Sound generators with BIAB?

Todd Weger · Post by **Todd Weger** » 25 Oct 2005 7:13 am

I'm thinking of buying the 2005 version of BIAB from the company, but I really hate the way the instruments sound with my computer's sound card. I listened to some of the streaming examples they have on their site, and the Edirol SD-20 Studio Canvas sounds the most natural to me, but it's another $279 for the hardware.

Are there other sound card options, or do most of you run the signal to a digital keyboard to listen to your tracks?

What I'd like to do is produce a CD or mini-disc of "minus-ones" (tracks without steel) for popping in the AUX input in my MicroCube, and be able to practice with an ensemble literally anywhere with my steel. Is this easy to do with the BIAB? Could I make minus-ones in MP3 format, and use an iPod?

This would be great, but I just have to find sounds that are better than the Cheeez-Whizz that's in my PC now.

Mahalo,
TJW

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Todd James Weger/RD/RTD
1956 Fender Stringmaster T-8 (C6, A6, B11); 1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (C6, B11/A6); Chandler RH-4 Koa semi-hollow lapsteel (open G); Regal resonator (open D or G)

Mark Vinbury · Post by **Mark Vinbury** » 25 Oct 2005 7:28 am

I'm also interested to hear what others use. The Roland VSC-3 sound synth came with my copy of BIAB. It is a welcome relief from the basic BIAB sound but still is not very convincing.It is especially unrealistic in the guitar area.

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 25 Oct 2005 7:36 am

Let's move this to Computers from No Peddlers. I'm interested in the responses as well, but I think more people will respond to this in the proper area.

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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 25 Oct 2005 7:42 am

BIAB is great for practicing with. It's very easy to compose rhythm tracks which can be rendered to a wav file and burned onto a blank CD. I have BIAB on my lap top which I run into an amp to practice with that way I have more control over the rhythm tracks. I've also made CD's with rhythm tracks to practice with and they sound good through a decent CD player but then you have no control over the tempo. All in all BIAB is a great practice tool. I use the Roland Sound Canvass which sounds better than some but I'm sure there's lots better sound cards to use.

Steve Ostermann · Post by **Steve Ostermann** » 25 Oct 2005 8:35 am

Todd:

BIAB will do the things you listed. It is useful as a practice tool, as stated. You can find a lot of tracks already done for it (of varying quality) if you search around. The Roland VSC is a big step up in sound quality. It was included with BIAB when I bought it a few months ago. I also picked up the Edirol SD-20 which will further upgrade your sound from Cheeeze-Whizz to something in the neighborhood of Velveeta or better, depending on the instrument. I found mine used for ~ $160 on Ebay. It seems pretty easy to use, although I have only scratched the surface. I run the sound to my stereo and play along with amp or to the aux-in on my headphone amp. I know it can write a .wav file and from this you can make an .mp3 using the Lame encoder among others.

Steve

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 25 Oct 2005 12:16 pm

When I transfer my BIAB tracks to my rack setup, I play them back through an Edirol unit and they really sound great. I upgraded a while back so I could handle the General Midi 2 system. BIAB supports the GM 2 system and my Edirol unit does too. Over 1,000 different instruments to chose from.
Erv

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 25 Oct 2005 12:38 pm

The latest version SoundBlaster Audigy 2ZS cards have very good hardware synths. As good or better than the Roland VSC33 software synth. And better than the MID synth in a mid $$ Yamaha Keyboard.

The Microsoft software synth that comes with the Windows operating system is poor at best.

John Bresler · Post by **John Bresler** » 25 Oct 2005 5:46 pm

Todd:

Contact Big Jim Baron and he can provide you with all the answers you need about BIAB. He is a dealer and guru. He'll also provide you with a better deal and better support than the factory. Jim surfs the forum from time to time and his email address is bigjim4b@sbcglobal.net

Howard Tate · Post by **Howard Tate** » 25 Oct 2005 6:25 pm

I use the SD-20 and it sounds very good for tracks. PG Music now has a new virtual synth called Coyote Forte that sounds better then the vsc, they sell it for $40. There is a demo you can download to try it. I believe it's a full function version that will work for 30 days. It uses Giga Sampler sounds, and it's well worth considering.
Edited to add link: http://www.pgmusic.com/fortedxi.htm
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Howard, 'Les Paul Recording, Zum SD12U, Carter D10 8/8, Vegas 400, Boss ME-5, Boss DM-3, DD-3, Fender Steel King, Understanding wife. http://www.Charmedmusic.com

[This message was edited by Howard Tate on 25 October 2005 at 07:29 PM.][This message was edited by Howard Tate on 25 October 2005 at 07:30 PM.]

Bob Martin · Post by **Bob Martin** » 27 Oct 2005 4:09 am

Coyote Forte is the first DXI synth for biab that sounds realistic. Even the acoustic guitars sound very convincing. If your looking for a good strat sound you'll be disapointed but if you want a good jazz guitar sound you'll be pleased. You can find realistic instruments in all areas of instruments in Coyote Forte so you will have to try different instruments for different types of music but if you check them all out I think you will be very happy.

I was very pleased to see Coyote Forte added to the list as synths for biab. It is by far the best sounding synth you will ever hear for biab right now.

Now for the down side if you don't have a fast processor you might not be able to use it. Its a ram and processor hog so unless you have a fast system I'd go with a hardware synth but if you do have a fast machine go with the Coyote Forte it's great.

Bob

Gary Shepherd · Post by **Gary Shepherd** » 27 Oct 2005 7:14 pm

See if you can find a Yamaha SW1000xg sound card on eBay for around $100.

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Gary Shepherd

Carter D-10

www.16tracks.com

Todd Weger · Post by **Todd Weger** » 28 Oct 2005 5:42 am

Now for the down side if you don't have a fast processor you might not be able to use it. Its a ram and processor hog so unless you have a fast system I'd go with a hardware synth but if you do have a fast machine go with the Coyote Forte it's great.

Thanks, guys. Yeah, I read the system requirements for the Coyote Forte, and I'd have to get a newer PC, to be able to run it. Of course, that's something I should do anyway.

I will definitely have to get the BIAB. Seems like it would be a fantastic practice tool.

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Todd James Weger/RD/RTD
1956 Fender Stringmaster T-8 (C6, A6, B11); 1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (C6, B11/A6); Chandler RH-4 Koa semi-hollow lapsteel (open G); Regal resonator (open D or G)