|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 94
Enthusiast
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 94 |
I know this will make folks mad BUT if your new to DAW use buy Power Tracks Pro. It's 29 dollars and has 100s of features you'll know about howevr that's better than Reaper,etc. that'll have 1000s of features you know nothing about.
PT will keep the waters less muddy and works perfectly as an add on to BIAB.
JohnnyD
Hi John, Even though I have only been on the PGmusic forums for less than a week, I have learned enough about the people here to say that I would be very surprised if anyone here would get mad about your recommendation of Power Tracks Pro. I think that your rationale for suggesting that to Vincente is a wonderful one, and I agree completely that Reaper (and some other DAWs) are so complicated at first that it could put someone off. I am grateful for the other suggestions, too.
Last edited by drutgat; 10/14/18 11:52 AM.
"If The Beatles or the 60's had a message, it was 'Learn to swim'. And once you've learned - swim!"
John Lennon
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,861
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,861 |
I used SONAR for decades. When we thought they were gone, I tested all the demos I could find and switched to Mixcraft.
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 94
Enthusiast
|
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 94 |
I used SONAR for decades. When we thought they were gone, I tested all the demos I could find and switched to Mixcraft. In my last huge purchase on a computer to do audio recording (in 2007), I went Mac, and I have to say that I really, really liked the simplicity of workflow in GarageBand - more than Logic, actually. That was a great 'starter' DAW. Am going to look at Mixcraft now, if it is still around.
"If The Beatles or the 60's had a message, it was 'Learn to swim'. And once you've learned - swim!"
John Lennon
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 756
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 756 |
Wow, so much great advice here.
I'm just gonna add that I think Matt Finley said it best earlier in the thread "Most people will recommend the one they know best because if you learn one there is rarely a good reason to use another."
The most important thing, IMO, is to pick one based on what you read here and stick with it.
Each DAW will have its own way of accomplishing things and its own learning curve.
That said, as someone else in this thread very wisely pointed out, since it appears that the DAW of choice in these forums seems to be Reaper, go with that to the extent that you may be soliciting advice from forum members throughout your musical journey.
Band-in-a-Box 2021 PlusPAK w 2019 Bonus Pak. Custom Build Desktop PC W/ Windows 10 Home 64-bit. CPU: Intel Core i5-9600k @ 3.7GHz (6 core x 6 threads) RAM: 16GB DDR4. Storage 238GB SSD + 2.7 TB HDD. GPU: ZOTAC NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 593
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 593 |
+1 for learning RealBand and seeing if it meets your needs. If not, start shopping for something that has features you need. I grew up with Cakewalk from the DOS days. You can now use it free at www.bandlab.com , but it pretty much expects you to be connected to the Internet. https://cakewalk.bandlab.com/
Last edited by PhillyJazz; 10/15/18 02:58 AM.
Jan - 12 Core AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
32GB DDR4
Win 10 64-bit
Samsung m.2 SSD Boot drive,other SSD internal and USB drives.
MOTO 2
Ketron SD4,SD1000
Yamaha RX-v381amp
VB-Audio virtual cables
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,861
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,861 |
I should confess I don't use RealBand, but like PhillyJazz I had long since learned Cakewalk Pro Audio (which became SONAR, which recently became BandLab). I'm wrongly following my own advice by not learning this particular "new" one when I already knew another quite well. Many users here make a great case to learn RealBand for the special abilities it has, most notably regenerating sections of a track.
If I were starting out, I certainly would have learned RealBand first. Then moved to a standalone DAW.
Standalone DAWs are like foreign languages. They all do the almost the same things; they just go about it differently. The more of them you learn, the easier it gets as you see the similarities. Often it's a case of learning the terminology (what one DAW calls this, another calls that).
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 464
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 464 |
I agree that RB is a good place to start if you are a BB user. In addition, you can generate additional RT's for the same instrument so you can make composite tracks. I also like the interface for RB. Once you get used to the DAW concept (I am just getting comfortable), I would think about Reaper. I have been watching the videos about Reaper lately and it seems to do things that RB can't. I am going to bring my next BB project into Reaper to see how it goes. As far as your wife killing you for spending the money, you might want to put it in perspective for her. You could be a big game hunter, a car enthusiast or spend your dough on boating and fishing gear. Recording is a lot cheaper.  2b
i5-3210 laptop. Win 10 Home. 2.5ghz, 64 bit. 6gb RAM. Focusrite Scarlet 2i2.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,583
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,583 |
And if you go the Cakewalk by BandLab (formerly Sonar Platinum), which is free and very full featured, you can view both the older Sonar Platinum tutorials, as well as Cakewalk by BandLab tutorials, as not a lot has changed. Here are a few YouTube links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1f5zJZGlT6ghttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCPMyFyv8V07CnKoVWraOOGsjw06jzBI1https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB82E55314B11E41CYou can also access a fair amount of Cakewalk content at Groove3 (however, that is not free).
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA BB2024/UMC404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/MixBus/Notion/Finale/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 464
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 464 |
Thanks, John. I didn't know that. I will take a look.
i5-3210 laptop. Win 10 Home. 2.5ghz, 64 bit. 6gb RAM. Focusrite Scarlet 2i2.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 94
Enthusiast
|
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 94 |
+1 for learning RealBand and seeing if it meets your needs. If not, start shopping for something that has features you need. I grew up with Cakewalk from the DOS days. You can now use it free at www.bandlab.com , but it pretty much expects you to be connected to the Internet. https://cakewalk.bandlab.com/ Hi PhillyJazz, Thanks for the Bandlab link. Even though it has loops for various genres, it seems to be aimed at the Electronic Dance Music crowd in terms of the sonic quality of the instruments and so on. For "sonic" read "MIDI". Still, it is somewhat interesting. Very, very different from Sonar.
"If The Beatles or the 60's had a message, it was 'Learn to swim'. And once you've learned - swim!"
John Lennon
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,796
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,796 |
So what's the catch there .... ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,583
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,583 |
Okay, don't get confused here folks. Yes, BandLab is an online platform for creating (as indicated, loop based EDM music), but that's not what we're talking about here. When Cakewalk went out of business, Bandlab bought their software resources and are now marketing what was previously Cakewalk Sonar Platinum as Cakewalk by Bandlab. This is a full featured DAW that has been in use by many musicians for many, many years, capable of creating all types of music.
So, by downloading the Bandlab installer, in addition to using your account to access the online Bandlab software and loops, you also use it to install and keep updated the new Cakewalk DAW on your computer. The only difference between Sonar Platinum and the new Cakewalk by Bandlab is they don't have all the additional add-ons (because those agreements were originally made between Cakewalk and the 3rd party vendors, which wasn't included in the transfer of Cakewalks intellectual property).
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA BB2024/UMC404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/MixBus/Notion/Finale/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 18,353
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 18,353 |
Thanks John for the detailed explanation. That certainly clarifies the position. We are talking about two separate products, essentially.
BIAB & RB2024 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 593
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 593 |
I have not tried using it offline, but I had not used it for a while, and when I fired it up, it demanded I log into my bandcamp account and update my status. I don't know what would have happened had I been offline.
Jan - 12 Core AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
32GB DDR4
Win 10 64-bit
Samsung m.2 SSD Boot drive,other SSD internal and USB drives.
MOTO 2
Ketron SD4,SD1000
Yamaha RX-v381amp
VB-Audio virtual cables
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 593
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 593 |
Yes.. I merely brought up Bandlab as the means of obtaining Cakewalk. I do not know that there is another (legal) way to install the bits locally, as Sonor is not "abandonware."
Jan - 12 Core AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
32GB DDR4
Win 10 64-bit
Samsung m.2 SSD Boot drive,other SSD internal and USB drives.
MOTO 2
Ketron SD4,SD1000
Yamaha RX-v381amp
VB-Audio virtual cables
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,682
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,682 |
I deleted Bandlab installer after I got cakewalk and it still runs fine.
win 10 64 bit 16gb,i7 chip, ssd 500gb, m-audio air, ,Roland BK-7M, 1000,shure sm7b,sonar,acid,mixcraft, variety of plugins.Sample tank 3,Kontakt. TC Helicon Voicelive 3 2 . https://beatmaster1.bandcamp.com/releases
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,169
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,169 |
Cakewalk by BandLab is not (or at least was not) run from the BandLab site. From BandLab one downloads the installer and runs it. Then you let the installer download and install Cakewalk by BandLab and whatever extras they now have (eg the Melodyne demo). Once installed the download tool just sits there, a download tool will be required for updates etc.
If you have a present install of Sonar, Cakewalk by BandLab will pick up all the goodies you may have loaded. It will also pick it any VSTs (assuming you have the correct paths set in preferences). As said many times Cakewalk by BandLab is basically Sonar Platinum without all the add ons. In reality it is the add ons that really cost.
My two bobs worth
Tony
HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home,
Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612
BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 94
Enthusiast
|
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 94 |
Okay, don't get confused here folks. Yes, BandLab is an online platform for creating (as indicated, loop based EDM music), but that's not what we're talking about here. When Cakewalk went out of business, Bandlab bought their software resources and are now marketing what was previously Cakewalk Sonar Platinum as Cakewalk by Bandlab. This is a full featured DAW that has been in use by many musicians for many, many years, capable of creating all types of music.
So, by downloading the Bandlab installer, in addition to using your account to access the online Bandlab software and loops, you also use it to install and keep updated the new Cakewalk DAW on your computer. The only difference between Sonar Platinum and the new Cakewalk by Bandlab is they don't have all the additional add-ons (because those agreements were originally made between Cakewalk and the 3rd party vendors, which wasn't included in the transfer of Cakewalks intellectual property).
Hi John, Thanks for this. That is what I thought was the case, but when I created the Bandlab account earlier today and played around with the interface and website, I saw no mention of Cakewalk, even though I was looking for it. There was a download link, but it in no way gave any clue that the product you could download was any different from the very different-from-Sonar product online. I will try again.
"If The Beatles or the 60's had a message, it was 'Learn to swim'. And once you've learned - swim!"
John Lennon
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,796
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,796 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 464
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 464 |
Charlie,
Interesting post about hardware DAWs. How do you transfer files from BB to the machine?
2b
i5-3210 laptop. Win 10 Home. 2.5ghz, 64 bit. 6gb RAM. Focusrite Scarlet 2i2.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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."
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums66
Topics81,587
Posts734,745
Members38,500
| |
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean