Confused about band in a box.....

happa95 · #1 12-14-2011, 12:49 AM

All I want to do is plug in progressions and play along to a backing track that doesn't sound like computer processed midi.... but I don't know what to buy. I'm not looking to spend a lot of money, but I'm wondering if the regular "Pro" version will be enough. Should I buy one of the extra packs?

Thanks!

FrankLearns · #2 12-14-2011, 01:50 AM

... Sorry, don't really know. I bought the everything pack and think that the realtracks sound great and are really worth it. As far as i know some flavor of RealTracks comes with almost any version and jazz is always the first they put in. But the full set presumably only comes with the Everything version. It is quite expensive for such a grumpy looking program but i do not know of an alternative.

oldane · #3 12-14-2011, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankLearns

It is quite expensive for such a grumpy looking program but i do not know of an alternative.

I agree. I have tried rhythm boxes, but they usually don't have any jazz rhythms worth mentioning. BiaB has - especially in the Realtracks. If you use a digital recorder allowing multi tracks, you can record the BiaB "rhythm section" in one track and yourself in another.

Now that we are at BiaB, check this link out:

http://phillipsmusic.net/realbook.htm

Anandbhat · #4 12-14-2011, 06:01 AM

BIAB tracks sound so much better if you save them as a midi file and then play them through a really good midi synthesizer or sound module.The depth of sound is awesome!They can then be recorded on to CD or mp3 format for gigs etc.I think it's worth the effort for people who play out a lot.

EddieLastra · #5 12-14-2011, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by happa95

All I want to do is plug in progressions and play along to a backing track that doesn't sound like computer processed midi.... but I don't know what to buy. I'm not looking to spend a lot of money, but I'm wondering if the regular "Pro" version will be enough. Should I buy one of the extra packs?

Thanks!

I bought the basic Pro pak back in 2008 and am upgrading to the 2012 only because PG Music is offering great upgrade prices till the end of this month. BIAB has been a great practice tool. Nothing else I know of comes close, except for a live band

I think the basic pro version will more than meet your needs as an effective practice tool that you have total control over. The Pro pak already contains a lot of good sounds, and I'm told they're even better on the 2012 version. You can always add on the extra track packs later.