So lots happening all of a sudden on the BB, the online manager and a vst plugin for the DAW.
But this is not what I believed was happening, I was under the impression that SS were redeveloping the BB Manger and inline with this thread an auto pilot feature.
Iāve tried the online BBM , but I didnāt like it. So Iām still using the original BBM. Maybe itās just me, but I donāt understand the direction here, we wait literally years and then not get what was expected.
Iām sure the VST will be useful to some, and maybe the BBMO works for others. But none of this is really any use to me, I frequently use my laptop in places without internet, and web based GUIs are never anything close to native desktop equivalent.
For me after waiting all this time Iām disappointed, I just wanted an updated desktop BBM with autopilot. Unbelievable !
Donāt take this the wrong way, but the idea of SS developing an updated BBM in the wake of releasing BBMO seems like you are wasting your time. I could be wrong, but I highly doubt it.
Yup, agree with you. In some ways the BBMO was a step backwards as it lost some fundamental functions the original BBM had (not having a āSave Project asā to save a project with a different name is really sad). While some users may find BBMO useful, Iām thinking those that have used BBM for a long time will stay with BBM. Not keen on using or relying on online apps either. I hope SS stays around for a long time, as if they should go the way of many small companies, it would be pretty difficult to manage content on the BB unless the person had a copy of BBM available.
Tried the BB VST, have no use for it (using EZ Drummer 3 VST), so will be deleting it from the PC. If I understand correctly the BB VST will become a paid for product to be able to load drum kits other than a default?
I sort of remember what AutoPilot was supposed to do and I donāt think it was something I would have used, so no sleep lost there.
Was surprised that the announcement thread for BBMO currently has 5300 views, but only 55 replies. I would have expected more excitement and response(?)
I once had envisioned a BBM that had an interface much like that of EZ Drummer which would have been awesome, but here we areā¦
Iād guess that the BBMO is cleaner code compared to BBM so features such as autopilot are much easier to implement
It is sad if offline mode doesnāt make it, but itās not like the desktop BBM would disappear itās just not developing in any direction Letās hope one day weāll have an offline BBMO with autopilot
I donāt take you wrong, I actually think youāre correct. Iām just very disappointed, Iāve waited years hoping they would deliver on their promise and now itās obviously not going to happen!
I donāt see how, BBMO as an option is fine, but itās not a valid replacement for the BBM.
I guess it all depends on your needs, as a gigging musician who sings and plays guitar in bands and acoustic duo/trios I believe the BB is not being used to its potential or by itās biggest ordinance.
All of the people I play with cover songs, some have written their own material, but even those mainly play covers. None of them do live looping etc, and none of them want to be constantly tapping a pedal.
While I respect the fact that there are many BB users that like the creative side of the BB, I genuinely believe and have first hand experience of musicians that would use it if it could just play the song in place of the drummer.
Most guitarist want a pedal that they toggle on and off, and having the extra foot-switch is also a great option. Most local bands anywhere in the world are cover bands. So the largest demographic of users for the BB are not catered for, look at the Kemper and how many third party content providers there are etc.
I know that the BB community create OP songs and you can shoehorn them into the BB, but imagine how much bigger the community would be if the BBM was built from the ground up to be able to import and play songs from commercial content providers and the BB community.
I can see now that this is never going to happen, until recently I still held a glimmer of hope. But if SS purchased the BBMO then they probably never were redeveloping the desktop BBM with any real commitment , it does happen but most companies donāt just throw away years worth of investment.
My hope is that SS get bought out by a bigger company with real commitment to the products and the customers who have invested in them.
It is funny how people use the product differently. I am in an active gigging duo. I actually have zero interest in the one press songs. I like the original charter of the BB. One press songs are essentially tracks and in my opinion there are better options (although I live loop everything and use nothing prerecorded so tracks donāt interest me).
From a functional standpoint, we constantly get people coming up to talk to us while we are performing. If it was a one press song it would be a nightmare. I can just improvise or work around until the singer is free to sing or they stop asking me questions like, ādo I know song xā or āwhat kind of guitar is thatā and BOOM back into the song without issue.
I actually donāt know what the musical demographics for the BB are. I assume you are correct that most people are doing cover tunes, but how do you know most want one press or a more robust track type feature?
I, like you, have been frustrated by the BBM and lack of commitment by SS, however, they show good will by purchasing Andrewās BBMO. Although I am not using the new BBMO it is a step in a direction whether right or not.
I fully appreciate your point, and respect the way you and others use the BB. And I wouldnāt advocate loosing the ability and functionality that the BB provides you and others that use the BB in such a creative way.
But I do believe that the vast majority of guitarists would prefer it to be able to play the song in addition to how you use it, I know there are other options like backing tracks etc and I have tried them.
I think the BB sounds great, itās why I bought it along with the extra footswitch and the full premium library. Unfortunately the premium library was a wast of money, far too many transitions in most of the songs.
As to the BBMO, I believe itās just a way for them to get off the hook from delivering what they promised. Itās not good faith, itās a cop out.
Even without autopilot, Iād have need happy to see a new redeveloped desktop BBM, I understand that itās subjective based on each personās perspective, but in my opinion SS have taken the easy way out and done the least they can get away with when it comes to supporting the BBM and the people who invested in it.
If we think for a moment. My understanding of BBM is that itās so tangled that it wouldāve required a new one from scratch anyway.
And as a programmer I know that two programs that are implemented same/similar goal in mind initially can end up being vastly different.
So if BBMO would have been implemented by someone receiving monthly payment from SS would you feel differently?
But BBMO should not be stationary. I believe updates are coming and that is the biggest benefit of it Even if not now perhaps in one or two years it will be a valid replacement
Iām 59 years old and have been a software engineer all my life, I currently manage a team of C++ embedded devs and .net azure development.
With respect, I know software development, what SS promised was easily deliverable years ago. Nothing takes this long to deliver within the context of small consumer product.
However, if Iām alone or in the minority in feeling that we have not been given what was promised, then I have to accept that the majority of BB owners are happy with how SS have acted.
Itās not my intention to get into a disagreement with my fellow BB users, and Iām obviously bitter about the way things have gone.
Iāve been part of this group and discussion for years, part of the reason for being so vocal on here and YouTube and other platforms has been to make potential new beatbuddy customers ask questions before making the purchase. Then after finding out the facts they will know if the beatbuddy will satisfy their needs and what they can expect from SS, I believe Iāve accomplished that.
itās also obvious to me that after being patient for so long Iām not going to have the product and functionality Iāve been waiting for.
I think itās worth remembering that when I purchased my beatbuddy the advert on the home page actually said ā Coming Soon Autopilot ā with a short description of the functionality!
I really donāt like the BBMO, but if you guys are happy with it more power to you
If it would be just one product then yes Iād agree with you. But it seems SS planned for much bigger with multiple products
Was it fair to expand to bigger territory before fixing old issues, probably not But it mightāve been a do-or-die situation, who knows. Those kind of things are not very comforting for customers so I guess they avoided a hit by hiding it (just me guessing) But then years later it became back haunting
Anyway, Iām a new user and so far happy. I was a bit scared the first time I read the forum (after making purchase but before receiving the unit ) but I try to be optimistic about future while realising the past mistakes that SS has made
Ha, I am a software engineer as well. I think that is why you are so frustrated (as I was too). It was hard to understand why this was not getting done.
I understand the sentiment. I actually agree it was a quick way for them to solve their inability to get the BBM fixed / updated / rewritten. With that said, my point is they could have done nothing but instead procured the BBMO, which is some level of action. My āgood faithā comment was probably a little off the mark.
I need to try out the BBMO. I havenāt because I have a process that works and I am reluctant to mess with it.
Like you, I think the BB is a great product that has truly elevated my little duo. Weāll see where they go with the BBMO. The developer, Andrew, did a real service to the BB community. Hopefully, Singular will build on it like others have suggested.
Iām a little concerned that the BBMO will mess up my current projects, and I prefer working with the BBM. So while I did try it was just a test drive
Letās hope one day weāll have an offline BBMO with autopilot 
But then years later it became back haunting 
) but I try to be optimistic about future while realising the past mistakes that SS has made 