Biab vs Jamstation for practice?

**rockrink** · 08-01-2012, 03:02 AM

I'm looking at a used Jamstation JS5 to use as a play along, practice tool. Alternatively, I don't have a dedicated computer for music but have been thinking about installing Biab on my work laptop.

I would love to hear opinions and pros/cons of these methods.

What do folks recommend?

**drobniuch** · 08-01-2012, 03:17 AM

Biab!!!!!!!!!!!!11

**Frank67** · 08-01-2012, 03:46 AM

+1 for BiaB (but don't know JamStation)

**Solo Flight** · 08-01-2012, 09:21 AM

I’m a big fan of the jamstation. The only drawback is that the instructions are not very well written and the unit’s controls are not especially intuitive. But once you learn how to use it, I’ve found it amazingly simple to program and to use. It takes me about 2 or 3 minutes to program in a new tune. I leave it hooked up to my practice amp and use it just about daily. The instrumentation is quite good and it’s just a flick of a knob or button to choose a tune, slow or speed up the tempo or to change keys. No need to fuss with your laptop. I should also mention is that the internal memory only holds 100 tunes with another 100 on a smart media memory card – this unit can only accommodate the smaller size cards (64MB?) which are apparently somewhat obsolete and cost about $25 on line. It does have the capability to record but I’ve never used that function – I use it strictly as a backing track for practice. I’ve also never used BIAB so I can’t really compare the two fairly.

**bluefonia** · 08-01-2012, 04:23 PM

I can´t speak of the Jamstation as I`ve never used one.
I'm a BIAB-user and for playing and arranging backing tracks I find it very good. The latest versions has realtracks which means you¨ve got real musicians playing drums, bass, piano ect.. This gives a really good feeling in the music and the soundquality is great. I very much prefer this to synth-made sounds in many other products.

What I don´t like with BIAB is the interface. I find it much too cluttered and it feels and looks like a 15 years old application and is filled with options I personally don't need.

But it´s great for backing and the tracks are very easily made.

**coolvinny** · 08-01-2012, 05:31 PM

If you have a compatible iPhone, iPad or other idevice, check out irealB - it's only $5 in the app store.

You can download a database of 1000 standards, and you can create your own progressions too (a bit awkward for this purpose on the small iPhone, but do-able).

**jovialspoon** · 08-01-2012, 08:35 PM

I’ve used BIAB as a practice tool for many years and definitely recommend it for that purpose. It’s quick and easy to put together a rudimentary backing track, or a more complex one if you have more time. You can then crank up the tempo as required, change keys etc, and get a really solid practice workout happening. I agree with other comments that it has more options than you’ll probably need, and depending on the version, some of the sounds are a bit cheesy. But for me, those aspects don’t detract from its value as a practice tool. After all, some of us old folks remember a time before computers (hard to believe I know) when all we had to practice with was the tick-tock of a wind-up metronome.

**bluefonia** · 08-02-2012, 06:19 AM

Originally Posted by coolvinny

If you have a compatible iPhone, iPad or other idevice, check out irealB - it's only $5 in the app store.

You can download a database of 1000 standards, and you can create your own progressions too (a bit awkward for this purpose on the small iPhone, but do-able).

This looks very interesting. Much more modern and userfriendly than BIAB and does everything you need for practice, arranging and making/printing charts. It even has both piano and guitar corddiagrams.
It can run on mac computers as well as iPhones, iPads and Androids, - but not on pc´s.
I guess the screens on phones are too small for editing.

The only negative compared to BIAB IMO is the quality of the instruments. Though the instrumentation in iReal is not bad at all it´s hard to beat BIAB´s realtracks played by real musicians.

If I didn´t allready had BIAB I would probably choose iReal

**smp** · 08-02-2012, 06:56 AM

Originally Posted by coolvinny

If you have a compatible iPhone, iPad or other idevice, check out irealB - it's only $5 in the app store.

You can download a database of 1000 standards, and you can create your own progressions too (a bit awkward for this purpose on the small iPhone, but do-able).

Wow, Thanks for flagging this App. I was just about to pull the trigger on BIAB. You've just saved me a well needed bit of cash.

**Klatu** · 08-02-2012, 12:06 PM

The irealB app looks great, and I'd like to use it myself; however, I can't see myself following chord progressions and listening to the backing tracks on a cell phone. Have any of you used the app on a cell phone? If so, how have you dealt with the small screen size and relatively poor audio?

If this were available for windows based computers, it would be ideal to suit my purposes.

**Doctor Jeff** · 08-02-2012, 02:25 PM

I like the iRealBook and use it on both the iPhone and iPad. It's very simple and serves its purpose, especially as it's so intuitive to use AND THE PRICE IS RIGHT! Also, there's no need for a computer.

I don't think I would use it live, but the jazz accompaniments seem pretty tasteful to my ears. (Though I've never used BIAB.)

Re' screen size, the interface is uncluttered and easy to follow even on the small iPhone screen--just has chords, no notes, so no copyright issues.

Re' sound output, I generally plug my iPad into a Tivoli radio (the iSongBook, an absolute steal at $40, but that's another story) and it is plenty loud and sounds great. I can also plug my guitar in using the iRig and Amplitube. If you run Amplitube in the background, you can switch back to iRealBook and play along with the accompaniments after adjusting the levels so they're appropriate. The Fender Deluxe Reverb model (which is downloadable for free) has a great clean tone for jazz.

When using my Tele and headphones I am practically silent to everyone else in the house and can even play while they're asleep.

**smp** · 08-02-2012, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by Doctor Jeff

I like the iRealBook and use it on both the iPhone and iPad. It's very simple and serves its purpose, especially as it's so intuitive to use AND THE PRICE IS RIGHT! Also, there's no need for a computer.

I don't think I would use it live, but the jazz accompaniments seem pretty tasteful to my ears. (Though I've never used BIAB.)

Re' screen size, the interface is uncluttered and easy to follow even on the small iPhone screen--just has chords, no notes, so no copyright issues.

Re' sound output, I generally plug my iPad into a Tivoli radio (the iSongBook, an absolute steal at $40, but that's another story) and it is plenty loud and sounds great. I can also plug my guitar in using the iRig and Amplitube. If you run Amplitube in the background, you can switch back to iRealBook and play along with the accompaniments after adjusting the levels so they're appropriate. The Fender Deluxe Reverb model (which is downloadable for free) has a great clean tone for jazz.

When using my Tele and headphones I am practically silent to everyone else in the house and can even play while they're asleep.

Thanks DJ, that's good to know how that setup works.

I took the plunge and bought the Mac OS X version have have run tests on my Macbook and iMac. Both work a treat. I couldn't be more pleased.

I'd imagine BIAB is a step up in terms of sound quality but this is more than good enough as a backing track.

**coolvinny** · 08-02-2012, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by Klatu

The irealB app looks great, and I'd like to use it myself; however, I can't see myself following chord progressions and listening to the backing tracks on a cell phone. Have any of you used the app on a cell phone? If so, how have you dealt with the small screen size and relatively poor audio?

First up, the poor audio is not an issue - just use headphones. If you also use the "PocketAmp" app (which requires a $100 "iRiffPort" cable), then you can run both apps simultaneously through your iPhone and all the sound will come through headphones. The sound quality of the iRealB rhythm section is just fine.

As for the screen being small and hard to follow...you're right - it's not good for following chord progressions...but is that a bad thing? I think it's a blessing in disguise. The more you rely on the music in front of you, the longer you will stunt your development. I'm no pro, but I strongly believe this to be true. As soon as I started getting away from relying on leadsheets, my musicianship took a big step. Get it off the page and into your head/ears.

Don't become one of those people whose eyes are transfixed on the page while jamming with others. The more you do it, the more you'll have to keep doing it vs. being able to play by memory.

Having a tiny screen will force you to internalize the song quicker and ultimately be to your benefit.

(although for a gig you'll need some way to play unfamiliar tunes, if it's that sort of gig)

**bmw2002** · 08-04-2012, 06:15 PM

Just downloaded the irealb app and it works great. In terms of sound quality, I plugged my iPad into a pair of powered computer speakers and the sound is fine for practicing along with. I have an older version of BIAB (2004) and the laptop it's installed on is not long for this world, I fear, so this app is great for my purposes. Thanks for the tip.

**Klatu** · 08-13-2012, 11:45 AM

If I buy the app for my Android phone, can I connect it to my stereo so that I can play along without having to use headphones?

I hear the point that a previous poster made about not using lead sheets. Perhaps lead sheets have become crutches.

**Doctor Jeff** · 08-13-2012, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by Klatu

If I buy the app for my Android phone, can I connect it to my stereo so that I can play along without having to use headphones?

Yes or connect to any powered speakers.

**2bornot2bop** · 08-13-2012, 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by Klatu

The irealB app looks great, and I'd like to use it myself; however, I can't see myself following chord progressions and listening to the backing tracks on a cell phone. Have any of you used the app on a cell phone? If so, how have you dealt with the small screen size and relatively poor audio?

If this were available for windows based computers, it would be ideal to suit my purposes.

for MAC users any iPod app will play through your home audio system via iTunes. all you need to do that is to plug your phone into your audio system via a 1/8" adapter

Amazon.com: 1/8' Stereo (3.5mm) Male Mini to 2-RCA Male Audio Y-Cable iPod Compatible (6 FT.): Electronics

and then interface your home system with your computer with a M2TechHiFace USB/Coax adapter running coax digital into your DAC.

Amazon.com: M2TECH hiFace Hi-End S/SPDIF Output Interface with RCA connector - EHIFACER: Computers & Accessories

money well spent for the hiface will serve as an audio upgrade over your CD player upconverting to 24/196kHz.

and for killer computer audio combine the above with either Amarra or Pure Music computer audio programs, which themselves are as inexpensive an audio upgrade as there is on the planet, and as "they" say you're really cookin with dash.

Sonic Studio Amarra High Resolution Music Players and Professional Audio Mastering Systems

CHANNEL D - Pure Music

Computer audio has made tremendous strides in the past 2 years, and it's getting closer to vinyl...not there yet, but it's getting closer.

Some of us old fogie's still got it goin'on.