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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 106
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Joined: Jan 2011
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Hallo
I'm in the process of making some easy-listening backingfiles. I need high-quality sounds, but I'm not sure which way to go and what is possible.....
1) Some of the demos on the PGmusic's site sound really great. How do I make my file sound the same way? ... or as good?
2) I actually like the sounds that comes with logic, but is it possible to use them (as a sound module) with BIAB?
3) Everybody speaks highly of the Ketron SD-2. I used to have a Roland SonicCell, but couldn't make really great with that machine. How do a comparison fall out?
4) Is there any virtual modules worth mentioning in regard to the questions above?
sincerely
mads a
BIAB since 2010
Catalina (10.15.7) iMac (27", late 2013), 32 GB.
BIAB 2022, installed on internal HD; Logic proX; EZdrummer; Spark; Synfire; Suggester .
Musicians Institute (GIT) 1991;
Conservatory of Southern Denmark 2000.
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Joined: Apr 2009
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Hallo
I'm in the process of making some easy-listening backingfiles. I need high-quality sounds, but I'm not sure which way to go and what is possible.....
1) Some of the demos on the PGmusic's site sound really great. How do I make my file sound the same way? ... or as good?
2) I actually like the sounds that comes with logic, but is it possible to use them (as a sound module) with BIAB?
3) Everybody speaks highly of the Ketron SD-2. I used to have a Roland SonicCell, but couldn't make really great with that machine. How do a comparison fall out?
4) Is there any virtual modules worth mentioning in regard to the questions above?
sincerely
mads a I'll try to answer these as best I can 1. Band in a Box (BB) will give you the raw tracks as will Real Band (RB). What you do with them and how you use them will determine the results you get. The more experience you have with mixing and production, the better the results will be. However, straight out of BB/RB, the tracks will sound good. 2. IDK.... read on... 3. I've never heard the SD-2. I use a Yamaha DX-27S for my midi work and NEVER use it's internal sounds. 4. I always use the virtual or soft synths I have. What you use depends on what you like and your budget. If you have a listen to the music of the folks here in the forums.... check the websites listen in their signature as well as new songs from the User Showcase forum, you will find a wide variety of styles, genre's and quality based on the individual's abilities and experience. IMHO..... BB & RB, when used together properly, will give you superbly crafted quality audio tracks which are the building blocks for your song projects. What you do with them after that is up to you. Needless to say, you can use them "as is" for fun, or you can mix and produce them into something that approaches professional quality. I first bought a few of the introductory packages with the Real Tracks I wanted..... but soon realized the full potential that was lurking in the top of the line version and upgraded to the everything package and love it. The audiophile version uses uncompressed wave files, BUT.... the "normal" version, which is the one I use is mighty fine too. I've never had anyone complain about the quality of my audio tracks.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd 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.
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Joined: Jun 2012
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I can answer number 3 The Ketron SD-2 Orchestral Wizard is a pocket size MIDI module that packs an enormous punch There are some audio samples here I've got one, I'm impressed.
BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
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I have a Ketron SD-2 along with a collection of other sound modules. The SD-2 has one of the best General MIDI sound banks I've heard, plus 3 more banks of non-GM sounds. Virtual soft synths? I don't use them for a few reasons: - Hardware synth modules last longer than software synths - I still have synths I bought in the 1980s that are not only working perfectly but have useful sounds that have never been duplicated by more modern synths. When the computer OS changes, it's possible your investment in a software (virtual) synth will be gone, as it won't work on the new OS
- No latency - actually about 5ms (the time sound takes to travel about 5 feet). The software (virtual) synth has to manufacture each note using math and the computer's CPU and other resources, this takes time. The hardware synth stores the sounds in ROM so they are immediately available
- No latency continued - since all hardware sound modules have about the same latency (+- a millisecond) you can mix as many as you want without having a timing problem. So if the sax sound is best on one synth, the bass on another, the snare on another, the piano on yet another (etc.) it's no problem. You can pick the best sounds of each. I've used more than 10 different synths combining the voices in synths I bought in the 1980s with brand new ones.
- Minimal CPU load - because the soft synth only needs MIDI signal, and doesn't have to 'do the math' for each note on each voice and each expressive element, your computer is more stable, less likely to crash, and your DAW can work more efficiently
- Better sounds - again, since the sounds are in ROM, they can be much more complex than those of a soft synth. To save CPU time, most software synths take short-cuts, resulting in poorer sound quality (of course this is relative to hardware and software quality)
My two favorite MIDI synth modules are my Ketron SD-2 and my Edirol SD-90 - but there are many synths I have had the pleasure of owning, so there could be better ones out there for you. Insights and incites by Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 106
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 106 |
Thanks for all these very useful remarks....I'm so much wiser now.
In regard to question number 1):
" Some of the demos on the PGmusic's site sound really great. How do I make my files sound the same way? ... or as good?" This question was more directed at the sound quality of the intruments in the styles and how are they are fitted and put together.
I played with a Tyros guy for a while and it was quit amazing as a guitar player always to perform aside all these perfect instruments inside a CD like perfect mix.....The band that came out of the speakers was simply so well put together in the yamaha styles.........In other words any bass, for example, regardless of the quality will not sound equally good in any midi file, which is my point....:-).....In my ears the soniccell didn't do the job in regard to BIAB, which is why I'm asking this question.
As a newB I have found it hard to make BIAB sound as good, as I actually think it can. This I blame on the importance of the right instruments being put together in the different styles, which is not were I'm strongest..... :-)....
I need a plug-and-play unit that just fits the BIAB styles perfectly.....does it exist?
ma
BIAB since 2010
Catalina (10.15.7) iMac (27", late 2013), 32 GB.
BIAB 2022, installed on internal HD; Logic proX; EZdrummer; Spark; Synfire; Suggester .
Musicians Institute (GIT) 1991;
Conservatory of Southern Denmark 2000.
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As Herb mentioned, I suspect that a lot of the quality you hear with RT's and RD's goes beyond the very high quality of the raw files. Mixing the tracks in a way that presents a good soundstage with the "right" amount of balance takes the RT's and RD's to the pro studio sound. A good mix with effects and polished by mastering is what makes many of the songs you listened to shine. There's a learning curve that never ends but it's fun. And as mentioned the BiaB tracks even w/o all of the above sound great.
Bud
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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
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-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
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- 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
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- 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!
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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!
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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.
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