BIAB 2011, how many jazz styles in basic package?

Meggy · #1 06-20-2011, 08:08 AM

Hi, I posted this question in the gear section, but think I probably should have put it here instead. I'm wanting some feedback from anyone with the basic (i.e. "Pro") package of BIAB 2011...

They say you get 3 style sets included - how many individual styles is this altogether, and how many of these are useful for jazz playing?

Hope someone can help, cheers!

RAQ · #2 06-21-2011, 07:29 AM

These threads about recording software are interesting and of real practical use (I too am trying Musescore out), so I don't think anyone is ignoring this question - it's probably just that we're all using BIAB 2006 and aren't about to upgrade yet.

Meggy · #3 06-22-2011, 11:21 AM

Cheers RAQ, not to worry - I'm sure if I send a message to the BIAB people, they will be able to answer my questions. Although I have downloaded the free Impro-Visor software from this place Welcome to Impro-Visor .

Clearly it's not in the same league as BIAB, but I think I may be able to make it work for me, and it's completely free which is not to be sniffed at!

Zimm · #4 08-14-2011, 09:37 AM

I've been using BiaB for maybe twenty years, maybe more. on a pc, two years ago with a Mac. I play regularly professionally (but not enough to make a living). BiaB using real tracks and realdrums is just incredible. My musician friends are all astounded at how realistic, and inspiring the arrangements are to practice and even perform with.

But I'll stop extolling it's virtues, because I could go on a long time. I have tried Garage Band, and found it very unsatisfying for my needs (I only play jazz).

For me, being 62 years old, and music still being the driving force behind my life, I do not hesitate to find money for things that will really enhance my playing and accelerate my learning curve. BiaB will be your lifetime ally. Go for the Ultra Plus pack. It has everything and you will not be spending your practice time figkuring out what you have and don't have. If money is too tight, sell one of your guitars, amps, stomp boxes, or even premium cable channels, whatever.

All this being said, keep in mind that the greatest learning and improvement comes from playing with musicians at or above your level.

Hugh · #5 08-14-2011, 11:29 AM

I'd been using a copy of BiaB I got from a friend from 2006 I think it was. I purchased the 2011 basic package a couple of months ago with the realtracks.
I think BiaB sounds great. I've heard lots of criticism of their software from many different sources on the internet but it does all I want it to do which is mostly jazz inspired backing which is what I want.
Most of the bad press was from a Shadows music site, which in all fairness I suppose would leave them struggling to do the proper backings with this software as far as I can see. Its nice to see some positive postings about this item

I'm still learning about what the new version does, but so far its way much better than my 2006 version. Seems much more user friendly now, well for apprentice old gits like me that is

Same age as yourself Mr Zimm

But still a young at heart player

Hypno · #6 08-14-2011, 12:48 PM

I recently got the BIAB 2011 pro w/ Real Band. I’m still learning everything about it, and I find plenty of styles. However, unless I am missing some hidden knowledge of it, I don’t find any of the Real Band; all midi. Must be an upgrade. But however, the song can be imported into your DAW and rework the instrumentation with the softsynths. I have been adding a woodwind section to some of these. It helps to create a template in the daw for the jazz tunes, saves time and the mixes can have more sonic uniformity.

wizard3739 · #7 08-15-2011, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zimm

I've been using BiaB for maybe twenty years, maybe more. on a pc, two years ago with a Mac. I play regularly professionally (but not enough to make a living). BiaB using real tracks and realdrums is just incredible. My musician friends are all astounded at how realistic, and inspiring the arrangements are to practice and even perform with.

But I'll stop extolling it's virtues, because I could go on a long time. I have tried Garage Band, and found it very unsatisfying for my needs (I only play jazz).

For me, being 62 years old, and music still being the driving force behind my life, I do not hesitate to find money for things that will really enhance my playing and accelerate my learning curve. BiaB will be your lifetime ally. Go for the Ultra Plus pack. It has everything and you will not be spending your practice time figkuring out what you have and don't have. If money is too tight, sell one of your guitars, amps, stomp boxes, or even premium cable channels, whatever.

All this being said, keep in mind that the greatest learning and improvement comes from playing with musicians at or above your level.

+1 Zimm! BIAB has helped me find my way back into playing professionally after a 25 year absence from any kind of performance. I like the versatility of the different ways you can learn from using it. IMHO, it can never replace playing with other people but is truly an amazing tool for learning songs and music concepts quickly.

wiz

The_Dude · #8 08-21-2011, 06:35 AM

I Just got the BiaB 2011 pro w/ Real Band and learned the hard way that if you are also running the anti virus software AVG on your computer, certain Real Band elements of BiaB well hang and crash. The only way around this problem is to disable AVG (and the network) before using BiaB. On the other hand, running BiaB this way will prompt AVG to tag the real drums files as malware the next time you startup AVG. PGMusic are aware of the problem and say there is nothing they can go at this time. So if you are using AVG, the only real and likely best option you have is to use BiaB on a stand alone computer (not connected to the net).

Zimm · #9 08-21-2011, 08:10 AM

Bummer! I have no problem
Ike that, maybe because I'm on a Mac

. But this is certainly an issue that BiaB should warn potential buyers about. They are such a great company, with such a great reputation and customer service that I would make an appeal to them for some sort of compensation. They might be concerned about loss of revenue, but if I were in your position I would not not spend any more money out of fear of problems.

loydb · #10 08-21-2011, 09:17 AM

AVG has a serious problem with mis-identifying things as infected. If you're looking for another free alternative, I suggest Avast. As far as customer service, it's not BIAB's job to compensate for crappy AV software. (Disclaimer: I work for a big AV company -- but it's not Avast, that's just what I recommend for free.)

On topic: BIAB is wonderful. It took me awhile to get it set up (I use LoopBe1 as an internal router, and use BIAB to drive Ableton, where I've set up my 'orchestra' using Native Instruments and East/West VSTs.), but it is a wonderful practice tool.

The_Dude · #11 08-21-2011, 09:36 AM

I fired off an email to PGMusic to see if there is anything they can do. I use the full version of AVG, not the free version. I don't exactly (or care to) understand the problem but I was looking forward to becoming an adapt user of BiaB. Thanks for the advise.

Hugh · #12 08-21-2011, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Dude

I Just got the BiaB 2011 pro w/ Real Band and learned the hard way that if you are also running the anti virus software AVG on your computer, certain Real Band elements of BiaB well hang and crash. The only way around this problem is to disable AVG (and the network) before using BiaB. On the other hand, running BiaB this way will prompt AVG to tag the real drums files as malware the next time you startup AVG. PGMusic are aware of the problem and say there is nothing they can go at this time. So if you are using AVG, the only real and likely best option you have is to use BiaB on a stand alone computer (not connected to the net).

Now that explains a lot. I was having difficult moments with BiaB and now I know why, I also use AVG

Thanks for posting that Dude

loydb · #13 08-21-2011, 09:48 PM

The technical term for it is a "false positive".

If you can't get anywhere with PG Music -- and I expect their response to be "Really, it doesn't have a virus, we don't know what to tell you" -- AVG can be told to ignore certain files/folders. I don't remember the exact procedure, but I could reinstall it on a VM and take a look if you can't work it out.

Good luck, false positives are why I ditched AVG as my consumer-level scanner of choice.

The_Dude · #14 08-24-2011, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loydb

The technical term for it is a "false positive".

After looking into the mater some more, I don't think AVG is entirely to blame for BiaB's inability to run RealBand or Real Tracks. Instead, I suspect BiaB has some serious legacy issues, on the Windows operating system anyway. BiaB seems to work well in a Mac. In the end I uninstall the software.

loydb · #15 08-24-2011, 11:37 PM

I'm not sure what problems you're hitting, it's running perfectly on my Win7 64-bit system -- not using compatibility mode at all. Prior to that, it ran perfectly on my Vista 64-bit system, and the XP 32-bit system before it...

The_Dude · #16 08-25-2011, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loydb

I'm not sure what problems you're hitting, it's running perfectly on my Win7 64-bit system -- not using compatibility mode at all. Prior to that, it ran perfectly on my Vista 64-bit system, and the XP 32-bit system before it...

Well then, I guess BiaB and AVG just cannot be installed on the same platform, even if AVG is turned off. That is basically what PGMusic tech support suggested. I never had any issue with the AVG (full licence) and other software. In fact, AVG works fine with all my other notation/music software.

Thanks for the input Loydb.