Hi
finally getting my keyboards & laptop set up the way I want.
No more unplugging thank goodness as I received a netbook for Xmas for emailing etc.

First thing I decided to set up was Band in a Box midied to my Korg Pa3x ( I'll also add my psr & sd2)
Two reasons for doing it.
First up, I can record Biab songs straight onto the mp3 player in my PA3X.
Secondly, BIAB has a chord output function.
Great for recording backing tracks or handy for practicing new songs or auditioning different stylesfor a song .

The chord function can be used in 2 ways.
1.Play song using Biab style using keyboards OTS or STS settings.
2.Play song using Biab chord progression but using keyboard style.
Ok so it's cheating, but it's still handy practice. L/H isn't triggering the chord changes, but there's nothing to stop me from playing a pad when I want to use both hands.

Next I'm adding my psr.

I also use BIAB with my Korg microArranger. I use BIAB chord output to play styles on the microArranger, especially songs with Jazz chords that are very difficult to play left hand voicing on the microArranger due to its small (and short) keys.

Dralion congrats on your new KMA...didn't know you had one also...interesting to hear of another method of using it....how do you like it so far?

Thanks Donny. The KMA is a very good replacement for my very old Roland G600. After 2 weeks, I can say that I like it very much.

What a clever way to use the instrument, dralion...bravo for your ingenuity.

The small keys presented a big problem for me as well(I tried the microWorkstation, which has the same keyboard), and was not too pleased with how difficult it made voicing jazz chords.

Ian

Scott who plays very complex jazz chords has no problem playing the KMA....either did I .....everyone is different.

Bravo for you Donny.

It certainly presented a problem for me, but I have relatively large hands and long thick fingers.

I suppose one could get used to it, but, it doesn't sound anywhere good enough to make me want to try and get used to small keys.

Perhaps if it sounded as good as the new PA3X I might be tempted...but, I know I'd only end up midi'ing it to a nice, comfortable and easy to play regular sized keyboard.

Ian

I'm not surprised knowing that some people can play jazz chords on the KMA without any difficulties. In the early 80's, I've seen many Vietnamese musicians playing in jazz bands using the Yamaha Portatone keyboards (they have small keys like the KMA). At that time, those rather inexpensive little keyboards are the only thing the Vietnamese keyboard players could afford to buy.

@ianmcnll

Thank you very much for your nice compliment.

Hi Dralion,
it's a function they created years ago, I'd sort of forgotten all about it. Handy also because it allows you to use your sts settings with harmony for R/H. I'm not too wrapped use the harmonized voices in BIAB itself. For me it's handy for practice, as my playing hasn't improved over the years. haahaa

Don't know what version of BIAB you have, but do you use the Real Tracks? Interesting replacing 1 or 2 of the korg style tracks with a real track . Great how it can all sync together.
I'm going to have to start making notes of which real tracks go well with which style.
So much nicer having a real strumming guitar playing , rather than a 2 bar loop in my converted styles just adds a bit of variety to the song.

Hey Rikki,

Do you know the software Chordpulse. You can try it 14 days for free. http://www.chordpulse.com
I have it and it is very easy to use. The next update will contain fills and variations.

Hi Frans,
no, never come across it before.

Thank you, I'll check it out.

Rikki you should check my page http://synthzone.com/midiaccomp.htm once in a while. I try to keep it updated with links to software like this.

Hi Nigel,
thank you.
I've popped the link in my Favourites folder.

Rikki

There was a similar thread over on the PSR Tutorial Forum a couple of weeks ago. I was really surprised at the number of folks that still use BIAB. I thought I was one of the very few. I use mine either for quick backing tracks for the guitar or for quick auditions of new chord progressions, but when I play the arranger, it is strictly the arranger. The problem with playing the arranger to either a MIDI file or an MP3 is that it's like playing with a real band. If you mess up, you have to go at a dead run to get caught up, but if I am controlling the accompaniment in real time, I can adjust either the accompaniment or the melody or both to get everything back on track.

I think, as arrangers improved, interest in MIDI-only BIAB dropped off somewhat with the older crowd, but now the Real Drums and Real Tracks technology have caused a surge in interest with the younger virtual instrument crowd. Good for BIAB. They deserve it. They have provided a nice product thru the years. I don't use it all that much anymore, but I still would not be without it. I am still an old school stand alone hardware guy, so I am pretty much BAIB MIDI-only. The latency of the virtual stuff is just not for me.

Regards,

Ted

Hi Ted,
how weirds that. It wasn't me on the other forum. haahaa

it's the real styles that have got me interested in it again.
I've had it since about 1990 for the atari of all things.

Over the years I've upgraded every now & again, never really been that big a fan of the midi styles, except that they do have some types of styles you don't find on keyboards ie classical, some of the soundtrack & newage styles.

When they started to bring out some of the realtracks, that renewed my interest.

My setup is only for home play.
Biab midied to the arranger allows me to practice melody with biab controlling the chords on the arranger.
Also if I do want to record an mp3 backing track on my pa3x, with the amount of mistakes I make, it's quicker to type chord progression into BIAB, and have it play the chords on the arranger for me, and all I have to worry about is pressing the fill & variation buttons at the right time.
Suppose I'm using it like a chord sequencer of sorts..