Eager to try I started with RealTracks 206. With all 7 styles channel 5 is supposed to have the string quartet, or the violin or the viola. But there's nothing there, no sound, while the rest can be heard. I've checked other styles and they are good, but with RT 206 I get no strings.Am I doing something wrong?

I just tried it and get the same results as you. I even solo'd the strings to check I just wasn't hearing them but there's nothing there.

I notice that build 412 has fixes for RT207 - 212 so maybe one is due for 206 too?

Hi people,


I've just tried Set 206 and it works for me.

Could you please outline how you tested it? If you can give me the steps, I'll see if I can re-create the problem.

Regards,
Noel

Hi Noel,

I just typed in a few chords. 12 bars with part markers every 4 bars in case strings only sound on a or b parts (can't remember if that's the right term when you change it from a to b to nothing etc).

First, unless you have gone in and changed which instruments play on which channels "Strings" is on the default of channel 6, not 5.

Second channels are for MIDI instruments, we are talking about REAL TRACKS not MIDI Instruments so immaterial which channel.

All that aside, I've loaded the RT 206 demo songs (each of them) and they all have Strings playing for me (they LOAD into the 5th position "Strings" in the BIAB MIXER but they are RT's not MIDI instruments.)

Larry

Edited update:

Info only - All 5 RT 206's do have/allow associated RealChart's so if/when you go into Real Band with a RT 206 set (e.g., you create a song with RT's from set 206 either from within BIAB and move it to RB or from within RB itself) it WILL generate a MIDI "mirror" of the RT 206 notes in Real Band, of course you have to tell RB this in preferences:


Options -> Preferences - > 7-Song Generation

last check box "When generating RealTracks also generate RealChart"

First, I meant position 5, not channel 5, I haven't changed the channels or anything.
Then, I very much did what receder did: new song, existing song, added part markers, solo'ed the strings... but no strings. And this goes for all 7 styles.
Weird. I'll put it to support.

Interesting.

Here's something for you both to try ...

1. Get into Stylepicker.

2. Scroll down the lefthand column until you get to Set #206



3. Click on "RT206" in the lefthand column and the styles that have been prepared for that set will become visible.



4. Click once on the top style to select it (it will be highlighted blue).

5. Now click on the button "Load Song Demo" as shown below.



6. Click the "OK" button at the bottom of Stylepicker to exit.

7. Generate the song and see what happens.

Hope this helps,
Noel

Yeah, should've mentioned it: I already tried that and no, no strings in the demo song either.

Thanks for the suggestions. I have tried that too and it makes no difference. Tried RT207 and that's all working as it should (but it has no strings). Any demo I have tried with strings, violin etc doesn't generate anything on the (string/violin) channel.

EDIT: I also tried RealBand (first time) using the same style and demo song and also got no strings...

Looks different here:

Receder,

That's a great graphic. It clearly shows that strings are not being loaded.

On last thing to try, close BIAB and RB and see if it is possible to manually re-install the RT Set 206. I mention this because another user in a different thread (today) was having problems and he manually re-installed the problem set and all was good.

If the above doesn't work, I suggest that you email support@pgmusic.com and send the url of this thread so that they can see the discussion here. There certainly seems to be some kind of problem.

Regards,
Noel

@receder: could you tell me a few of the other styles with strings you tried? I'd like to try those too...

Thanks Noel,

I have just tried the manual re-install of those RealTracks and still no joy.
So I have emailed PG Support.

Thanks again for your help.

Next thing to get my head around is configuring Sampletank 3 and sound card/MIDI for use within BIAB.
I am usually quite comfortable with this type of thing in DAWs having set up a few over the years (going back to Dr T KCS on the Amiga!).

However, BIAB seems a different beast - you want it to use those lovely RealTrack samples where possible (therefore output to my Boss BR800) but when using MIDI to use ST3's gorgeous samples instead. When I had an initial fiddle with this I ended with lovely sounding MIDI only songs and no sound on RealTrack songs or vice versa. I was probably doing something wrong but I got the impression that these are global settings rather than "per song". Anyway, I digress, that's something for another thread

Hi bartveld,

I opened StylePicker and filtered on strings. I just selected one at random so can't recall exactly.

Here's a couple I have just found with non-working strings/violin/viola:

_LVLNPOP - using demo song
_STRFOLK - ditto

The RealTracks folder does contain appropriate looking samples for the relevant RealTracks (the wma files play back ok in media player) but there seems to be a disconnect somewhere in BB.

Rec

I could be wrong... but this sounds very much like a problem that we've talked about before... with no indication of a resolution (that began occurring in the 2014 version).

Once you've loaded one of those demos, go to the mixer and check the plugins tab. Double-click the strings plugin setting to bring up the dialog. I don't think you need to do anything, but you might set it to "none". Then go back to the song and see if the RT plays...

Thanks Floyd. I tried that out using _STRFOLK with its demo song.

I still didn't get any sound. Then I went to the assign realtracks dialog and tried selecting the viola RT above the current one and it generated a RT fine. Let's be clear:

Current RT = 2336 viola, background Pop ev 85 (1trackstringsection) {No sound output from this}
Changed to RT = 2510 viola, background Pop ev 120 (1trackstringquartet) {worked fine}

So what happens when you manually change it back?

I had tried that but forgot to say - still no output when you manually change it back.

I have now also re-downloaded the Realtracks206-213.exe and re-installed it again - makes no difference.

Well, we both made a separate ticket to support. Let's see what they come up with.

Yes, let's keep our fingers crossed.

I keep finding issues with RTs and I have now got the behaviour that floyd mentioned on RT213

Select style _SWPOPST and Load Demo Song (Uses 2370 Strings RT) - no string sound.

Now right click over strings track with plugins tab displayed and you get a VST/DX Synth plugins dialog. Close this and hey presto - you now get strings sound.

BUT

Same RT213

Select _SWSTWLZ and Load Demo Song (Uses 2371 Strings RT) - strings sound fine.

Now Select *=STPOPCT and Load Demo Song, I am getting an error dialog box:

Attenzione

PART 7 INSTRUMENT NOT FOUND

followed by the same for part 6 and part 2.

BUT It plays fine and all the parts sound!?!?

Is this normal behaviour?

I'm beginning to think that I need to test every realtrack, substyle and demo song to check what's working and what isn't!

By the way I notice that PG staff rarely reply to this type of post. Is there a specific place to post such "possible bug reports"?

We can't determine what would cause this to happen. Could you perhaps email us the file intrface.bbw from your bb folder? Perhaps we can duplicate it using the same settings as you.

Andrew, you look like you were about to take a really great nap on that recliner, but someone interrupted it with a picture.

Hi Receder

Do you actually have the Hi-Q instruments installed? Check for a folder such as this:
C:\Program Files (x86)\IK Multimedia\Instruments\Band-in-a-Box

Thanks Andrew, I will email you the file. Assume I send it to support@pgmusic.com ? I can't help thinking that some kind of checksum/md5 checker would be useful for us downloaders of the many parts that make up the EverythingPak. If you read my other post you will see that I had some issues with at least one file which was corrected by re-downloading it even though both files were identical in size.

Hi Andrew,

I installed it with BIAB Pro 2015 so skipped it on the EverythingPAK upgrade. However, funny you should ask as I decided to re-install it this afternoon although it was already in the location you mentioned.

C:\Program Files (x86)\IK Multimedia\Instruments\Band-in-a-Box <- this is cut and paste from my Explorer header

I thought the same as you as "Attenzione" is Italian as are IK Multimedia.

Also if it makes any difference I have full Sampletank 3 installed

I'll step back for a while and see what you guys can figure out.

NO real help on your current issue but I also have ST 3. But note the HI-Q instruments are ST2 based.

Yea you can import HI-Q into ST3 and play them there, but when BIAB sees a HI-Q instrument in one of the tracks BIAB will then instantiate (run) a ST2 DXi to use the HI-Q instruments/sounds: ST3 will have no impact on it one way or other.

While we are here - and this is a FYI only: If/when YOU call up ST2 use the VSTi version NOT the DXi one (which seems to be the default - DXi) .

BIAB calling up the ST2 DXI to use for the HI-Q instruments seems to work fine. However, more than a few users, myself included, especially when using the GM add-on ST2 library Omni Synth 2, have had real BIAB stability (crashes) issues. Side note: over the years I've had more issues with DXi stuff (even outside BIAB) then VSTi stuff.

I had/have the free ST2, I also have and use full Total Workstation (FULL ST2 XL, full AmpliTube, full T-Racks) as well as ST3, (as well as all the other usual suspects full Kontact 5, Dim Pro, Rapture, Jamstix, AD 2, EZdrummer 2, ...)

Larry

Thanks. We received your file. Can you please test with build 413 and see if you still are having the same problem. If so, tell us the name of the style (and demo song if applicable) that it happens with.

Thanks Andrew, I will get back to you in due course.

Hi Andrew,

I have emailed a final list of issues after testing all demo songs and styles in RT 206 to 227 on version 413.

The formatting is lost by pasting here but some folks might find it useful...

RT208, 209, 211, 214, 215, 216, 218, 219, 221, 222, 223, 224
All ok

RT206
No string tracks generated:
violin[2337]
string quartet [2334 & 2335]
viola[2336 & 2338]
All demo songs load without error

RT207
_ELPJHSS and _JHRNSSS - Load Demo Song - Message - Not Found

RT210
^_BOOGL01 gives error loading first demo from the two that popup (demo2 is ok)
Attenzione PART 2: Instrument not found
but seems to play ok.

^_BOOGL02 is OK.

RT212
*_KOTOCLD gives error loading demo - Attenzione PART 7: Instrument not found
but seems to play ok.

*_NASHAKU gives error loading demo - Attenzione PART 6 & PART 7: Instrument not found
but seems to play ok.

RT213
^_CELAIRP gives error loading demo - Attenzione PART 7: Instrument not found
but seems to play ok.
N.B. this uses a string track which works but it's MIDI using SampleTank rather than a RT.

^_CTWLZGP gives error loading demo - Attenzione PART 2: Instrument not found
but seems to play ok.

Note: The following styles with RT strings play fine
_SWPOPST strings RT 2370
_SWSTWLZ strings RT 2371

^=STPOPCT gives error loading demo - Attenzione PART 6 and PART 2: Instrument not found
but seems to play ok and uses strings RT 2369.

RT217
_JWALTZS - Load Demo Song - Message - Not Found

RT220
_SJAZCSP - Load Demo Song - Message - Not Found

RT225
_FLKSWAG - Load Demo Song - Message - Not Found

RT227
_CBALDBR - Load Demo Song - Message - Not Found

Rec

Thanks.

1. The SampleTank 'instrument not found' messages that you are getting when loading some demo songs are spurious, and a result of the method we used to make the demo songs. We'll address that so it can't happen. However the error does seem to indicate that some Hi-Q instruments wouldn't work on your system for some reason. To test it you would right click on a MIDI track --> Select Hi-Q MIDI Synth patch. To start with, check C:\Program Files (x86)\IK Multimedia\SampleTank 2.5\Preferences\ST2Pref.txt and see what the instrument path is. 1. is there a Band-in-a-Box folder in that path? 2. Assuming there is, look in the Band-in-a-Box folder for the file synth\FatBassSynth PG.stip. What is the date modified on that file?

2. There are a few styles without demo songs. We'll likely be adding those with the next patch.

3. I do not know why some Strings RealTracks are not playing for you. (e.g. No string tracks generated: violin[2337])

Can you please -
- Open the style ZZJAZZ.STY.
- Add RT #2337 to the Strings track and generate it. Does it play?

I've done that, but still no sound from the strings part.

Thanks Andrew,

Sorry this is a bit long but at least one issue may be resolved. Here are my results:

• 1. I selected at random =CATA_BS.STY which has a MIDI piano. I replaced this with Hi-Q 001 01 Piano, Acoustic, Grand Sampletank.tgs. I get “PART 3 : INSTRUMENT NOT FOUND” (solved later – read on) and the track display says Hi-Q etc but stays yellow (don’t Hi-Q instruments have a different colour?). It doesn’t sound Hi-Q so I assume it’s the standard MIDI piano sound. I checked the ST2Pref file and it says
  
  InstrumentPath=E:\IK Multimedia\SampleTank 2.5\
  
  The BIAB folder is at E:\IK Multimedia\SampleTank 2.5\Band-in-a-Box
  
  The reason it’s not on C by the way is that I have been using ST2 for ages with a few existing ST2 modules and I moved its large samples to my E drive so it didn’t use up space on my SSD. I assume the BIAB Hi-Q installer installed the BIAB instruments to my C drive as there was a folder C:\Program Files (x86)\IK Multimedia\SampleTank 2.5\Instruments\Band-in-a-Box so I copied this folder manually to the ST folder on the E drive so that I didn’t have to move my existing libraries. However, since installing the BIAB upgrade and patches I haven’t recopied the folder which is possibly the cause of one of the problems…
  
  The modified date for ‎FattBassSynth PG.stip on my E drive is 20 ‎November ‎2013, ‏‎16:24:34 compared to the one at C:\Program Files (x86)\IK Multimedia\SampleTank 2.5\Instruments\Band-in-a-Box which is ‎26 ‎June ‎2014, ‏‎11:45:40.
  
  So I have now copied the folder with the latest BIAB Hi-Q instruments from C to E and have stopped getting the “instrument not found” error. I have also re-tested RT 206 to 227 and they no longer give these errors either.
• 2. Ok
• 3. I get no string track generated same as bartveld. If I substitute RT 2370 I do get a string track.

In the light of 1. and the fact that I now have a larger SSD maybe it's time to move my ST2 libraries back to C. In fact I was hoping to import them into ST3 which is on C anyway. Can the BIAB Hi-Q samples also be imported into ST3 as that would make things a lot neater as I would only need ST3 instead of ST2 and ST3? Although I guess any HI-Q updates would still go to a different location and need re-importing.

Thanks, that's starting to make some sense, regarding the ST messages. We can probably think of a way to prevent that from happening in the future. At the moment the program is 'hard-coded' to use ST2 for HiQ, but yes in the longer term we'll probably get it working for ST3.

The Strings problem is perplexing. Do the WMA's play for you, in the bb\RealTracks\Violin, Background, PopHigh Ev 085 (1TrackStringSection) folder?

Thanks Andrew,

The WMAs in that folder play fine. At least I tried 7 or 8 of them at random and they played without any issues.

How about you bartveld?

Yup, those files play OK.

So it just you and I bartveld who have the missing string RT? Is there anything we can do within the program to detect the problem?

Andrew, is there some kind of debug mode that would allow us to investigate this further?

Also, what's the easiest way to test all RTs in BIAB? Maybe would show some kind of pattern if only certain RTs were affected?

Thanks

We have finally determined why this is happening, and will have a fix for it later today.

Good news! Thanks Andrew. I hope they pay you a lot for the dedication you show in support of BIAB!

Well done! I'm very curious what the problem was, but it's probably too esoteric for me to wrap my head around. Holding my breath for the patch...

Oh, and by the way, thanks receder for taking the lead in this issue. I was too busy this week to be systematic and patient.

No problem bartveld, was hoping you didn't mind as you started the thread. I had a bit of spare time to do the testing and thought it would help out.

Just tested 414 and the strings now work great! Thanks again Andrew