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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 9
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 9 |
Hi, First off I am a newbie and I have some questions about the ForteDXi. What I need is a friendly user guide on how use a Dxi with biab(a step by step guide for dummies). I have dl tutorial info from PGmusic but a lot of the information is over my head. For example, I am not sure how to use the "Vst/DX Synths/Plugins(Synths if first slot)" dialog box with BIAB or how revelant it is. Here are some questions I have:
1.What is a plugin and how does one use it? (on a MIDI track, slot 1 is for MIDI synthesizers. On an audio track, slot 1 is for audio FX)This is confusing.
2.Also, what is the difference between an audio track and midi track.
3.What is a VST plug-in
I am mostly arranging songs from the 1940's and 50's era, and I try to use real tracks where I can.
Steve
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 11,409
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 11,409 |
Quote:
1.What is a plugin and how does one use it?
2.what is the difference between an audio track and midi track.
3.What is a VST plug-in
Steve
Oh, my, I think you have scared folks off  . Hang in there. I sure someone is working on a response.  By the way, do you have ForteDxi Installed?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,074
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,074 |
Quote:
Hi, First off I am a newbie and I have some questions about the ForteDXi. What I need is a friendly user guide on how use a Dxi with biab(a step by step guide for dummies). I have dl tutorial info from PGmusic but a lot of the information is over my head. For example, I am not sure how to use the "Vst/DX Synths/Plugins(Synths if first slot)" dialog box with BIAB or how revelant it is. Here are some questions I have:
1.What is a plugin and how does one use it? (on a MIDI track, slot 1 is for MIDI synthesizers. On an audio track, slot 1 is for audio FX)This is confusing.
a plugin is a "feature" that isn't built in to the program. Rather it is made to add-on and work in any program that supports plugins. Plugins are usually effects (reverb, chorus, EQ etc) or virtual instruments (synths, sound libraries etc) Think of plugins as modules that can be added to any modular system. For example, In the old days when stereo systems were "modular" (you'd buy a receiver from one company, a turntable from another, a tape deck from another, and an equalizer from yet another company...) all of those separate devices plugged together like legos and worked as a single system.
Nowadays, software is also modular. The main program often has a way to add-in 3rd party content, Since many of these can plug together like guitar stomp-boxes, the name PLUGIN has stuck.
How to use a plugin varies with the program you are using it with
Quote:
2.Also, what is the difference between an audio track and midi track.
an audio track is best compared to what you'd get if you recorded directly into a tape recorder. Once you've recorded audio, it is fairly limited in how much you can edit it.
MIDI is a system best compared to sheet music. With MIDI you don't record actual sound, you record the note and its attributes, how long it is held (duration) how hard it was plucked (velocity) and many other attributes much like sheet music graphically shows the attributes of a song's notes. MIDI gets its sound by sending the saved note attributes through a Synthesizer. You can buy hardware synths or software synths that come as plugins (The Forte DXI is a plugin soft synth). The quality of MIDI sound is directly related to the quality of the synth that interprets the MIDI commands.
Quote:
3.What is a VST plug-in
others in the forum could do a better job of explainimng this
Quote:
I am mostly arranging songs from the 1940's and 50's era, and I try to use real tracks where I can.
Steve
Many people use nothing BUT real tracks, so it is possible to use BIAB without ever having to deal with plugins. Don't let it bog you down. Just keep reading the forum , there are always questions and answers about plugins. If you are like me, some peoples' explanations make more sense to me than others. If you keep reading, you'll find a person whose explanations are presented in a way that works for you.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,311
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,311 |
Pat - can't possibly improve on your excellent answer, but let me help out on the one you passed on.
3) VST stands for Virtual Studio Technology and is just a standard developed by Steinberg.
Different plugins work with different recording software, VST probably being the most common. All PG products conform to the VST protocol, so you should have no problems using VST plugins, or VSTi (VST instruments).
ROG.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,883
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,883 |
Quote:
1.What is a plugin and how does one use it? (on a MIDI track, slot 1 is for MIDI synthesizers. On an audio track, slot 1 is for audio FX)This is confusing.
Steve
A little bit more, directly related to BIAB:
If you have a MIDI track in BIAB, go to the Mixer. You have four places (slots) you can insert something for that track. The first slot (the one on the left) is only for a "MIDI player" so to speak, otherwise known as a software synthesizer or soft synth for short, which could be in one of two formats: VSTi or DXi (note, the "i" stands for Instrument).
After there is an instrument specified in that first slot to play the sounds of the MIDI track, then you can use additional plugins for optional effects (plugins) like reverb and EQ in the other three slots.
However, if the track in BIAB is an audio track (RealTracks and RealDrums are audio), then you have all four slots in the mixer available for effects (plugins). You do not need an 'instrument' to play the audio track.
BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,074
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,074 |
think of those slots as if they were a chain of stomp boxes. The order in which the sound passes thru the chain can produce different results.
if the track is MIDI (which has no sound until it passes through a synth) the first thing in the chain needs to be a synth (DXi or VSTi plugin)
Now that the MIDI has sound, the next slots would be things like reverb, EQ, compression whatever, in the order you want the signal to pass through
AUDIO tracks already have sound, so they don't need to pass through a synth. Therefore, on audio tracks you can start adding effects immediately... first slot could be anything from compression to phaser to chorus to distortion etc etc... up to the number of available slots.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 11,409
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 11,409 |
Good job guys. No points deducted for being slow to respond. The explainations to these questions were well worth the wait.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 9
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 9 |
thanks for all the info. Well read and study it your response. I appreciate it.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 9
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 9 |
Thank you all for your response. I appreciate it.
Steve
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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User Video: Next-Level AI Music Editing with ACE Studio and Band-in-a-Box®
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 German for Windows is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!
Wir waren fleißig und haben über 50 neue Funktionen und eine erstaunliche Sammlung neuer Inhalte hinzugefügt, darunter 222 RealTracks, neue RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, "Songs with Vocals" Artist Performance Sets, abspielbare RealTracks Set 3, abspielbare RealDrums Set 2, zwei neue Sets von "RealDrums Stems", XPro Styles PAK 6, Xtra Styles PAK 17 und mehr!
Paket | Was ist Neu
Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!
The Newest RealBand 2024 Update is Here!
The newest RealBand 2024 Build 5 update is now available!
Download and install this to your RealBand 2024 for updated print options, streamlined loading and saving of .SGU & MGU (BB) files, and to add a number of program adjustments that address user-reported bugs and concerns.
This free update is available to all RealBand 2024 users. To learn more about this update and download it, head to www.pgmusic.com/support.realband.htm#20245
The Band-in-a-Box® Flash Drive Backup Option
Today (April 5) is National Flash Drive Day!
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Handy flash drive tip: Always try plugging in a USB device the wrong way first? If your flash drive (or other USB plug) doesn't have a symbol to indicate which way is up, look for the side with a seam on the metal connector (it only has a line across one side) - that's the side that either faces down or to the left, depending on your port placement.
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows® Today!
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows for free with build 1111!
With this update, there's more control when saving images from the Print Preview window, we've added defaults to the MultiPicker for sorting and font size, updated printing options, updated RealTracks and other content, and addressed user-reported issues with the StylePicker, MIDI Soloists, key signature changes, and more!
Learn more about this free update for Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1111
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A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."
"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."
"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."
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