There are two versions of One Man Band: One Man Band 12 and One Man Band Originals.
Originals has been released the first time in 2002 and since then a lot of features have been added until version 10. It is available for Windows only. Version 11 is completely build from scratch and version 12 is an enhancement of version 11. It is available for Windows and Macintosh. Everything is reorganised in a more logic an intuitive manner and many new functions were added.
Many functions from Originals are omited in the later versions. They were regarded to be less usefull, less needed or too difficult to use. Most users will find version 12 a better product, but so many people, so many tastes. So you might try Originals and you be the judge. Originals is not discontinued, both versions are supported in full. The choice is easy if you are a Macintosh user, only version 12 is available for Mac OS. For Windows users the choice is open, but when you buy one you will get an offer to buy the other one for only US$ 12.50. You can always switch or use both.
First a list of features in Originals that are omited in version 12.
STPL. Although this is a much easier way to modify styles in batch than using a regular programming language, there will be a learning curve if you never used any programming language before.
Arranger window (use Sequencer/Arranger window instead)
PC keyboard1 window (use Live window instead)
Synchronization with other sequencers thru MIDI clocks. (In stead create a MIDI arrangement in OMB and then continue to work on it in you favourite sequencer or DAW)
Things that are improved in version 11 and 12.
Available for Macintosh and completely redesigned for easiness of use.
Android remote app to control the Live user interface.
The actions that can be assigned to computer keys while playing Live, are not restricted to certain panels or windows. You can create your own menus with any combination of one-keystroke actions. Menu levels are unlimited.
Select from three device types to operate the actions in the Live Window: the computer keyboard, a MIDI keyboard controller or a touch screen. After selecting the option in menu Preferences>Live Control the layout of the Live Window will change accordingly. If you have a separate MIDI Keyboard controller then you can specify a channel for the actions to separate them from the melody and chords. When using a single keyboard both for controlling the actions and for chords/melody, you can specify a trigger (MIDI key, control change or patch) to switch the keyboard between actions control usage and chords/melody usage.
Option "Touch sensitive variations" is available in menu Preferences>Live Control. When active, Main A thru D is chosen depending on the velocity of the chord keys. Only in combination with chord regognition method "Full Fingered".
In menu Preferences/LiveControl you can specify functions (and now also multivoices) to be triggered by 3 adjacent notes (e.g. c5 c#5 d5) in the chord area. Thus allowing to use the keyboard both for playing chords/melody and triggering functions at the same time. Assuming that playing 3 adjacent keys simultaniously in a chord is not likely, neither intended nor by accident.
Variety/Humanizer functions: Random Velocity, Random Pitch and Random Bass Instruments. Each adjustable on a scale from 0 to 10.
With recording on in the Live Window, all performances will be stored in memory without user interaction until OMB exits. When you select menu File/Save Recording, you will be presented with a list of the sequences you played from which you can choose to save MIDI files.
The character fonts in the Live window get larger when you maximize the window, making it readable from a larger distance. You don't need to have the monitor right in front of you while sitting at the MIDI keyboard controller.
Increasing and decreasing the loudness effects the volumes instead of the velocity.
In the presets you can specify wether properties should change to a specified value or remain unchanged.
When a sequence is played with a different style then the length of intros and ending is adjusted to the style automatically.
The Staff view has unique features that (unlike other DAW's and sequencers) make a standard MIDI file really readable in staff notation. You can select a channel or show all channels in parallel. The clarity of the view comes from the unique way that sustained notes are handled when new notes start. You can print the MIDI file in staff.
The arrangements are saved in standard MIDI files. You can load the MIDI file in another sequencer/DAW, do some processing, save it, load it back in OMB and still have the Style/Variation/Chord/Multivoice information available (they are contained in markers).
Process Bar Triggers is a function to synchronize a MIDI file to the bars and beats. If a MIDI file was recorded in your own tempo without listening to a metronome or prerecorded track, then you can't use it to add accompaniment or print it in staff. To solve this problem you can add tepporary notes at the start of each bar and then let OMB fix it. Tempos will be included so that the result sounds exactly as the original.
The humanizer will add variety to the sequence in bass patches and note-pitch/velocity/start/length.
The tweak function will spare you a lot of time when converting MIDI files made for one specific synth to another synth. Not only does it edit a lot of data at once for one MIDI file, once you got the settings right you can do all MIDI files in batch.
- The Style Wizard function will create a style from a MIDI file completely automated. You can change things to your wishes before (at least remove the melody track in the MIDI file), after (in the style editor) or during (by changing the presented parameters) the Style Wizard operation. But if you accept the defaults you will have a style ready to be played.