who isn't totally blown away by the sound of Real Tracks, by the time I show them the Lead Sheet printouts, they are more than sold.
Ed
I feel that the younger generation for the most part would not be interested in the sounds that biab makes, to them it would probably sound so out of date and not with it. Probably they are into all kinds of loop type music. Probably the ear training and a few other things in biab would help them and might hold their attention.
I am not even sure if PG is even trying to convert the younger generation to biab or real band as the main introductory video for real band plays around with the song "will the circle be unbroken" in a bluegrass style. I feel that most modern teenagers seeing that would think it’s not cool.
For us older lot it’s a different story, it’s our most loved software program.
Long may biab reign.
Paddy
Last edited by pwhack; 08/19/09 04:01 PM.
Paddy McGurk,
Liverpool,
Don't mention the Beatles!!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I have a friend in Tennessee, and she was in Band when she was in school, ten years ago or so. Played Clarinet. She knows of Band In A Box, they had it in school, but they never used it. Basically, the teachers didn't know how.
We've seen several teachers post threads to this forum asking about it, for use in schools, and we don't seem to follow up with them. So, my feeling is, and I'm not talking 'music' schools so much as I am school music programs, that while many schools may HAVE the program, how many are actually USING it?
Furthermore, what can we do to promote the use of Band In A Box to the music educators in our schools?
Gary
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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This is a worthy subject.
About ten years ago, I set up BIAB that was bought for one PC in the music lab at the local community college. The rest of the computers in that lab were Macs. That single PC received heavy use once I showed the jazz ensemble director what it could do.
The semester I subbed for him as director, I also used BIAB to make CDs of the chord changes in the tunes we were doing, so the students could practice soloing at home. A few said they would buy the program, but I do not know how many actually did. In those days, $88 would purchase a fully working program for basic comping.
BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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"..Maybe BIAB is not absolutly perfect for each and every one, its real benefit depend in some way of the user attitude, if you want to learn, practice and make music beyond of simple foolish playing, you will be at home with BIAB...." this was part of my reply in that KVR topic, go there for the rest.
Cheers
Definitively, ignorance is the mother of the stupidest knowledge
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Citaat:
I have found BIAB in every music school I've visited.
I bet that was on your second visit to those schools. In the first visit you probably directed the teachers gently towards BiaB (with a baseball bat  )
Citaat:
I tend to agree with Mac that Real Tracks and Real Drums are like clip art. However, I don't agree or think that you could buy the Pro Pak and then work up from there. You *CAN*, but it's akin to saying 'Okay, I'm going to get this art program, and I'll get 5% of the clip art that's available for it, hope it works, and then move up as I need more.' To my way of thinking, that's a way to spend a lot of money and not get what you want.
I still believe that we need more examples of how easy it is to use BIAB, and what it really takes.
That is the way I started with BiaB in 2006. After fidling with the demo I bought the basic package. Then, after using the program for about 6 months I decided I "needed" everything. So I bought the whole shabang.
But if you are only interested in, say, jazzmusic, you don't have to buy all the other styles and just stick with jazz. Most of us will want all of the available styles, RD's and RT's and more. But it is possible to stick with one or two musicstyles...... 
As for the first-time purchaseprice of BiaB I think it is a lot of money to cough up for the everythingPAK. But so is the price one has to pay to get Cubas 5. Both examples are excelent software and absolutely worth their price. Most importand thing to consider is if the product is worth it for YOU as the end-user. If you don't need the full-featured product you have the choise to buy the same product, with a few less options for a lower price. You still have the top-grade software and above that, have the opportunity to upgrade in the future should you wish to do so.
Citaat:
I even would pay a 20% extra if I could download all the audiophile realtracks.
Yes!!! I allready put this in the wishlist.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Our school board has several hundred schools and the primary schools music teachers have band in a box. 3 of them play in my brass band and they all admit, they got no support, no training, and don't use it.
One feature needed is a Canadian Folk Music Songbook. We still teach kids the old basic French/English songs and rounds. And the thing needs a simplified instruction manual on how to hook a basic computer to boom box, this, believe me, is beyond most Grade 4 teachers. Too bad, lots of them can sight read Pomp and Circumstance for the trombone, and can't find the back of the computer.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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f it were not for this forum, I would still be lost in my understanding of BIAB. The program falls outside the type of programs most people are used to. With programs like word processors, most people have a basic understanding but with music. With BIAB,one must learn music and the program, that's why i find this forum invaluable. The other thing that is amazing is that this program has many levels of complexity that unfold as the person learns more.
The manual that goes with BIAB is technically good but it only explains the program from the function of the program not from the use of how a song with styles is created and why.
Many times I have felt like Bogart lost in the swamp in the African Queen, not knowing the open water was so close by.
I mention this as a way of showing how daunting the whole thing is for some one trying to go it alone, much like a student or teacher that have other priorities in their lives.
A simple booklet that has detailed instructions on creating a know song by inputing of chords and choosing a style playing the song then changing styles to show the net effect could go a long way in showing the simple use that can be expanded on later of the program.
Many musicians don't realize it but many can not explain to a non musician, what they are doing or why, many because it's a right brain thing much like this program.
I thought I would take the time to explain what I see from an outsiders POV so as to help Peter better market a fine product to a broader audience
Wyndham
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Quote:
Quote:
I have found BIAB in every music school I've visited.
I bet that was on your second visit to those schools. In the first visit you probably directed the teachers gently towards BiaB (with a baseball bat )
Quite the contrary. But I'm talking *music* schools, university or college level stuff and in some cases performing arts high schools. These places know and take advantage of the fact that the student often needs a high quality backing band in order to learn. BIAB is the answer.
I'm equally sure that there are schools out there that would have folks up top that are, shall we say, rather "parochia" about it, too, though.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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@ Mac: I was refering to your enthousiastme for BiaB and your dedication to the product (and the forum) more than anything else. A compliment disguised in a joke.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Well, I probably would have, but my point is that I haven't had to evangelize those schools for pgmusic that much if at all.
--Mac
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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User Video: Next-Level AI Music Editing with ACE Studio and Band-in-a-Box®
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 German for Windows is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!
Wir waren fleißig und haben über 50 neue Funktionen und eine erstaunliche Sammlung neuer Inhalte hinzugefügt, darunter 222 RealTracks, neue RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, "Songs with Vocals" Artist Performance Sets, abspielbare RealTracks Set 3, abspielbare RealDrums Set 2, zwei neue Sets von "RealDrums Stems", XPro Styles PAK 6, Xtra Styles PAK 17 und mehr!
Paket | Was ist Neu
Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!
The Newest RealBand 2024 Update is Here!
The newest RealBand 2024 Build 5 update is now available!
Download and install this to your RealBand 2024 for updated print options, streamlined loading and saving of .SGU & MGU (BB) files, and to add a number of program adjustments that address user-reported bugs and concerns.
This free update is available to all RealBand 2024 users. To learn more about this update and download it, head to www.pgmusic.com/support.realband.htm#20245
The Band-in-a-Box® Flash Drive Backup Option
Today (April 5) is National Flash Drive Day!
Did you know... not only can you download your Band-in-a-Box® Pro, MegaPAK, or PlusPAK purchase - you can also choose to add a flash drive backup copy with the installation files for only $15? It even comes with a Band-in-a-Box® keychain!
For the larger Band-in-a-Box® packages (UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition), the hard drive backup copy is available for only $25. This will include a preinstalled and ready to use program, along with your installation files.
Backup copies are offered during the checkout process on our website.
Already purchased your e-delivery version, and now you wish you had a backup copy? It's not too late! If your purchase was for the current version of Band-in-a-Box®, you can still reach out to our team directly to place your backup copy order!
Note: the Band-in-a-Box® keychain is only included with flash drive backup copies, and cannot be purchased separately.
Handy flash drive tip: Always try plugging in a USB device the wrong way first? If your flash drive (or other USB plug) doesn't have a symbol to indicate which way is up, look for the side with a seam on the metal connector (it only has a line across one side) - that's the side that either faces down or to the left, depending on your port placement.
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows® Today!
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows for free with build 1111!
With this update, there's more control when saving images from the Print Preview window, we've added defaults to the MultiPicker for sorting and font size, updated printing options, updated RealTracks and other content, and addressed user-reported issues with the StylePicker, MIDI Soloists, key signature changes, and more!
Learn more about this free update for Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1111
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Review: 4.75 out of 5 Stars!
If you're looking for a in-depth review of the newest Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows version, you'll definitely find it with Sound-Guy's latest review, Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Review: Incredible new capabilities to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs.
A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."
"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."
"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."
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