Members archiemax Posted December 23, 2017 Members Share Posted December 23, 2017 Have been using 1990's technology in the form of the Kawai GB-2 and GB-4 Session Trainer for live backup (I play guit & sing); recently decided to get with the times & use Band in a Box like I've seen some other solo & duo acts doing, but I want to make sure I'm making the right choice when it comes to buying a laptop. According to the system requirements on BiaB 2017, this unit would be more than adequate, what do you think, better yet, what do you use??: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/dell-inspiron-11-6-laptop-intel-celeron-4gb-memory-32gb-emmc-flash-memory-bali-blue/5618116.p?skuId=5618116 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members steve mac Posted December 23, 2017 Members Share Posted December 23, 2017 I love when folk try adding something new to their arsenal when performing, for example when loopers first came out I was blown away. So I am intregued by the idea of using BIAB live. I have owned it for a few years but have only ever used it for hobbyist recording. So I am unable to help with your query, I know Notes who is a regular contributor here produces some RealTracks for them so perhaps could advise. But if you could point the way to some vids of people you are trying to emulate, that would be great. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members archiemax Posted December 23, 2017 Author Members Share Posted December 23, 2017 Here's an excellent testimonial and demo from an exceptional guitarist, Rodney Gene Junior: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bob Dey Posted December 23, 2017 Members Share Posted December 23, 2017 I know a jazz guitarist that uses BIAB. Requirements might depend on what version you're using. Notes Norton may have more to add. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Notes_Norton Posted December 24, 2017 Members Share Posted December 24, 2017 I've been working with laptops since 1992 and I do one-nighters for a living. I only use ThinkPads because they are almost bullet-proof. I bring a second computer to the gig, up and ready at all times, and since 1992, I had to go to the second computer only 3 times. I also write aftermarket styles and songbook disks for Band-in-a-Box at http://www.nortonmusic.com Personally I like to make mp3s out of BiaB so I can tweak things that I believe aren't quite ready for prime time like endings, song-specific riffs and so on. Here is how I make and use backing tracks for my duo, often with the help of BiaB http://www.nortonmusic.com/backing_tracks.html Insights and incites by Notes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members archiemax Posted December 24, 2017 Author Members Share Posted December 24, 2017 Thanks a bunch, Notes! Very helpful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Notes_Norton Posted December 24, 2017 Members Share Posted December 24, 2017 You're welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members steve mac Posted December 24, 2017 Members Share Posted December 24, 2017 Sorry Archiemax, I have what you might call a relaxed brain, and having watched the video and admired the guitarists skills, I still don't understand. Is BIAB being used to create backing tracks or is the software creating the backing as he plays live. If it's the latter, I can imagine the skill needed to do that. If it's the former why not just create MP3 and be done with it.Please don't think I am being obtuse or dismissive, I am genuinely trying to understand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members skmarshall Posted December 26, 2017 Members Share Posted December 26, 2017 I work in a duo with a partner who uses BIAB, and his laptop is at least 6 years old so anything you buy now is going to work well. The only thing you might want to consider is the size of the screen, a smaller one is less obvious on stage, which is good, but a bigger one gives more readability for the display that shows the chords measure by measure as the song plays, which is good too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members skmarshall Posted December 26, 2017 Members Share Posted December 26, 2017 Awesome BAIB how-to, Notes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members archiemax Posted December 28, 2017 Author Members Share Posted December 28, 2017 I've been working with laptops since 1992 and I do one-nighters for a living. I only use ThinkPads because they are almost bullet-proof. I bring a second computer to the gig, up and ready at all times, and since 1992, I had to go to the second computer only 3 times. I also write aftermarket styles and songbook disks for Band-in-a-Box at http://www.nortonmusic.com Personally I like to make mp3s out of BiaB so I can tweak things that I believe aren't quite ready for prime time like endings, song-specific riffs and so on. Here is how I make and use backing tracks for my duo, often with the help of BiaB http://www.nortonmusic.com/backing_tracks.html Insights and incites by Notes Well thanks to you, I took the plunge & within the last 24 hours I got a new HP laptop and downloaded BIAB and one of your style packs AND one of your Fake books too.....in for a penny, in for a pound as they say......Wish me luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Notes_Norton Posted December 30, 2017 Members Share Posted December 30, 2017 Thanks. And good luck!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogo97 Posted January 11, 2018 Members Share Posted January 11, 2018 I have a friend who plays lap steel and has been playing around with Band in a Box. Lap steel sounds best when it's playing pure (5/4 ratio) thirds rather than equal tempered. Can you change the temperament of the instruments in Band in a Box? He thought not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Notes_Norton Posted January 15, 2018 Members Share Posted January 15, 2018 Band-in-a-Box has two modes of playback. 1) Real tracks (audio loops) you can't do anything with them 2) MIDI styles -- of course, MIDI has no sound at all. Many synths have different tuning options, but BiaB will send everything out as if it is equal temperament western based music. It would probably take some creative work-arounds to make anything else happen. Notes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogo97 Posted January 15, 2018 Members Share Posted January 15, 2018 Thanks, Notes. A pity, but not a big surprise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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