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So, let me get this straight: To put together a jam track/practice track from an .mp3, I should run drag and drop the .mp3 file onto a new BIAB song. Run it through ACW to get the measures correct, in order to get the chord wizard to work best. (I'm working with Santana's "Samba Pa Ti", which is the very definition of tempo variations)
I went through and fussed with the barlines to get them as close as I can, and ACW did a pretty good job with the chords. I used the metronome style to help get the barlines in the groove, with tempo variations, etc. Now I should open up the stems for transcribing parts and replacing recorded instruments with RealTracks? From past experience, it seems that opening up the stems and then applying ACW to define barlines may be a recipe for disaster.
Band-in-a-Box® for Windows
Version 2026 (1224)
64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
RealBand 2026 (4)
Windows 11 Home
Intel(R) Core(TM) 5 120U (1.40 GHz)
12.0 GB (11.7 GB usable)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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"Now I should open up the stems for transcribing parts and replacing recorded instruments with RealTracks?"
No
Use the new Tempo map and chords, that's all you need.
Like MoultiPass said.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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No, you choose a style or RT instruments, and your WAV files won't change (orange color). You can mute them or not. This confuses me. I'm trying to figure out a workflow. When would I be choosing the style in this scenario? If I've only run ACW but not done the stem splitting, there aren't wav files to mute.
Last edited by Funkifized; 02/03/26 06:08 AM.
Band-in-a-Box® for Windows
Version 2026 (1224)
64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
RealBand 2026 (4)
Windows 11 Home
Intel(R) Core(TM) 5 120U (1.40 GHz)
12.0 GB (11.7 GB usable)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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OP
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My question is more about workflow. It seems as though dragging and dropping the .mp3 is a simpler than Open Special, and then run ACW before splitting stems. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems that running ACW on a track that has already been split into stems has caused sync issues.
If I run ACW first, especially if I'm using Equalize Tempos, *then* split the stems, I'm then sitting stems in a track that has already been stretched and edited, right?
Band-in-a-Box® for Windows
Version 2026 (1224)
64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
RealBand 2026 (4)
Windows 11 Home
Intel(R) Core(TM) 5 120U (1.40 GHz)
12.0 GB (11.7 GB usable)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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If I run ACW first, especially if I'm using Equalize Tempos, *then* split the stems, I'm then sitting stems in a track that has already been stretched and edited, right? That's my understanding. In BIAB, the stretching and shrinking is accomplished by using Bar Settings and each bar is given it's own tempo. This is the tempo map. Then when the tracks are generated, BIAB will stretch/shrink the audio to match the tempo map (and the individual tempos in each bar).
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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There is no need for stem splitter unless you want the stems for some reason.
But even then, it can wait until later.
That step is not needed at all to generate tracks aligned with your song after using ACW..
also "If I've only run ACW but not done the stem splitting, there aren't wav files to mute."
Yes there is; your original track that you ran thru ACW is the wav file he meant (I think), but you may not want to mute that yet anyway
(I wouldn't yet)
Last edited by rharv; 02/04/26 03:50 PM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Well, I'm thinking that I may want to keep the lead vocal on some tunes with different backing band, or if I want to keep the original drum groove or horn parts with my choice of Real Tracks, or possibly my own recording of my own playing. Otherwise, wouldn't I need to split the stems off I want a transcription of any of the parts?
Band-in-a-Box® for Windows
Version 2026 (1224)
64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
RealBand 2026 (4)
Windows 11 Home
Intel(R) Core(TM) 5 120U (1.40 GHz)
12.0 GB (11.7 GB usable)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Yes, but it's not necessary to use the ACW.
The audio from the original file should not change, so when you split stems is unrelated and just adds confusion to ACW use/discussion.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I think maybe he might mean some simple workflow steps (bullets) that shows:
- how to setup BIAB to get an original song audio and BIAB generated stems to be in sync with BIAB in order to be able to generate the chord table and RTs and RDs that are all in sync with the original song audio and the original stems.
This in order to be able to switch in or out different generated RDs and RDs while auditing the alternatives and compare it all to the original.
(my expectation would be that when everything is in sync one should be able to compare eg the main beats from the bass or drums from the original audio stems with the generated RT and RD tracks and see that the beats in the audio waves for these tracks are lined up, and also lined up to the bars: But I don't know, I have never got it work)
BIAB 2026, Studio Pro 8, Song Master Pro, Win11 Home. i7-9700K CPU, 32GB, ESI MAYA44eX, ZOOM UAC-2, Guitar Pro 8, Transcribe, (EZKeys2, EZD3, SD3, EZBass, EZMix3)
Amateur: fiddle, guitar, vocal, beginner on bass.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 677
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OP
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Band-in-a-Box® for Windows
Version 2026 (1224)
64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
RealBand 2026 (4)
Windows 11 Home
Intel(R) Core(TM) 5 120U (1.40 GHz)
12.0 GB (11.7 GB usable)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2013
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Here’s how I would do it in BIAB:
1. Prepare the audio files outside BIAB
Make sure all stems come from the same session:
Same start point (bar 1, or the same pickup),
Same tempo,
Same length / same end point.
If needed, line them up in a DAW (Reaper, etc.), then:
Export one stereo “reference mix” (the full song, or drums+bass only),
Keep the individual stems (bass, drums, etc.) exactly as they are, with the same start.
BIAB will use the reference mix to find tempo and chords, then you will place the stems on BIAB’s tracks.
2. Create the BIAB song and sync the reference audio
In BIAB, create a new empty song.
Set the time signature (4/4, 3/4, etc.).
Set an approximate tempo close to the song’s real tempo (just to start).
Import the reference mix:
Audio > Import Audio (or drag the file onto the Audio track).
Open the Audio Chord Wizard (or Audio > Chord Wizard (Audio), depending on your BIAB version).
In the Audio Chord Wizard:
Locate where bar 1 really starts in the audio (after any pickup/click),
Place bar 1 at that point (Set Bar 1),
Adjust the bar lines so that the main beats in the waveform line up with BIAB’s bar markers,
Let BIAB detect tempo and chords.
When you are satisfied with the alignment:
Transfer the tempo and chords back to the main BIAB window.
Now BIAB’s bar grid, tempo and chord sheet should follow the original audio.
3. Import the stems and generate RT/RD
On the BIAB side:
Keep the reference audio on the main Audio track (optional but useful for comparison).
Import the stems:
Place each stem on its own Utility track (or appropriate BIAB audio track),
Make sure they all start at the same time position as the reference audio (bar 1, or the same pickup beat).
Generate RealTracks and RealDrums:
Choose a style and generate RT/RD tracks at the tempo and with the chord sheet that BIAB detected.
Because the bar grid is now aligned to the original audio, the generated RT/RD should line up with the stems.
4. Check that everything is really in sync
Use the waveform view in BIAB (Audio Editor / tracks window):
Zoom in on the kick drum or strong beats,
Check that the peaks of:
Original drum stem,
Original bass stem,
Generated RealDrums,
Generated RealTracks (bass, etc.)
all fall on the same beats and bar lines.
If things are a little off:
Go back to the Audio Chord Wizard and correct the bar markers,
Or fix obvious tempo detection errors (wrong bar length, wrong first bar).
5. Audition and compare
Now you can:
Mute/unmute original stems vs generated RT/RD,
Compare groove, feel, and arrangement,
Keep switching RealDrums/RealTracks variations while listening against the original stems.
As long as the tempo map and bar alignment are correct, you should see and hear that the main beats are lined up in the waveforms and on the bar grid.
Note: this works best with songs that have a constant tempo or only a few simple tempo changes. For very “live” tracks with a lot of tempo drift, BIAB’s tempo mapping can be more limited, and a DAW with a detailed tempo map may be necessary. Thanks, this shows how to do it with all original audio generated outside BIAB (original audio and stems). Is it possible to do the same but generating the stems within BIAB? I think the latter is the schenario that has caused confusion (at least for me). It would be good to know if it is at all possible or if the best approach would be as suggested here to prepare all original audio and stems outside BIAB).
BIAB 2026, Studio Pro 8, Song Master Pro, Win11 Home. i7-9700K CPU, 32GB, ESI MAYA44eX, ZOOM UAC-2, Guitar Pro 8, Transcribe, (EZKeys2, EZD3, SD3, EZBass, EZMix3)
Amateur: fiddle, guitar, vocal, beginner on bass.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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OP
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You don't think that ACW should be run first, to get the overall tempo map with barlines *before* splitting the stems?
Band-in-a-Box® for Windows
Version 2026 (1224)
64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
RealBand 2026 (4)
Windows 11 Home
Intel(R) Core(TM) 5 120U (1.40 GHz)
12.0 GB (11.7 GB usable)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 677
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OP
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I also like the ACW video that suggests using a metronome style with the AVW, in order to help synch up the barlines.
Band-in-a-Box® for Windows
Version 2026 (1224)
64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
RealBand 2026 (4)
Windows 11 Home
Intel(R) Core(TM) 5 120U (1.40 GHz)
12.0 GB (11.7 GB usable)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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OP
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I dunt know what you mean by "transfer back to BIAB". Aren't we already there?
Band-in-a-Box® for Windows
Version 2026 (1224)
64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
RealBand 2026 (4)
Windows 11 Home
Intel(R) Core(TM) 5 120U (1.40 GHz)
12.0 GB (11.7 GB usable)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I have not used it much in BiaB, but I have in Realband.
The PGMusic videos pretty much show how it works.
I made a tutorial video when it first came out, but theirs are much better.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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