Band-in-a-Box User Reviews
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"Download link does not work."
Version: Band-in-a-Box 9.0
Pros
none- Can't download, so I can't tell.
Cons
No idea because download link does not work.
Summary
Download link should be fixed or removed. It prompts you for a user id and password on the vendor's website. I have no idea what values to use.
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"Brilliant quirky software"
Version: Band-in-a-Box 9.0
Pros
I have recently bought BAB 11.5 for PC s/h. I am mainly a classical musician who like to dabble in jazz and latin, and this program is a godsend! In the past I have tried to write songs but could never get the MIDI accompaniment to sound any good, in spite of hours of work. This program provides a decent accompaniment in minutes. The chords are not always what you expect, but in this it just simulates human musicians! It is easy to save the individual parts as WAV files and then edit them in Logic on my MAC.
Cons
On the pc it crashes a lot, I am waiting for version 12 for the MAC to upgrade. As above the chords are not always what you have written. There seems no way to input rubato - gradual tempo changes.
Summary
A brilliant tool for composers/performers, complete with authentic eccentricity.
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"Nothing downloaded....doesn't look great"
Version: Band-in-a-Box 9.0
Pros
None. Was not there in spite of notice of thanks for downloading this "Band-In-A-Box". Nothing downloaded for free.
Cons
Nothing there to review......I think PG should be told to pack up and not advertise this "free" pkg.
Summary
Lesson learned.....show me the real stuff before I get sucked into buying it! I, too, wouldn't buy something without trying it first.
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"Useful sounds, rubbish user interface"
Version: Band-in-a-Box 9.0
Pros
Lots of user-options, and very good sounds, lots of pre-compiled songs available.
Cons
I have never come across such a convoluted piece of software in my life. The user interface is completely non-intuitive. It completely ignores the MS Windows GUI style guide. Menus are buried inside layers of other menu, right-clicking is rarely relevant to the task to be done in a given context, the GUI itself is completely cluttered, with no obvious customisation available. Even simple main menus like "View" and "Edit" are completely non-intuitive.
Summary
Avoid, unless you have LOTS of free time available to learn how to use it, or only plan to use it in a superficial way. The manual is huge, and is layered across various versions of the product. That is, you have to learn how to use the 2006 version before you can make use of the 2008 version.
Playing with it further.
Updated on Oct 20, 2011
Lots of buggy features, even though the product seems to have a long pedigree. The "DC al Capo" tag ending inserts extra non-displayed bars at the end of the piece, the "Undo" feature works sporadically, cancelling a menu option sometimes deletes the entire piece being edited.
Avoid. -
"I Own Band In A Box Pro U Arnt Missn Nthn"
Version: Band-in-a-Box 9.0
Pros
Can Create original music, but, drawback you need to know how to play and instrument to re-record it to sound much better. It will give you some good ideas though. Not perfect but a great learning tool I am writing my own songs now. Couldn't Before..
Cons
I bought band in a box pro, 99.99 and this is the demo, they use this to rope you in. The Upgrd is 249 they include a hard drive and suppose to be much better, but then you have to buy patches if you want it to sound good. 35 to 79 not worth it.
Summary
It can be a good program to learn on, but the cons are much more than the pros. Once you find this out you can't return it for your money back, but all you can do is upgrade. And once you upgrade you have to buy patches for the good stuff, guitar solos, and the like. But, if you want to learn how to use chord progressions and read music this is definitely the way to go. I have written more songs in my life using this program than I ever have. I have written about 300 songs, all original compositions. The trick is to learn what chords sound good together and witch, or how many bars you want your song to be in. I don't work for P.G. Music, but there is some good and some bad to this program. As I mentioned above you really have to know how to play an instrument like guitar, or keyboard. But it is a great writing tool. If you don't know how to play guitar this program is capable of helping you understand how, with things like basic chord structure. To make your own songs though, pick up a chord chart and find out how chords work, it's amazing. Then you just create your own melody. BAB will also do this for you, but I don't think that many of the melodies are any good, make up your own. And in closing, if you are going to buy this start out with the $99.00 version. Band in a box pro then go from there, but remember, if you do upgrade, it's a real hefty price, and just remember that you are not getting everything that you pay for when you buy the more expensive version I.E. because you have to pay for other patches for different sounds. You could end up spending thousands before you got everything that this program has to offer. I would say that if you don't have a lot of money go with something like garage band, or some other type of program that you pay one price and that's it. And it would not hurt to invest in guitar lessons if you are a budding songwriter. So just remember if you have the cash to throw around then Band in a box is an excellent learning source, but otherwise it's probably not worth the money that you are going to spend in the long run. I hope this helped with anyone that may have had questions. Here is a recap of comments above
Pros
Can Create original music, but, drawback you need to know how to play and instrument to re-record it to sound much better. It will give you some good ideas though. Not perfect but a great learning tool I am writing my own songs now. Couldn't Before..
Cons
I bought band in a box pro, 99.99 and this is the demo, they use this to rope you in. The Upgrade is 249 they include a hard drive and suppose to be much better, but then you have to buy patches if you want it to sound good. 35 to 79 not worth it. -
"No-Go without being able to try it WITHOUT purchasing"
Version: Band-in-a-Box 9.0
Pros
I watched one demo and the program looks interesting.
Cons
Not going to wrestle with it. There are plenty of other programs I can use to expand my education and talent in music, and plenty of those programs allow trying it without first purchasing.
Summary
Any company that will not allow a free trial does not inspire much of my confidence in their product(s). I viewed one demo and it announced some impressive features, but I am very busy (too busy in fact to be writing this review), and hassling with an expensive purchase and dealing with that "nagging" feeling that somehow I won't be able to get a refund if I decide not to purchase....is not something I'm willing to do. The program probably has benefits and uses, but unfortunately I will not explore past this review. I will never see what it is capable of. Not allowing a trial was not a good business decision on the part of PG Music, in my opinion.
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"Summary: None. Unable to locate"
Version: Band-in-a-Box 9.0
Pros
None. Was not there in spite of notice of thanks for dwnldg. Nothing was there for free, nor were there any prices had I wanted to purchase
Cons
Went on website to listen, sounded pretty cheesy, also if I were to buy, I want a CD so i can load it onto my other computers etc.Don't like these download options,
Summary
Information was sketchy, instumentation on example videos was not of much quality. Once prices were found, was not impressed due to the download rather than download with CD to be shipped immediately. had enough of download programs. This is all a good idea, but not of much value considering the price etc. Just my opinion. Now, I'm not interested. I'll go to my music store to go a more dependable route.Sorry. Maybe I didn't go far enough, but it doesn't stick me as being what I need. Thanks
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"I'd stick to pro tools and reason"
Version: Band-in-a-Box 9.0
Pros
would be okay for learning on, thats about all.
Cons
auto generated lead lines, melody lines, base lines, chord patterns, drums can't access, I'll stick to reason and the redrum, dr rex and loops for beats, ampegs for base and some smooth leads from hellspawn guitars
Summary
don't like it, reminds me of the education system. futile exercises. type in chords, ah I want music for musicians, not preset bits and pieces.
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"So called demo links to website videos :-("
Version: Band-in-a-Box 9.0
Pros
None - I cant try the software
Cons
Who knows - I can't try it
Summary
This should be removed from download.com - it is not software, it is just a stub that links to a website with video clips. If you don't want bad ratings and you no longer provide a download then take it off of downloads.com!!!!
I might have bought this but there is no way I'm parting with money until I've tried it. -
"This is not a free download"
Version: Band-in-a-Box 9.0
Pros
nothing. no download. purchase only.
Cons
This isn't a free download. The link downloads a button that, when clicked, sends you to a website where you can purchase the product. Please remove this from Cnet!
Summary
Not like Cnet to have something like this...
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