Band in a box vs Jammer

[John S. Buginas]

I am trying to decide between Jammer Pro and Band in the Box. I am on
the fence. Perhaps you can persuade me one way or the other.

a). I am a 'medium' guitar player. I do NOT have a midi keyboard, and
would like to be able to enter melody with a computer keyboard and use
an accompaniment program to practice ear training, site reading and
improvisation. I would also like the generated music to be fairly
realistic so it will be pleasing to play or record the resulting
music (not professionally)

b). I have downloaded the demo for both Jammer and Band in the Box.
The Band in the box demo sounds like one of those chintzy organs in
the mall that I used to hear in the 60s that reminded me of my elderly
aunt in Florida. However, the BIB demo was for the dos version and did
not showcase solos or style editors or any of the 100,000 new features
advertised on your site.

The Jammer demo sounded pretty cool, but I'd have to get a midi input
device, or input melody from an external program (which I already
have). Soundtrek says they are working on a computer keyboard melody
entry (including notation), but off in the future?

Has the band in the box demo sound improved since the DOS version? Can
we do walking base lines like the Jammer Slow Blues stuff? I know BIB
is 1/2 the price of Jammer, but with all the 'style disks' and such
you see advertised, it seems we'd end up spending about the same
amount.


I'm on a fence right now.

[Timothy Kelly]

Hi All,
First, you need to try the windows demo of BB if you have windows.
BB does allow melodies and chords to be played from the mouse and
computer keyboard.
So does Super Jam, which you should check out too.
Jammer Pro is overkill for you, since you dont even have a midi
input device. Jammer Songmaker for $30 will do the job. You can upgrade
later.
Also if you have $200-300, you should check out one of the
keyboard/software bundles at computer stores. Often these come with jam
software. Yamaha makes a nice one for $295.00, so does Midisoft for
$200 or less. Sometimes Power Chords is bundled in these, since you
play guitar.
Sometimes the ones without sounds, that use your soundcard, the
keyboard/software bundles are under $100.
If all you have is $100, I would get BB for windows or Super Jam,
whichever you like best, also Jammer Songmaker. Then you have the best
styles and features of both. Two jam programs are always better than
one.
Happy Holidays
Timothy Kelly
MidiVox
--
MidiVox - Worlds 1st Real Time Voice to Midi. BioSensor Neckband
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