Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Beginners Forum
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 4
Tom J Offline OP
Newbie
OP Offline
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 4
I have a ballad that uses a piano and synth pad; both are real tracks. When playing a transition where bar #1 = C,C/B and bar #2 = Am7, the Synth Pad sounds choppy through the transition. Is there a way to smooth the synth pad through the transition?


Tom J. Joliet, IL
MacBook Pro
Beginners Forum
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,113
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,113
Does the tempo of your song fall within the tempo range of the pad? That is the most likely cause of not getting a smooth transition I would think.

Beginners Forum
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9,323
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9,323
since the synth pads are normally background, try using a straight up C to Am vs the c,c/b followed by am7 and see if that makes a difference.

In other words, simplify the synth pad part.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Beginners Forum
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 4
Tom J Offline OP
Newbie
OP Offline
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 4
Yes - I selected a synth pad from the style picker that matched the song's tempo.


Tom J. Joliet, IL
MacBook Pro
Beginners Forum
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 4
Tom J Offline OP
Newbie
OP Offline
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 4
How do I set the chord progression for the synth pad separate from the other instruments?

I did simplify the chord progressions as you suggested, but I lose the dynamics of the other instruments. I would like to retain the progressions for all instruments except the synth pad.

Thanks.


Tom J. Joliet, IL
MacBook Pro
Beginners Forum
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9,323
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9,323
Originally Posted By: Tom J
How do I set the chord progression for the synth pad separate from the other instruments?

I did simplify the chord progressions as you suggested, but I lose the dynamics of the other instruments. I would like to retain the progressions for all instruments except the synth pad.

Thanks.


Question: when you did that, did the progression on the pads work like you wanted?

If so... and you can't get the other instruments to sound good.... this is a case where, to get the song finished like you want, you may need to have 2 versions in BB. The one you want and the simple one for the pad part. You then export the tracks and combine them in a DAW.

Have you tried opening that song in Real Band and see how the pads work there? Remember that RB is a DAW and if you can get it to sound like you want, you can always import just the pad part from BB.

Where there's a will, and some out of the box thinking, there's always a way to get it done.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Beginners Forum
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,583
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,583
In BIAB, you can also freeze the other tracks with the regular chord progression, then adjust the chords to simplify for the synth pad and regenerate the part. The frozen tracks won't be regenerated unless you unfreeze them.


John

Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD
Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA

BB2024/UMC404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/MixBus/Notion/Finale/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK

http://www.sus4chord.com
Beginners Forum
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753
Originally Posted By: jford
In BIAB, you can also freeze the other tracks with the regular chord progression, then adjust the chords to simplify for the synth pad and regenerate the part. The frozen tracks won't be regenerated unless you unfreeze them.


Exactly, I then I'll come back to the project in a day or so and forget why some tracks are frozen. Unfreeze, regenerate and it's all messed up again. This is where having two versions with separate file names and separate song names and also pop up notes has saved me.

Last edited by Tobias; 12/19/16 07:10 PM.

Does the noise in your head bother me ?
Beginners Forum
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753
Originally Posted By: Tom J
I have a ballad that uses a piano and synth pad; both are real tracks. When playing a transition where bar #1 = C,C/B and bar #2 = Am7, the Synth Pad sounds choppy through the transition. Is there a way to smooth the synth pad through the transition?


I deal with the choppy strings and synth issue a lot. One thing that bothers me is that I can hear a re-trigger of the strings/synth on every bar even if there was no chord change. I want my strings and pads to be smooth and often hold out the same chord while other instruments make some chord changes. That's why I'll make 2 or 3 versions of the same song and name them according to their purpose. I often go with midi for strings and pads for this very reason. I simply stretch out the notes in a piano roll editor in my DAW.
The melody track does not regenerate. So, if you copy or import your pads track there you can mute your strings track and still regen the rest of the song as you work on it.
Usually I do my best to ignore the choppy strings/pads until I get it into my DAW where I know I can easily move the midi notes around to my liking.

Last edited by Tobias; 12/19/16 11:52 AM.

Does the noise in your head bother me ?
Beginners Forum
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,544
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,544
)) a ballad that uses a piano and synth pad; both are real tracks. When playing a transition where bar #1 = C,C/B and bar #2 = Am7

Two settings would help here. Both are in the song settings dialog, accessed from the song settings button on main screen.

1 ignore slash root except bass. That would turn the synth part into this
C Am7

2 natural arrangement. That would insure that the synth part is allowed to make small modications to the chords if it would lead to a better arrangement,


Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
Beginners Forum
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753
Hi Peter. Do you have any suggestion/s on the audible re-trigger of sustained chords such as I typically hear on legato strings and synths in BIAB? As I mentioned, I most often don't want the strings or pad to strike a new chord on the beginning of a bar but might need the other instruments to go ahead and play. Lets say piano and bass are of course striking on the beginning of each bar whether there is a chord change or not. But, I want the synth pad to simply hold that chord through consecutive bars without re-stiking , or at least inaudible restrike, at the beginning of each consecutive bar. Perhaps adjustable cross-fade selected track/instrument at bars of choice.


Does the noise in your head bother me ?
Beginners Forum
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,544
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,544
When we write MIDI strings, including MIDI Supertracks and regular MIDI styles, we avoid retriggering the same note.
So from C to AM we would hold the common tones of C and E for example. So you might be better off using a MIDI strings part, either a MIDI super track or a single track from any MIDI style which you do from the track menu (eg strings track) and choose custom midi track.


Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
Beginners Forum
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,687
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,687
That's the only way guys, use midi for this. The reason is RT's are audio files, you can't put a sustain envelope on an audio file like you can with midi. That envelope will sustain it in midi as long as you want. It's called ADSR for Attack, Delay, Sustain and Release. It manipulates midi data but is useless on audio files.

This is one of the big limitations of the RT's when using chording instruments like synths and piano. Remember these tracks are prerecorded. The player in the studio doesn't know what chords you will be using. If he recorded that part using those changes then sure he would sustain the common notes or use the sustain pedal on the piano but without that info you're going to hear those chords as separate sounds.

Bob


Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
Beginners Forum
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 4
Tom J Offline OP
Newbie
OP Offline
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 4
I want to thank all of you for responding to my initial post. I've been under the weather over the past couple of weeks, so I'm just getting back into the swing of things. I plan to implement your recommendations over the next few days and let you know how it goes.

Regards,

Tom J.


Tom J. Joliet, IL
MacBook Pro
Beginners Forum
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,428
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,428
Originally Posted By: jford
In BIAB, you can also freeze the other tracks with the regular chord progression, then adjust the chords to simplify for the synth pad and regenerate the part. The frozen tracks won't be regenerated unless you unfreeze them.


That's the best solution, in my opinion. I do it all the time. It's simple and takes very little time and/or effort. I think it's a great answer.

Alan


BIAB 2024 Ultra Plus-all StylePaks*Win11*16GB DDR5*Rhyzen 9745x*AT 2035 Mic*Peavey Nashville 112 Amp*Ibanez ART120* Acoustic/Electric/Washburn D200S Acoustic*Stromberg Monterey Jazz Guitar

Loops: https://aldavidmusic.wixsite.com/bestmusicloops

Beginners Forum
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,583
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,583
Quote:
When we write MIDI strings, including MIDI Supertracks and regular MIDI styles, we avoid retriggering the same note.
So from C to AM we would hold the common tones of C and E for example. So you might be better off using a MIDI strings part, either a MIDI super track or a single track from any MIDI style which you do from the track menu (eg strings track) and choose custom midi track.


I remember this feature, but what I don't remember is, does it have to be on the legacy strings track, or is it sensed on any track as long as one of the GM (or presumably GM2) strings patches are selected. And does that apply to just the ensemble strings (49-52), or patches like violin and viola (41-45).


John

Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD
Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA

BB2024/UMC404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/MixBus/Notion/Finale/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK

http://www.sus4chord.com
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!

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!

Learn more about this free update for PowerTracks Pro Audio & download it at www.pgmusic.com/support_windows_pt.htm#2024_5

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!

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!

Learn more about this free update for Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1111

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Review: 4.75 out of 5 Stars!

If you're looking for a in-depth review of the newest Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows version, you'll definitely find it with Sound-Guy's latest review, Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Review: Incredible new capabilities to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs.

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!

Congratulations to the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!

We've just announced the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!

There are 45 winners, each receiving a Band-in-a-Box 2024 UltraPAK! Read the official announcement to see if you've won.

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.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed!

Forum Statistics
Forums66
Topics81,578
Posts734,623
Members38,498
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
Newest Members
RTW, wtsy365, DerFlex, xabialonso259@gmai, Tony1234
38,498 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 192
DC Ron 109
dcuny 100
WaoBand 75
Today's Birthdays
STLSAXIST
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5