Band in a Box 2007

[banjosaurus]

Hi, well I am back after the holidays and gigging. So I need to post something. So I thought since I have been using Band in a Box since version 4, that I would see what people thought about Band in a Box. I just bought the latest version for 2007 so I haven't had much time to get familiar with it. Please let me know what you think - even of prevcious versions and experiences you have had with it... if you like it, love it hate it and so on...
I will try and let you know how it works for me when I have more time to experiment.
banjo

[ironbaden]

I'd like to chat more with you on Band in the box... I messed around with a " Borrowed " version 10 and it seemed really interesting.... keep us posted on the new one please

[banjosaurus]

I had Band in a Box 10 and used it for many years in both studio production and performance. I really like the whole new 2007 program and since it now does extended midi - with additional banks to each general midi patch; it works really well with my Yamaha QY 700. I can really put together a song fast and then import/export to a midi file type 1 and resequence it until I get it to a point where it has the sound I seek and can apply it live or recording a new song to a CD. The styles need tweaking sometimes but, instead of doing them all at once I do the tweaking when I need to improve that particular style to fit the feel I'm after. I have also heard about 'Norton Music' styles and the talk is they are supposed to be the best 3rd party add-on accessory styles for Band in a Box, but haven't used them. If any one knows about those please post or reply to this one. I can also help with the workings of the Yamaha QY700 if someone has questions about that unit. Banjo...

[bique]

I was very intrigued to read that "Band In A Box 2007" could transcribe chord progressions from Wav and mp3 files and sure enough it does with pretty good accuracy. At this stage I haven't had a chance to check out some of the other new features.

[growe]

Hi Guys,
I also have had this program since about version 8, and upgrade religously every year and now have 2007. Still do not have time to learn how to get the best out of it, but find the BIAB forum a wealth of knowledge and very helpful, just like this one!!

A useful procedure is there are hundreds of generated songs both supplied with the program and from members to download, with the great option of changing the style of the song and then saving as a midi file, maybe needs tweaking as usual to get the best from your file player. The most popular seems to be old standards say in big band style that can then be changed to say different latin style like bossa or rhumba and then saved as a midi file.
Also if you are not a good musician you can even generate solos and melody harmonies, intros and lengthen the song and then save again to midi.
Added features like chord recognition from both midi files or mp3 make it a really useful tool for those who have not got a good ear for picking out keys or chord sequences.
The price for the new package from scratch is pricey but once you have an old version the upgrades are reasonable, if you like pottering around and also want more obscure song material not normally found as a midi then this could be the one for you.
It is a midi file player as well, you just import into the program.

Nice one!

Regards,
Gordon.

[ironbaden]

how do the drums sound on this thing? ;D

[oldsage]

hi i have used b.i.a.b 2007,and it does a cracking job.if i need the chords to a song just pop it in and hey presto there it is,you can use wav or mp3,s.i used this method to do walk hand in hand with me.tweaked out some of the unnecce*&**&,,useless chords,sorry can,t spell that word.got the bones of the song going.use the dxi plugin,which is vsc3,in dxi form,gives a better sound.import my keyboard in the thru mode,to right the lead.after that export midi.put it into cakewalk or whatever you use,and add to it to your preference.also there is another little known goodie.if you want a paticular beat and style,say for example a roy orbison song.which has the beat you want.go into the styles box,click on import midi,select the roy orbison song and extract the style,then save with you,re name preference.you can build up a collection of styles in all the different artists styles.if you want to merge 2 styles ie add extra strings where they are missing in a certain style,click on edit style and add instrument,then save.a new function with 2007 is the real drums section,which i haven,t done yet,as i think this adds them as a wav file,and then the whole song will have to be saved as a wav file,which if you,re making a backing track in mp3 will come in handy.however you can,t then alter anything in the file. hope this might help you oldsage

[banjosaurus]

I will definitely check out the BIAB forum. I have a gig coming up on Valentines Day (evening- lol) and intend on using it. I also use Cakewalk and Jammer which can do things BIAB doesn't and can have 15 songs ready at the 'drop of a hat' when performing live which makes everything go much smoother. The main problem is getting the volumes set at the same levels for each program. I will keep trying to inform myself and learn all I can about this great program and post more info as time permits. Can someone tell me how to get to that BIAB forum?
I would be forever grateful, see you all later...
-- Banjosaurus