|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,173
Expert
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,173 |
I think understanding both the instrument you are trying to emulate and also the VSTi you are using are important. Sometime back I purchased an AmpleSound Taylor (AGT) VST. I was a bit disappointed with the sound thinking I wish I’d bought the Martin.
Last week I decided to bite the bullet and buy the AmpleSound Precision Bass (ABP) to redo some bass parts I’m not happy with. (I have a real Precision I bought in 1970 or so that I left with my daughter)
Whilst learning the ABP I very quickly learnt I was using the AGT all wrong. In a nutshell the VST is so powerful I was getting lost.
I know how to play guitar and have both a Maton Acoustic and a Telecaster with me but find recording my own stuff not nearly so good as good sample based stuff. I actually prefer to use good sampled instruments and/or BIAB RealTracks.
These days it seems there are many really well recorded instruments that are well worth using IMHO.
Tony
Last edited by Teunis; 01/02/20 11:43 PM.
HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home,
Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612
BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,927
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,927 |
...
3. Drums. After years of frustrating keyboard entry and grid entry. I sprung for Jamstix. Big step up in realism but still not what I was hoping for. 2 years ago, I bought EZDrummer 2 and I haven’t looked back and have never been disappointed with the results. Incredibly realistic. Excellent tweak ability. Easy to use. ,,, Drum plugins have come a long way. EZDrummer 2 lets you copy the midi stream from the plugin into a DAW which makes it easy to study the midi stream to understand what allows it to sound realistic. Some plugins have builtin mixers to control the audio for each drum instrument, effects and multiple audio outputs. Most guitar plugins include a large library of strumming and / or finger picking patterns and allow slash chords to program the bass strings independent of the chords. Then there are keyswitch notes that select different articulations like fret noise, hand mute or harmonics. All of these dedicated tools help to generate a midi stream that will sound realistic. It's a good time to have audio production as a hobby.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
...
3. Drums. After years of frustrating keyboard entry and grid entry. I sprung for Jamstix. Big step up in realism but still not what I was hoping for. 2 years ago, I bought EZDrummer 2 and I haven’t looked back and have never been disappointed with the results. Incredibly realistic. Excellent tweak ability. Easy to use. ,,, Drum plugins have come a long way. EZDrummer 2 lets you copy the midi stream from the plugin into a DAW which makes it easy to study the midi stream to understand what allows it to sound realistic. Some plugins have builtin mixers to control the audio for each drum instrument, effects and multiple audio outputs. Most guitar plugins include a large library of strumming and / or finger picking patterns and allow slash chords to program the bass strings independent of the chords. Then there are keyswitch notes that select different articulations like fret noise, hand mute or harmonics. All of these dedicated tools help to generate a midi stream that will sound realistic. It's a good time to have audio production as a hobby. Agreed. EZ Drummer midi files were played by top drawer drummers, as are Groove Monkee drum midi. The sampled kits in EZ Drummer are outstanding. I've never even bothered looking at the MIDI because I don't need to - all of the elements are there for song composition without any issue. So easy to use.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,669
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,669 |
The magic with making Midi sound real is in the nuances, as I mentioned previously. Most live players do NOT think about the nuances in the music as they play. We simply play the parts. For example when I play my guitar, I think about the song, the music, the notes, the groove, the feel and my tone. Sometimes it's conscious and most of the time it's not. What I'm not thinking about is the fret noise, the pick noise, the note slurs, the natural vibrato I use, and a dozen other things...etc.
So if you, as a midi player, wanted to copy my performance via midi and make it sound just like my playing, you not only have to consider all the things I do.... and replicate them, but you also have to figure out where and when to incorporate the things I do not think about when I'm playing and place them in the music at the right time, the right level, and the right sequence. To not do that or to place them incorrectly , not enough, or too much, results in a performance that once again, doesn't pass the "sounds real" test.
I'm not saying it isn't possible, it is, but it certainly takes a level of talent and understanding of the instrument, and how it's played, that you are trying to replicate in a professional manner.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 184
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 184 |
Hi everyone  This thread has been really helpful as I was thinking of posting something along these lines. My position is slightly different - I basically want to be able to have nice sounding samples to use as melodies for my BIAB tracks. I don't plan on using these as fully polished pieces of music, but I would like to have good sounding demos to go along with the sheet music that I sell. At the moment, BIAB does a good job (on the whole) of providing a nice rhythm section, but it's a little ruined with rubbish general MIDI playing the melody. I fully appreciate what everyone has said about playing with the MIDI commands to fine-tune a line to make it sound real. Unfortunately I just don't have time for that (other than some basic dynamics/articulations which are part of the sheet music anyway); I'd just like to have some instruments that sound better than the default sounds. What would people recommend in this situation? I'm willing to splash out if it's worth it. Thanks!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,355
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,355 |
For those new to the need for better MIDI sound, the first question is do you want a hardware or software solution? The following page was written by PG Music. It is quite dated now, but it’s still a good way to get an introduction. https://www.pgmusic.com/dare-to-compare.htm In particular, compare the Ketron to the TSS-1. Hardware is easier. The drawbacks include finding a patch map (but many of us have written them, and there are ways to make conversions); and recordings must be done in real time. Software ranges from free to tremendously expensive, and can be complex to set up.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,057
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,057 |
Hi everyone .............. I fully appreciate what everyone has said about playing with the MIDI commands to fine-tune a line to make it sound real. Unfortunately I just don't have time for that (other than some basic dynamics/articulations which are part of the sheet music anyway); I'd just like to have some instruments that sound better than the default sounds. What would people recommend in this situation? I'm willing to splash out if it's worth it. Thanks! The first question I would ask is what instrument do you want to play your lead lines? If you say any brass, string instruments, or woodwinds then you would have to use some MIDI commands to add some realism. The best instruments to use that require little MIDI knowledge are pianos, organs, vibes, etc. Personally when I am auditioning a lead MIDI file I choose vibes. There are many VSTis for pianos, organs, etc. Google/bing them and you will find them. There are some good ones that are either free or inexpensive and of course there are some that are very expensive. But for what you goal is the expensive ones are not needed. Also don't overlook soundfonts or SFZ sounds. You might have a SFZ player if you have the PC version of BiaB: note I don't know about the Mac side. Some of the free sounds for those players can be very good. I hope this helps.
I'm in a fitness protection program. I'm been hiding from exercise.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 184
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 184 |
Hi Matt and Mario
Thanks for your responses - you've both given me lots to think about and I'm starting to wonder if actually I would like something more comprehensive than simply better sounds for melodies.
As great as BIAB is for backings to songs and jazz standards, it might be nice to breathe life into my other (more classical) works, so perhaps I need something a bit more wide-ranging.
I think I'll go and do some research!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
Hi Matt and Mario
Thanks for your responses - you've both given me lots to think about and I'm starting to wonder if actually I would like something more comprehensive than simply better sounds for melodies.
As great as BIAB is for backings to songs and jazz standards, it might be nice to breathe life into my other (more classical) works, so perhaps I need something a bit more wide-ranging.
I think I'll go and do some research!
This is in part an arranging question - and is the main reason, up to now, I have avoided BIAB. The kind of music I compose is relatively non-dependent on brass or woodwind solo instruments. I don't know if that's because the types of music I enjoy generally doesn't use those (although I recently picked up a Wynton Marsalis' In Gabriel's Garden which is glorious), or if I've migrated to writing/arranging songs which don't depend on those instruments. I play all manner of guitars to enough satisfaction to make my recordings of such listenable to myself and others. Chicken or Egg?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 225
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 225 |
OK, there are several threads running through this. As a disabled musician, editing music scores to study the rhythm and influence that a particular rhythm holds is really the basics of music. For me the way I choose which midi or Realtrack set I am going to learn and study for the week. I have worked out a system for the 77 midi sets and the 354 realtracks. I write out and cut strips up to 300 on real tracks 100,200,300 then I write Real 10's, 10, 20, 30,40,50, but I have included the word real on those. Then I write my ones out real 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9. Then I do the same for the midi sets, 10,20,30,40,50,60,70 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 onto paper strips roll each one up like spliced tape and pick out the 10's and 1, for midi. and picking a real 100,10's and 1's for the Real Tracks. That way I am exposed to different styles. and try to practice that style.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 225
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 225 |
Expecting ourselves to carry enough attention to just do that score. I doubt most of us could easily do that. It is better to mix and match styles in Biab there are plenty. Then we can develop our tones. I think midi is more creative, but you have to develop musical qualities to discern what's good and what else you have to add something into it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 225
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 225 |
I forgot to add I stuff them into a baggie and shake it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 140
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 140 |
If you own a Mac I would consider getting logic Pro X. It is a pretty good DAW and it has a good range of reasonable quality instruments of all kinds. You would have everything covered as far as honing your skills goes.
Getting a 'natural' sound out of midi is probably just as much about learning how to manipulate midi than about the instruments.
Logic also comes with a brilliant Drummer. I use it all the time although I do use EZ Drummer for the instrument sounds.
There are heaps of tutorials on Logic.
Last edited by Chris Dent; 04/21/20 01:30 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,372
Posts791,357
Members39,862
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There are no members with birthdays on this day. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean