Band in a Box

Steve Killingsworth · #1 05-11-2004, 07:29 PM

After spending some time with the free demo I have decided to get Band in a Box. The problem is that I am unsure of what add-ons (if any) are needed. The basic package can be had for from $65-90. Buying the full version with all the different styles and add-ons adds from $100-150 (depending on the place of purchase) to the price.

As some of you know I am a bluegrasser and don't really expect be the next Edgar Meyer. However, I do want to take my playing as far beyond the basics as possible and see this software as a way of developing.

So ultimately, the question for you B in a B users is--will the basic version do the trick or is the expanded version worth the money?

Gufenov · #2 05-11-2004, 07:57 PM

I chose the basic version, since I'm not into all the various styles and songs available at extra cost. There are a lot of MIDI files available on the Internet, a Google search for the song title and "MIDI" often turns up several sources. These can be imported into Band in a Box and converted to .sgu files. Then you can transpose keys, add instruments, or even save the "style" and use it for other songs. I often visit "Virtual Bluegrass Band" at http://homepage.ntlworld.com/d.k.marshall/index.htm You can always purchase the additional style CDs, or download as needed from the Band in a Box site if you decide you need more.

Good Luck.

olivier · #3 05-12-2004, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Killingsworth

After spending some time with the free demo I have decided to get Band in a Box. The problem is that I am unsure of what add-ons (if any) are needed. The basic package can be had for from $65-90. Buying the full version with all the different styles and add-ons adds from $100-150 (depending on the place of purchase) to the price.
As some of you know I am a bluegrasser and don't really expect be the next Edgar Meyer. However, I do want to take my playing as far beyond the basics as possible and see this software as a way of developing.
So ultimately, the question for you B in a B users is--will the basic version do the trick or is the expanded version worth the money?

A large BiaB archive exists somewhere. Used to be easily downloadable. Styles are cosmetically interesting, but the main benefit of BiaB is to provide you with the chord changes + melody at the tempo and key that you want. You could join users groups and ask what they think. A music notation editor which can open and save midi files (such as Finale or Encore, etc..) is good companion for BiaB. Toggling between strait notation and swing feel is an important feature.

olivier · #4 05-12-2004, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olivier

A large BiaB archive exists somewhere. Used to be easily downloadable. Styles are cosmetically interesting, but the main benefit of BiaB is to provide you with the chord changes + melody at the tempo and key that you want. You could join users groups and ask what they think. A music notation editor which can open and save midi files (such as Finale or Encore, etc..) is good companion for BiaB. Toggling between strait notation and swing feel is an important feature.

check this: http://midistudio.com/BIAB/List.htm

ee-san · #5 05-12-2004, 06:27 AM

Also check the link below. Wesley Dick's site has several standards and real book stuff. I use Band in a Box to make lead sheets (not bad).

-Roger

http://www.alisdair.com/gearsoftware/biablinks.html

**Adrian Cho** · #6 05-12-2004, 09:01 AM

[quote=ee-san]Also check the link below. Wesley Dick's site has several standards and real book stuff. I use Band in a Box to make lead sheets (not bad).

In my opinion, if you want a program just to make lead sheets, BIAB is one of the worst choices. Here in town at jam sessions or otherwise, I often encounter people with BIAB generated lead sheets - mostly vocalists. You can immediately tell because there must be some standard font that it uses. The changes for the charts are usually terrible and from memory it also uses the most undesirable ways of representing the chords.

For generating play-a-long stuff BIAB has it's uses although personally I'd rather listen to professional guys on an Aebersold CD anyday (even though I can't vary the tempo or key). A lot of people are thrilled that it seems to come with or there is access to a big archive of songs with changes but I find it's really quantity over quality in a big way.

ee-san · #7 05-12-2004, 10:22 AM

[quote=Adrian Cho]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ee-san

In my opinion, if you want a program just to make lead sheets, BIAB is one of the worst choices. Here in town at jam sessions or otherwise, I often encounter people with BIAB generated lead sheets - mostly vocalists. You can immediately tell because there must be some standard font that it uses. The changes for the charts are usually terrible and from memory it also uses the most undesirable ways of representing the chords.

For generating play-a-long stuff BIAB has it's uses although personally I'd rather listen to professional guys on an Aebersold CD anyday (even though I can't vary the tempo or key). A lot of people are thrilled that it seems to come with or there is access to a big archive of songs with changes but I find it's really quantity over quality in a big way.

You are dead on, Mr. Cho (and don't get me started on vocalists). Let me clarify...I use Band in a Box to write my own lead sheets. The font is fairly readable on the bandstand and the chord representations are OK (common symbology for the most part) unless you try to squeeze too many chords in one bar. The changes in the downloaded canned files are just a place to start to get to something usable. The end-use for most of those files is somebody's personal juke box, not lead sheets, so I don't fault the creators too much for their chord choices. I like the note entry function in Band Box but the program overall is rather clunky and unfriendly (still using version 7, by the way). The large fonts are welcome to my bad eyes. I've seen too many scrawny charts in dark rooms, I guess.

Band Box is not the ultimate play-along by any means--very stiff--but it will keep time forever and give you half an idea what your new tune sounds like before you spring it on your fellow musicians.

-Roger

Steve Killingsworth · #8 05-23-2004, 04:36 PM

I actually found a package deal from Elderly Instruments that included the '04 version and the bluegrass pack for a price a little less that the basic version from PG. The program is excellent (or at least will be when I figure out how to manipulate it). With regards to the solo pack--I agree with GALLOPOFF and SIR LAWRENCE that it is probably not needed. Unless part of a package, I doubt if it would be worth the extra money.

olivier · #9 05-24-2004, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Killingsworth

With regards to the solo pack--

You can always kill the melody in the middle of the tune but then it's handy to have the BiaB solo feature to comp with, it fills the otherwise dull blank. Then you learn to comp behind realy bad solos that you hate, so that's a plus.

I don't think the Miles or Jaco or Bill Monroe solo packs would bring much more, and of course, you get nowhere in terms of interactions between the musicians that is refered to in the TB Sampler threads. For this you need band in a room.

Bassin' 'Round · #10 05-15-2005, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ee-san

Band Box is not the ultimate play-along by any means--very stiff--but it will keep time forever and give you half an idea what your new tune sounds like before you spring it on your fellow musicians.-Roger

I've been thinking about B-I-A-B.

What are the better(or the ultimate)play-alongs that I should look at?

Thanks a lot.

XavierG · #11 06-08-2005, 08:26 PM

Can anybody offer an alternative to BIAB for the purpose of generating lead sheets? I've been trying to find one for my students for some time now with no luck whatsoever.

**Freddels** · #12 06-08-2005, 08:29 PM

There's Finale Notepad (both a free version and a pay version). Then there's the upgraded versions PrintMusic and Allegro.

http://www.finalemusic.com/store/product-overview.asp

rscconrad · #13 06-09-2005, 11:44 AM

I just recived the Band in in a Box 2005c version two days ago, also for bluegrass.

I have not even opened it yet but I would love to hear your progress and what you think.

Robert

Steve Killingsworth · #14 06-09-2005, 01:29 PM

It is not like playing with real folks or even a recording of real folks, but it does have its uses. Everyone may not agree but from my experience it is very good for learning chord progressions, practicing scales and arpeggios, and working on timing. To a lesser extent it can help you learn new tunes--provided you can find a decent version of the new tune.

Speaking personally, it has been a good investment by allowing me to practice aspects of my playing that would be very hard to work on in a jam session.

hdiddy · #15 06-09-2005, 03:47 PM

+1.

IMO, the comping is crappy but at least the drums are usable. Basically I just turn everything off except for the piano and the drummer and learn the changes that way.

Somehow I hope that a tune burns into my brain after repeatedly playing changes 30 choruses at a time. I'm sure my downstairs neighbor has gone mad hearing my "Satin Doll" shedding for an hour straight for several days in a row.

I wish I could interact more with the piano comping but like most things of that nature, it's a tool. It doesn't replace jamming iwth others. Anyhow, I figure if I can make that crappy piano comping swing for 50 choruses for a dozen tunes, I've probably got my money's worth back.