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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 417
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 417 |
Hi,
I usually like to add a string section in the chorus's of a song.
When trying out different midi string styles I find nearly all of them just play block triad chords.
This can get 'same-ish' and are predictable although having nice chord inversions etc helps'
What I'm after are string styles with a bit more movement/melody in the string style rather than just block triads.
I think I have all available styles so any tips on the best one's to use or combine would be great.
Regards
Brian
Brian Cadoret
BIAB 2024 Pro with BIAB2023 UltraPAK build 1111. Samplitude Pro X4 Suite. Mixcraft 10.5 Pro Studio
Focusrite 2i2 Scarlett
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3470 CPU @ 3.20GHz 3.20 GHz
Installed RAM 8.00 GB
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,796
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,796 |
Been looking at this a little, and always ended up programming strings in Cubase, usually manually. Found that in Steinberg's Halion String Orchestra there are some nice automated string-ones recently, syncing to tempo, but didn't get to use them. There must be more MIDI plugins or tools to achieve that too, useable in probably Realband only? Maybe some clever BIAB nerd can make up some nice user tracks? In Cubase there's a MIDI arpeggiator present, maybe there is such a plug for BIAB? -F
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 756
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Mar 2017
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Hi Brian,
Huge fan of BiaB strings here. :-)
You actually have a number of options for getting movement in your string sections.
1) Use MIDI supertracks or RTs for your string sections. The "regular" MIDI styles are based on a C7 algorithm (as PG music refers to it). These are rather static mappings that simply transpose to the chords you are using. On the other hand, RTs and MIDI Supertracks are input/played by musicians, and therefore have a much wider range.
2) [Music theory alert] If you want more precise inversions, why not use slash chords? Basically, if you have a triad, which is based on the 1, 3, and 5, why not place the three or five in the bass and restate the chord-which will essentially add in an octave note-or use the chord that results from stating the third degree as the root and the fifth as the 3rd etc. Then you can shuffle/alternate between the three varioutions within the same measure, and BiaB will likely throw in some leading and/or transitional notes throughout,
3) Make sure the strings patch is placed on the melody track and utilize the "Humanize" function, which has a wealth of fantastic options.
4) Make sure the strings patch is placed on the melody track (as above) and use the harmony function. Also has a wealth of fantastic options, some of which are specifically geared toward strings, IIRC.
5) Use extensions! The more "info" you feed into BiaB the more it blossoms. I've found that generally when you use an extension--even if it's the added note of simple 7th/Maj7 chord--BiaB will generate something much more complex than what is essentially a held chord with the 1, 3, 5, and 7. Sit down with your guitar or piano or whatever your instrument of choice is, and see what might be added in over any given triad, generate and play, and watch the magic happen.
Hope this helps!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 18,353
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DeaconBlues09
This is a good one for the Tips'n'Tricks Section. You might consider posting it there also.
Thanks for the tips.
BIAB & RB2024 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 417
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 417 |
DeaconBlues09 Thanks for all of that some really useful ways to try out much appreciated. I do have some RT/MidiSuperTracks strings which are definitely better and do use them. I had forgot about using the Humanize and Harmony functions thanks for reminding me.  Regards Brian
Brian Cadoret
BIAB 2024 Pro with BIAB2023 UltraPAK build 1111. Samplitude Pro X4 Suite. Mixcraft 10.5 Pro Studio
Focusrite 2i2 Scarlett
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3470 CPU @ 3.20GHz 3.20 GHz
Installed RAM 8.00 GB
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 756
Journeyman
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Journeyman
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Always happy to contribute. :-)
As for posting to the "Tips and Tricks" section, and now that you mentioned it, I think maybe I'll make a video demonstration, upload it to YouTube, and post a link as well...
Band-in-a-Box 2021 PlusPAK w 2019 Bonus Pak. Custom Build Desktop PC W/ Windows 10 Home 64-bit. CPU: Intel Core i5-9600k @ 3.7GHz (6 core x 6 threads) RAM: 16GB DDR4. Storage 238GB SSD + 2.7 TB HDD. GPU: ZOTAC NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Another option and one that I use is to place the strings in the piano roll view (prv). Most of the time I change the violins and/or cellos while other times it is the violas or basses. What I do is to cut up those instruments in the measure and rewrite the part, usually adding a few quarter notes for the movement. It usually doesn't take much to get a better string part. With a little practice it becomes very easy to modify those strings into a more fluid track.
If you google/bing writing MIDI strings you will find a lot of information about how to do this.
Me, it's not about how many times you fail, it's about how many times you get back up.
Cop, that's not how field sobriety tests work.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2017
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Journeyman
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Band-in-a-Box 2021 PlusPAK w 2019 Bonus Pak. Custom Build Desktop PC W/ Windows 10 Home 64-bit. CPU: Intel Core i5-9600k @ 3.7GHz (6 core x 6 threads) RAM: 16GB DDR4. Storage 238GB SSD + 2.7 TB HDD. GPU: ZOTAC NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
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I start with the MIDI Supertracks strings, but edit generously.
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: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,796
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Dec 2007
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I start with the MIDI Supertracks strings, but edit generously. One must, at least velocity is set really low by default .. And RT 2336 viola and 2337 violin won't play in a 3/4 rhythm, i reported this ... PS where are the midi supertracks data located in the bb folder? F
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 756
Journeyman
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Journeyman
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[/quote] PS where are the midi supertracks data located in the bb folder? F [/quote]
You can just launch the MST picker dialogue from the patch tabs for the legacy tracks.
Band-in-a-Box 2021 PlusPAK w 2019 Bonus Pak. Custom Build Desktop PC W/ Windows 10 Home 64-bit. CPU: Intel Core i5-9600k @ 3.7GHz (6 core x 6 threads) RAM: 16GB DDR4. Storage 238GB SSD + 2.7 TB HDD. GPU: ZOTAC NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,796
Expert
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Expert
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You can just launch the MST picker dialogue from the patch tabs for the legacy tracks. Was thinking of editing especially some velocity settings a little, no way thus? ... F
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 756
Journeyman
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Journeyman
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You cab edit the velocity settings (and much more!) by launching the piano roll.
Band-in-a-Box 2021 PlusPAK w 2019 Bonus Pak. Custom Build Desktop PC W/ Windows 10 Home 64-bit. CPU: Intel Core i5-9600k @ 3.7GHz (6 core x 6 threads) RAM: 16GB DDR4. Storage 238GB SSD + 2.7 TB HDD. GPU: ZOTAC NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2007
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Expert
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You cab edit the velocity settings (and much more!) by launching the piano roll. Yep, but the velocities (set by the loaded supertrack) can't be saved and are lost when the S/MGU is reloaded. maybe not with Realband? F
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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You cab edit the velocity settings (and much more!) by launching the piano roll. Yep, but the velocities (set by the loaded supertrack) can't be saved and are lost when the S/MGU is reloaded. maybe not with Realband? F Even if the track is frozen? PS - I don't know as I do all of my work in my DAW. I'm just curious as I though that if you froze a track it would export exactly as it was frozen. Is this not the case?
Me, it's not about how many times you fail, it's about how many times you get back up.
Cop, that's not how field sobriety tests work.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Frozen might be a 'work'around, but my Q was along the line if one could edit the supertrack velocities them selves at the source. It must be just mididata. Occasionally there is/was a glitch or loud cymbal in a RT or Drumtrack, and in the audiofile one could reduce volume by editing the audio. Why not in a midi supertrack? Or a usertracks thing for Midi? ... F
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I thought I had relied to this yesterday? You can use the edit/copy/move ANY track Biab generates to either the melody or solist tracks. Once you move the strings track there, you can use the Bar Settings to add harmony parts on each bar, or a 4 bar measure etc. Try using different harmonies across the section(s) you want movement. I believe the different harmonies you use will accomplish this much faster then editing in the notation view.
Biab has so many variables to accomplish these types of tasks that no other music accompaniment software out there can even compare with Biab. You van also use the "push" function to add movement to parts as well.
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