There are a number of add-ons that people can make for Band-in-a-Box. This forum is for discussions about them. If you’ve made some, and want to give them away (or sell them), tell the world about them here! Or ask questions if you’re wondering how to make them.
----- 1. UserTracks.
These are like RealTracks. You record a WAV file along to a standard BiaB song (SGU). Put it in a folder (the folder’s name is the name you want for the UserTracks), and then put the folder in the RealTracks\UserTracks folder. You can add multiple sgu/wav songs to the same folder to get more variations.
Likely not that useful now, because the plugins only work on MIDI data. In the past, these have been used to make Roland GS editors etc., that plug in to BB. You need to be a programmer to do this (C++ or Delphi or VB).
- For example, you could make lessons like 101 riffs for Blues Piano etc. - Songs can have AudioMemos and VideoMemos associated with them.
----- 7. Artist Performance Files.
These are audio files, that you put on a track, that can also have the MIDI transcription of it. People hear the audio, and see the MIDI in notation/guitar tab etc. For example, if you are a great bluegrass fiddle player, you could put your songs in this format. People can listen to your real playing, see the notes on screen, slow them down etc. - all inside Band-in-a-Box where they can do other things like solo/mute other tracks, mix them etc.
----- 8. Loops.
To make these, you just make WAV or WMA files (m4a for Mac), and put them in the C:\bb\RealTracks\Loops folder.
Loops can be:
1. Nature sounds (no tempo stretching or transpose). 2. Drums/percussion sounds (tempo stretched, but no transpose). 3. Pitched sounds (tempo stretched and transposed to current chord).
I just dabbled with it today ( I do have a day job which suffers greatly from my BIAB ownership as it is.) I scatted a few choruses to Rhythm Changes and "There will never be Another You."
The UserTrack DID actually work. My singing is reprehensible (and the playback stretched me from basso profundo to Munchkin territory,) but I DID make a UserTrack. Maybe this weekend, I'll try it with a horn and see what happens.
I'd be interested in a tad more documentation (limiting ranges etc.) I notice it doesn't transcribe, but that is no biggie. Don't want anyone stealing my licks THAT easily ....
big big thanks on this. I see this opening up all kind of possibilities for future real tracks. One I hope to create is a tailgate trombone for dixie backup instead of full solo. busy with work right now so might be a while but I will be here checking regular to try and keep u.
Dell 610 dual Monitor, win 7-10, Sonar Plat, ProTools 10 & 11, Reaper 4, BIAB/real Band 2022, Easy Drummer, Superior Drummer, Kontact Essentials, Personnel Orchestra, Korg Legacy Analog & Digital
In my folders i have BB\realtracks\usertracks and in their there is a folder with accordian sounds and a folder with templates in it.
When i hit generate user track, it finds those but nothing happens, and i get a access violation.
Me thinks user tracks is not quite baked yet. still soft in the middle.
Lenovo Win 10 16 gig ram, Mac mini with 16 gig of ram, BiaB 2022, Realband, Harrison Mixbus 32c version 9.1324, Melodyne 5 editor, Presonus Audiobox 1818VSL, Presonus control app, Komplete 49 key controller.
Mmm I'm a little confused? Will UserTracks work for a strumming/pick guitarist like myself? I also play shakers and tambourine. But I cannot play melody. So how would Usertracks work for me, if at all?
I look forward to anything recorded with your great playing skills. I did notice that you are using 2013. If you have not upgraded to 2014, you may need the latest version to have that folder in BB. Just a thought.------Leon
Very good idea this function to create its own "x"Tracks: BIAB remains open and is still evolving (I had the first version of DOS computer diskette!)
And thank you for this forum software!
bonjour andrew, Très bonne idée cette fonction de pouvoir créer ses propres Tracks : BIAB reste un logiciel ouvert et évolue toujours (j'ai eu la première version sous DOS en format disquette!!!) et merci pour ce forum !
Hello, When you use the my song template your loading your realtracks. How do I include let's say a bass track, then a guitar track, etc,. It is very confusing at least to me. Please take it step by step.
Great idea! One question- ok two - first, will this feature (creating your own real tracks) be available in Mac 2014 version? And if so, will user tracks we make in Mac be playable for Windows users and vice versa?
It should be in MACBB2014 ? I converted the recorded wav file to Mac m4a and aif and it didn't work in windows! it exports to m4a you would think it would read it also ! but MacBB reads wav ok, so to get them to work in Win you would have to convert the m4a or aif to wav or wma I would think, the other files in the UT Folder should work fine.
hello, a simple question, why have you stopped the development of usertrack a feature which for me and for others is essential especially for those who practice other music than those offered by PGMUSIC, please answer this question in order to that all users are fixed. thank you for your understanding
You can put all these in one folder and just choose the Variation. I made just 4 as an example Brazilian^.zip.mp4 remove .mp4 , you can do the same with the rest and they will all show under Variations.
I put all the drums in the one folder, so you will only need to add the original wav in these folders and name it the same as the other files in the folder. Remove the .mp4 and unzip: Brazilian^All.zip.mp4
Add updated printing options, enhanced tracks settings, smoother use of MGU and SGU (BB files) within PowerTracks, and more with the latest PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 update!
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.
Did you know... not only can you download your Band-in-a-Box® Pro, MegaPAK, or PlusPAK purchase - you can also choose to add a flash drive backup copy with the installation files for only $15? It even comes with a Band-in-a-Box® keychain!
For the larger Band-in-a-Box® packages (UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition), the hard drive backup copy is available for only $25. This will include a preinstalled and ready to use program, along with your installation files.
Backup copies are offered during the checkout process on our website.
Already purchased your e-delivery version, and now you wish you had a backup copy? It's not too late! If your purchase was for the current version of Band-in-a-Box®, you can still reach out to our team directly to place your backup copy order!
Note: the Band-in-a-Box® keychain is only included with flash drive backup copies, and cannot be purchased separately.
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!
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."
Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!
The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!
There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.
If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.
We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!
Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.
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