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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I've been using real tracks since they first came out to build all of my backup tracks for live performance. I am currently on version 2012, about to install 2012.5. Usually, I either pick an all real tracks style that is somewhat close to what I want, and then change the instrument/performer on specific tracks to create a backup "band" that gives me the effect I want for that tune. Occasionally I have started with a specific midi style and then changed specific tracks to the real tracks intrument/performer as needed. However, I have noticed that when I start with a midi style, if I choose not to use a given track, I need to mute that track/instrument in the first bar, or else the midi instrument on that track will continue to play.
Recently, particularly with the ability to select specific instruments from midi styles, I thought it would be easier to simply start with a "blank slate", e.g., no style, and then build the "band" from a combination of real and midi tracks. I tried this by starting a song with the "BLANK" style as a starting point. However, the resulting song had some serious anomalies in it. I don't remember all of the specifics, but one thing I do remember is that the real drums track just stopped playing part way through the song. I would like to hear what other real tracks users typically use as a basis for starting a new song?
Andy
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I normally build my song by selecting individual real tracks and a real drum track, rather than using styles. Once I have a combination I like, I can save that as a custom style.
About the need to mute, if you don't want to do that on one or more tracks after you load a song, one way is to change the volume on that track to zero and then save it. There may be other ways but that's what I do.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2008
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Matt, When you say "selecting individual real tracks and a real drum track", that's what I do also. But the question is, what style is in effect before you start the process? Even when BiaB is first invoked, it comes with some style in effect, as displayed in the Style text box underneath the Song Title text box (I think it ususally defaults to the last style you had in effect when you closed BiaB). Then, as you select your various real tracks, any track you do not use will have the base style's instrument/performer in effect for that track. Also, the style name that was in the text box will remain (which is, technically, misleading), and I have found that some of the logic in BiaB will continue to react to that value, i.e., displaying pop-ups with suggestions or comments re: that style.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Quote:
Matt, When you say "selecting individual real tracks and a real drum track", that's what I do also. But the question is, what style is in effect before you start the process?
Real tracks, as audio files, are not effected by the Style. Think about that one 
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Quote:
Quote:
Matt, When you say "selecting individual real tracks and a real drum track", that's what I do also. But the question is, what style is in effect before you start the process?
Real tracks, as audio files, are not effected by the Style. Think about that one
Dan is correct on that one. What a particular RT plays is based on that RT and has nothing to do with a style. You should be able to start with a "blank" style and load each RT one at a time. If this doesn't work it could be some sort of bug that we need to know about. Try it some more. I will also.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Yep. Enter chords for a 12 bar tune. Load the "blank" style.Load RTs one at a time and RDs. Couldn't get the drums to play.Loaded a Style and drums are fine.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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That's right,unless you're going to use an specific midi track with an instrument patch, styles have no effect, but if still you need a midi sound you can always use the magic F5 command and mute the midi there on those bars you do not want to use.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Quote:
...Recently, particularly with the ability to select specific instruments from midi styles, I thought it would be easier to simply start with a "blank slate", e.g., no style, and then build the "band" from a combination of real and midi tracks. I tried this by starting a song with the "BLANK" style as a starting point. However, the resulting song had some serious anomalies in it. I don't remember all of the specifics, but one thing I do remember is that the real drums track just stopped playing part way through the song. I would like to hear what other real tracks users typically use as a basis for starting a new song?
Andy
Hi Andy,
That particular experience can be frustrating. Sometimes it happens because a Songfile has somehow become corrupted. The only answer I know for that one is to hit New and start entering said song all over again.
Other times, it may be due to a corruption in the program itself, easily solved by going to the Factpory Reset inside BB and invoking same. This is often necessary if, for any reason, bb happened to close down suddenly and did not get time to write to a critical file it needs. Factory Reset will restore that file to known good defaults.
I've had the situation where a RealDrum track stops playing in the middle of a song I'm working on, and it has been due to a loss of resources in the computer, mostly happens when I've been inside BB for a long time and a long session has chewed up resources. When that happens, I close down bb and all other programs and reboot the computer. Good time for a break, and once rebooted bb usually responds a lot better.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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@ Jazzmandan & silvertones, I think you'll find that styles DO influence realtracks. I remember having a conversation about this with you (jazzmandan) & posting screenshots about the subject. Even someone from PGMusic chimed in & confirmed if I remember correctly
Last edited by bupper; 09/08/12 11:41 PM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Hi bupper,
My understanding is that the way in which the Realtracks themselves play is independent of style (e.g. swing, latin, rock, etc.). This is because they are recordings of live performances and the RT 'style' is set by the original performance. That being said, though, effects such as volume, reverb, panning, etc., are usually loaded with styles. These settings can influence the output sound of a Realtrack.
Regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Quote:
I remember having a conversation about this with you (jazzmandan) & posting screenshots about the subject. Even someone from PGMusic chimed in & confirmed if I remember correctly
You memory is better than mine. 
I just can't image how Brent Mason would play guitar to a Celtic style with bagpipes and flute. 
I guess we could give it a try and see.
Well, I thought this would be like bringing a gun to a knife fight , but I'll be darned if it didn't sound good.
****** Song Summary *************
File:_HRNPIPE Demo - (ALL REALTRACKS-Hornpipe-AcGuit,AcBass,Bodhran).SGU
Key=D , Tempo 70, Length (m:s)=3:53
No intro. 32 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 32. Repeat x2 choruses
No Melody
No Soloist track.
Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0,
Style is _HRNPIPE.STY (Celtic Hornpipe Swing 8ths[70RS])
Style MIDI Instruments are :
RealTracks in style: 1411:Bass, Acoustic, CelticHornpipe Sw16 070
RealTracks in style: 1412:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm CelticHornpipe Sw16 070
RealTracks in song: 1703:Guitar, Electric, Soloist Country12-8Brent Sw 065
RealDrums in style: BodhranCelticHornpipe^2-a,b:Brushes
Now the question is will Brent's playing be exactly the same over a drastically different style. I'll match tempos and swing/even with this same Brent RT.
Well, I won't try that experiment again. BIAB went nuts on me. I tried a return to factory settings but now looks like a full reboot needed. You guys are on your own on this.. 
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Quote:
I normally build my song by selecting individual real tracks and a real drum track, rather than using styles. Once I have a combination I like, I can save that as a custom style.
About the need to mute, if you don't want to do that on one or more tracks after you load a song, one way is to change the volume on that track to zero and then save it. There may be other ways but that's what I do.
Matt et al,
Do you guys do this in RealBand or with BIAB? Any reason to do one or the other? Thanks!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Expert
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That thread is very interesting bupper, looks like I will be playing around tomorrow.....
i5 3.20GHz, 32gb RAM, 1tb SSD OS, 12tb HDD, 4gb gForce vid card, 32" monitor, Audient id44, Win10 x64, BiaB/RB 2023, Reaper 6,IK Multimedia Total Studio 3.5 MAX, Waves 10
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