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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 4
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 4 |
I'm both dismayed and confused over the lack of materials for an actual "new user". It would seem that PG Music doesn't quite appreciate the extent to which the steep learning curve affects a completely new user. You might argue that this is not the true, but take a look at the top of this "Beginners Forum." The PG Music pinned post is a video on "What's New" which is near useless to the complete beginner. There is so much BiaB-specific terminology that one would need a "how to understand the what's new" video in order to even begin to comprehend.
Yes, I know that there is a lot of older how-to info out there, but what might make sense to those familiar with BiaB can be a brick wall to someone new. All it takes is a minor change and things become frighteningly difficult.
Henry Clark comes the closest to making newbie-friendly videos. Yet just a few minutes into his intro to BiaB video I was left scratching my head: The default screen and toolbar buttons shown on his screen were nothing like those on mine.
Turns out that due to my smaller screen, the default is a completely different view. Sure, there are -- as I eventually figured out-- toggles to turn the screen items on and off. Should we blame Henry? Of course not, his videos are a labor of love. The point is that there are no tutorial materials available from PG Music teaching the new user how to use the most recent iteration of their product.
All said, this post is not intended to be a "don't buy this product" nor a "this company sucks" missive. I am posting in hopes that the fine folks of PG Music might take a good look at something that is not only highly frustrating for the aspiring new BiaB user, but also -- IMHO -- is a barrier to both user engagement and new paying customers.
Last edited by PHarker; 03/29/23 04:11 AM.
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 836
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 836 |
Hi PHarker, this page is where our videos get posted. Scroll down on it to find the "Beginner" heading: https://www.pgmusic.com/videos.bbwin.htm We are also happy to help and clarify any concepts. You can contact us directly via live chat or email supprot@pgmusic.com.
Best,
Chantelle
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,905
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,905 |
Henry Clark comes the closest ... The default screen and toolbar buttons shown on his screen were nothing like those on mine. See "Toolbar Modes" on p54 the manual to swap between toolbar styles. Yes, that's arcane, which underlines your observation.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
Kawai MP6, Korg M50, Ui24R, Saffire Pro 40.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11; Win8.1: Scarletts
BIAB2022 UltraPAK, Reaper, a bunch of stuff.
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 18
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 18 |
Another dimension to this for beginners, is understanding the multiple layers of tracks and styles.
And I'm still bemused by the 3 x choruses format. Which 'popular songs' in the last 70 years have a chorus but no verses? Less than 1% I'm sure.
Several thousand tracks by accomplished musicians, but no obvious support for verses. Am I missing something?
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,816
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,816 |
Another dimension to this for beginners, is understanding the multiple layers of tracks and styles.
And I'm still bemused by the 3 x choruses format. Which 'popular songs' in the last 70 years have a chorus but no verses? Less than 1% I'm sure.
Several thousand tracks by accomplished musicians, but no obvious support for verses. Am I missing something? You missed the jazz terminology that BiaB uses. In jazz a chorus means play the entire song. Commonly the first chorus one played the melody, the second chorus was for improvisation, while the third was back to playing the melody. Of course there were variations in this theme. Playing the chorus in jazz means, in today's terms, play the verse, chorus, prechorus, etc. FWIW, I also use the unfolded method in BiaB. That is where I have 1-n x 1 which means start at the first measure, n means the number of measure in the song, and x 1 means play it one time. Don't fret over n as you can change that while figuring out you song. I also label each section via the bar based section letters: Right click on the measure number to get to the bar based section letters. I use I for intro, V for verse, C for chorus, etc. PS - BiaB started as a jazz program thus the chorus terminology. I hope this helps.
Me, it's not about how many times you fail, it's about how many times you get back up.
Cop, that's not how field sobriety tests work.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 18
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 18 |
MarioD,
Yes your explanation helped me tremendously thanks.
I grew up in the UK listening to the Beatles and 60s pop/Motown, then 70s glam rock, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, T-Rex followed by punk (a breath of fresh air). Then Michael Jackson in the 80s, Duran Duran, Bob Marley.
In the 90s I worked in Phoenix, AZ for a while and fell in love with American classic rock and blues, and I mean real blues bars with sawdust on the floor and crusty customers ha ha.
Jazz was never mainstream in the UK, although my dear late Father did play me his Glenn Miller LPs. Does anyone remember LPs?
So my brain is hard wired with the intro, verse, pre-chorus, chorus, verse, bridge, weird section, verse, chorus, key change, repeat, fade to outro format and all other permutations.
I get the n-1 approach and copy/paste of bars with lyrics will do fine, just like a word processor.
I found the "Edit Repeats and Endings" dialog that looks comprehensive. I'll start with the simple approach first, then tie myself in knots later.
Cheers
Paul
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,816
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,816 |
I'm glad that you got things working and I'm glad that I could help.
Me, it's not about how many times you fail, it's about how many times you get back up.
Cop, that's not how field sobriety tests work.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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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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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!
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