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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 74
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 74 |
Just had my first chance to test-drive the RealTracks Hammond B-3 (blues, background from RT Set 10). Kind of disappointing -- every variation sounded distorted. Same result when I played back several of the WMA files directly from Windows Media Player, rather than with BIAB.
The narrative for the Real Track describes the sound as "Gritty". Funny... I worked with a B-3 player every weekend for two years. His axe never sounded like that. Just a clean, powerful sound from that rotating Leslie cabinet. The BIAB B-3 is virtually useless to me.
Tried downloading and reinstalling the latest posted RT updates for Sets 10-12, dated 11/23/08. Also tried copying the Organ folder directly from the USB drive that contained the 2009 UltraPak -- Of course, they were the same files, and produced the same distorted result.
Has anyone else run into this?
I'm running Windows 98SE on a Sempron 2800, 512MB RAM, 160 MB 7200 RPM drive about half full. Sound card is a Creative SoundBlaster Live. Using no external synths or other hardware of any kind. Boot configuration is extremely "lean and mean".
Drive is defragged weekly and this box has never had an Internet connection.
BIAB version is 2009, build 282.
Thanks in advance!
Jon
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 436
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 436 |
ColoradoGuy;
Mine sounded funny too when I just listened to the samples in the folder. The organ was ok in my right speaker, but the left one sounded like a space ship taking off. However in a song, it was un-noticable. I don't know, I have never used it until tonite.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815 |
I used the B-3 here: http://soundclick.com/share?songid=6879039 I thought it came out alright, but I guess I ought to listen again (but I can't right now). Kevin
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Quote:
The narrative for the Real Track describes the sound as "Gritty". Funny... I worked with a B-3 player every weekend for two years. His axe never sounded like that. Just a clean, powerful sound from that rotating Leslie cabinet. The BIAB B-3 is virtually useless to me.
There are many "voices" to the mighty B, in this instance, the one you got used to was set up for a clean sound, the one recorded for these particular RealTracks is set up for a distorted sound ala blues and rock players.
Perhaps in future pgmusic will record some B tracks from a different organ, but for now, it is what it is. Save it for dirty blues tracks.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 177
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 177 |
I suspect that the BPM element may be slower than the lower limit of the preferred BPM range for the B-3 Real Track instrument. That circumstance invariably results in unstable rendering of the wave based instrument. Try speeding up the passage. Any different?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
"Same result when I played back several of the WMA files directly from Windows Media Player, rather than with BIAB."
And that sidesteps the BPM thing altogether.
No, it is indeed the fact that the particular organ and leslie used to record these RealTracks is set up for a distorted sound and it is intentional.
Whether or not you like that kind of sound -- or more exactly, the type and genre of music in which you would like to invoke a B3 track -- is the issue.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 74
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 74 |
Thanks for your answers! Mac’s final answer is the one I suspected, but still don’t want to hear.
I was trying to use the track in an instrumental version of “More Today than Yesterday” (Spiral Staircase), and also planned to use it in “Smoke From a Distant Fire” (Sanford Townsend Band). A good B-3 track would make these tunes killers!
Luvs3rds: Thanks for listening to the BIAB samples. For what it’s worth, I had More Today than Yesterday set with all “B” part markers (to keep the drummer cookin’), which had the adverse effect of pushing the B-3 into its “grittiest” mode – which I guess would be called True Grit (nyuk, nyuk).
Kemmrich: I listened to your tune. The B-3 is pretty well buried in the mix (which is fine); so I couldn’t hear any obvious distortion. Since yours is a classic blues tune, the B-3 RealTrack is a perfect fit.
To DrDUBose: I was using the B-3 at 140 BPM, the upper end of its tempo range. When I suspected the distortion was possibly due to time-stretching, I used WMP to get a “second opinion”. But thanks for the thought.
To Mac: I didn’t even know it was possible to get a distorted sound from a Big B (at least one that’s working right). Shows you what I know. You da man.
Since there is only one B-3 RealTrack available at this time, sounds like a “clean” B-3 track is a prime candidate for the Wish List.
Meanwhile, since my immediate objective is recording, I’ll try setting all the part markers to “A” and rendering just the B-3 track. Maybe that’ll tame the beast a little.
Thanks again,
Jon
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 368
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 368 |
Jon: If you're interested in recording a clean-sounding B3 into a sequencer program like RealBand, Sonar, etc you might want to consider the VST instrument VB3 by Genuine Soundware http://www.genuinesoundware.com/?a=showproduct&b=24It is a fantastic sounding B3 with 9 drawbars, Leslie and reverb - nearly all the controls from a real B3. It costs 49 Euros -- about $ 63. I bought it a few months ago and am very pleased with the sound quality and the flexibility of the sound. There are audio samples as well as a working demo you can download. The system requirements are listed in the manual as: Minimum System Requirements: • Microsoft Windows 98se/ME/2000/XP • Intel Pentium 3 @ 500 MHz or AMD Athlon @ 500 MHz • 256 Mb of RAM • 4 Mb of free disk space • An ASIO compatible sound card • A 61 keys MIDI keyboard Recommended System Requirements: • Microsoft Windows XP • Intel Pentium 4 Dual Core @ 3000 MHz or AMD Athlon @ 3000 MHz • 1 Gb of RAM • 10 Mb of free disk space • An ASIO compatible sound card with near-zero latency • Two 61 keys MIDI keyboards and an expression pedal VB3 is a VST plug-in, and needs a VST host application to run. John
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 114
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 114 |
I use the B4 plugin from Native Inst. and it is awesome. It has a great interface but you really won't use it much because the preset styles cover just about everything from Jimmy Mcgriff to Greg Rollie (Santana) although I'm still trying to find the perfect style for Garth Hudson( I know, I know, he played a Lowrie)
Last edited by Zan Cantwell; 03/12/09 06:45 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 74
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 74 |
John, thanks for the info. I just listened to the VB3 streaming samples and downloaded the demo. This shows some serious promise! I’ll play with it first chance I get.
Zan, the Native Instruments B4 seems to be the gold standard (Mac swears by it). Thing is, it doesn’t run under Windows 98. And for a vast variety of reasons, I plan to avoid an OS conversion for as long as possible. That’s my story, and I’m stuck with it. Thanks for the thought.
For what it’s worth, I added “clean” B-3 RealTracks to the Wish List. If anyone else feels this would be useful, please go over there and “ditto” my request.
Thanks,
Jon
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
The original B4 version 1 ran under win98SE. Perhaps you could find one on ebay or the like if interested.
--Mac
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 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 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Video: New User Interface (GUI)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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 10 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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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 10 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.
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