|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 350
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 350 |
Maybe I'm missing something, but is is possible to convert a MIDI track to an audio track using a Real Track. The resulting track should be an audio version of the MIDI track with Real Track/Drums sounds. Not the DXi/VST/GS Wavetable routes/sounds---I know how to do that. The real Tracks sounds are just so much better than other DXi/VST synths that I have.
Is there any way to make a MIDI track an audio track via Real Tracks, preserving the original score of the MIDI track?
Paj 8^?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,476
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,476 |
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,695
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,695 |
RealTracks, and Real Drums as well, are not note by note products. They are 3 to 5 minute wave files recorded in a studio that are then cut up by the program into 1 to 2 bars sections and pieced back together in the track to match the bar, tempo, and chord structure of the song. In the latest version of the software version 2011 a new feature was added called "elastique" which is a time stretching engine to make the RTs and Rds work over a longer tempo map.
If you want Midi files to sound more like RTs you need to invest in a real good sample program like Kontact or Sampletank, or buy a hardware sampler or synth. There are a couple suggestions sold here in the hardware tab.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 350
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 350 |
Thanks for the quick responses.
I get the basic procedure---assembling a score from algorithms. I'm sure they're assembled in a buffer. . . from algorithms . . .hey, why not be able to just bypass the score-generating algorithms, use the score data that's already present in the track directly (not to drive a algorithmic engine), and use that data in the assembly process?
I have a variety of samplers---none of them work a quickly, sweetly and expresively as the 2011 version of real tracks.
I think that PG could be very, very close to expanding it's market.
I guess that I should move this posting to the wishlist section.
Thanks again, Paj 8^)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021 |
Real Tracks are just loops that get assembled end to end by a machine vs a person like in Acid or Audition.Pretty fancy the way it's done but still just loops. In fact you can buy Acid Loop libraries of drums and make your own Real Drums parts from those. I've done this a number of times. Not to hard really. There's a tutorial on this. Can't make your own RTs yet.Doubt you ever will.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,476
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,476 |
The market for playing a track of MIDI data (in exact interpretation) is flooded; it's called synths and samplers. If you want exact MIDI data replication that is how it is done.
Realtracks are a whole 'nother animal. Part of the beauty is you get to see how various studio musicians (with the algorythm) would interpret the various styles and progressions. Some people worry the realtracks will sound stale. To me, music created by a single person with their own (exact) ideas for every part can become stale very quickly. One of my first thoughts when experiencing realtracks for the first time was "Wow! Now I can have the input from different musicians on an idea, instantly and with lots of variations!"
Some people look at the lack of control as a weakness, I see it as an opportunity to explore. Otherwise they would just be another synth/sampler concept. As they are they go to the next level.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,086
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,086 |
Quote:
"Wow! Now I can have the input from different musicians on an idea, instantly and with lots of variations!"
+1 Well said.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,695
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,695 |
Last night i was working on a couple songs, trying to add a solo of either a sax or guitar, and it was sonding horrible. I open the chords window and went through the chords and simplfied them got rid of the crazy C7minsusaug#13th to the power of 9 chords for C G D structure regenerated the solos and they all sounded ten times better.
Sometimes even with RTs you need to clean up the song a bit first before generation. Once this is done you can get as Rharv is refering to the input of another player. I tease around about stuff like and now on lead guitar "so and so". which amuses me to no end.
The concept of having RTs play note for note keeps popping up, and is really nothing new. We have had that ability in samplers for ever. Samplers are live played notes recorded so that they are playable by midi. The complaint is that they do not sound as "real" as Rts, but if you note by noted them they would be no better. What makes sampled midi sound good is hard work. Volume, expression, panning, effects, and timing processing. Timing i the biggie to me, making it sound human. Choosing better samples is key.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 350
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 350 |
Quote:
The market for playing a track of MIDI data (in exact interpretation) is flooded; it's called synths and samplers. If you want exact MIDI data replication that is how it is done.
. . . The market is not flooded with good samplers and softsynths, as far as I can tell. Most are difficult-to-find-use-stock-and-maintain (not to mention pay for). It just seems to me that RT is close to beating most of them up---just by adding the option of removing the generation algorithm from the routine and directly interpreting data that's already there. Hey, hate me for liking PG's version more and suggesting a feature that streamlines and improves MIDI playback. I have more than a few thousand dollars tied up in samplers and samples here and I'm just impressed with the approach the PG is taking---and I see some other, albeit mundane, possibilities that could be handled and improved by using RealTracks.
Quote:
Realtracks are a whole 'nother animal. Part of the beauty is you get to see how various studio musicians (with the algorythm) would interpret the various styles and progressions. Some people worry the realtracks will sound stale. To me, music created by a single person with their own (exact) ideas for every part can become stale very quickly. One of my first thoughts when experiencing realtracks for the first time was "Wow! Now I can have the input from different musicians on an idea, instantly and with lots of variations!"
I couldn't agree more---I think we love the same woman here . . .
Quote:
Some people look at the lack of control as a weakness, I see it as an opportunity to explore. Otherwise they would just be another synth/sampler concept. As they are they go to the next level.
Chaos doesn't frighten me---I teach in an urban high school. It would be neat, though, to score your own track and have RT play it as scored, say, with an RT instrument that you don't have available or don't play. I don't think for a minute that RT is just another synth/sampler concept---I think it may be the best.
I will say that I always appreciate the quick and knowledgeable responses that I get in the PG forums. I love this software and wouldn't mind if it was all that I had to use.
Thanks again, Paj 8^)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Those who don't know what's under the hood will not understand why their Mini Cooper cannot be used to compete in a NASCAR race...
The aging MIDI standard can only accomplish so much, matter of fact there are so many parameters important to making music that are missing in action, its amazing enough what MIDI can accomplish as it is.
**The things that make the Realtracks sound so much better are inherent in being able to take entire phrases played by live (and outstanding!) musicians as a whole, intelligently placing them along a given timeline as defined by the chords and tempo. Break those up into single notes that can be manipulated and you are right back where it started - a MIDI sampler that cannot impart all those subtle details between the notes.**
Perhaps there will be some new technology come down the path that changes that. There might even be development going on somewhere as we type here. Or not. But IMO the future looks bright. Until then, we work with what we've got, not with what we might have tomorrow.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
Quote:
It would be neat, though, to score your own track and have RT play it as scored
This would be extremely neat no doubt. What you're describing is the ability to take a prerecorded audio file and extract individual notes from it then have those notes play according to instructions via midi. This already exists. It's called Melodyne from Celemony. The basic program that can work with a single instrument or voice is around $200 while the full version that can extract individual instrument notes from a multitrack file is around $500. I'm sure that tech is all locked up with patents and copyrights. Would Celemony be willing to share that for a price and is PG willing to pay that price? Is it even possible to incorporate that into these programs? Who knows, it's a business decision. The other point that Mac alluded to is the fact that when you break down a RT into an individual note, you lose all the neat articulations and phrasing the original player put into the recording and exactly which note would the program pick? In any given phrase there could be 5 or 6 Bb's all with slightly different tones if it's a horn or different hits if it's piano or guitar. That could get very tricky trying to get a collection of individual notes to blend together when they are taken from one prerecorded piece of music. Take a piano part for example. Say the part should sound at a medium hard velocity but the program grabbed notes from a soft passage and a hard rockin passage because that was where the notes needed were. That would sound like crap. This is why the big software synth/samplers are careful to match the sound of the notes that the synth will play and the velocity instructions sent via midi tells it what notes to use. Now you might say well, have the program take all the individual notes group them together by velocity and then use those according to the midi instructions. That is exactly what a good software synth does. Most of the big expensive ones use full killer prerecorded in the studio audio samples so now if you take it this far, why should PG reinvent the wheel? The big difference between Real Tracks and a midi synth is the phrases. Individual notes are already covered. That's the point Mac was making.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021 |
Nope. No manipulation for me. PG has got this thing down to a science. It is a great band to play & sing along with.I am no longer flooded with the 'Oh Karaoke" comments. I now have a very unique sounding band.I do covers so for a writer it may be a different thing. For me I don't want to be able to tweak the thing till it sounds JUST like the record. Might as well by Karaoke tracks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,805
Posts796,415
Members39,960
| |
Most Online25,754 Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|