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To my ear, and granted I don't typically type in my own chord progressions, everything that comes out of Band in a Box sounds excellent.

But MusicVillain recently write a post that made me realize I don't really understand what impacts how what effects how good the RealTracks styles will sound over a given chord progression. She wrote

Quote
I recently found this Soloist RealTrack #3198 very good, and I want to listen to the track and learn about the guitar arrangement.

However, I can't. If I load this track to BiaB, BiaB will chop the track into pieces, then re-assemble the pieces into a new track, which sounds very inconsistent and unpleasant.

I was wondering:
1.) Are the Realtrack soloists recorded against particular chord progressions that are guaranteed to sound stylistically "good" because they capture the expertise of the original recording artist's choices for that particular sequence of chords ?

2.) If that is the case, will choosing certain chord sequences possibly sound less tasteful (or possibly srendipitously even 'better') when a user enters a new, different chord progression.

3.) Does a similar concept hold for RealTracks styles that are purely accompaniment, and don't have a soloist ?

If you choose to share an answer, please if possible include some specific examples.

TIA


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This is a bit off topic but my 12 years of working with RT has led me FWIW to the conclusion that RTs soloists and often RT rhythm tracks sound better with more complex progressions. I don’t mean jazz complex 😀 just more than a simple 3-4 chord structure. The solos when played over such progression seem more melodic. But I always cut/paste solos to some degree and typically pitch shift segue notes. YMMV!

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Another very powerful tool that is not often discussed and overlooked is Partial Regeneration. Especially efficient in Track View. You can get different variations of the segment if they were recorded to see if one fits better than the other. Often default generation might not be the best one. What year is your BIAB software?

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Short answer: we users don’t know how it works. It’s proprietary knowledge.

Medium length answer: I wouldn’t worry about what user MusicVillisn was saying; I’m not even sure I follow it, but I’m pretty sure it does not relate directly to what you are asking.

Longer attempt: we users know that RealTracks are recorded by pros over chord changes. We do not have those chord changes. We know RealTracks when played back may use 1, 2, 4, or 8 measures of a phrase selected by the program and pieced together to fit your chord progression. It would make sense that the more conventional the progression the less chopping and stitching would be done. It would also make sense that if you took some beautiful lyrical playing and forced it to fit a jarring chord progression, you might not like the result. However, it seems enough phrases are recorded that something will usually play, and if as Rustyspoon said if you have BIAB 2024 or later, you can regenerate particular sections until you get some playing you like better.

Styles are just a curated collection of RealTracks that PG Music thinks work well in a particular genre and tempo. I often just build my own set of ReslTracks then save the custom style.

I’ll let someone else comment on Soloists( I don’t need to use them.

Was that any help? I don’t think we are at the level yet where examples are needed.


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What year is your BIAB software?
I have 2016 - which I don't really don't actively use that much - life has always seem to have gotten in the way of my perfectionist musical visions. I have had a tendency to buy based on who I want to be than who I am lol...lots of musical instruments and software I always planned "to get to" - finally retired and am able to actually spend some real time with my toys, which have gathered so much dust over the years.

I am not interested in understanding "proprietary" anything - just how to solo better. Often just talking about what the programs do open my eyes to new musical insights - listening to the new features tutorials, studying the features, and listening to the arrangements in BB has enormously improved my understanding of how instruments work together in a band setting.


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"I have 2016" - I am sure someone will help you here, but it's 8 year old software.... Many things changed.

P.S. PGM has a promotion now, it's not too expensive to upgrade the core program.

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Solo riff phrasing will likely depend on a combination of the instrument, the player, key signature and chord progression. Some simple examples: A George Benson guitar riff will likely be different than a Jimi Hendrix riff. Does the riff follow melody or chord progression?


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PG Music News
New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!

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These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!

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We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles

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  • Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
  • Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
  • Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
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  • Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
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Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

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XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

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Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

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In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!

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Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!

We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!

If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!

Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins

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