Is the only viable one "band in a box" and how does that compare to the MOTL/TOTL arrangers?

I would be very interested in a bit of software that I could connect my controller keyboard up to and have a plethora of various styles (with fills) that I could play "on the fly".

Thanks for any comments or recommendations

Here are some others to have a look at

http://www.live-styler.de/home/?Welcome

http://www.1manband.nl/omb/index.htm

http://www.livearranger.com/

http://www.varranger.fr/

Bill

Thanks a million mate, I'll have a look through them

Just had a quick look as I'm in work but any consensus on what is regarded as the best software? Also (silly question alert) - obviously the software wouldn't have the sonic capabilities of the likes of the Tyros 4 but how does the sound quality stand up within the backing tracks?

Sorry for the multitude of questions but would find this useful as a quick sketch pad for new song ideas and for just jamming. Cheers.

Stein67,
I have been using vArranger for almost a year now and can attest to it's quality and ease of use. The creator, Dan, is a stand up guy who provides us with outstanding support. I use the software with a Ketron SD2 unit which really makes the software shine. I can play just about all the Ketron styles up to but not including the Audya styles, and all the Yamaha styles up to the Tyros 4. If you go out to the varranger website I have sample songs posted along with a video of a gig I did with it. I use it on about half my gigs these days.
Here is the forum link:

http://www.varranger.fr/vforum

Deane

Both Varranger and livearranger require a Ketron SD2 as their external soundsource to perform well.

Live-styler has currently the best soundsource available if you want to use Yamaha and Ketron styles without using a Ketron SD2.

Is there a link to this demo Deane...I cant find it?.

Hello Stein67,

I am Dan, the creator of the vArranger software.
vArranger sounds amazing with the Ketron SD2.
I am also working on a 100% virtual solution.
If you have any questions, let me know.

Hi,
Band in a Box, a different concept. It's not for Realtime Arranger playing, you basically type in a chord progression, it generates style based backing for you to playing along with.
Some of the REAL audio tracks are amazing, strumming guitars, piano, bass & drumtracks. there's more variety than in a 2 or 4 bar arranger loop. But, as I said , if you want realtime arranger playing, then no.

I have 3 of the realtime arranger software mentioned.
One Man Band I've had for years. It plays yamaha style files. Onboard style editor, which is handy. Has a feature similiar to BIAB ie type in chord progression, instant backing track.

Livestyler I bought more recently. Bought it for a particular project & haven't used it yet.

Varranger is the only one that will play Ketron styles. Also plays yamaha styles. Been busy with other things so haven't as yet used it to any great extent. Brilliant having access to Ketron styles again.

Hi Dan,
sorry haven't been around at all really.

Just interested to know what your virtual solution might be?
Are you incorporating something like being able to load a vsti or incorporating some sort of a soundfont player?

Basically at the moment I can link to a virtual sample player thru a virtual midi cable, sounds are still the issue.

Hi Rikki,

Yes, it is kind of soundfonts, but highly integrated, with no virtual midi cables, so you just have to press START and enjoy playing music.

Hi Dan,
wow, that's great, if you can save users having to buy the sd2.

I am very interested in this, and very glad you are working on it.
Just use high-quality soundfonts! Would be a shame to have it working, but the sounds to be less than hardware equivalent.
Will you use some existing library, or go on with a new sample set?

I have many ideas about samples and sounds, but I can't tell too much now.
I will let you know

Thanks Dan for keeping us updated on your new improvements to vArranger. It really is appreciated.

I will definitely be interested in this too once it is an all incorporating piece of software with high quality sounds. I'll keep an eye on progress

Yes and once the Varranger can play Roland styles I am in too.

I would love to use a Varranger prog or something like it BUT for my strict navagational needs when I'm performing I have never been comfortable with a software based arranger program versus using a stand alone Arranger KB. Maybe in years to come technology will change.

For now vArranger can play Ketron styles (not audya), Yamaha styles, including Tyros 4.
Roland styles will come then
Korg styles after. (someone knows a little bit about the compression algorythm used by korg?)

Dnj, I don't think software arrangers will take place over the hardware arrangers, but in some situations they are very useful.

I know that I have on my toolbox a working vArranger inside my laptop, and when I need it, I just have to plug any midi keyboard, my Ketron SD2, and voila.

Hi Donny,
VArranger screen is much more user friendly than the others.

Dan, it's a pity you can't find a safe way of letting potential users demo it. No doubt you've had problems with piracy, but a lot of people would prefer to try before they buy, as it's not exactly cheap.
I'm not saying it's not worth what you're asking, but it's a lot of money if you find it doesn't suit your needs.

Yes a demo would be great. I can try it then with some VST's and my Korg PA3X because I am not planning to buy the SD2.

Hi Frans,
the styles sound really good with PA3X voices EXCEPT, one needs the Ketron Live Drums sounds for the drum track.
So be great when Dan gets his soundset together.
I actually converted one of the styles across to the pa3x, to me it sounds quite good.

Yes the soundset is the best option but I hope it comes for free with Varranger. Will be a great selling point.

Rikki a question. What do you use to control Varranger? I am thinking about the nano controller from Korg.

Live Styler with on-board voices, (It can also use VSTi as it has a VST Host on-board) Wersi Orion Organ (Old analogue instrument) for the keys and a rhythm control unit.

An other example of live-styler with the all integrated (sounds like dom) Megasamples soundlibrarie.



Current offer from live-styler ;

Live-Styler complete : Live-Styler Plus Version 14, LiveArranger Plus Version, 45000 Styles, ca. 3000 Ketron Styles more then 2000 Mega Samples with T2 Emulation and SD2 Emulation.
40 special Abacus samples, 127 special Abacus GM samples, 25 very good accordeons and 144 new church organ sounds
Samples.
Price: 220,00 Euro, including shipment in all countrys.

I think live styler isn't updated anymore while Dan is constantly update the Varranger.

Live-Styler just got version 14 back in Oktober...

Dant start making things up.


Live-Styler is the only true software arranger with a good soundsource, all others require a Ketron SD2.

In that case live-styler seems a good solution for me. I will try it out.

Hi Bachus,
so Live Arranger actually loads Ketron styles?? it doesn't just convert Ketron to Yamaha format for playback?

I bought Live-Styler a while back, and just never quite got round to using it.

Thats one of the things that improved over the last few versions.

Thanks Bachus.

Here a nice message I just got that I want to share with you

"Hi Dan,

On vArranger, this is by far the best software that actually in some ways is better than many hardware arrangers.
When I first started using it, I was a little skeptical.
As the days went on, using it, I became more and more elated with how good it really is!
Almost all the features from the hardware arrangers, you have captured very nicely in this stand alone package.
...

I am working on trying to use virtual synth modules, to use Soundfonts and get the latency so it can be used in realtime.

Thank you so much for creating such a wonderful virtual arranger."

I took some time tonight to test Jos Maas's OMB (one man band)

http://www.1manband.nl/omb/index.htm

The graphical interface as you see in the pictures is very basic and on top of that very unintuitive. Compared to the other products it feels like getting back intoo the good old dos times.

There is no good soundsource with the free version, so its gooing to take a lot of tuning, where live styler sounds great out of the box.

bachus how did you find getting around whuile playing live with OMB or any other programs?.......My main concern whenever I tried the software arranger route was poor navigation between the laptop & controller while playing live seamlessly....if they EVER get that straightened out to come close to using a stand alone arranger KB...I would explore that option again...

I tried live arranger and I like it but only wonder how can I record something with this software because it has no recorder or sequencer. Is there a way I can use this with Sonar X1 or Mixcraft 5?