One Man Band -- is it worth it or is there better software?

[MaliceX]

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

I've already got some Yamaha styles ripped from my cousin's friend's PSR-1100 as well as a huge bunch from a site that offered a crapload of STY files for download..and well I came across this one day.

While I'm unfortunate enough to not personally own a keyboard with this type of functionality (Used a CASIO WK-1500 at school and my cousin's friend's YAMAHA PSR-1100, however) such as different segments of 'rhythm' in a push of a button, autoharmonies based on current chord, and the fact it can work with VSTi's as well... US$49.95 for that?

I've tried the demo, while one does enjoy the functionalities, I'm sort of questioning whether it's worth buying. It's not a particularly important thing, but how they've done it makes it real easy... In addition, compared to Band-in-a-Box (at school), this thing is a lot more flexible in terms of style manipulation and focus on live performance than pre-sequenced chordnames...

If it's possible, I'd like some opinions on this, or any blurts whether or not there's better software than this.

Thanks in advance.

[KKeene]

at the bottom of this page are some alternatives to BiaB including some freeware.

http://www.alisdair.com/gearsoftware/biablinks.html

[Sepheritoh]

http://www.bandinabox.com/

IMO Band in a box is the industry leader in this area. A pretty usefull package for the real one man band who just wants to fire up some background to sing to. It still depends on the quality of your General Midi sound module. Cakewalk's TTS-1 or the VSC could do for a starter package (VSC included with BIAB), but you would probably wnat to invest in (or download for free) some good soundfont.

[MaliceX]

Again, I've used Band-in-a-Box before (v8 or 10, something like that) and quite frankly from what it looks like, it seems to be geared more towards instant accompaniment rather than a flexible arranger. (At first glance, I've only used it like 2 times total.)

I've already got soundfonts (PersonalCopy 5.1, SGM-v2 beta etc. Though I'm looking for a good payware one with quality GM-mapped drumkits; particularly XG-compatible...) and software sound modules (XG , as well as the S-YXG2006LE thingy via virtual MIDI cable; works/sounds like the PSR-275!) so sound set's not a problem for me.

Thanks for the links, I'll have a look at all those apps when I get time.
I'm still open to any other alternatives. I do enjoy OMB's demo, but I'm a bit wary on the price for what it offers, including the need to pay for upgrades. :S

[glokraw]

Again, I've used Band-in-a-Box before (v8 or 10, something like that) and quite frankly from what it looks like, it seems to be geared more towards instant accompaniment rather than a flexible arranger. (At first glance, I've only used it like 2 times total.)

I've already got soundfonts (PersonalCopy 5.1, SGM-v2 beta etc. Though I'm looking for a good payware one with quality GM-mapped drumkits; particularly XG-compatible...) and software sound modules (XG , as well as the S-YXG2006LE thingy via virtual MIDI cable; works/sounds like the PSR-275!) so sound set's not a problem for me.

Thanks for the links, I'll have a look at all those apps when I get time.
I'm still open to any other alternatives. I do enjoy OMB's demo, but I'm a bit wary on the price for what it offers, including the need to pay for upgrades. :S

http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=195072 This thread discusses an impending
release of Sonic Reality OmniSynth2 GM module, and brags up the drums in particular, and at a nice price, hopefully! Cheers

[dougsyo]

I use BIAB regularly, but it is NOT for live or improv backup tracks - you have to have it planned out and chords entered.

I looked at 1ManBand and LiveStyler and chose LiveStyler. The Yamaha style format is fairly standard - there are utilities that can convert BIAB styles to Yamaha styles, for example. For what it's worth, I also have a PSR-2000 (the predecessor to the 1100's big brother the 2100), but sometimes I don't want to mess with the big keyboard, my MIDI keyboard is a Korg MicroKontrol.

Doug

[Integratron]

BiaB is the classic piece. I really had a blast with this software back in the day with my Mac IIFx.

[Laraka]

BIAB is very good at what it does, which is to generate MIDI accompaniment files intended for use with GM hardware or GM compatible software. I've used it occasionally (I own version 7 or something) to create quick accompaniments for the likes of school stage shows. Even then, I spent a lot of time editing the generated files to better sound like the song arrangements being covered.

IMHO the downside of BIAB is the GM aspect of it. MIDI+GM can sound quite cheesy (ever tried listening to a MIDI/GM rendition of a Nirvana song?) It will very much depend on the style of music you are attempting to create. E.g. if you are looking for a rock guitar accompaniment you might be better off trying out Steinberg's Virtual Guitarist, or use JamStix for drums etc.

To get the best out of it you will need quality GM gear. But as with all "What Is Good" KVR questions, the best answer is to get hold of a demo and see if it works for you.

[dougsyo]

IMHO the downside of BIAB is the GM aspect of it. MIDI+GM can sound quite cheesy (ever tried listening to a MIDI/GM rendition of a Nirvana song?) It will very much depend on the style of music you are attempting to create. E.g. if you are looking for a rock guitar accompaniment you might be better off trying out Steinberg's Virtual Guitarist, or use JamStix for drums etc.

I've mapped BIAB's tracks into a decent rompler (ST2 or DimPro) and it's much improved over straight GM. I imagine you could do that with 1ManBand or LiveStyler (LiveStyler can now do VSTI host, although it couldn't when I first bought it).

Doug

[MaliceX]

Again, I'm trying to avoid Band-in-a-Box here because that relies on input-first-then-play, which OneManBand can do it in realtime.

LiveStyler...I'll look into that. Thanks.

[filkertom]

1. BIAB 2007 (actually, 2007.5, if you count the extensive update this past summer) is, literally, seven iterations past BIAB 7. While it's still using GM which might be a problem for some, it also uses pretty much anything else you care to map into it. More to the point, it's been seriously improved on nearly every level, most prominently by new Soloists, Melodists, and the addition of RealDrums (using drum loops rather than MIDI to create the percussion track, and you can create your own using any loops you like).

2. You can use BIAB in real-time. They added a Conductor feature a couple of years ago that lets you control and extend play with keystrokes. Not exactly improv, but not bad.

3. Alisdair's list does not include SuperJam!, which is abandonware from Blue Ribbon Soundworks (the Bars & Pipes people, if you ever had an Amiga). Bill Gates bought the company in 1995; the technology has been overhauled a number of times to become the DirectMusic Producer component of DirectX. Meanwhile, SJam, while not as powerful as BIAB or some of the others (gee, go fig, for a program written twelve years ago), it does create pretty good sounding MIDI arrangements, allow playing in real-time, and snapshotting and limited MIDI editing. (I run the musicmachines.net site, so I can answer any questions you may have about it.)

[asseca]

(LiveStyler can now do VSTI host, although it couldn't when I first bought it).

1ManBand v10 can now host DXi plugins and up to 4 VSTi plugins ...

[MaliceX]

Meh, I checked out LiveStyler, that thing is a bit more complicated than it's practical for, at least how I do things on my setup.

I may as well get One Man Band, thanks for the input guys.