Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
T
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
T
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
If this has been put up before then apologies.I loved the style prairie solo accoustic piano but found it was a bit to fast in its style for the song I was writing.I slowed it down to what I felt was an ideal tempo(from 100 to 90) but found the piano was a little strange sounding which apparently happens when slowing down instruments from the normal tempo of the style.So what I did was record the song in biab at the proper tempo and then played it back for recording on my roland 8 track.I then used the vari speed to alter the speed of the song and the sound on the piano sounded really good.Although it altered the key slightly it caused me no problem for the vocal Im aiming to record to this track.Cheers Frankie.

If there is another way to do this within biab or rb then perhaps someone could post it up.


AMD Athlon 7550 dual core
processor 2.51 ghz
1 87 gb ram
windows 7 Ultimate
yamaha rev 500 effects
tacam DP-24 DAW
Samson Resolv NF monitors
Yamaha PSR-620 Keyboard
Fender semi accoustic guitar
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,132
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,132
I found the same thing - BIAB's timestretch algorithm (unfortunately) doesn't seem to be that much better than Audacity or any low-end algorithm. That's problematic if you're trying to deal with tempos slower than what an instrument was recorded at.

To be fair to PG Music, they only say :
Quote:

And you're not limited to 165 or 190, all tempos in between are also covered with the superior stretching features in Band-in-a-Box.



So they don't advertise that you can get any slower tempos. I suspect they made a trade-off to allow users to rapidly change song tempos without having to rebuild all the RealTracks.

But it is problematic if you want to use a RealTrack that's just a bit lower than the recorded tempo, which is... always.

I posted a short instrumental done the other day with the Bossa Nova flute. The song tempo was 120 BPM, and the flute's speed was 140 BPM. I exported it at 140 BPM and slowed it down with the elastique algorithm in Reaper, and it essentially artifact-free. (I did some extreme stretching to some of the samples while editing phrases).

Perhaps PG Music might consider adding a "high quality" timestretch option for those of us who insist on abusing the software past the stated limits?


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?

BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,079
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,079
Using Acid Express, the free version, may produce better results as it is geared to "mess around" with wav files, if that is the right way to put it.
I have a copy myself that is just sitting on my computer taking up space and used to play with it in this manner before I got bored and reverted to BIAB :>).
This problem is why I use MIDI

Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,132
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,132
Quote:

Using Acid Express, the free version, may produce better results as it is geared to "mess around" with wav files, if that is the right way to put it.



My recollection was that Acid Express wouldn't let you save the results as high quality files, but I could be wrong. It's got a very slick interface.

If you want to stick with RealBand, you could do everything there until you've got it the way you want, and then export the individual tracks that are below tempo at their "optimal" tempo, fiddle with them with another program, and then import them back into RealBand as .WAV tracks.

It's a bit clunky, but you wouldn't have to leave the PG Music universe except for the timestretching bit.

A nicer solution might be an option in BiaB/RealBand that used a slower (but more accurate) timestretch when working at tempos below the recorded tempo. Perhaps a dialog that popped up warning that the track was some percent slower than the recorded tempos, and that artifacts were likely without using the slower timestretch option. There could also be an option on the dialog to tell BiaB to do this automatically, or never do it, etc.


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?

BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 235
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 235
Reaper can adjust the playrate without affecting the pitch and it does it very well. I slow down YouTube videos with it all the time when I have a part I want to learn. Yes, it does video too!


DTuna
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
T
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
T
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
Hi Dc.Reaper? what exactly is this.Is it a stand alone workstation like the roland I have or something else Cheers Frankie


AMD Athlon 7550 dual core
processor 2.51 ghz
1 87 gb ram
windows 7 Ultimate
yamaha rev 500 effects
tacam DP-24 DAW
Samson Resolv NF monitors
Yamaha PSR-620 Keyboard
Fender semi accoustic guitar
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,132
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,132
Reaper a relatively inexpensive software program for multitracking, akin to PowerTracks or RealBand, but without any sort of support for BiaB. That is, you can work with MIDI and .WAV files (among other types), but not RealTracks.

Once I've created a song in BiaB, I create .WAV files and edit them Reaper. Before exporting tracks that play slower than the recorded tempo (such as a flute or saxophone), I'll set the tempo in BiaB up to the preferred tempo for that track, and export it at that speed. When I bring the tracks into Reaper, I stretch them out there using one of the higher quality algorithms (Reaper offers a number of different algorithms, including some that are fast, but low quality).

The algorithms that got the best results were elastique licensed from zplane technologies, and DIRAC LE, licensed from The DSP Dimension. Of the two, elastique pro seems the more popular, since it's also licensed by other DAWS, including ableton Live, FL Studios, Mackie Tracktion, Acid Pro and Cubase.

I couldn't find any free software that performs better than BiaB. Audacity is free and easy to use, but its algorithm performs worse than BiaB. ACID Xpress limits the saved file to low quality.

Edit: There's a free program called BestPractice that seems to do an OK job, but I haven't really tested it so I won't say it's better than BiaB. Also, I'm not sure you can get the timing precision out of it. But it's certainly easy to use.

I suspect it wouldn't be that difficult for PG Music to incorporate elastique pro or DIRAC LE into their products, but I don't know what algorithm they use, or how it's applied. And unless there was demand from users to support slower tempos, I'm sure they've got higher priority items.

Last edited by dcuny; 11/29/10 11:23 AM.
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
T
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
T
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
thanks DC will take a look at the software that youve mentioned Frankie


AMD Athlon 7550 dual core
processor 2.51 ghz
1 87 gb ram
windows 7 Ultimate
yamaha rev 500 effects
tacam DP-24 DAW
Samson Resolv NF monitors
Yamaha PSR-620 Keyboard
Fender semi accoustic guitar
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,132
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,132
The latest version of BIAB 2011 uses elastique pro 2.0. Spiff!

And thanks, PG!


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?

BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Frankie, I think you are going to be amazed at elastique pro. veddy veddy lovely.


John Conley
Musica est vita
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
T
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
T
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
John,My wife said I can have the 2011 upgrade as a Christmas present.. what a wife Ive got.Frankie


AMD Athlon 7550 dual core
processor 2.51 ghz
1 87 gb ram
windows 7 Ultimate
yamaha rev 500 effects
tacam DP-24 DAW
Samson Resolv NF monitors
Yamaha PSR-620 Keyboard
Fender semi accoustic guitar
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
She didn't have to go to a council meeting and trade her 4 inch curlers for a toaster to pawn?

My wife said if I sold the crap I have I could get new crap. However, we are getting snowed in, up to 3 feet, which means we have to wait for a snow plow. At the rate it's falling it might end up being epic. The neighbours houses are 100 feet away and I can't see them most of the time....


John Conley
Musica est vita
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
T
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
T
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
"She didn't have to go to a council meeting and trade her 4 inch curlers for a toaster to pawn?" Nah.She just went out on the local coal tip.. hauled in a couple of bags of nutty slack and sold it to the highest bidder.Frankie


AMD Athlon 7550 dual core
processor 2.51 ghz
1 87 gb ram
windows 7 Ultimate
yamaha rev 500 effects
tacam DP-24 DAW
Samson Resolv NF monitors
Yamaha PSR-620 Keyboard
Fender semi accoustic guitar
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!

Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!

We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.

Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!

Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.

If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!

Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!

We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.

Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.

Happy New Year!

Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.

Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!

Season's Greetings!

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!

The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.

Team PG

Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window

In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe

This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®

With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!

These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!

This Free Bonus PAK includes:

  • The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK: -For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
  • 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)
  • Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)

Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:


  • 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
  • FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
  • 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)

Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics85,734
Posts795,442
Members39,941
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
Jonnyfartpants, Gengiz, MarcAlanMichael, Kylie jen, klausmus
39,941 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 201
Noel96 114
DC Ron 109
DrDan 103
rsdean 102
dcuny 93
Today's Birthdays
baz66, joesarahh, prsings
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5