The Direct Input, or "Dry" Realtracks are designed for use with guitar amplifier/cabinet simulator plugins such as the included Amplitube plugin.
Rather than have "only" the kind of sound that was recorded by the original artist, using their preferred amplifier, speaker and effects, which can limit the kind of sound available for a particular song project, the Direct Input tracks plus the amplifier simulator (Amplitube) allows for you to dial in the kind of sound you desire for your song. Things such as Overdrive/Distortion (or for that matter, NO distortion, as in a "clean" guitar sound), Reverb type and amount, EQ or Tone settings, even the kind of speaker cabinet used, can make for a myriad of different sounds from the same basic Realtrack performance.
It also works well for the Rhodes Piano Realtracks where we can get a host of different sounds in much the same fashion as used with the original analog Rhodes Piano. For example, a Rhodes played thru a Fender Twin Reverb has a much different and cleaner sound than one jacked into, for example, a Marshall stack.
These Direct Input tracks are duplicates of the other tracks of the same name that already have the amplifier and settings as dialed in by the pro when making the Realtrack, so if you like what you get from those, no need for the above. But it is very nice to have this option, especially for those who use the bb program as their autoaccompaniment band for backing tracks, or mult-track recording production, etc.
As to whether or not an, "ordinary user" -- whatever that is -- needs them or not, well, I'd have to leave that decision up to each "ordinary user" to make for themselves. To some, the sound of the guitrar is *everything*. To others, it may well suffice to say that, "if it sounds good, it IS good" and leave it at that.
i know this is a very old post and sorry if i am bringing up a dead horse but......i wanted to personally say this is one of the most awesome features of band in a box.....easier to use with the newer versions as you can just select "direct imput" on many of the tracks.
its really great for really fine tuning your sound.....with plugins like guitar rig 5 pro or the included ampitube or other 3rd party amp and effects it really makes a world of difference vs the non-dry versions as you really can shape and craft the tone you want.
thanks for having this feature for a sound designer/producer it really is awesome!
I've been trying to figure out how to extract the guitar DI out of BIAB for about an hour. Is this feature hidden? I exists according to this thread. I can't find any videos or posts on how to. Am I dense? I can usually find out how to do this kind of stuff with a quick search.
Thank you very much for the reply! I dragged and dropped the track name from the Mixer and also from the top bar and both ways I get the guitar part with effects (specifically distortion), not DI (dry). Any other ideas?
Thanks for the info! For future newbies like me the file is exported to Drive:\bb\DragDrop (not obvious). I'm using _PUDDLE. I export Guitar 3 and it has no reverb but the distortion effect still remains. I want to get the DI only with no effects including distortion.
In the YouTube video () "Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows® - Everything you need to know in under 8 minutes!" at 10:58 it says "...also includes the direct input of the guitar" and you can hear the DI clearly with no distortion or any other effects. But it doesn't say how to achieve said direct input. I have 2024 and haven't upgraded to 2025 yet. Is that the problem?
Also, MoultiPass, I have no idea how to get to the screen that you generously shared. I'm pretty new at this. Sorry. I don't know where the Realtracks button is. I apologize for my stupidity.
Now MoultiPass' screen shot is gone. Sorry, I probably offended. Apparently he has removed himself from the tread. Sorry. Honestly I rarely post to this forum because I can usually find the answers to my questions, but this one has stumped me. Apparently I've only succeeded in getting people frustrated with me. Sorry for bothering people. Grateful for your attempt to get thru my thick skull.
If you right click on the track name > Select RealTracks.... you will see a Direct Input check box this will be on the right just above the list or hidden away in the Settings button on the newer versions. In the list under Direct Input column you will see a Y if available in DI.
Now MoultiPass' screen shot is gone. Sorry, I probably offended.
If he's upset or offended it may well not be anything you've written or done.
Originally Posted by danhargrave
Grateful for your attempt to get thru my thick skull.
Thare are some parts of BiaB's usage that are distinctly arcane and can be very fruatrating. I think it's slowly improving, but it has a way yet to go, IMHO.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
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With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
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