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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I play the drums and have been looking high and low for some original tracks to play with. I have tried midi sounds with Garritan Instruments specifically Jazz and Big Band 3 and have met with mixed results. It really depends on how well the midi was done as to how helpful it is.I basically want to know if BIAB will create original songs that I can play to? I have zero music ability and just play the drums for a hobby, but would like to play along to some good backing musicians and since I don't have tons of money BIAB was my next option.Will this work for what I want to do? Thanks

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Absitively, posolutely, Yes! It is one of the things BIAB shines at.

I dabbled with BIAB for years. Then I began programming in my own music* and playing along. Doing so absolutely transformed my playing in a ridiculously short amount of time. I brought a lot to it, but it brought out things in me that I wasn't sure existed.

There's even a money-back guarantee. I virtually guarantee you won't want to use it. Dive in, become a part of the community, and light up your musical life.

You are correct in that MIDI music depends on what it's played through. In order to realize the best sound you will need a good synth, either hardware or software, both of which are available through PG Music.

By the way, I am not connected the company in any way. I'm just an average user. This is your classic unsolicited testimonial.

Richard

*If you don't have that ability, BIAB can create songs for you. There are also a ton of demo tunes.


"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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You bet. That's what BiaB was designed for; creating backing tracks. You can still use midi but with the advent of RealTracks you can now create backing track with real, top class, musicians.

Have a listen to the demos on this page. That's the type of music you can create to accompany you.

Demo Page


BiaB 2013 b366, RB 2013 b4, WinXP Pro SP3, Toshiba M70, 1.8GHz 2GB RAM 100GB HD. Focusrite Saffire 6 USB, Ketron SD2.BiaB Wiki
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BIAB could be exactly what you're looking for.I really think that you won't find another program that can offer you better accompaniment tracks to play along.

Just take a look on the videos here:

http://www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.demos.htm


BIAB 2024, latest build.
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Thanks for the quick response I will be getting this after Christmas and look forward to the possibilities it will provide.I will definitely be using the real tracks to play along with. What are some of the best videos to watch to learn how to make a song from beginning to end?

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I don't know what your budget is, but I would highly recommend buying it before the beginning of the year, otherwise you'll miss the holiday sales price and have to pay substantially more. If you look at the pricing page, you'll see what the current prices are and what they'll go back up to.

Also, don't forget that PGMusic offers a 30-day money-back guarantee (minus shipping costs).


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Yea I know about the pricing issue, but unfortunately funds are low and will have to wait till the end of the year. $199 or $249 if it does what I hope it does and sounds as good as the demos I have heard it will well be worth any price.Funny thing I had never even heard of BIAB until a few weeks ago I went searching for something that would be cost effective and sound real.I got Sibelius last year and the Garritan Jazz and Big Band and Personal Orchestra and tried to use them with Mixcraft 5 to get some backing tracks, but since my musical skills are nil and I'm depended on using Midi files to download it has become very frustrating.I'm super pumped to get this program and learn it.

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Quote:

What are some of the best videos to watch to learn how to make a song from beginning to end?




You can find several tutorials for beginners on youtube, some of them are really great. If you want to hear the Realtracks in action, you could visit this page

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Quote:

Funny thing I had never even heard of BIAB until a few weeks ago




Yea, its our little secret
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for the nice PM comments....


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Good advice above. all I will add is welcome and jump in with both feet!

Merry Christmas,

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The basic program is 129US and will do a nice job of providing a backup band to play along with. You can pay more and get the Real Tracks, but that can wait for a few months.

Keep watching the videos. There is a lot to this program, but it will become clear soon enough.

.


Flatfoot sez: Call me when 'Talent-in-a-Box' is ready to ship! -- [8{>

Got some tunes on You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/flatfoot50
.
My BiaB lesson site:
http://jdwolfe0.wixsite.com/learnbiab
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I have to say I am truly impressed with all the positive comments on this product and I'm also impressed with the general comments made by the posters. You can truly tell someone is passionate about something if they make comments on it like they do on here.I will be buy this on the 31st,well downloading it anyway. I just cannot wait for a DVD to arrive. Are you able to back the files up on DVD when you download them?I'm gonna start with the MegaPak first as I love the way the real instruments sound and I'm quite sure I will be going all the way with the Audiophile version if I know me.Thanks again for the comments.Very helpful and crucial in making my decision to purchase this.

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Hi Leonard,

Yes, definitely back up your files when you download them. I always backup the USB drive, too, onto a second USB drive. I have no faith in computers at all

Once you get over the initial learning curve, you'll absolutely love the program. I started with the MegaPak back in 2006 and, at the very first upgrade special, I changed to UltraPlusPak. These days, I upgrade whenever specials come around.

Regards,
Noel


MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2024
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PG Music News
Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!

Add updated printing options, enhanced tracks settings, smoother use of MGU and SGU (BB files) within PowerTracks, and more with the latest PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 update!

Learn more about this free update for PowerTracks Pro Audio & download it at www.pgmusic.com/support_windows_pt.htm#2024_5

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."

Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!

The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!

There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.

If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.

We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!

Congratulations to the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!

We've just announced the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!

There are 45 winners, each receiving a Band-in-a-Box 2024 UltraPAK! Read the official announcement to see if you've won.

Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed!

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