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How would I go about using the individual Real Tracks sounds to compose music using a music keyboard.

As opposed to just putting the chords into BIAB.

I'm looking at doing some music that is without a grove. Almost like electronic music.

Or would I be better off just working in RealBand to do this?

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I think you have to put chords into either BIAB or RB to give the RTs something to generate to........as far as i'm aware you can't just play RTs. mind you if you tried putting just one chord in and not changing it but maybe adding part markers to break things up then the RTs might create a non-groove track. try it. not sure if you could play and record notes from your midi keyboard in RB and then use the playable RTs - but you could certainly do it with midi

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Thanks. Much appreciated. I had typed the question into the BIAB chatPG and it gave me this.

Would this work to do what I am describing?

1. **Selecting RealTracks for a Track** (Chapter 6: Making Songs)

First, select the track for which you want to add a RealTracks sound. For example, if you want to add a RealTracks sound to the Guitar track, right-click on the Guitar track button and choose "Select a RealTracks for this Track" from the menu. Alternatively, you can select the Guitar track and then press the [RealTracks] button on the main screen.
2. **Playing the Music Keyboard with RealTracks**

Once you have selected the RealTracks for the track, you can start composing music using your music keyboard. The RealTracks will play the selected instrument parts as you play on your keyboard, allowing you to compose and arrange your music in real-time.

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I'm not clear here whether you want to use the keyboard for note/chord entry, or use a synthesiser as the sound generator, to make the sounds instead of BiaB.

If its the former, you will probably be able to set up the synthesiser to send MIDI to BIAB. Most, probably all, recent synth keyboards will send MIDI over USB.

If it's the latter, then BIAB probably has to send MIDI to the synthesiser, so RealTracks probably won't work unless your synthesiser can also play audio sent via the USB, i.e., operate as an audio module.


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Saxman, if the goal is to record your playing on a physical keyboard, I do this all the time.

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Yes, I want to record my playing on the keyboard, into BIAB, but using RealTracks for the sound.

So in other words, playing the bass part, keyboard part, guitar part, etc....but using the keyboard as the device and RT's as the sounds.

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So yes, on the using the keyboard to play parts into BIAB using RTs?

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Originally Posted by saxgentleman67
Yes, I want to record my playing on the keyboard, into BIAB, but using RealTracks for the sound.

So in other words, playing the bass part, keyboard part, guitar part, etc....but using the keyboard as the device and RT's as the sounds.
OK, I think I understand what you want to do.

The main strength of BIAB is in creating good backing for your songs, not so much in handling what you record yourself.

RealTracks are constructed by BIAB from the chord symbols, not from the MIDI notes you play. You can enter the chords for the symbols from the keyboard (2024 manual p87), but not the individual notes ... that isn't 100% true because there are the "playable RealTracks, but they're really designed for small adjustments, which are actually achieved by BIAB switching from a RealTrack to the sforzando synth for just those notes, then switching back. You can also enter the notes, but they will then be MIDI, not RT. I hope that makes sense.

If you want BIAB to play the notes you entered, then you pretty much have to use the MIDI to drive a sound synth. BIAB's default synth (CoyoteWT) is very basic and there are much better synths available, either as VSTs or as external hardware. I tend to use VSTSynthFont64, which is supplied with BIAB but tucked away in the folders. The manual tells how to use it. There are several good free sound fonts around. I tend to use Compifont or Timbres of Heaven. They don't sound as good as RealTracks, but they're not so far behind. External sound engines can be good but have a cost, of course. I have Ketron SD1000 and the built-in GM sounds on my digital piano. For the most realistic sounds from MIDI, one needs something like Kontakt and sometimes quite a lot of manipulation. For all these, other products and freebies are available.

If you plan to play all or most of the parts yourself, then RealBand or a DAW may be a more convenient match. You can use the BIAB VST in a DAW, so can still get auto-generated backing when you want it.


Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
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Thanks Gordon. Very helpful.

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