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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 349
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 349 |
While trying to navigate the many variables involved in using Midi in RB and BIAB I wondered if there was a "perfect" Midi User Interface out there in another DAW that you experienced Midiphiles find easiest to use.
I would like to see all possible Midi variables or actions listed under one menu rather than jumping from Preferences to Right click menus to other possible places to find the Midi settings or options which may be causing problems.
Also would like a step by step Midi Setup Wizard and or Troubleshooter program which could eliminate the need to know all these variables which can effect the "no sound" or other Midi issues which can occur.
I realize this is more of a Mid Wishlist question but figured it might get more attention here with possible specific existing examples I could put in the Wishlist.
Carkins
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I think that it may depend heavily on your particular workflow, the way you think and the how you construct your music. I use midi exclusively. I have no live inputs for guitars, drums, vocals etc instead relying on hardsynths, samplers and VSTi's. I have been a long time user of Sonar and currently have X1d loaded. Based on suggestions here in the forum, and in particularly from Rharv, I've been learning Realband and the use of RealTracs. I must admit, the use of RB and RT is much easier than I've experienced with Sonar. In my mind, Sonar is so configurable that in many cases it leads to complexity. However, in comparing RB to Sonar, I would say that neither lends itself to easier configuration or setup of the synths and VSti's. Keep in mind, that I am trying to integrate synths that range in age from more than 25 years old to some of the newer VSti's and romplers. Once, however, you have gotten past this, the workflow in RB works better for my way of thinking about music. More so than inital setup and configuration, try some of the other DAW offerings and go with the one that best integrates with your workflow style.
Win11, Intel i7 7700K 4.2Ghz, 32Gb RAM, 2x1Tb HD, 500Gb NVMe, BIAB/RB 2025, MOTU 828MK3 audio, MOTU Midi Express, Yamaha Montage 7, DX7II, TX802, Motif XS Rack, Roland Fantom XR Rack, Oberheim Matrix 1000, VoiceLive3 Extreme, Kontakt 6, SampleTank 4.3
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Joined: May 2000
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Powertracks Pro Audio and its progeny, RealBand, which uses the exact same MIDI engine, are actually two of the best MIDI sequencers around. I don't say that lightly, I've tried quite a few different ones and found out.
The old Cakewalk programs, now Sonar, also have a very good and mature MIDI engine.
I don't know of one that puts everything on the same page all at once.
--Mac
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Joined: Dec 2011
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,352 |
I agree with Mac. I've been using Power Tracks for years in preference to anything else.
The CLASSIC TRACKS window, in particular, lays out a lot of information which can be accessed immediately.
ROG.
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259 |
@carkins.
Thanks for your post. I'm new to sound equipment and software so I asked about this with a similar question sometime back. However, my request was more related to something that would be easy to learn rather than which pgm had the most user-friendly layout and content.
Folks on here, including rharv, told me to just use Real Band. However, I was not familiar enough with it to realize that it was good for audio editing as well as midi. So I tried some other daws and even ended up buying Mixcraft because one day I was having trouble in real band mixing down to a .wav that I needed for a gig that day. Of course I discovered later that I needed to reset some drivers in RB that had somehow gotten changed around. I really liked the soft synth in Mixcraft, but still prefer my SD2.
I'm starting to use Mixcraft a little more, but am also getting into more features in RB. I do seem to be learning more, but the process seems very slow. That could be due to my impatience which has plagued me all my life. If there are lots of shortcuts in sound editing, arranging, and mixing, I haven't found them yet. Still, it seems that a lot of the daw software tries to be all things to all people. I can't help but wonder if that's not caused by the reviewers that really criticize of features are missing. It would be nice if there was a DAW strictly for midi with both hard and soft synth options. From my limited perspective, I think Real Band lays out midi stuff fairly well.
Cornet Curmudgeon
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Joined: Jan 2003
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If you are using a Yamaha keyboard/sound device, I would recommend using the PSRUTI app that was made by a long time Yamaha user. you can find it at PSR Tutorial web site. Ease of use is what I enjoyed about using it. Yamaha is kind of picky when it comes to their midi data for effects and stuff and that PSRUTI is a snap to use and save midi files with.
Trax
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Joined: May 2000
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Quote:
I think Real Band lays out midi stuff fairly well.
I think so too. However, each DAW is more intuitive to one person than another. If you learn one or two different ones you'll understand how most of them work. The question is; which one to learn first .. and for a lot of BiaB users it's RB since it is included (free) and does most of what other DAWs do plus integrates BiaB features.
Then you get into graphic interfaces, which is a whole 'nother topic. How it works and how it looks like it works can be deceiving. The point is that if you understand how it works you can do most tasks in any DAW.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
For MIDI editing, the semi-notation view (what's that one called?) in PTPA/RealBand is the best layout if you ask me. It puts notes on the staff where they belong, but also shows the actual length of time of the note (not a quantized version of it). It's the best of a piano roll and notation editing, IMO. Why other DAWs don't mimic it is beyond me.
-Scott
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Joined: Feb 2003
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Of the 'big boys' I'd say it's Sonar, because it has its roots in MIDI from its first inception. I've bought/demo'd others and Sonar comes out ahead for me.
John
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I'd say Cubase SX as it too started as a MIDI only programme.
And I also say that there is no perfect or best DAW for MIDI, just personal preferences. If you learn MIDI in Real Band/Power Tracks then I cannot see why they will not be sufficient and they are free/ cheap and BIAB orientated.
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 16
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 16 |
MAC
Presonus is currently offering a free downloadable version of their Studio One Lite until May 31. It touts being able to put everything all on one page at the same time. It tried it last week and gave up and dumped it after about 10 minutes because it quickly became so unnecessarily complicated if you wanted to use sounds other than its own built in VSTi's, but others may not find this a problem.
Regards,
Ted
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
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Here's a two-fer. 1. Propellerhead Reason was until recently an entirely MIDI-based program and not a DAW at all. However, with the introduction of Reason 6 it is a complete recording environment as well as the über-soft synth it has always been. The MIDI editing capabilities are the best I've seen since Passport Master Tracks Pro, the sequencer Bob Norton still uses for MIDI editing. 2. I have MTP and used it extensively with BIAB version 7, but it's been so long I had almost forgotten the name. It has been acquired and updated by G-VOX and is available for $99. It has 64 tracks and support for up to 256 MIDI channels(!). G-VOX Master Tracks Pro 6.8.4 for Windows
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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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.
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Video: New User Interface (GUI)
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Watch the video.
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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 10 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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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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Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
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