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Laptop for live Band in a Box use??


archiemax

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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

 

 

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

 

 

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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.

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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.

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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

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