Do you use Band-In-A-Box?

[funsongs]

Are you a songwriter who knows how and when to use Band-In-A-Box as a tool?
For mac or PC?
How long did it take you for it to be 'easy' to use in your work-flow?
What else?
In advance - thanks.

[MBantle]

Are you a songwriter who knows how and when to use Band-In-A-Box as a tool?
For mac or PC?
How long did it take you for it to be 'easy' to use in your work-flow?
What else?
In advance - thanks.

I tested band in a box a few years back and I agree it could serve as a writing tool for certain genres but eventually you will have to draft/produce your song in a DAW anyway and I therefore question how useful it is going to be if your priority is efficiency and getting things done (without the need of switching between different entities such as Band in a Box and the DAW in which you will produce your track).
Cheers,
Matt

[cosmicdolphin]

I have heard numerous tracks made with it and they almost all universally sucked ..it just has a sound that sounds really cheesy

[Casey H]

I have heard numerous tracks made with it and they almost all universally sucked ..it just has a sound that sounds really cheesy

Not so true anymore IF you upgrade to their higher level versions which have a ton of real sample tracks that don't sound like ancient MIDI crap. Some of the tracks sound pretty darn good. Maybe not full broadcast quality but tons of stuff you could add to a mix and manipulate. You can export either wav or MIDI to your DAW.

It depends on your objective for it.

It's an excellent songwriting tool because you can structure a song-- chords, measures, BPM, etc. and with a few clicks make changes such as changing chords, key, BPM, adding/deleting measures, etc. You can even drag n drop the individual tracks into your DAW. I use it all the time.

IF you don't play an instrument, aren't fluent in recording instrumentation, using sample libraries, and so on, it really opens things up for you. Again, don't think of it as making full final BQ tracks (though it is possible with more effort), but a writing platform. I often make a rough backing track, put all the individual parts in my DAW, mess around with mixing, and record a rough vocal to it. In my case, I know i will have my song produced and recorded elsewhere but it allows me to create a great "worktape".

It's expensive, especially as you go up in optional packages. Like anything else, it's great for some, not for everyone. If anyone wants to talk to me more about it-- experiences, pros, cons, etc., please hit me up.

Best,
Casey

[funsongs]

Like anything else, it's great for some, not for everyone.
If anyone wants to talk to me more about it-- experiences, pros, cons, etc., please hit me up.
Best,
Casey

Thanks, Casey - sent you a PM.

[AlanHall]

BIAB also has a VST option, so you can build a file from within your DAW. Along with what Casey said, the VST option may only be available with newer (or upper tier) releases.


edit: ..and I'd be delighted if Casey started a discussion about this, hint, hint.

[RickBourassa]

I have tested the BIAB VST function, and it didn't work the way I expected it to. You can create the BIAB song within your DAW, but you still have to drag the BIAB tracks onto DAW tracks to use them.

I agree that it is a great tool for writing to quickly get your ideas down.

[AlanHall]

I have tested the BIAB VST function, and it didn't work the way I expected it to. You can create the BIAB song within your DAW, but you still have to drag the BIAB tracks onto DAW tracks to use them.

I agree that it is a great tool for writing to quickly get your ideas down.

I think the appeal of the VST is to allow creating/editing the arrangement (chords, styles, etc) without leaving your DAW. The benefit may depend on your workflow. Dragging the tracks into the DAW project seems similar to "freezing" the performance tracks.

[RickBourassa]

Well, I feel like a bit of a fool now. My issue with the VST was that it wasn't connected to the transport controls in Logic (Or Reaper). That was why I always dragged the tracks into Logic.

It turns out that if you click the Sync option in the VST, the BIAB song starts playing when you hit play in Logic. I haven't tested with Reaper.

The BIAB plugin just became a lot more functional for me.

[funsongs]

The BIAB plugin just became a lot more functional for me.

A few years ago, this guy from down-unduh did a collab with me - he used BIAB for the tracks.