Band-in-a-Box 2010

[RJ Johnston]

There is some special pricing for Band-in-the-Box 2010.

http://www.pgmusic.com/12-09_Win_Spec_2.html

[Steve Grisetti]

Nice find, Robert!

[RJ Johnston]

I didn't find it, I only received an email advising of an upgrade. I think it was Paul or Ken that mentioned Band-in-a-Box some time ago.

[Chuck Engels]

I keep looking at that software and might purchase it someday.
It isn't something that seems like it could be learned fairly quickly so I will need to have some time to learn it.
Looks like a great program for creating music though.

[cdeemer]

I've used this for a few years now and love it. It does have a somewhat steep learning curve in order to take advantage of all its variables but you can get started instantly. It's just more powerful than it seems at first. I recommend it.

[Bob]

I've been tempted to get this also.

Charles, did you get the pro pak or the megapak? Do you have any recommendations?

[John 'twosheds' McDonald]

I didn't find it, I only received an email advising of an upgrade. I think it was Paul or Ken that mentioned Band-in-a-Box some time ago.

Not that it is hugely important, like a matter of life and death, but I think that it was Charles Deemer that first brought it to the attention of this forum.

[Chuck Engels]

I think you are right John, Charles is the first one I remember mentioning Band in a Box

[cdeemer]

I'm at a different computer but if memory serves right I have the 2008 megapak version. Can't recall the differences. I use it often but probably utilize only 25% of its potential ... it's a deceptively powerful program. You can even generate sheet music of the tunes you create if you're a musician. It's a bit overwhelming and takes some time to fool around and experiment, depending on your needs, once you realize how much more is there than creating a tune.

[RJ Johnston]

I just upgraded to the MEGAPAK version, and if I could afford it I would get the whole package. I had to download 18 gigabytes last night. Included is Coyote ForteDXi demo plugin. After listening to some songs with that synthesizer, I bought it for $40.00.

It's very easy to create a song. Press SHIFT-F5, then select a genre. Chords and melody will be genereated and the song starts to play. But that's just one of many, many things you can do.

I also download MIDI songs from the internet and play those in Band-in-a-Box. With the Coyote ForteDXi plugin, songs sound amazing.

The best way to learn is to watch all the tutorials they have on their website.

[Chuck Engels]

I've heard that it can import a mp3 and then you can create a whole new version of the song. I thought that would be pretty cool if I could import a popular song and just make a few changes to it and create something similar but different.

[Bob]

OK, I made the plunge and bought the BIAB 2010 Megapak while it was still on sale. 18 GB is a bit to download so I'm having it mailed to me. I did download the main application to play with while waiting for the package with the realtracks discs.

For those with Vista or Windows 7 64-bit, the Roland DXi/VST plugin is not compatible with 64-bit. You'll want to buy the Coyote ForteDXi plugin for decent sound.

[Chuck Engels]

Bob, Please keep us informed as you learn the program. I'm very interested in giving it a try but the price is a little steep for me. I am particularly interested in the MP3 import and if it can really create a song from an MP3. If that works it would seal the deal for me

[RJ Johnston]

Bob, Please keep us informed as you learn the program. I'm very interested in giving it a try but the price is a little steep for me. I am particularly interested in the MP3 import and if it can really create a song from an MP3. If that works it would seal the deal for me

One thing you can do with an MP3 or WAV file is generate the chords in the song. From there you can then apply a style, such as Jazz or Bosa Nova. At that point you won't have a melody, but it does have a feature to do that. You can easily change the instruments, tempo, key. Normally you would get rid of the MP3/WAV audio portion and be left with a new song, but you can keep it as part of the song if it sounds decent. There is a filter to remove vocals, but only if the song was engineered a certain way.

[Ron]

Can you give the basic steps for that, RJ? I'm playing around with a Demo today.