IPAD for music applications ?

[Larry Lenhart]

I was wondering if an IPAD is a good tool to use for such things as loading BIAB or Real Books. I have that on my laptop and it works fine, but a little bit awkward to use at jazz oriented jams. Soooo...I was wondering if any of yous guys use the IPAD in situations like that. The other alternative is to build a "music stand" of sorts that would easily hold my lap top. The reason for this need is that as a leader at various jams, sometimes singers do songs that I am not certain of the chord progressions....I know I know I should use my ears better and be able to play any standard in any key, but I aint as talented as Jim Nichols and some of those guys who see a merry-go-round of chord progressions in their heads. I am getting better at doing that and it is something I work on daily, but in the mean time, I thought this might be a good alternative. Any suggestions or thoughts would be appreciated and thanks in advance. You guys are always great about coming up with ideas.

[thumbslinger]

Hi Larry-
Well, for simply reading pdfs, it's great. I also use my Nook Color for such instances as well.

Here's the link to see what's needed:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/band-in- ... 73717?mt=8

And someone using it on an ipad:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3ER4hEbEUM

The kick would be getting something good for output... just plug the headphone jack and into an amp.

[RandeDager]

I tried creating Band-In-a-Box accompaniments converted to mp3's and into my mp3 player and then out of my headphone jack into an amp or a P.A. system and didn't care at all for the sound I got. Playing live over top of that is pretty much a joke. It sure wouldn't fool a blind person!

I'd be interested in how anyone else utilizes an mp3 player "backup band"?

[Larry Lenhart]

I didnt make myself very clear in my post....I am not interested in generating any sounds out of the ipad, only use it instead of real books or some such source for chord progressions. But I have seen pros use biab for backup and it sounds great, but thats not my intention at all.

[RandeDager]

I've learned that BIAB sounds only as good as the MIDI "instrument" that it triggers. My computer sounds decent when it's playing an audio file file but not so great when it is an mp3 that was generated from a MIDI file.

I've been impressed with Glenn Burgin's use of the Jam-Man but then those are WAV files, I believe. MIDI is a whole different story. Yet I know that there are those who incorporate BIAB into their performances.

[Doug_H]

I've learned that BIAB sounds only as good as the MIDI "instrument" that it triggers.

This is true. Probably the easiest route is to get one of the 'Soundblaster' audio cards for your computer so you can download 'Soundfont' libraries that sound much better than standard windows midi description files. A much better way is to use software sythesizers (Reason is a great one) that can sound like a real orchestra if need be.

This guy I knew from another forum way back does some great stuff with BIAB controlling external synthesizers.. I think. Then again...Carlos is freaky good and I can't pretend to know how he does the things he does. lol!

[Ray Bohlken]

Hi Rande. I have an older version of BIAB and it will generate WAV files as one of the output options. I use it to generate backups for some Ventures and Shadows tunes that I enjoy playing and the backups sound pretty decent...my playing is a little suspect, though. I don't have a way to allow the songs to be played by others or I'd post a link and let you hear an example. Some of the MIDI instruments on some BIAB backups sound better than others. Check to see if yours has an option to generate WAV files. That might get the results you want.
Ray

[RandeDager]

Hi Ray,

I could try that but my concern is that it seems that a WAV file could only be as good as the source that it was generated from. If it came from a digitally recorded sound source, I see that differently from starting with MIDI (which is artificial to begin with). I'll try it though and at lease listen and give it a chance.

thanks,

[RandeDager]

Doug, I also appreciate your suggestion of using the sound font libraries. Since I'm using a laptop, the SoundBlaster card idea probably wouldn't work, leading me to something external. I'll look into the more realistic sound and synthesizer ideas.

Isn't "Real Band" supposed to have sampled waveforms, which would be more realistic? I just don't want to ruin
all of my hard work and dedication by performing with a "backup band" that sounds like a transistor radio plugged
into the house sound system.........lol.

thanks,

[Ray Bohlken]

Rande, I agree that many of the sounds coming out of the BIAB program are "a little above below average" as Chet might say. I tend to pick the ones I think are the most realistic sounds - the jazz guitar as a rhythm guitar, almost any of the bass selections, the room drums, and, maybe a keyboard selection. I stay away from a lot of those other guitar sounds and horn sounds. My hearing is not too good, so I could be totally off in my evaluation of the rhythms I use, but some of my friends have heard the results and think they sound decent, although, being my friends, they may just are being kind. Of course, I'm just having fun with the program and not playing out with the BIAB band, so that is a consideration, too.
Take care,
Ray