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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 13
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 13 |
Is BB for me? I note a lot of very savy sophisiticated users. Will BB be frustrating or a joy? My needs are not sophisticated. I play for fun. Can I use BB just as a drummer (ie a less tedious metronone) or would a drum machine be a better option? Are there sufficient rhythms in the basic package or would I be better off with the ultra pack on a HD? Can I use BB with my laptop sitting on top of my piano (acoustic) or will I find quickly that I must invest in a sound system or a keyboard? Will I have to upgrade or replace my laptop (about a year old). Will I be spending more time programming than playing?
Brian
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,739
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,739 |
Firstly you dont say what your system is so the question 'will I need to update' is unanswerable. A year old laptop would probably do as long as its not a netbook. Laptops gernally have on board sound, which is basic but nowadays adequate. You could get an external sound card later if you need one. Most gear these days passes the 'passable' test for sound.
Biab is great for a novice its really easy to use. JUst select a song and away you go - two clicks. If you want you can turn of the other instruments and just leave drums with every track. Yes you can use it on a lap top but if you want to have the sound equalling an acoustic Piano you will need to plug the laptop sound into a hifi or other sound box - unless it has real volume.
You could start with the basic set up but make sure you get 'realtracks' they are much better than MIDI stuff and have more feel. The Everything package is on special until 31st I believe. I have just taken the leap myself and dont regret it.
You can go deeper, its easy to put in your own chords, and you can even create your own backing tracks to a degree -I find little need though.
I think that if you use it, you will want as many real tracks as you can get.
BIAB is going to be the best drum machine you will ever find.
Win 11 64, Asus Rog Strix z390 mobo, 64 gig RAM, 8700k
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 122
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 122 |
Well, it's like this... You have to have at least an idea of dealing with music and midi on a computer... do you have that kind of experience?? If you don't, then this will be a learning experience, like anything else in life that you've never done... If you've done music and midi on a computer before, and you've used soft synths and sequencers in which you edited wav files, then its a lot easier...
But when you're saying that your laptop is on top of your acoustic piano, and that you don't want to buy another keyboard, I think you're the learning experience type.. You haven't had experience with this type of stuff before and you're going to have to learn to use it to get the maximum benefits... But it's not that horrible and benefits will far outweigh the inconveniences of getting out of your comfort zone... And the benefits of being able to practice with actual harmonic instruments is a lot better than just having a drum machine metronome...
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,486
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,486 |
Hi
Welcome and hope that we can help and ZeroZero has given you a sound overview
BIAB will be with you years after you have got fed up of a drum machine
With BIAB you can "create" and since 1994 (my first BIAB) I have become a far better musician because of it
Today BIAB Ultrapak (or even the basic) is like playing in a studio with top musicians - you will need good speakers to get the benefit
jazzman
BIAB - RealBand - 2022
Windows 10 64
Zoo computer with 7i processor- SSD 1TB -2TB HDD
Roland keyboards
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,739
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,739 |
I agrre with Jazzman BIAB will make you a far better musician. I have been typing in cycles and going around chords of my choice ion a style of my choice - in two minutes a track is ready. You dont really need to know any MID to get going, but it is an advantage. I think of MIDI as an electronic score - its silent in itself but its a set of instructions for (electronic) instruments to start notes, stop them, determine how loud and a lot more.
Traditional paer scores give some directions, but MIDI defines a lot more some things which you might never have though of before. Its a couple of evenings with a web page and notes to get the hand of it.
Win 11 64, Asus Rog Strix z390 mobo, 64 gig RAM, 8700k
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 812
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 812 |
Hey Novice,
Welcome to the forums. 3 reasons to check it out>
1. BIAB has enabled thousands of musicians to do things they never could have dreamed of with just a laptop and sequencing software. It truly is in a league of its own.
2. With a 30 day money back guarantee, what have you got to lose. Once you try it, and learn how to use it, I'll bet its a keeper for you.
3. If you ever need help or run into a problem, this forum is filled with some of the nicest folks on the net, ready to help whenever you need it, including the owner of the Company,Dr. Peter Gannon. You won't find that anywhere else!
Hope that convinces you to give it a try,
Ed
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 13
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 13 |
Thanks for your input. I am now decided. I have ordered the Ultra pak. Ill be back Im sure with questions once I have it running.
Brian
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 18,943
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 18,943 |
Hi Brian, To get started, I suggest you look at the videos that will come with it. If you are interested in getting a bit of a head start, there are some good tutorial videos here. The one that I found most useful is found about halfway down the webpage and is called Band In A Box QuickStart Tutorial. All the best, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2024
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5 |
Hey Brian,
Good choice. I'm using BIAB mostly for practicing with an upright bass. There are so many styles that a drum machine can never match. I've inputed some blues and jazz lessons from one of my books to work along with. The really cool thing is being able to switch keys in a matter of mere seconds. Great for learning a toon in C, F, Bb or whatever. Practicing with a "real band" is a lot more fun as well.
As Jazzman mentioned, get a good sound system. I use a Behringer mini PA system that works perfectly with my laptop that I picked up at my local music store.
Check out the tutorials, and read through the threads here. They both help immensely.
Scotty
It's better to keep quiet and appear stupid, rather than speak and remove all doubt.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,486
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,486 |
Hi Brian
Just remember that the learning curve to master all the features in BIAB is quite long so be happy to take a number of small steps - an hour a day is better than 6 hours now and again - BIAB is a monster program and for my needs I use about 30% on a daily basis and some of the rest occasionally
The advice above to see the videos is very sound because it is everyones natural urge to get the program up and running - but a good examination of the videos can assist greatly - we are always here to help
The Behringer mini system is excellent and the Bose desktop system is tops also
If you are performing then use your gig sound system to get the near perfect sound and balance - howeverif you are just using it for home enjoyment and learning then the above will do just fine
Enjoy the ride
jazzman
BIAB - RealBand - 2022
Windows 10 64
Zoo computer with 7i processor- SSD 1TB -2TB HDD
Roland keyboards
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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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Henry Clarke: Revolutionize Your Band-in-Box® Tracks with Regenerating Function
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
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