|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 673
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 673 |
Can I input (write out in the notation window) a specific bass line and have the Bass RealTracks play it?
If not, how far off do you think we are from this?
TIA
BIABguy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,086
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,086 |
No. The realtracks are not samples they are snippets of real performances.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,278
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,278 |
Should be easy now: - write down the bass line
- have a pro bass player play this line
- turn the record into a UserTrack
Martin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
You know Martin, that's not a bad idea. I know a couple of very good bass players who are not that far from me. Hmmm, maybe some pizza and beer would work?
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Can I input (write out in the notation window) a specific bass line and have the Bass RealTracks play it?
If not, how far off do you think we are from this?
TIA If you could do that with RealTracks, they would just be no more than a MIDI fired Sampler, and we already have that capability. You can indeed use a good Bass Patch to play a MIDI-based performance that plays the notes of a custom bassline. --Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 673
Journeyman
|
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 673 |
The realtracks are not samples they are snippets of real performances.
I realize that.
BIABguy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 673
Journeyman
|
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 673 |
Should be easy now: - write down the bass line
- have a pro bass player play this line
- turn the record into a UserTrack
Now you've got me confused. I understand the first two steps. I assume the last step is used to get more mileage out of the bass player's efforts, correct? How exactly would the last step work? BIAB takes the recorded bass line and does what? It learns what the bass sounds like? It learns some patterns of his playing, possibly? But it can't cut up individual notes and use them to build lines?
BIABguy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 673
Journeyman
|
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 673 |
You can indeed use a good Bass Patch to play a MIDI-based performance that plays the notes of a custom bassline.
--Mac
But I'm after the genuine audio bass sound rather than a MIDI-based sound. I can hear the difference. 
BIABguy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,278
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,278 |
It learns some patterns of his playing, possibly?
But it can't cut up individual notes and use them to build lines? That's right on target - and relativizes very much the original suggestion. UserTracks consist of riffs, licks and phrases played over some typical progressions and serve as a resource to recreate the typical playing of the pertinent artist, say. They likely won't recreate a specific bass line you once entered. To have a specific base line playd over some 32 bars, say, you better record this playing with a human player. Or use midi - albeit you'd hear the difference ...
Martin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,731
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,731 |
Midi based sound is as good as the sample it plays If you use better samples it can sound every bit as good as a live player. Bass lines are very excellent in midi form to my ear. Esepcially if you do a tailoring to the midi file.
Plus if you follow the advice above and get some bass lines in the "can" both those played by friends, and custom make some real good midi tracks you can use the new user track features to make a bunch of tracks that will follow like RTs do.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 673
Journeyman
|
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 673 |
To have a specific base line playd over some 32 bars, say, you better record this playing with a human player.
Or use midi - albeit you'd hear the difference ...
OK thanks Martin. To get back to my OP. How far off (months/years) do you think we are from having BIAB being able to construct RealBass audio lines from inputted midi/notation?
BIABguy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 673
Journeyman
|
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 673 |
Midi based sound is as good as the sample it plays If you use better samples it can sound every bit as good as a live player. Bass lines are very excellent in midi form to my ear. Esepcially if you do a tailoring to the midi file.
Thanks Rob. Can you recommend a specific midi sample that captures a great jazz upright bass sound? Also, since I've never used samples, how would I take this bass sample and get it into BIAB to be used when creating a midi bass line?
BIABguy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
But I'm after the genuine audio bass sound rather than a MIDI-based sound. I can hear the difference. If you can, you need to upgrade whatever you are using for your MIDI sounds. The SampleTank plugin that ships W/BiaB has at least one good sounding MIDI Bass in it, might be more, I don't recall, but you can always pick up more via IKMultimedia site as well. What you really need to do is put in a bit of study regarding these issues and then soon you will be rollin' your own MIDI parts, and when they are mixed in with a coupla RealTracks along with RealDrums, they can and do sound very realistic indeed. They are samples of real basses, after all. --Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 673
Journeyman
|
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 673 |
But I'm after the genuine audio bass sound rather than a MIDI-based sound. I can hear the difference. If you can, you need to upgrade whatever you are using for your MIDI sounds. OK, that sounds hopeful. I am usually using the software-based Roland SoundCanvas that comes with BIAB. My current BIAB is 2011. So three years ago they still didn't have good-enough sounding midi acoustic bass sound for my ears.
The SampleTank plugin that ships W/BiaB has at least one good sounding MIDI Bass in it, might be more, I don't recall, but you can always pick up more via IKMultimedia site as well.
I'll have to check them out. When did they first start shipping with BIAB?
What you really need to do is put in a bit of study regarding these issues and then soon you will be rollin' your own MIDI parts,
Yes I haven't studied the midi side very much. I just thought it couldn't compete with the audio side, sound-wise.
and when they are mixed in with a coupla RealTracks along with RealDrums, they can and do sound very realistic indeed. They are samples of real basses, after all.
--Mac
Therein lies the rub. In my situation I use just bass and drums exclusively with BIAB, no other instruments. So when you have just two instruments sounding, the bass stands out like a sore thumb if it isn't just right.
BIABguy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
The Soundcanvas was better than the built in Microsoft synth, that's all.
Three years ago many of us were using both Hardware and/or software MIDI solutions that could blow that thing outta the water.
It is not MIDI that you loathe.
It is poor sounding and generally free MIDI synths/samplers that are the problem.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,517
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,517 |
Hi BIABguy. To address two of your recent questions:
How far off are we from having RealTracks play a bass melody I input via MIDI? Ans. quite far off, in my opinion and others.
How do I use the bass I recorded as a UserTrack? Ans. There are instructions and user-submitted examples in the new UserTracks subforum. Also, the process is covered in the New Features manual and in a video, all available from this site or BIAB Help.
Good luck!
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; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
All MIDI, three types of Basses, 1998 using Powertracks from PGMusic (Click to Listen) Electric Bass into Acoustic Bass, to Slap Bass. Oldest All MIDI clip I could dig outta the archives here. Every sound on it is MIDI, using the wonderful old Soundblaster Live! card and Soundfont samples, the first month in '98 when that card came out. There are plenty of real sounding MIDI Acoustic Bass patches around these days. Plenty of Hardware Synths, too, like the Ketron SD2, sold on this website and elsewhere, that are even better sounding because they employ newer technology. --Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Quite a few of the TV and Hollywood Movie Underscores and Theme Songs you hear are loaded with MIDI instrumentation and have been for quite some time.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,281
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,281 |
Hi, i use very often the acoustic dynamic bass from Sonivox http://sonivoxmi.com/products/details/dynamic-acoustic-bass($19.00), with it you have different presets to use.You can hear the "twang" and the fingering of the strings. Pair that wit a good bass midi and I guarantee you that you'll be very satisfied. They also offer different kind of basses for about the same price, also they offer audio demos. Check it out. Mike B.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,731
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,731 |
I was going to suggest Sonivox, and the great samples there. Get a good sampler, and it opens the world up. Also sampletank is a great resource, as is Kontakt. Do a google search for sound fonts. and sound font players.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Order now!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,092
Posts800,129
Members40,033
| |
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean