Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 13
Newbie
OP Offline
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 13
Firstly, a really BIG hello from me from the UK. After listening to numerous demo BB tracks, I have just bought the EverythingPak on the external hard drive (received a week ago) and am starting to work through the manual (whoohoo). So I'm delighted to join the community on this Forum.

Please can I have help with my first problem.

I have had a play and made my first test tune in BB and have loaded it into RealBand - it consists of 5 Audio tracks and 1 Midi track (the melody). I then right click on the Midi Track (as I want to patch in a string section) and go to Specific Vsti/Dxi synth for midi tracks and the drop down list appears of all my plug-ins. However, when I click on Cakewalk's Dimension Pro or Rapture on my list I get the error message "Sorry, real band cannot make the connection". Also, I CAN patch in SampleTank but think this is the cutdown version that comes in the BB package and not the SampleTank 2 XL full version that I also own.

Alternatively, I could use my Sonar X2 to patch in plugin sounds BUT I can't see a way of exporting the RealBand song into a multi-track format that would load correctly into my SONAR X2.

So at the moment I have a half finished song - I would really appreciate some pearls of wisdom from fellow members.

Many thanks in advance


Malcolm F Hill - writer and producer of beautifully relaxing ambient instrumental music.
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,211
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,211
On your MIDI track in RB, click the little arrow on the left and select Edit DX
then select your synth of choice in the top slot (this is important).
The top slot is for the synth, the next three are for effects if desired.

Another route is to go to Options-Preferences-MIDI Devices and find the checkbox for 'reroute all MIDI to DXi synth' and then select your synth there. This will cause all MIDI tracks to use that synth as the default.

To get tracks to Sonar; click the little DAW icon at top to run RB in DAW mode, then you can load the tracks into a little spot that will allow drag/drop to sonar, or use the Render Audio/DXi button at top to export the tracks to separate files and then import them to Sonar.

Welcome to the Forum

Last edited by rharv; 09/14/13 04:56 AM.

I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 13
Newbie
OP Offline
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 13
Many thanks rharv - using your suggested methods, I have now managed to get all the tracks into my Sonar X2 DAW.

One strange thing though - the one MIDI track (the melody) now plays faster and finishes earlier in Sonar and therefore is not in sync with the 5 Audio tracks which ARE in sync. I would have thought that dragging and dropping a track should copy across an exact replica! Any help gratefully accepted.

Thanks again, Malcolm


Malcolm F Hill - writer and producer of beautifully relaxing ambient instrumental music.
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,211
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,211
RB tempo should match Sonar tempo.


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 13
Newbie
OP Offline
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 13
Thanks again, rharv - I've now managed to get all the tracks working perfectly in sync in Sonar and it sounds amazing.

I've only been using BB and RB now for a few days but the software looks and sounds phenomenal. I really feel just like a young boy in a sweet shop - so many goodies and so much to choose from - even though I am over 60! Looking forward to discovering even more on my BB journey over the coming months etc. Will post my creations when totally finished.

Regards, Malcolm


Malcolm F Hill - writer and producer of beautifully relaxing ambient instrumental music.
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,455
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,455
I work in a similar but perhaps slightly different manner.

I use BB, RB, and Sonar X1 in this manner.

I write and compose the music and lyrics in BB. I make sure I have the song exactly as I want it,,,, intro, structure and ending.

Close and save the song in Band in a Box.

Open Real Band and load the song from BB. It renders all the existing tracks as real tracks. I listen and evaluate if I like them or not. If yes, I export them track by track into a folder I set up for this song project on the desktop screen. If I don't like them, I select a new track (highlight it) and choose the appropriate track and render it.

I will render as many times as is needed to get the correct Real Track playing the part the way I need it played.

I also will render the "other" instruments such as steel, fiddle, dobro and whatever else I need.

I export all the tracks from RB to the folder. I also am sure to keep the BPM the same in BB/RB, and as I move to Sonar, the first thing I do is set the BPM to match.

I open X1 and after setting up the format of the project, I begin to import the tracks into Sonar audio tracks. Once there, I save it and then begin the editing and mastering process and this is where I add my own guitar tracks, mandolin tracks, and vocal tracks.

This method seems to work the best for me and I use it on all the songs on my music site.

NOTE: there is no single "right way" or "wrong way" to work with this software. Develop the method you like best, and use it consistently. Because, no matter which way you get there, if you use the same methods you will begin to learn the nuances and produce CONSISTENT results. The goal is to have each song sound good and as if it came from the same studio in the same year.

Last edited by Guitarhacker; 09/16/13 04:59 AM.

You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,211
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,211
Quote:
I begin to import the tracks into Sonar audio tracks. Once there, I save it and then begin the editing and mastering process and this is where I add my own guitar tracks, mandolin tracks, and vocal tracks


In my experience, I find it's better to stay in RB a little longer.
If you can start recording your new personal tracks in RB it leaves the option open to change a Realtrack or two, or even extend the song and regenerate where needed. This flexibility comes in handy sometimes.
I only move out of RB once I see a reason to. But I tend to stay there longer in the situation you described. Recording new tracks alongside Realtracks has not been an issue here.


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,455
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,455
I normally audition the tracks in RB, to see if they are close enough for rock and roll....

If I get them into X1 (Sonar) and play them and don't like them, or they are not quite right, I will not hesitate to delete them and return to RB and render another track with the same RT or perhaps select a different RT to try.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!

XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!

The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!

Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.

What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?

XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-9 includes 900 styles!

Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!

Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.

Note: 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.

Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 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.

Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!

Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!

It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!

We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!

Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:

Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana, Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes, MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano, Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7, Playable RealTracks Set 4, RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark, and more!

Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!

New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!

We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!

Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!

Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.

Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles

Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)

And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.

You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.

Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!

The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!

Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!

With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!

These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!

This Free Bonus PAK includes:

  • The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK: -For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles. -For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles. -For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
  • Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
  • Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
  • Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
  • Playable RealTracks Set 4
  • RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
  • SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
  • 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.

Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:

  • 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
  • FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
  • Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
  • Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
  • Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
  • RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe

Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!

New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!

Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.

New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!

We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!

If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!

Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 9 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.

New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!

Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.

Forum Statistics
Forums58
Topics84,550
Posts780,843
Members39,687
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
Mister Dan, flyboyeal, zedzded81, Aprada, songpilot space
39,687 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 145
WaoBand 104
DC Ron 92
rsdean 91
Noel96 69
Today's Birthdays
Barry Law, mcnach, RAY6INGS, Sudie
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5