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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 434
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 434
Hello,

I've created about 4x songs now and I'm finding that despite my A or B fill selections, BIAB seems to have different drum fill variations. Some of them spoil the song. Is there any way I can take control of which drum fills BIAB uses at any particular point in the song? Ive already turned off "Vary Style in Middle Choruses" under "Song Settings".

I'm also finding the same thing with other instruments like the bass where the bass will walk down on a bar rather than up and vs versa.

I appreciate there might be two questions here with two completely different solutions.

Thanks

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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OK I think I've found out whats going on?

I keep pressing the GenPlay button [BIAB 2013] which seems to change the bass pattern along with drum fills. I played the song through and was happy with it. I pressed the GenPlay and it completely changed the bass walk-ups and drum fills for the worst. Hit GenPlay again and back to how I like it.

I dont know if one can take control of these changes manually?

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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You freeze the song. It then stays that way. Or you can freeze the tracks you like, and then keep on fishing until you get the next part right and then freeze that. And if I remember, you can even change style to a degree and get another part to freeze.

It's all in the Canadian cold weather. You freeze when you like, and even when you don't like, go ahead and freeze...


John Conley
Musica est vita
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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BiaB does not allow you to specify which drum fills it uses. It re-composes every part throughout when you push the generate button. You can become more laissez-faire about your arrangements, or choose a different style.

But can't you re-compose a narrow range of measures in RealBand? You could recompose the bad measure there until you hit something that sounds better.


I have often created a new MIDI style just by deleting patterns entirely (usually over-energetic drum fills and corny bass licks) in the Stylemaker. You might try that. It's a bit of a learning project, but you quickly end up with a permanently usable style that don't hurt your feelings. And you gain useful style-editing skills.

Last edited by allis; 01/03/13 02:33 PM.

Larry
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Yep its' all a learning curve.

So by hitting the GenPlay button, it toggles through a limited list of styles within your chosen Realtracks for your song. Is it a prefixed amount like 3x or 4x different sytles or is it just down to what BIAB decided to do at the time for each RealTrack? IE some could have 2x styles and some others 8x?

Thanks for the Freeze info, I had no idea.

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The RealStyles are a closed book to users. Everything in each one depends on what they did at the time they created it. If you don't like it, try a different style.

With the MIDI styles at least, you can pry them open, look about, combine with other styles, and change all things. RealStyles enthusiasts sometimes seem to find it hard to understand why some continue to use MIDI styles. This high degree of control is one of the reasons.


Larry
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You hit the button, only Peter knows for which styles you get variations. I think it's a lot. But in the drums not so much. So when you like it freeze it.

RealTracks is another thing. I don't really use it, but you can have 4 drum tracks there, and then have them spliced or cut in and out at measure x etc. It allows WAY more control, if that's what you really want.

When you hit the button again you get a new variation, unless you froze a track and that stays static.
Or freeze the whole thing.

I find, that for practice purposes, I like most of the stuff and it serves it's purpose. My timing is forced to 'right' and I don't get quite so bored. And I'm playing horn or keys so I can come in and out. Change to 4 verses or 7, or put it in a loop or just play the same thing over and over.

It's dependant on your intended use. If you are shooting for a big contract, then REalBand is probably the way to go, and what to learn. Mix and match more, and use song shift and other stuff to enhance your tracks.

I'm a quick and dirty guy.


John Conley
Musica est vita
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