Band in a Box Question

Scott Denniston · Post by **Scott Denniston** » 10 Jan 2006 10:50 am

I've been thinking of getting BIAB to practice with and want to know if the tempo can be adjusted. This looks like just an excellent way to practice over changes if it's not too funky-synthy sounding. Also, I'd like to find an older version and not pay for the upgrades like vocal harmony etc. that I wouldn't be using. Thanks for any input.--Scott

Jim Eaton · Post by **Jim Eaton** » 10 Jan 2006 11:03 am

Yes you can control the tempo of an track that you enter, and change it at any time.
I got the "basic" package and added one additional "style set" and it does everything I need it to do.

Scott Denniston · Post by **Scott Denniston** » 10 Jan 2006 11:32 am

Thanks Jim. I think I'll try that. Is the sound quality pretty good, I mean kind of real sounding and not choppy or synthy?

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 10 Jan 2006 11:38 am

You won't mistake the instruments you hear in BIAB for real instruments.

Scott Denniston · Post by **Scott Denniston** » 10 Jan 2006 11:48 am

heh-heh I was thinking that. I might try it anyway. I mean not having to record bass & rythm& drum machine etc. would save a lot of time for practice. Especially being able to up the tempo at will.

Jay Fagerlie · Post by **Jay Fagerlie** » 10 Jan 2006 12:01 pm

BIAB in itself does not have any 'sounds'.
You can use a software synth (Roland VSC) or plug it into an external synth via MIDI.
Better sounds=more $$$
I use VSC and it does what I need....I use it for everything but recording, so the sounds the VSC program generates along with a cheap soundblaster works just fine
Jay

Papa Joe Pollick · Post by **Papa Joe Pollick** » 10 Jan 2006 12:58 pm

I use BIAB for practice with VSC..I also sometimes move it in-to Calkwalk for reference[tempo,chord progression,etc.],then after laying down the rhythm guitar,leads,and vocal,[in Cakewalk],I'll mute the BIAB tracks and record my own bass and drums..Works for me..
PC Music sold me the BIAB with VSC and Slow Blast for $62. No extra styles yet,but maybe soon..PJ

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 10 Jan 2006 2:14 pm

BIAB works fine for practicing. I never expected it to sound better than a live band cause it aint but with a good sound card it's great. You can adjust the tempo, change keys easily mute unwanted instruments, and change styles just to mention a few features. It's helped me tremendously to learn to play over chord changes and by startin out slow and increasing the tempo you can learn faster. It does a ton of other things too that take a while to learn but it's all there.

Scott Denniston · Post by **Scott Denniston** » 10 Jan 2006 3:24 pm

Thanks. I think I'll get that. Hope the soundcard in my laptop is adequete. Anyway I was thinking of dumping those tracks into my Roland 880 deck and playing with it there. I do have a digital interface for the laptop so maybe I can figure how to transfer it that way.

Scott Denniston · Post by **Scott Denniston** » 10 Jan 2006 3:32 pm

Hmmm could I midi that out of the laptop to my GR30 guitar synth and record it into the Roland 880?<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Scott Denniston on 10 January 2006 at 03:33 PM.]</p></FONT>

Don Walworth · Post by **Don Walworth** » 10 Jan 2006 5:16 pm

I have BIAB and have surround sound on my PC.... now that sounds awesome!!! My goal in playing is to play along with my BIAB program......

On my lap top, sound is like you would expect.

All depends on sound card, etc as has been posted.

You can also go to the BIAB web site and post questions, etc there. Like this site, it is VERY helpful...

don

Bob Martin · Post by **Bob Martin** » 10 Jan 2006 11:08 pm

If you want biab to sound realistic right out of the box buy coyote forte as a plugin for biab. The soundsm are very acceptable especially the bass and drums. You can buy it in conjunction with biab for around 49 bucks. If that sounds like a lot just buy the standalone biab and use the synth that comes with it (roland VSC)may have to pay 10 extra even for it then see if you're happy with the sounds if you are well great don't spend any more but if your not go ahead and buy the coyote forte plugin and you'll be amazed even the acoustic gtrs sound live.

Bob

Alan Sim · Post by **Alan Sim** » 10 Jan 2006 11:34 pm

I use BIAB and find it great for playing along to,or writing my own backings.

pgmusic.com is where to go,lots of tutorial video's to watch or download,and a great forum.

As stated,the better your sound source,the better the quality,if you need convincing,download the demo,you wont be sorry.

Alan

Rick Jolley · Post by **Rick Jolley** » 11 Jan 2006 7:35 am

You should also run down to Wal-Mart and pick up an Altec Lansing Sound System (w Subwoofer) for 25 bux. The sound card in my Compac Laptop gives me great sound.

The test is to switch the bass from electric to acoustic upright, and see if you can tell the difference!

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Rick Jolley

(Rick Zahniser)
Dekley S10 3/3, Session400
http://belizenorth.com

Howard Tate · Post by **Howard Tate** » 11 Jan 2006 11:00 am

You can play the midi back through you GR-30, but you may not be happy with the results. I have a GR-50 which is not multitimbral and sounds bad used that way. I have a GR-1, better, but not really good used that way. I use an Edirol sd-20 and it sounds very good, but as someone said the Coyote Forte is excellent for the price, about forty dollars. I don't think I would buy the basic Band in a Box, because the newer styles are very good and are not included in the basic. I believe BB and this forum are the best thing that ever happened for steelers to learn with.

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Howard, 'Les Paul Recording, Zum SD12U, Carter D10 8/8, Vegas 400, Boss ME-5, Boss DM-3, DD-3, Fender Steel King, Understanding wife. http://www.Charmedmusic.com

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 11 Jan 2006 12:29 pm

I use BIAB in a rack system when I play out. It works great. I invested in a tone generator by Edirol that supports General MIDI II so I have over 1,000 instruments to choose from. They sure sound better than any of the pickers in my neck of the woods.

Erv

John Daugherty · Post by **John Daugherty** » 14 Jan 2006 7:02 am

If biab instruments do not sound good to you, You probably do not have an amp and speaker that sounds good.
I never use computer speakers. I simply connect my computer sound output to a decent amp and speaker system.
Scott, I have biab in an old laptop. I have run it into guitar amps and stereo systems. I also recorded some biab sound tracks (which I wrote) onto a CD. If you do that, you can play them through a "walkman" type CD player and not have to carry a computer with you.
I made a small box to control the output level from the CD player. I connect both stereo sides through a 15K resistor. The resistors are tied together at the high side of a pot(50k-500k will work). The pot slider is connected to a guitar jack on the box. All you need then, is a guitar cord between the box and the guitar amp. You can put the box on the seat with you. You can use a box the size of a cigarette pack.
If this is not clear, I will be glad to draw a picture and email it to you.
Good luck.............JD

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www.phelpscountychoppers.com/steelguitar

John Bresler R.I.P. · Post by **John Bresler R.I.P.** » 14 Jan 2006 9:17 am

Right on John!! I've listened to groups running BIAB through their amp system and it sounds real. You can also use a small mixer to control output and input levels.

I believe it was Hal Rugg who used tracks at Scotty's convention through a CD player jacked into his amp and it sounded soo!! good. Of course anything Hal did sounded great!!

John Daugherty · Post by **John Daugherty** » 14 Jan 2006 9:38 am

In case you are interested, Jim Baron is giving two workshops on BIAB at the Texas convention in march. That should be a great opportunity to learn some tricks from the master.
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"BAND-IN-A-BOX WORKSHOPS with BIG JIM BARON The guru of this great self-help program will be offered two seminars on BIAB, both in the Giles Guitar Room. To be held Friday at 2pm, and Saturday at 10am."
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Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 14 Jan 2006 9:52 am

If you are going to run a MIDI program (and the BIAB native mode is to generate MIDI sounds) you eed a decent MIDI Synthesizer. The Microsoft Software Synth that comes with many new PC's (and is built into Windows) is very poor and the instruments are not very realistic.

The MIDI Synth's in a Sound Blaster Audgy series sound card are good and can create fairly realistic instrument sounds. The Roland VSC software synth that comes with many BIAB versions is also good but you if you have a hardware synth such as the sones on the SB Audigy use that instead and eliminate one piece of software.

Finally the external Roland synths are the best (and what I would use if I were going to use BIAB or some other MIDI player as a sound track).