Confused with BIAB 2011 options

stuttsdc · #1 07-23-2011, 05:41 PM

I've seen a number of these threads but I still can't quite figure this out...

I kind of understand the difference between the Pro version (the roughly $100 one) and the next step up, the MegaPak version.
The basic version, as far as I can tell, comes with a Jazz Swing and Med-tempo quartet (for jazz.)
The MegaPak seems to add Bossa, Smooth jazz, ballad band, jazz waltz, and bebob.

Ok.. so far so good, I think.

But then I see these 6 volumes of Jazz ReakPaks.

Each volume has maybe 5-10 RealTrack "sets", some extra drum stuff.

Seriously can't make heads or tails out of this.
I'm not sure if you get more out of buying the basic version and then figuring out one of these realpak volumes to add on (also cheaper than the megapak) or what.

I'm just looking for some stuff for practice that's not midi files, that's it.
A little swing, a bit of bossa, ballad, and bebop... that's more than enough.
But again, it's not quite clear if there's more variety there with an add-on realpack or having the megaPack to start.

Those folks really need to clear up their marketing.

thx.

oilywrag · #2 07-24-2011, 10:19 AM

You have a couple of things you can do.. 1 call pgmusic or chat to the sales on line ( they are very helpfull) 2, Buy the megapak and if you don't like it or there is to much then send it back within 30 days and get your money back, then order just what you need..
First port of call for me anyway would be the sales team. But hey what do I know I just got the everything pak, over 200 real tracks, loads of jazz, bossa's , samba etc etc,

Tom

It all depends on what you want from the software, just simple play alongs then go simple or if want more complex music and more variation then get the bigger package..

stuttsdc · #3 07-24-2011, 11:11 AM

Very true... and I will do that, of course.
Just thought someone w/some recent experience w/buying the product might
have some input.

Thanks much...

oilywrag · #4 07-24-2011, 12:48 PM

Ok here you are the everythingpak has 2,787 styles and over 200 realtracks.. 685 are jazz 191 of those are all realstyles instead of being midi. but you can drop realtracks into midi styles and create your own custom style ..and to this a couple of hundred blues styles, there should be enough to keep even the most ardent guitar players happy.
The jazz styles would include ballads, bebop, modern ,big band ,swing, latin and gypsy, oh I nearly forgot the 151 funk styles..
The basic deal only has about 6 styles and not all of them are jazz.Plus it only has a few realtracks and also they are not all jazz.
Most of the backing trackd for the standard practical group on these boards have been done using BiaB..

Tom

wizard3739 · #5 07-24-2011, 06:45 PM

Tom is right, all of the backing tracks I have posted for the Standard Practical Group were from BIAB 1010.5 and made from some of the realtracks from real good musicians. I have the ultrapac and have really enjoyed the versatility of the newer versions of BIAB and I never use the midi capabilties, only realtracks since most of the time I use only the bass & drums for study & practise.

wiz

Cooperro · #6 12-08-2011, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stuttsdc

Very true... and I will do that, of course.
Just thought someone w/some recent experience w/buying the product might
have some input.

Thanks much...

Could it be that you might not understand what the Real Tracks are? Just on a hunch that you might not - they're real musicians playing real instruments as opposed to computer generated MIDI files played by your soundcard. In other words, you could uncompress them and play them as wav files. That's the difference between the basic program and those Megapak upgrades. The more you spend, the more "real" instruments you get. BTW, the Real Drums are the same thing, but all drum styles of course.

They sound absolutely great compared to the standard way of plaing MIDI files through your soundcard.

Every year I upgrade and add in all the new Real Tracks. IMHO, they're worth the extra money.

Keep in mind that the program still sounds pretty good without all the real instruments. Why don't you listen to all the videos and samples they have on their website before you decide how much you want to spend?

I hope you're not insulted if you already knew that stuff...

FatJeff · #7 12-08-2011, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stuttsdc

Those folks really need to clear up their marketing.

thx.

Along with their horrible user interface, and the occasional crashes. If BiAB wasn't so damn useful I'd have shit-canned it long ago. It looks and feels like an app from 1998.

jazzuki · #8 04-21-2012, 11:47 AM

I was thinking of buying the BIAB 2011.5.Having read the above am now utterly confused.All I want is good backing tracks to solo over i.e.proper instruments and not synthisised.Just dont want to waste money! I am not very computor literate.So lets have views for/against.Then I'll decide.Thanks for you time.

Nuff Said · #9 05-02-2012, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatJeff

If BiAB wasn't so damn useful I'd have shit-canned it long ago. It looks and feels like an app from 1998.

That's because it is an app from the 1990's.

Its been around a long time, the first was around in the 1990's for the Atari ST.

I think its a good product, the Real Tracks have added a great sound, I don't have to use samples any more.

It has improved enormously over the 10+ years I've been using BIAB, but it still looks similar to the original.

Nuff

FatJeff · #10 05-02-2012, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nuff Said

That's because it is an app from the 1990's.

Its been around a long time, the first was around in the 1990's for the Atari ST.

I think its a good product, the Real Tracks have added a great sound, I don't have to use samples any more.

It has improved enormously over the 10+ years I've been using BIAB, but it still looks similar to the original.

Nuff

That's really no excuse. Microsoft Word has been around since at least 1989, but to look at its user interface today compared with the original, you would hardly know it. Almost every piece of professional software that I have used in the past 20 years has made an attempt to keep up with the times as far as its user interface goes - except BiAB.

Nuff Said · #11 05-02-2012, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatJeff

That's really no excuse. Microsoft Word has been around since at least 1989, but to look at its user interface today compared with the original, you would hardly know it. Almost every piece of professional software that I have used in the past 20 years has made an attempt to keep up with the times as far as its user interface goes - except BiAB.

MicroSoft are the biggest software company in the world with unlimited funding for projects.

If BIAB were making the profit that Microsoft are, no doubt BIAB would get a team of software developers to rewrite the whole application to be a fashionable Web app, Iphone App or what'ever is the latest trend for the gizmo hunters.

Nuff

FatJeff · #12 05-02-2012, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nuff Said

If BIAB were making the profit that Microsoft are, no doubt BIAB would get a team of software developers to rewrite the whole application to be a fashionable Web app, Iphone App or what'ever is the latest trend for the gizmo hunters.

Nuff

I have my doubts about that. I mentioned earlier (either this thread or another one, I don't recall) that a friend of mine from work had an exchange with PG Music regarding the interface, and this was years ago. According to this friend, they were adamant that there was nothing wrong with their interface, and that they had no desire to conform to standard GUI practices and precedents. I don't see that they've changed their stance in this regard since that conversation took place.

In any case, it doesn't matter how big MS is versus PGM. Any software developer, from the smallest to the largest, has a duty to its customers to maintain and improve their product, and in my opinion, PGM haven't really done this since they introduced the RealTracks in 2010. Yes, they continually roll out "new" versions, but these amount to nothing more than extra RealTracks, 90% of which I have no use for. Meanwhile their pathetic helpfile (a .chm file? really?) has information about the 2004 versions of the product in it. I think this is just their way of milking every last dollar out of their customer base. I own the Everything Pak from 2010.5, and they still want to charge me $399.00 for an upgrade to 2012. That's just ridiculous.

Also, MS Word doesn't cost $569.00 for a new license.

Nuff Said · #13 05-02-2012, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatJeff

Yes, they continually roll out "new" versions, but these amount to nothing more than extra RealTracks, 90% of which I have no use for. Meanwhile their pathetic helpfile (a .chm file? really?) has information about the 2004 versions of the product in it. I think this is just their way of milking every last dollar out of their customer base. I own the Everything Pak from 2010.5, and they still want to charge me $399.00 for an upgrade to 2012. That's just ridiculous.

I'm sorry that you feel this way about the BIAB product. A Canadian, Peter Gannon created BIAB because he didn't like the existing music programs, I hope that some new Software developers with musical knowledge get together and create a better product. Until that happens, I'll be using BIAB with RealTracks.

Nuff

bob32069 · #14 05-02-2012, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatJeff

In any case, it doesn't matter how big MS is versus PGM. Any software developer, from the smallest to the largest, has a duty to its customers to maintain and improve their product

I am not an economist but I believe this statement is incorrect. The only duty they have is to their shareholders. The only reason companies innovate and improve their products is to maximize profits in a competitive marketplace. There is really no other product that even approaches what BIAB can do (providing backing tracks with REAL instruments in just about any musical style imaginable is only one of the many functions BIAB is capable of). If there was another product that did similar things with a nicer GUI, you can bet PGM's GUI would turn pretty slick pretty quick. Same thing goes for their price. They can charge whatever they want as long as we buy. They essentially have a monopoly over what they do.

FatJeff · #15 05-02-2012, 09:30 PM

I don't disagree with you from a purely profit-motive standpoint, but there are "soft costs" associated with taking advantage of customers that can sometimes come into play. I don't think I have to tell you that customer satisfaction is a very high priority in most companies (some more than others). There's a reason for this - customers have a very long memory when it comes to being slighted, and that can definitely impact profitability, and ultimately the bottom line that shareholders care about.

In my case, at least, I'm not very likely to purchase another version for quite a long while, since my 2010.5 works adequately, and I don't care to be gouged on price.