I just want to log this as a reference for me, and I guess new users as well. I am sure this isn't a new question, so, I would like links for other solutions/example to this as well. (I am sure it's in this forum somewhere already)
what I have a is a backing track that I practice to playing guitar. It is a standard blues rhythm, with rhythm guitar, drums, and simple rhythm keyboards. Key of E, 80 BPM, 84 bars. (about 4 minutes). In Real Band, it's real easy, just drag and drop it onto a track, and I can record my hearts content out. Real Band does a nice job on the correct graphical measures, etc. What I want to do, is, at some point, is let BIAB generate a few measures of solo keyboard, or maybe solo sax using real tracks.
the result I want, is the chords view filled in with the correct chords from beginning to end, and the specific solo parts generated by BIAB. With that, completed, then load it into Real Band so I can record my Guitar Solo parts as needed.
All in all, this will become a "standard" procedure for me, not just this one example. I am using BAIB 2015, not that it really matters, and I am not completely new to the software, just want to have in place a basic idea of the necessary steps for the end result.
so far, this is were I am at in this process.. 1) set the key 2) set the tempo 3) set the style 4) load the backing track? (how to in BIAB?) best place to load to, i.e., use melody, or soloist spot, etc.? 5) set up the 1st chord progression, i.e., e7, a7, e7, b7, a7, e7, and b7 then repeat (need easiest way to duplicate to match the backing track) 6) generate solo parts (i know how to make the software generate the A and B versions and when, etc.. using the chord properties and so forth )
so, I guess my "stuck on" area is step 4 and 5. Getting the chord progression to match exactly the backing track.. so as step 6 will generate in the proper places
As I said, in Real Band, with the correct tempo, it marks the measures correctly, so, I know BIAB will be fine.
If you had asked this question about Biab only we would have told you the best program for this would be Real Band.
RB will generate all the same parts that Biab can using the same RT/RD's or midi styles. It also uses the same chord grid that Biab uses although you can't directly copy the chord grid from one program to the other but you can enter the chords just like you would in Biab.
Inside RB simply right click on an empty track. In the menu that pops up are your options to generate Biab parts. That means your method would be to first create the chord grid then right click a track and generate your parts.
Since RB has 48 tracks you can generate lots of Biab parts including different versions of the same part like maybe you want an RT strumming guitar part or piano part. You can generate 5 different tracks with each track generating a different part from 5 different styles. Pretty cool. Then you can mix and match all those tracks to finally arrive at your final mix.
Ok, I will try this method. What I have figured out so far, I was able to fill the chord grid by using BIAB's Audio Chord Builder. It worked pretty must almost flawlessly. It missed by one chord.. I actually found this by accident, too. Happy Accident, I guess.
Once I had the chord grid filled, AND had the backing track to play like this, it failed to generate any real tracks for the keyboard part I tried.
The key is getting the chord grid filled, for me. Thanks, I'll update what happens..
Yes, if you want any RealTracks in your song (assuming you want them to play in tune), you have to have a proper chord progression in the chord grid (either by entering yourself, using the Audio Chord Wizard - with corrections, since it's not perfect, or using the MIDI chord wizard for an existing imported MIDI file). BIAB and RealBand rely on the chord grid progression for everything they generate.
John
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correction, it did correctly generate the correct chords.. the "wrong chord" is actually correct, it is a walk up to the next chord.. very generic blues walk from the E to the A..
In any case, it is somewhat working. I was able to fill the chord sheet in BIAB and load the BIAB file into Real Band, which loaded the correct chord sheet there as well. (using the SGU file generated)
The only problem now, is the timing is off a little bit when I generate whatever real tracks for it. I'll move now to the Real Band section to finish.. thanks again..
When you use the Audio Chord Wizard, setting the tempo as you go is important, and first setting the correct Beat 1 is critical. I just kep pressing F8 every bar, and then BIAB has the tempo map. [This assumes your existing audio track was not done to a click track (has all the same exact tempo).]
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When you use the Audio Chord Wizard, setting the tempo as you go is important, and first setting the correct Beat 1 is critical. I just kep pressing F8 every bar, and then BIAB has the tempo map. [This assumes your existing audio track was not done to a click track (has all the same exact tempo).]
Ok, just to be sure, I should be tapping F8 on the snare hit each time? again, basic blues 4/4 Or just when a bar starts?
Well, maybe I'm doing it wrong, but yes, that's what I do to ensure an accurate tempo map. I press F8 right on Beat 1 of every measure.
Ok, thanks.. Just watched the video on this feature as it is listed in the support area.. lol leave it to me, skip all the beginner stuff and jump into the advanced stuff. I'll post my results here. I'll play with this till I get it right.. Thanks again everybody!
It depends if your audio file was recorded to a steady click or it was simply a live recording. A live recording might sound to you like it's a steady tempo but if you play the file and start a metronome at the same time you'll hear lots of tempo variations. Generally most just assume the tempo could wander a bit so you're better off to set it per bar.
When you generate an RT which is also an audio file it's tempo is perfect because you set the tempo in the program before you generated but, if your audio file is from somebody else's recording and you don't know how it was made then you should set the ACW manually.
To answer #4: how to open your backing track in Biab?
Under the File Menu - Select open song with chords option.
Choosing this selection will open your audio file in the Audio Chord Wizard and once that process has completed;Load the chords into BIAB and load your audio file in the Audio track in Biab.
Initially, there will be a -X before the style listed. Hitting the play button will not produce any sound from Biab instruments. Only the audio file will be heard. Click in the style description area and this will enable the style and you can generate the tracks.
To answer #4: how to open your backing track in Biab?
Under the File Menu - Select open song with chords option.
Choosing this selection will open your audio file in the Audio Chord Wizard and once that process has completed;Load the chords into BIAB and load your audio file in the Audio track in Biab.
Initially, there will be a -X before the style listed. Hitting the play button will not produce any sound from Biab instruments. Only the audio file will be heard. Click in the style description area and this will enable the style and you can generate the tracks.
This should also take care of question 5.
I noticed the X and enabled it, but, now it isn't generating all the midi instruments, just one.. any ideas?
Are you in BiaB or RB? RB will generate one as a default unless you have the top tracks designated as BiaB tracks. Then it will do all tracks for a style. When you open a BiaB file (mgu or sgu) RB will make these top 8 tracks BiaB tracks, but if you open any other file you'll need to select that option.
Last edited by rharv; 01/17/1605:06 AM.
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Ok, I got it to work. The problem was, I didn't read the description for the style. It only generates on the (b), not the (a) parts. (BLUESY1.STY) Thanks..
RealBand 2016 has a new feature just for a situation like this. Search for the click track feature. I haven't used the feature yet but there is a video that demonstrates how to use it.
As I remember, you import an audio file into RealBand. If the audio file is in 4/4 time you just press a key to identify beat 1 of each bar. If you know how many bars long the song is then you can identify bar 1 and the last bar and it will automatically fill in the bars in between. There are also ways to create a click track for songs with 3/4 time or very erratic tempos.
RealBand uses the click track feature to follow the tempo of a pre-existing song the same way a musician reading a score follows a conductor.
RealBand 2016 has a new feature just for a situation like this. Search for the click track feature. I haven't used the feature yet but there is a video that demonstrates how to use it.
As I remember, you import an audio file into RealBand. If the audio file is in 4/4 time you just press a key to identify beat 1 of each bar. If you know how many bars long the song is then you can identify bar 1 and the last bar and it will automatically fill in the bars in between. There are also ways to create a click track for songs with 3/4 time or very erratic tempos.
RealBand uses the click track feature to follow the tempo of a pre-existing song the same way a musician reading a score follows a conductor.
Sounds promising.. I'll be upgrading in the next couple of weeks, but, for now, I need to get this working for a project due next week. The latest problem is Real Band and BIAB are not on the same page when I transfer to RB. One possible problem is that the audio file has a recorded metronome lead in, and I am setting the actual 1st bar and not counting the metronome. When I go to RB, it is off by one whole measure. If I use the metronome as the first measure, then I have to turn everything off with the chord properties, etc., and everything renders perfectly, but, it is off in RB. My next step is to edit out the metronome and work with that, along with trying a click track.
I can link to the audio file I am working with, if anyone is interested. The timing in that file is spot on, no issues what so ever. I am pretty sure it was created with just 12 bars and copy and pasted out to 84 bars. (all done in Apple Pro Logic X)
I am hoping to have this work, as I really don't want to submit a 4 minute guitar solo.. lol
EDIT: I moved everything over to RB.. figured out how to do everything I need from there.. so, I don't need to use BIAB for this particular project.. thanks everyone!
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I'll be upgrading in the next couple of weeks, but, for now, I need to get this working for a project due next week. The latest problem is Real Band and BIAB are not on the same page when I transfer to RB. One possible problem is that the audio file has a recorded metronome lead in, and I am setting the actual 1st bar and not counting the metronome. When I go to RB, it is off by one whole measure. If I use the metronome as the first measure, then I have to turn everything off with the chord properties, etc., and everything renders perfectly, but, it is off in RB. My next step is to edit out the metronome and work with that, along with trying a click track.
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