Software Arrangers

vArranger 2 has been on my quad core Windows Vista PC for a few year now. I hardly ever really used it after purchasing it for a discounted rate years ago. The vArranger 2 isn’t that expensive to begin with, but after purchasing it for 50 percent off (which was the only reason I really got it because I didn’t need it) I only messed with it a few times off and on. The potential that the vArranger 2 has is very exponential. You can really do a lot with it, I didn’t even hear about this until I was on the forums online and hear someone else talking about it. I have never seen a manual for vArranger 2. I have not had any compatibility issues with it either. As I said It has only been on my quad core pc and not my macbook or any other system. SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE The software seems to work great in its configuration and works just like it is suppose to . I have seen it crash, but I really have not used it long enough to dig deep into it and test to see how it can handle a real work load. It has been installed on my system for about a could years, but total time using it I would say may add up to around a month and a half. I probably wont use it again, just because I don’t have a need for it. But I think if you are looking to purchasing it, it is a great buy! You will love it and it will grow on you even if you aren’t a beginner. OVERALL OPINION The best part of the vArranger 2 that caught my attention is the midi maps and sequencing. They are very fluid and easy on the eye. The sequencing is very “tight” and accurate. I have seen other versions of vArranger but this is the only one that I currently have installed on my system. Very good starting program, or could be good for a music veteran. It really comes down into what your liking and taste is In your midi programming.

PG Music Band in A Box 2011 is the desktop version for Windows. Band in a box has a lot of cool things about it that makes it very appealing to most home musicians. It is an all in one studio with no need for any external stuff. The manual is very easy to understand and it is actually a pretty thin manual with not a lot of instructions to it. The program is pretty self explanatory and easy to understand and use. Everything worked great with my Windows Desktop and I have not experienced any issues or crashes with this software. Using Band in a Box isn’t something that I recommend if you are into a lot of external plug ins and syncing up a bunch of gear. Band in a Box seems to me that it really wasn’t built for those stages of the musical process. There are far to many issues that I have when trying to use it has a host for other gear. SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE The software does work great in its configuration and hasn’t failed me yet, until I start getting into plug ins and routing other programs though it. Then I can experience some lag and freezing issues. But that only happens when I bring some other programs into Band in a Box. OVERALL OPINION The thing that I like most about it is the price, it is very affordable and is a great starting point for someone who is just getting started in creating music digitally. If you want something more in depth because you are not a beginner than I say stay away from it and invest a little more money for a better program. I have tried band in a box the 2004 version and it is pretty much the same as the 2011 version to me. They both work great, but have several limitations has to how far you can push them.

This program will simulate a real band. It's designed for practice mostly, I doubt anybody would seriously try to make music with it. It basically allows you to type in a lead sheet and pick a style for the "band" to play it in. The idea is that you can play over it to work on music. I have used it in this capacity and it's a good way to practice if you can't play with a band. I didn't have any compatibility issues or anything, and I had no problem setting it up and getting started. Everything you'd need it to do is pretty obvious and easy to find. SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE The software has never given me any problems. It's stable with the configuration, considering you don't really need outboard gear to use it (though having a midi keyboard will allow you to simply play the chords instead of writing them out, which makes it easier if you're a pianist or keyboardist). The performances that the "band" gives are pretty weak, but that's too be expected with synthetic music. OVERALL OPINION I think that in reality, only jazz musicians will have a lot of use for this, since rock music tends to be simpler (though not always), and the only music with changes that are really complex is jazz. I think it's a little overpriced, but if you are limited in your options, it's worth it. I wouldn't buy it again now simply because I'm not playing jazz as often, and I doubt I'd get my money's worth. I've also grown as a player and I can always rehearse with a band nowadays, which is way better since it allows you to play off of the other musicians, which isn't possible with a mechanical band playing really straightforwardly like this. The sound isn't that great, and the solos they play aren't always that accurate or good, even. I haven't really tried a similar program at all, but if there's one that's better than this I'd be interested.