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I've listened to some of the Garritan samples and the strings sound super. I'm confused as to how it gets into the mix though. Seems like it's an fx effect? Would it take the place of a midi string instrument patch? Would appreciate a simple explanation for a simple mind. Thanks!
Stan
Cornet Curmudgeon
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The Garritan samples would need direction ie a midi file. You would write a midi file then have that file 'interpreted' by the Garriatan... whatever sound patch is appropriate.
So in BIAB or Real Band or ? You would apply the Garritan software as a plug-in to your midi track. It does nothing on it's own. If you have a tune with midi strings part written or midi bass etc, Garritan would supply the 'sound' to the notes.
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Since getting the JABB today I am almost lost as to what to do to make it work with my midi files and I have a ton of those. All files play but a lot of things are missing, horns, drums. guitars, etc. Must be that a reconfiguration has to be made to make all play in unison. I also noticed that some of the tracks are out of key, and the whole file sounds like @#$%. Hopefully I will find the answers to this seeing at this is new to me, hope all all works out. 
Critter
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#hi
this is in away new to BIAB and i don`t think many off us has really got stuck in with it i know i have not tried it yetbut i will soon
regards jazzband
I always play the right notes but not always in the right order
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First of all, I suggest reading the Garritan manual that comes with each of the Garritan libraries. That will give you a lot of information. That being said...
Unlike a General MIDI synth engine, the Aria player (stand-alone or VSTi, which you need to play the Garritan instruments) does not respond to patch (instrument) changes. So you can't just take a BIAB file or any old MIDI file and play through it.
When you open the Aria player (either stand-alone or VSTi), you'll see your 16 MIDI channels available to you. You then need to assign specific instruments to each of the channels you want to use.
What I do is go to BIAB Prefs and remind myself which channel each track is on (for example, the melody track is on channel 4). If I assign the melody track to the Aria player, I go into the Aria player and select the instrument I want to use for channel 4. That's the instrument that will play when I press the play button. Whatever instrument is showing on the main BIAB screen has no effect. BIAB will pass its MIDI data to the Aria player and the Aria player will use the instrument assigned to that track.
Also, be careful about the Mod (modulation) wheel parameter. There is already another thread on how to fix it at the beginning of a track. Garritan libraries use the Mod Wheel to affect volume. So, if you've to a keyboard with a mod wheel, you can do swells and decrescendos using the mod wheel, much like an organist can with the pedal.
The Garritan instruments generally sound pretty good and can sound great with tweaking. But you can't use them as a general MIDI synthesizer unless you plan for it. I find that I only use it in BIAB for the melody or soloist track. It really is better suited to RealBand, where you have finer control over each track.
And I'll loop back to my original statement; you should read the manual that comes with each of the Garritan libraries to get a better idea of how to use it. There is a learning curve (I've still got much to learn) and it has its unique peculiarities and non-standard aspects, but in the end, you should get some pretty good, if not great, sounds from it.
I hope that helped more than confused.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
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Apprentice
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Good advice and a clear explanation from John.
There is some setting up to do with channels and the mod wheel before MIDI files play back with the sounds you want.
Most of my work is within Sibelius and PowerTracks as a VSTi but I also use the ARIA for the melody and strings in BIAB tracks and render the rest to realtracks. The combination works well for me.
I for one really like the sounds of the libraries.
We have the best of both worlds now with the realtracks and sample libraries.
Have lots of fun. You'll work it out!
yjoh
[i]Music...a joy for life.
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I wish I could find the pages for the specials. All I find are bundles. I think I have Band in a Box, Realthings, Jazz Pianist, Gospel..etc...etc..and the Ketron and the Oscar Peterson. I think this might be the only thing PG carries that I don't have. But I can't find the modules without the bundles. At least I guess there are there, but I'm not, (I suspected this) computer literate. I hate it when I have to ask my kids  !
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Quote:
I wish I could find the pages for the specials. All I find are bundles. I think I have Band in a Box, Realthings, Jazz Pianist, Gospel..etc...etc..and the Ketron and the Oscar Peterson.
I think this might be the only thing PG carries that I don't have.
But I can't find the modules without the bundles.
At least I guess there are there, but I'm not, (I suspected this) computer literate.
I hate it when I have to ask my kids !
John,
I thought the same thing... but the link for the Garritan library alone, without a bundle, is the very first big blue arrow nearest to the top of the screen
(going there now, since my bank draft finally cleared PayPal)
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Quote:
And I'll loop back to my original statement; you should read the manual that comes with each of the Garritan libraries to get a better idea of how to use it. There is a learning curve (I've still got much to learn) and it has its unique peculiarities and non-standard aspects, but in the end, you should get some pretty good, if not great, sounds from it.
WHAT?? You mean now I actually have to LEARN stuff?? I'm so spoiled by BIAB that lets me push a button and have a whole new song instantly... I..I don't think I remember how to learn stuff anymore...
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Journeyman
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Garritan's sale ended on the 28th, but PG is still offering a discount on JABB and GPO. It's on the 'Other Software' page.... at the bottom, under 3rd Party software and synths: http://www.pgmusic.com/products.win.htmI'll try to find the thread about specific set up re: finding which channel is assigned to each midi track in BIAB / RB Basically, you have to use the exact channel in the Garritan plug in. i.e. If you want to render a midi bass track in BIAB, go to Opt->Preferences->Channels to see that Bass is on channel 2. So in the Garritan JABB (for example) you would have to assign a bass part to slot 2 in the Garritan plug.
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Thanks to all for the info. At this point, I don't think that my knowledge and ability level are sufficient for me to start using Garritan products. Perhaps if there were a comprehensive, but simple, tutorial explaining and demonstrating how to interface Garritan with Real Band, I might have a chance.
Stan
Cornet Curmudgeon
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Quote:
Thanks to all for the info. At this point, I don't think that my knowledge and ability level are sufficient for me to start using Garritan products. Perhaps if there were a comprehensive, but simple, tutorial explaining and demonstrating how to interface Garritan with Real Band, I might have a chance.
Stan
now that PGMusic has added the user tutorial video section, there's a good chance somebody will do that
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Quote:
Garritan's sale ended on the 28th, but PG is still offering a discount on JABB and GPO.
Thanks for posting this! I waffled too long and missed the Garritan sale, but found your comment and picked up JABB from PG Music this afternoon. Talk about waiting until the last minute...
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
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Glad you got in under the wire ! You'll enjoy it.
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