I’m a new BIAB user, just purchased, installed, and running BIAB 2020 (Pro version, 64b) for Windows. I’m running it on my DAW, a PC that is custom built for audio production (i7 5820K, 32G DDR4, Win10). My audio interface is a MOTU 828x, USB connected.
Guitar is my main instrument, and I am having difficulty with Audio In. If I record, I can see the guitar input on the input meters, but not on the output. And I, of course, do not hear any audio/guitar while I am playing a song in BIAB. I admit, I haven’t yet read the *entire* manual. Does BIAB allow me to play an instrument via Audio In while playing a song in BIAB? At this early stage of learning and playing with BIAB, I am not yet interested in recording; I just want to jam along with different songs/styles. I mentioned recording earlier to indicate that I am getting Audio In (as seen in the meters) but just not hearing it while hearing the song in BIAB.
By the way, I have tried various configurations in the MOTU CueMix (software mixer). I can do a live monitor and hear the guitar, but not going through BIAB. I want the guitar audio to go through BIAB so that I can choose/assign VSTs, like Native Instruments’ Guitar Rig.
Don't have BIAB yet so take my words with a grain of salt. I don't remember reading that you can record an instrument directly through BIAB. My take is that you compose on BIAB, import in your DAW, then record your guitar and add effects through VST within the DAW. I have reaper, am a guitarist, and can record my guitar and use VSTs like Blue cat Audio with no issue. What I would need to do is use the BIAB vst plugin to Reaper to have the other instruments there and once done record my guitar.
Band-in-a-Box HAS an audio track that is hidden by default. The Band-in-a-Box audio track supports recording. However Band-in-a-Box DOES NOT support record monitoring. So you can not hear what you record and the Band-in-a-Box tracks together until recording is stopped. If you want to hear yourself while recording you will need an audio interface with record monitoring and a headphone jack. Many interfaces have this feature but some do not.
That means Band-in-a-Box is not the best available recording solution PG Music offers. The best PG Music recording solution is RealBand which is free with Band-in-a-Box for Windows or PowerTracks Pro for $49. Both programs have record monitoring. Mac users have GarageBand which includes record monitoring.
Band-in-a-Box HAS an audio track that is hidden by default. The Band-in-a-Box audio track supports recording. However Band-in-a-Box DOES NOT support record monitoring. So you can not hear what you record and the Band-in-a-Box tracks together until recording is stopped. If you want to hear yourself while recording you will need an audio interface with record monitoring and a headphone jack. Many interfaces have this feature but some do not.
That means Band-in-a-Box is not the best available recording solution PG Music offers. The best PG Music recording solution is RealBand which is free with Band-in-a-Box for Windows or PowerTracks Pro for $49. Both programs have record monitoring. Mac users have GarageBand which includes record monitoring.
Thank you @Jim Fogle! Very helpful feedback! I was "expecting" BIAB to be something I could easily jam with. It's not working out with the standalone version. The VST can be cumbersome because I have "generate" the tracks first. RealBand, as you mentioned, may be the compromise I'm looking for. I played with it some and I can see that I need to really understand BIAB basics first. So, back to the manual, and on to the online videos!
The easiest way to "jam" is to use Band-in-a-Box to play back previously created songs or arrangements that you play along with. Using the practice tool, looping, playlists, the conductor and other tools available in Band-in-a-Box you can create all the practice material you'll ever want. You just can't create and practice at the same time. Creating and practicing use different parts of your brain and require developing different skills so maybe not mixing the two together is a good idea.
Thanks Jim. And again, practicing with already created songs means that I play the song through BIAB and then "jam" on my instrument either live or through a mixer, but not through BIAB. That's my current understanding.
I just watched several videos. Although I know I have a LONG way to go, I at least have a bit better understanding of BIAB.[u][/u]
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!
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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!
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!
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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.
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Does BIAB allow me to play an instrument via Audio In while playing a song in BIAB? At this early stage of learning and playing with BIAB, I am not yet interested in recording; I just want to jam along with different songs/styles. I mentioned recording earlier to indicate that I am getting Audio In (as seen in the meters) but just not hearing it while hearing the song in BIAB.
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