From BIAB to GarageBand?

[Don McClellan]

Would someone please give step by step instructions on how to move BIAB tracks to GarageBand. Thank you very much, Don

[Bobby Lee]

Save the BIAB song as a MIDI file.
Open a Finder window and locate the MIDI file.
Drag the MIDI file's icon into GarageBand.

This functionality was added in version 2 of GB. In version 1 you had to use a 3rd party utility and jump through a lot of hoops.



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[Don McClellan]

Thanks Bob, Don

[Darrell Criswell]

Bobby:

What are the differences in BIAB and Garageband? Which do you prefer.

Thankns

[b0b]

I use them for different things. With BIAB, you can write a chord progression and try it with different automated styles of music. I think of it as a composing tool. You can't do that with GarageBand.

With GarageBand, you can dive into note-by-note arranging, tweak instrument sounds, and even add live parts. The result can actually sound pretty good. I've used it to make demos for band members, and as starter reference tracks for recordings.

I usually start with BIAB to get the chord progression and basic feel of the tune, export as MIDI into GarageBand to refine it and add the melody, then dump it as a stereo reference mix onto my trusty old Roland VS-1880 where I do my real recording.

[Darrell Criswell]

Thanks for the explanation about the difference in BIAB and Garageband.

One additional question, what different does Logic Express do? Where does it fit in the scheme. Thanks so much!

[b0b]

I have Logic Express but I haven't figured out how to use it. It's pretty complex. I think it could probably replace my Roland V-Studio for multi-track recording.

As far as I know, no other program provides chord progression-based composition like BIAB. The Mac version of BIAB is pretty buggy compared to the PC version, though.

Jim Baron recommends that Mac users run the PC version of BIAB in a Parallels Desktop window. He says it works fine, but it's a pretty expensive road to go down if you don't already have Parallels for some other reason.

[Darrell Criswell]

Do you use BIAB for the MAC or for Windows, and do you know if there is a lot of difference?
I have been told the Windows version is much more advanced.

Thanks

[Kristen Bruno]

Isn't it true that although garage band will accept midi files and you can work with them , you cannot export them as midi, and have to "lock" them into an analog simulation? This would not be good if you needed to further tweak the midi file for whatever reason.

Kristen

[b0b]

I think you're right about that. As far as I know, you can't export a MIDI file from GarageBand (GB). This makes sense, as much of GB is geared towards music construction with audio loops.

A track in GB can be MIDI or audio. A MIDI export of all tracks would have unexpected results because it's impossible to MIDIfy the audio tracks. You might be able to copy/paste a single MIDI track from GB into another MIDI application. I haven't tried that.

[b0b]

Do you use BIAB for the MAC or for Windows, and do you know if there is a lot of difference?
I have been told the Windows version is much more advanced.

Thanks

I use the Mac version on my Powerbook G4. It is several years behind the PC version and is buggy. Still, it does the job. I use it for songwriting and to host steel guitar "round robin" jam sessions.

If I get a new Intel Mac, I'll probably install Parallels Desktop with Windows XP and the latest Windows version of BIAB.