Any alternative to Band in a Box?

[DonEsteban]

Hi,

I use Band in an Box as a study and training software and a really quick and easy tool to print lead sheets, something I have to do rather frequently. And here is it where I really like to change.

The note editor in BiaB is a pain and getting songs done that have a more sophisticated form than ABAC is a pain too.

My Cubase5 is no alternative, as I want something that allows me to enter cords as easily as in BiaB (using the cords names and the computer keyboard) but without the flaws.

Any ideas? Thanks!

[oilywrag]

Why dont you input the song in full in BiaB then load the song into cubase that way the note editor in cubase will work for you,or go via realband just a thought

Cheers Tom

[billkath]

Or do what I do,Use BIAB to get your basic "components, save as a midi file and then use your DAW sequencer of choice to cut and paste to actually assemble the song as YOU want it to go.

[gingerjazz]

assuming you only use band in a box for learning purposes have you considered a looping pedal i find my boss loop station great for laying down chord progressions fast and then soloing over less time on the computer and more time on the guitar

[peterk1]

I haven't actually tried this....but I've been thinking about it.

Get one of these (Sonnuus G2M guitar to MIDI converter). About 90$ or so.

YouTube - Dave Weiner G2M Demo

and enter the melodies with your guitar.

[drobniuch]

I haven't actually tried this....but I've been thinking about it.

Get one of these (Sonnuus G2M guitar to MIDI converter). About 90$ or so.

YouTube - Dave Weiner G2M Demo

and enter the melodies with your guitar.

cool info but nothing about the BnB question ;p.

what about the G2M it's not polytone and there R some polytone midi devices e.g. Roland but they don't have pitch bending

[DonEsteban]

I think I didn't make my point clear enough. I am quite happy with BiaB regarding the program being my "studying partner".

Problem is the lead sheets. I do several a day. Just have to print cords, melody and text, mostly in C concert and Bb for the brass, sometimes a Eb for a saxophone.

1. BiaB sometimes "forgets" slurs to connect eights notes, also has a "creative" idea of putting accidentals and other little oddities, some of them can be corrected manually others not..

2. Entering repeats, second endings, tags and so on frequently lead to unpredictable results. Even repeating exactly the same operation after reloading the song sometimes leads to a different results.

3. No easy to use graphical note editor

4. The way triplets are displayed (i.e.quarter triplets) depends of the style chosen.

5. Difficult to get cord symbols, lyrics and notes balanced, so that they do not overlay each other being printed. (BTW why cant line based lyrics not look exactly the same as note based lyrics?)

and much more.

Without these issues it would be my favorite software to do the leadsheet work I do. I did sometimes export the mid file and did the work in Cubase, but it needs much more time, I'd rather like to spare and have a drink or two..

[gadjo]

test stuff until you find the notation program you work best with then link it to some midi player (like Native Instruments Bandstand) via MIDI Yoke (virtual midi port).

you can get a good preview with nice sounds and work the way you like.

NoteWorthy Software - Home of NoteWorthy Composer Music Notation Software i used to like this thing because you could edit stuff using nothing but computer keyboard.

[bass2man]

I use Guitar Pro to lay down chords and notes.....it even imports midi files and you can convert your chart to PDF to print...real easy to use...

[tony tuneson]

biab is superb for rapid music development. For superb notation, loiok at e.g. Sibelius.It can do whatever you want but yes it will take time. like in biab: 80% is there in a few clicks, the rest can take days or even weeks...