Speakers for BIAB

John Kalament · Post by **John Kalament** » 24 Apr 2006 12:36 pm

I just purchased a BIAB and was wondering what speaker set up I should use with it to obtain the best results ?
Thanks,

Mike Pace · Post by **Mike Pace** » 24 Apr 2006 1:34 pm

Hi John,

I guess it all depends on your situation... I take it you're not using headphones & perhaps looking for something better than your computer's speakers?!?

Easiest solution would be to run your PC's audio output to your home theatre/stereo system. If you have a PA in your practice area, run a line from your computer to the mixing board..... I know there are several practice/combo amps that incorporate a stereo pair of phono inputs (Roland, Peavey, etc...).
Personally, I run BIAB on a Mac>Mackie mixer>JBL self powered studio monitiors. Whatever instrument I'm practicing goes into the Mackie as well so I can really concentrate on the '"big picture" .....

All in all BIAB can be plugged into anything, so whatever works for you.....

-Mike

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 24 Apr 2006 3:08 pm

I get great PC audio sound out of my 2.1 Boston Accoustic speakers. BIAB generates MIDI, that must be converted to audio for the PC's sound card.

Your MIDI synth and sound card in the PC is the big determination on sound.

If you have a PC with "integrated sound" (sound on the motherboard) that is generally just "basic" PC sound (and unless you have a 3rd party MIDI Synth all you will have is the poor Microsoft software MIDI Synth). If you have a high end SoundBlaster card (e.g. the Audigy 2 line) then you are going to get better sound (better MIDI synths), etc.

Many that use BIAB for accompaniment use a hardware MIDI Synth such as the Roland's and then feed the Roland to a separate power amp and speakers and don't use the PC's sound card.

Mike Pace · Post by **Mike Pace** » 25 Apr 2006 3:22 pm

Another way of getting better sounds without buying a new soundcard or external hardware would be to pick up some "virtual instrument" software.

BIAB can be routed to other internal software via the "BIAB virtual output ports"..... I mentioned this to John in an e-mail, but I'm curious if other users here have done the same thing. "Reason" is a great program, and I'm aware of several others from Native Instruments, MOTU, IK, and Stienberg....

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 26 Apr 2006 3:09 am

I forgot to mention the Roland VSC33 (Virtual Sound Canvas) software MIDI synth that comes with many BIAB packages. That is a better software synth than the Microsoft softare synth that is included with Windows.