Band In A Box users - how do you set it up as a practice tool ?

[pfschim]

After reading some threads here on various practice tools that are being used (loopers, Pandora, PC rigs, etc.) I am thinking of picking up BIAB.

I am primarily looking to use it to work on melodic line development and soloing practice over various kinds of changes like Real Book/Jazz etc. (but can see other uses too).

My question is, how are you BIAB users setting your stuff up to hear and practice with it.

I'll use a dedicated laptop with std stereo mini jack out ... but then what ?

- out to a small stereo ?
- out to some powered speakers ?
- out to a mixer with a headphone jack and an input for the bass ?

I'd like this to be as portable as possible, but also sound good enough to be inviting rather than a chore to listen to.

so, how are you all doing this ?

thanks

[Wilbyman]

I don't use it alot any more, but when I did I just ran the headphone output of my computer into a high quality studio monitor sys (Event Audio). Essentially I was using the setup for monitoring my Garageband stuff so it was all set up to use with BIAB too. You can also do this with Aebersolds, just put them in your ITunes folders.

With electric, a nice compact system is to run the computer into the aux input on your bass headphone amp (Cafe Walter or Pandora, with a 1/8" male to male cable found at Radio Shack) and mix the signal with your bass as appropriate. This is a quiet portable way to work on tunes with BIAB or Aebersolds.

It's pretty astounding how much you can do with a cheap, 3-year old IBook.

W

[Pacman]

I have a mid-sized PA in my practice room, with my computer and Vbass running through it. I also use it on my laptop with a JamLab...

[pfschim]

Originally Posted by Pacman

I have a mid-sized PA in my practice room, with my computer and Vbass running through it. I also use it on my laptop with a JamLab...

ok then, I don't have a PA handy. Can you enlighten me on JamLab ?

I'm thinking Wilbyman's outlook is closer to where I'm going. I do have a dedicated practice space, but I want to make this set-up as portable and small as possible while still having it sound as good as possible. So, I think a Cafe Walter or something similar sounds good, and perhaps a nice set of small powered monitors will do the trick.

Any ideas on how much CPU horsepower BIAB needs ? I was looking at the tiny Asus/Acer EE Laptops.. quite small and running the Intel Mobile Atom CPU (1.6ghz). Of course, I guess I could go Apple Macbook too.

[Pacman]

BIAB runs very efficiently - mine (in my office) runs on a 1.6gig with 512mb RAM and XP. It runs BIAB and Virtual Sound Canvas just fine.

Jamlab here:

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/JamLab.html

[pfschim]

thanks, the jamlab thing looks useful to use with a laptop as a practice tool.

[BassChuck]

Here.

http://phillipsmusic.net/realbook.htm

Lots of Real Book stuff in BIAB format. Just tell your friends and family that they'll not be seeing you for quite some time.