Question about Band in a Box

Ron Sodos · Post by **Ron Sodos** » 5 Sep 2006 12:14 pm

I keep hearing about BIAB and have never heard or tried it. Is it real instrument tracks or MIDI files that sound like organs? Also where do you get the tracks from when you have the program?

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 5 Sep 2006 12:52 pm

Ron, lots of files are available for download from the Web, just do a search for "band in a box".

But, I would recommend Big Jim Baron's disk he has put together. I think there are around 5000 songs on it. Some are duplicates, but done in different arrangements. It also includes lots of different styles. You can find his contact info on the Forum. I don't know how I ever practiced with BIAB.

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Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording

Ron Victoria · Post by **Ron Victoria** » 5 Sep 2006 1:05 pm

I have made about 40 song tracks on CD which I use when I play somewhere alone. I love it, changing the key, tempo, and instruments.

I think PGMusic has a free trial download. I got my program cheap on ebay.

Ron

Colin Goss · Post by **Colin Goss** » 5 Sep 2006 1:06 pm

When I want to arrange a new instrumental number, I set up the song in BIAB and then practise. I can set the speed slow to start with and gradually speed up. By the time I am ready to play it live on a gig, I am fully conversant with the number. I really cannot praise BIAB enough. Now if only the fiddle sound was better........

Ron Sodos · Post by **Ron Sodos** » 5 Sep 2006 1:11 pm

Nobody answered my question. Is it typical MIDI files that sound like an organ or is it real instruments being played? Also how do I get a hold of Big Jim Baron?[This message was edited by Ron Sodos on 05 September 2006 at 02:13 PM.]

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 5 Sep 2006 1:22 pm

Ron, I don't understand what you are asking. It can sound like an organ if you want, assuming you have a MIDI organ sound in your computer or external module. And it can create MIDI files that you can edit. But most of us just click PLAY and then play steel along with the sounds in our computers. Windows includes Microsoft wavetable GS synth, which is OK. And BIAB includes a set of Roland sounds which is good too.

Max Laine · Post by **Max Laine** » 5 Sep 2006 1:23 pm

So why don't you search the web? First hit on Google gives you this: http://www.pgmusic.com/

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 5 Sep 2006 1:55 pm

Do you need to run outboard sound modules for the various instruments or is everything self-contained in the software programme ?

John Bresler R.I.P. · Post by **John Bresler R.I.P.** » 5 Sep 2006 5:24 pm

Ron:

Here's big Jim Baron's email address.

bigjim4b @ sbcglobal.net

Great guy to work with, forum member, BIAB guru, and great steel picker.

(edited by Wiz to obfuscate the email address)[This message was edited by Wiz Feinberg on 05 September 2006 at 06:57 PM.]

Papa Joe Pollick · Post by **Papa Joe Pollick** » 5 Sep 2006 8:08 pm

Yes Ron,they are midi sounds.the bass and drums sound Ok with a SB live card.The piano sound is fair.Guitar sound is not very good.
I would advise you to buy the software and try it out.It is a realy fine practice tool.
you will catch on to it quick.
As was posted get in touch with big Jim,he has worked with it a lot and can and will help.good luck. PJ

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 5 Sep 2006 9:37 pm

MIDI sounds are as good or as bad as the synth that generates them. Most computers use the old Yamaha chip by default, which sucks, but you can install software synths that have really good sounds. Or you can drive an external synth. All of these methods are compatible with BIAB.

A real example: the default internal synth on my Mac is Quicktime, and it's one of the worst I've ever heard. When I take the Mac out for jams, I run a MIDI wire into an external Roland synth and the sounds are just great.

Sounds aren't really a part of Band In A Box. BIAB just generates the notes. It doesn't provide the virtual instruments that play the notes.

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<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/b0b2005.gif" width="78 height="78">Bobby Lee (a.k.a. b0b) - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Williams D-12 E9, C6add9, Sierra Olympic S-12 (F Diatonic)
Sierra Laptop S-8 (E6add9), Fender Stringmaster D-8 (E13, C6 or A6) My Blog 
<div style="display:none">[This message was edited by Bobby Lee on 05 September 2006 at 10:38 PM.]

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 6 Sep 2006 3:07 am

To add to what Bobby said. Coyote Electronics offers a program called Fortedxi that is highly compatible with BIAB and really makes it sound a lot better to my ears. Here's a video that demos this awesome program that is also available through PGmusic.com

John Daugherty · Post by **John Daugherty** » 6 Sep 2006 5:04 am

Ron, the "options" menu in biab allows you to select the synthesizer. I have used the "general midi instrument" and I have also installed and used the "Roland VSC" which is supplied with biab. In my opinion, they both sound VERY good.
The audio system you connect the computer output to, has a lot to do with the sound quality you will hear.
I have even connected to a Peavey guitar amp with decent results.
The bad sounds some people hear, can sometimes be attributed to "operator malfunction".

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www.home.earthlink.net/~johnd37

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 6 Sep 2006 6:34 am

Ron,
The sound you get from BIAB is really dependent on the quality of your sound card or tone generator. After all, all BIAB does is create MIDI signals. BIAB is an excellent program to use for creating backup tracks. I use it all the time, either practicing or playing out. BIAB supports General Midi II and you have over 1000 different instruments at your finger tips provided your sound card supports GM II. I upgraded a while ago to GM II via an Edirol tone generator and the sound is outstanding. Most all the new sound cards or tone generators have "sampled" sound on them ie: the sound you hear was actually played on that particular instrument, not electronically produced in a studio somewhere.
It would be impossible for me to assemble a group of musicans who would sound as good as what I hear through my play back system thanks to BIAB.

Ken Williams · Post by **Ken Williams** » 6 Sep 2006 7:57 pm

I have an older version 9 with the Roland sound canvas. If the playback is through the small speakers that came with the computer, it sounds pretty chinky. Hook it up to a stereo system with large speakers, sounds pretty dang good to me, at least the jazz and shuffle tracks do.
BIAB is the best investment in learning process that I've ever made.

Ken