Originally Posted by Dave Rice
Hi Bugsey:

I'm never going to convince you that BIAB or a Casio Keyboard will sound better in the hands of an experienced and capable musician. I won't even try. I respect your opinion but I respectfully disagree. I don't use BIAB but I know roughly how it works. The initial set-up process, selection of instruments that compliment each other and then being able to play the right note or chord in exactly the right sequence seems very important to me. I will agree with you that a keyboard or BIAB or any of the other techno-computer based instruments can sound like elevator music, a complete symphony or a small jazz trio, depending on how it is used... and by whom.

This gizmo is not limited to any single genre and I believe it has it's place in the world of music. If nothing else, it allows a novice songwriter/singer to create a melody with lyrics in order to give a pro-demo artist an idea of how the song sounds in the hands of an amateur. This is a tremendous weapon in the "arsenal" of the underfunded songwriter.

One thing BIAB won't do for you: Sing! If the artist's phrasing and range are out of kilter with the song, all bets are off.

I have a sneaking feeling that during our lifetimes, there will be a version of BIAB or it's competitors that offers vocal variations capable of taking the person singing's voice and modifying it to sound like Sinatra or Dinah Shore, etc. Whether or not it can correct pitch "on the fly" or provide automatic de-essing is another subject altogether... but we have entered a marvelous age for people who want to make music and compete with the big studios.

I don't mean to imply that having all the talent and techno-resources in the world will open any doors for a new would-be artist. The music industry does not work that way. (At least not now!) Knowing who can help you get your "product" into the right hands is nearly as important as talent.

Best of luck with your music.

Dave


Ok, but you dont own the gizmo, why not listen to somebody who does?

your quote "The initial set-up process, selection of instruments that compliment each other and then being able to play the right note or chord in exactly the right sequence seems very important to me. I will agree with you that a keyboard or BIAB or any of the other techno-computer based instruments can sound like elevator music, a complete symphony or a small jazz trio, depending on how it is used... and by whom."

You dont seem to understand, there IS no playing notes, the "gizmo" plays EVERY note. The instruments chosen is the ONLY thing the user has control over, other than how loud or of tit will play in the mix.

True, its not limited to any genre, but that doesnt mean it sounds like a professional band when it plays it's arrangements.

Im not attacking the software, i just get annoyed when I read how it's all up to the user how it will sound.

No, the sound is the sound, you will never change how it sounds.

And I will look like the bad guy or the attacker if somebody (which will happen) says "does my demo sound like elevator music?'

The answer is,yes, it absolutley it does. That does not mean I make great demos, that I think im a great musician and recording artist. That does not mean that the person who posted their song with BIAB is not good, or that I cant hear if the song is good or not by the demo it makes.

All im saying is use it for what it is, a learning and writing tool. It's not a demo maker.

If you post your BIAB song and expect people to jump and down over it, your nuts.

Most people will find it acceptable enough to listen to. The only thing they will focus on is the singer and whatever you add over it.

Yes, it wont sing for you. even if it did, it wouldnt change the equation.