BIAB users and the computers they use

John Knight · Post by **John Knight** » 22 Jan 2002 3:33 pm

Just lookin around at the choices others have made and what they would have done different given the choice. I'm looking into this and a purchase of a laptop to put it on. So lets here the ideas out there.

Lookin for that band that does not drink or says "Not that song"

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D 10 Thomas with 8&6
Nashville 400 and Profex II
Asleep at the Steel

Everett Cox · Post by **Everett Cox** » 22 Jan 2002 10:27 pm

'Though you COULD run BIAB on a laptop, I would not recommend doing so. The sound system on most laptops does not compare to what you'd get (or could upgrade to) on a desktop computer. Also the screen on many laptops would be smaller and viewing from an angle might be a problem. (I presume you would want to be able to have BIAB provide backing while you do your thing with a guitar. That means you might not be able to find a good position to play and ALSO operate the computer.) The laptop keyboard might also be less convenient than what a "standard" computer provides.

I have a reasonably fast (750MHZ) machine with a good video and a good sound card. Better sound cards usually provide better hardware synth's - which you must have in order to really appreciate BIAB. A software synth is just slow enough to create a troublesome lag in response and often a compatability problem. I have a decent size monitor (17 inch) but the video card allows me to use a standard television for display.
And a wireless mouse and keyboard really helps, too.

All this stuff lets me put the computer box near the 30 inch TV, run the output sound and video to quality devices, and control everything from wherever I've set up the PSG.
Works great for entertaining guests and I can even get acceptable recording by running the TV output to the VCR.

You MIGHT be able to do the same kind of things with a laptop but DEFINITELY could with a regular computer. Unless you have other reasons to purchase a laptop, I would advise against it. My take -- Everett

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 23 Jan 2002 3:09 am

Talk to Jim Baron. He is the BIAB guru and I think he uses a Laptop.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 23 Jan 2002 6:25 am

I have my BIAB installed on both my regular computer and on my laptop. I use the Roland VSC-88 soundcard on the laptop and it gets pretty good sound. Don't use your laptop speakers though! I use a pair of Roland MA-8 powered speakers that sound great. It's a very convenient rig to take around with you. But Master Cox is correct that, given a choice (and assuming you don't need the portability), the desktop is a better way to go.

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The "Master of Acceptable Tone"
www.jimcohen.com

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 23 Jan 2002 7:40 am

When I'm at home, I run the audio out from my computer through my stereo system. It gives me a much better idea of what the BIAB will sound like. When I'm playing out, I run the audio out through a rack mounted unit with a pre-amp, mixing board, amp and then to a pair of speaker enclosures with 15" Peaveys in them. It's as close to a real back up group as I can get.

Erv

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 23 Jan 2002 8:54 am

Well, I have BIAB loaded on both my Dell 900 MHZ laptop and my HP what-cha-ma-call-it pentium. Believe it or not I use the internal sound modules which are General Midi and they sound just fine. I find them no better or worse than some of the low end sound modules and I find it better than the virtual software Roland sound canvas. I send the outputs to one of two places, either direct to my Tascam 424 which is generally used to mix the steel live with the BIAB stuff ( or any CD ) and do it in the headphones, or I go right to the stereo system and "Blast off " in my practice room. The laptop has WIN 2000 PRO and the desktop has WIN 98 second edition. BIAB runs fine on both..
TP<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 23 January 2002 at 08:55 AM.]</p></FONT>

John Knight · Post by **John Knight** » 23 Jan 2002 10:31 am

In addition to my first post. I am looking for a portable solution, and I would be taking the out signal and running it through and powered mixer and speakers. This should give me a pretty good sound.

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D 10 Thomas with 8&6
Nashville 400 and Profex II
Asleep at the Steel

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 23 Jan 2002 4:22 pm

I use a Toshiba Laptop (PIII, 850mhz). It sucks through the tiny speakers in the laptop, but sounds pretty decent through external amplified speakers. Mostly, I use it with the Roland SC-8820 Sound module that is totally awesome.

I also use BIAB on my desktop, but my main 'puter for BIAB is the laptop.

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Carter D10 9p/10k
Richard Sinkler

DroopyPawn · Post by **DroopyPawn** » 30 Jan 2002 6:28 pm

Just about any laptop should do fine. You can get a Roland Sound Canvas module for the tones. I think the 2280 (around $300) for a used one would do well. I got one. It's USB so no power chord. Just plug it in and go. There are around 1000 sounds to chose from.
gs