Advice on a good rhythm machine

Roger Andrusky · Post by **Roger Andrusky** » 8 Jan 2003 1:51 pm

What is anyone's opinion on the best all around rhythm machine for the money? I'd like something with guitar and drums for as a minimum. I see a lot of Boss D-5 units around the web, but who has used it and is there anything better?
(We're not talking about a $1000 piece here, now...)

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 8 Jan 2003 2:01 pm

Before I'd spend much money on a rhythm machine, I'd invest in the Band In A Box program. You can do sooooo much more.
Erv

Sidney Malone · Post by **Sidney Malone** » 8 Jan 2003 2:05 pm

I agree with Erv, Band in a Box is hard to beat for the money and is very easy to use.

Roger Andrusky · Post by **Roger Andrusky** » 9 Jan 2003 5:58 am

I'll look into it, but just what is a "Band in a Box"? Who makes them? What's a reasonable price new and used?

Thanks again!

Matt Steindl · Post by **Matt Steindl** » 9 Jan 2003 6:52 am

Roger,

What kind of application were you going to use this for? If you just want accompaniment to jam w/ the BIAB would be perfect, but if you want realistic drums for recording, you should get a boss or ZOOM machine.

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Mattman in "The Big Sleazy"-:
S-10 Dekley, Suitcase Fender Rhodes, B-bender Les Paul

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 9 Jan 2003 7:27 am

Roger:
BIAB is a software program that you install on your computer. They just came out with version 12 that even supports General Midi 2 so you can get mandolin, ukulele and etc. It can't be beat even for drums. I think the new version has about 23 drum sets on it.
If you want to check it out go to www.pgmusic.com
Erv

Sidney Malone · Post by **Sidney Malone** » 9 Jan 2003 7:29 am

Roger, Band in a Box is computer software program. You load it on your computer like any other software and it is run from the computer. All you need is a good sound source, computer speakers, home stereo reciever, PA system etc..

You can get all the info at www.pgmusic.com

Good Luck

Sidney Malone · Post by **Sidney Malone** » 9 Jan 2003 7:31 am

Erv, looks like we were posting at he same time.

Jan Dunn · Post by **Jan Dunn** » 9 Jan 2003 9:31 am

One caveat on BIAB...If you keep upgrading the program, which happens every 6 months or so, you could spend a fortune..each little incremental upgrade is 50 bucks and they're up to version 12 or so...Figure you spent 99 bucks for the original and 50 bucks for each upgrade. Ya end up spending 600 bucks!!! the upgrades are never free. But its great program at a one time purchase price without all the upgrades.

Roger Andrusky · Post by **Roger Andrusky** » 9 Jan 2003 10:04 am

OK, might as well keep this going a bit...I want to be able to play with rhythm tracks for practice, but I have a few original tunes of my own I'd like to add accompaniment to and record for my own listening pleasure. It sounds like I'd be better off with the BIAB if I can pipe my steel onto tracks that are opposite the rhythm tracks and record them together, yes?

But it sounds like Matt doesn't think the BIAB offers realistic enough sound for recording, though. Can anyone put into words the difference in sounds between the BIAB and say a Boss D-5?
I know I'm pushing the limits here, but money doesn't grow on my steel so I want to do this just once. Thanks again - Roger

Sidney Malone · Post by **Sidney Malone** » 9 Jan 2003 10:35 am

I usually hold off on the upgrades until they add something I really need. A lot of the upgrades are useless to me.

As far as the sound quality, I've never heard a Boss or any other brand side by side with BIAB so I can't give a true opinion.

I have used BIAB through my home stereo as well as my PA system and I think the Bass, Drum and Piano sounds great!! The other instruments are pretty hoaky but I dont use them anyway.

It depends a lot on your sound card (I'm using Soundblaster MP3+) and it's a must that you use Roland VSC which is included with the program.

Hopefully you can find someone who has used both in a recording situation and help you make your mind up.

George Kimery · Post by **George Kimery** » 9 Jan 2003 10:40 am

I have always been leary of BIAB until ordered the 18 Country Classics CD from Herb Steiner, which is my understanding, was done primarily on BIAB. It sounds much better than I had anticipated. Our own forumrite, Big Jim Baron (bigjim4b@madnet.net) is a dealer for the BIAB and is supposed to be the guru of the BIAB and is more than willing to give you personal support should you need it to get you up an going. Something that you won't get from the big discount stores. I am buying a BIAB and I am getting it from Big Jim. I have a Boss Dr. 5, but it is just too time consuming to program for me.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 9 Jan 2003 11:52 am

The primary reason I upgraded to version 12 is due to the fact that it supports General Midi 2. This gives you a lot more instruments IF you have a sound card that supports it. I plan to get that too. You won't be disappointed with BIAB. They also have a solo track that you can add to their accompanyment (for your steel). If you have original songs, you won't have a problem entering them into BIAB and coming up with accompanyment tracks.
I play primarily gospel music and have about 50-60 gospel songs that I play along with BIAB.
Erv

Roger Andrusky · Post by **Roger Andrusky** » 9 Jan 2003 2:13 pm

Thanks so much, gentlemen! As always, it's a pleasure "talking" to you all! You are always helpful and I really do appreciate it!
----Roger

Matt Steindl · Post by **Matt Steindl** » 9 Jan 2003 2:53 pm

OK folks, I dont get it. I downloaded a copy of BIAB 11 last night, and played w/ it for about an hour before uninstaling it. The good thing, was all of the songs and styles that you can use, but for me to even consider using it on a recording, was out of the question. The drum sounds were GM sounds which I think is just a form of FM synthesis. Where as, most new drum machines use actual samples of different real drums and bass.

Maybe I gave up on it too soon, and didnt dig deep enough, but it sounded like the demo tunes on a cheap Casio.

Not trying to piss anyone off, but I really dont get it!

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Mattman in "The Big Sleazy"-:
S-10 Dekley, Suitcase Fender Rhodes, B-bender Les Paul

Roger Andrusky · Post by **Roger Andrusky** » 9 Jan 2003 5:27 pm

Matt,
What did you mean you "downloaded it"? Was it on the net or do you mean you just loaded the program?

Also, you guys that like this thing, plewase comment! Thanks - Roger

Matt Steindl · Post by **Matt Steindl** » 9 Jan 2003 5:33 pm

Found it at Kazaa.com

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Mattman in "The Big Sleazy"-:
S-10 Dekley, Suitcase Fender Rhodes, B-bender Les Paul

Gary Jones · Post by **Gary Jones** » 9 Jan 2003 7:00 pm

Keep in mind that BIAB is a MIDI driven program, so it does not itself generate voices, but sends the data to whatever MIDI device you have enabled. If that happens to be your computer soundcard you will be limited to whatever quality of sound that your card is capable of delivering. The Roland VSC is capable of delivering some good quality drum sounds.
I use a Boss DR-770 for my drum voice module, and I feel that it produces very good drum sounds for recording. It can also be programmed as a stand-alone unit with Bass and Drum rythym tracks.
I also use a Yamaha PSR 550 for some of my MIDI voices.
On a side note, I spent the day at the Consumer Electronics Show here in Las Vegas. Creative Labs has a new product called Prodikeys,which is a computer keyboard, combined with a small piano keyboard. It looks like it could be a useful tool for someone that does a lot of MIDI sequencing.

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Gary Jones, KLVX - Trying to keep it straight amongst the Gilded Palaces of Sin

Bennie Hensley · Post by **Bennie Hensley** » 10 Jan 2003 10:57 am

I downloaded band in a box for a trial basis. Danged if I can figure out how to work it! Bennie