If you do a little searching around, you can find out how to export the patterns or capture the patterns as midi. I can't remember now how to do it, but in involves setting up your DAW a certain way to capture the midi. I did it successfully a good while back, but just don't recall the exact way now, and every DAW will be slightly different anyway. Sorry I can't be more helpful.
I think there was some info on the Native Instruments forum if I remember correctly.
My wife asked if I had seen the dog bowl. I told her I didn't even know he could.
To the best of my knowledge it is not possible to record the midi from the NI Session Guitar engine.
The Session guitar series, (with the exception of Electric Mint [the latest]) is a pattern player (unless in 'melody' mode) and the patterns are played inside the script; as such, the actual notes played are not exposed to any midi out channel to be sent back to the DAW for recording.
Of course, some VSTi pattern players do permit this but at this time to the best of my knowledge not the NI Session Guitar series.
Thanks Dan! That seems to be correct from my attempts so far.
But, hear me out, what if I outputted to audio and then brought that audio into EZ Keys or Scaler to be converted into MIDI (does they do that?) and then took that MIDI and used it to drive the Session Guitarist Melody version of the instrument? Or another guitar VST altogether?
I think Dan is probably correct that what I am trying to do is not possible but I'm going to post below what I have tried so far... --------------- I'm not really making much progress but I did learn a few things!
Just to recap, here is what I'm trying to do and a little background.
I am using Kontakt Session Guitarist Picked Acoustic (KSGPA). I am using its pattern generator to create a lovely picking pattern. But, when I examine the MIDI I find it is mainly just instructions for the KSGPA and not actual MIDI of the played notes. That is handy as I can enter chords and keyswitches in the MIDI piano roll BUT what I'd really like to do is have the complete MIDI output with all notes and other settings so I could manually edit the patterns a bit.
So, I have been searching to a) determine if this is even possible and b) if so, how to do it. So far I've had no luck with either! I have found posts by people claiming it is possible and posts by people claiming it is not possible but no examples of how to make it work.
I am using Reaper so I resorted to a video by Kenny Gioia on routing one track to another (https://youtu.be/AGezozwHTzw?t=422 from 7:02 to 8:09). I learned a lot from this video but he was not covering my specific question and after going through the steps below I still haven't found what I'm looking for.
1) in Reaper I create virtual instrument track #1 using KSGPA (8 bars with simple chord progression sounds great) 2) in the Kontakt VST3, Settings (top bar), I click Engine and then under "Send MIDI to outside world" I check "Script generated CCs" and "Script generated notes" and I leave "GUI keyboard" checked 3) back in Reaper I duplicate track #1 to create virtual instrument track #2 4) in track #2 I delete the MIDI and remove the KSGPA plugin 5) in track #2 I set Input:None 6) in track #2 I set Record:output to Record:output (MIDI) 7) in track #1 I drag the Send to track #2 8) in track #1 Send I uncheck Master send 9) uncheck record on track #1 and check record on track #2 10) click main Record and watch MIDI get written to track #2 11) stop recording 12) create a new virtual instrument track #3 and assign KSGPA to that track 13) copy the MIDI item from track #2 and paste it into track #3 14) mute everything except track #3 and play it 15) it sounds awful!
If I don't do step #2 I get no MIDI at all in step 10.
If, in step #6 I choose Record:output (stereo) I get a perfect rendition of the MIDI BUT, of course, as audio and not MIDI.
Been there done that. But good for you it giving it a best try. That is the way you learn.
Here is a thought, now that you have the "...perfect rendition of the MIDI BUT, of course, as audio and not MIDI", put Melodyne Editor (preferably Editor or higher) and it will convert the entire audio track to midi. Then export the midi and import it to another Reaper Track. You may be pleasently surprized.
Thanks Dan! That seems to be correct from my attempts so far.
But, hear me out, what if I outputted to audio and then brought that audio into EZ Keys or Scaler to be converted into MIDI (does they do that?) and then took that MIDI and used it to drive the Session Guitarist Melody version of the instrument? Or another guitar VST altogether?
First try Melodyn casue I have seen that work miricles. Do you have Melodyn? If not, send me the audio track and I will process it and return the midi.
I am not sure what EZKeys 2 will do - too new to us all?? And I don't think Scaler is the right tool for this.
There are several audio-to-midi converters, both stand-alone and VST.
I think Jam Origin Midiguitar2 is free. I "ASSUME" this could be be done in real time by outputting the audio track to a midi track with this vst.
I have only had this vst for a few days and only used it to lower single notes into the bass range in real time. There is some latency. As I remember it is polyphonic.
This also would turn Matt's trumpet into a midi instrument I think. Then he also could play the riff to Smoke On The Water....lol
Billy
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
Thanks Mario! I tried using EZ Keys 2 Bandmate but it never produced anything that sounded even close to correct. I monkeyed around with Edit Play Style but never really got close to anything usable. Maybe I'm doing something wrong?
Here is the file I am trying to convert back to MIDI,
First try Melodyn casue I have seen that work miricles. Do you have Melodyn? If not, send me the audio track and I will process it and return the midi.
I do not have Melodyne but would be grateful if you were willing to give it a try. Here is the audio file,
Thanks Mario! I tried using EZ Keys 2 Bandmate but it never produced anything that sounded even close to correct. I monkeyed around with Edit Play Style but never really got close to anything usable. Maybe I'm doing something wrong?
Here is the file I am trying to convert back to MIDI,
My Internet security will not allow me to DL this file. Could you post it on Drobox or email it to me. If email just send me a PM and I will share my email address.
PS - I also have Melodyne and could try it there also.
Waitress "How did you find your steak sir"?
Me "I just looked next to the potatoes and there it was"!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Dan, I have done that a number of times, i.e. converted my audio guitar to a MIDI track. What I sometimes do is to have the MIDI track play simultaneously with the audio track with the MIDI track having a different sound like a music box, zither, bells, etc. One can get some very nice sounding tracks this way. YMMV
Waitress "How did you find your steak sir"?
Me "I just looked next to the potatoes and there it was"!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
I am in the middle of a project right now which utilizes this exact workflow, but with a piano. I have an audio solo piano backing for my song. Melodyne did a midi rendering which is not perfect but really good. But I am struggling on how to add this to the project. I am all about " less is better" these days with my music, so adding filler just is not working at this time. But maybe my next project.
My Internet security will not allow me to DL this file. Could you post it on Drobox or email it to me. If email just send me a PM and I will share my email address.
Thanks Mario. I just PMed you a link on a private server.
Dan, I have done that a number of times, i.e. converted my audio guitar to a MIDI track. What I sometimes do is to have the MIDI track play simultaneously with the audio track with the MIDI track having a different sound like a music box, zither, bells, etc. One can get some very nice sounding tracks this way. YMMV
I really like your idea! Seems like a great way to add a wall-of-sound to a chorus! (Mr. McCartney might disagree but so what!)
I was mistaken, as is usually the case!! I did it using Electric Mint, but it has that capability built in. Sorry. As of right now that is the only session guitarist with the built in capability of exporting the midi. I read something a long time ago about doing it with the Action Strings and some of the other instruments with built in patterns and got it to work, but I can't find that now.
My wife asked if I had seen the dog bowl. I told her I didn't even know he could.
I was mistaken, as is usually the case!! I did it using Electric Mint, but it has that capability built in. Sorry. As of right now that is the only session guitarist with the built in capability of exporting the midi. I read something a long time ago about doing it with the Action Strings and some of the other instruments with built in patterns and got it to work, but I can't find that now.
Do you have MIDI output from the NI Session Guitar? Could you please record a video so I can see it?
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Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
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Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
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MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
Playable RealTracks Set 5
RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
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