|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 4
Newbie
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 4 |
I have a ballad that uses a piano and synth pad; both are real tracks. When playing a transition where bar #1 = C,C/B and bar #2 = Am7, the Synth Pad sounds choppy through the transition. Is there a way to smooth the synth pad through the transition?
Tom J. Joliet, IL MacBook Pro
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,926
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,926 |
Does the tempo of your song fall within the tempo range of the pad? That is the most likely cause of not getting a smooth transition I would think.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,716
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,716 |
since the synth pads are normally background, try using a straight up C to Am vs the c,c/b followed by am7 and see if that makes a difference.
In other words, simplify the synth pad part.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 4
Newbie
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 4 |
Yes - I selected a synth pad from the style picker that matched the song's tempo.
Tom J. Joliet, IL MacBook Pro
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 4
Newbie
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 4 |
How do I set the chord progression for the synth pad separate from the other instruments?
I did simplify the chord progressions as you suggested, but I lose the dynamics of the other instruments. I would like to retain the progressions for all instruments except the synth pad.
Thanks.
Tom J. Joliet, IL MacBook Pro
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,716
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,716 |
How do I set the chord progression for the synth pad separate from the other instruments?
I did simplify the chord progressions as you suggested, but I lose the dynamics of the other instruments. I would like to retain the progressions for all instruments except the synth pad.
Thanks. Question: when you did that, did the progression on the pads work like you wanted? If so... and you can't get the other instruments to sound good.... this is a case where, to get the song finished like you want, you may need to have 2 versions in BB. The one you want and the simple one for the pad part. You then export the tracks and combine them in a DAW. Have you tried opening that song in Real Band and see how the pads work there? Remember that RB is a DAW and if you can get it to sound like you want, you can always import just the pad part from BB. Where there's a will, and some out of the box thinking, there's always a way to get it done.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,797
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,797 |
In BIAB, you can also freeze the other tracks with the regular chord progression, then adjust the chords to simplify for the synth pad and regenerate the part. The frozen tracks won't be regenerated unless you unfreeze them.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753
Expert
|
Expert
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753 |
In BIAB, you can also freeze the other tracks with the regular chord progression, then adjust the chords to simplify for the synth pad and regenerate the part. The frozen tracks won't be regenerated unless you unfreeze them. Exactly, I then I'll come back to the project in a day or so and forget why some tracks are frozen. Unfreeze, regenerate and it's all messed up again. This is where having two versions with separate file names and separate song names and also pop up notes has saved me.
Last edited by Tobias; 12/19/16 06:10 PM.
Does the noise in your head bother me ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753
Expert
|
Expert
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753 |
I have a ballad that uses a piano and synth pad; both are real tracks. When playing a transition where bar #1 = C,C/B and bar #2 = Am7, the Synth Pad sounds choppy through the transition. Is there a way to smooth the synth pad through the transition? I deal with the choppy strings and synth issue a lot. One thing that bothers me is that I can hear a re-trigger of the strings/synth on every bar even if there was no chord change. I want my strings and pads to be smooth and often hold out the same chord while other instruments make some chord changes. That's why I'll make 2 or 3 versions of the same song and name them according to their purpose. I often go with midi for strings and pads for this very reason. I simply stretch out the notes in a piano roll editor in my DAW. The melody track does not regenerate. So, if you copy or import your pads track there you can mute your strings track and still regen the rest of the song as you work on it. Usually I do my best to ignore the choppy strings/pads until I get it into my DAW where I know I can easily move the midi notes around to my liking.
Last edited by Tobias; 12/19/16 10:52 AM.
Does the noise in your head bother me ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944
PG Music Staff
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944 |
)) a ballad that uses a piano and synth pad; both are real tracks. When playing a transition where bar #1 = C,C/B and bar #2 = Am7
Two settings would help here. Both are in the song settings dialog, accessed from the song settings button on main screen.
1 ignore slash root except bass. That would turn the synth part into this C Am7
2 natural arrangement. That would insure that the synth part is allowed to make small modications to the chords if it would lead to a better arrangement,
Have Fun! Peter Gannon PG Music Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753
Expert
|
Expert
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753 |
Hi Peter. Do you have any suggestion/s on the audible re-trigger of sustained chords such as I typically hear on legato strings and synths in BIAB? As I mentioned, I most often don't want the strings or pad to strike a new chord on the beginning of a bar but might need the other instruments to go ahead and play. Lets say piano and bass are of course striking on the beginning of each bar whether there is a chord change or not. But, I want the synth pad to simply hold that chord through consecutive bars without re-stiking , or at least inaudible restrike, at the beginning of each consecutive bar. Perhaps adjustable cross-fade selected track/instrument at bars of choice.
Does the noise in your head bother me ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944
PG Music Staff
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944 |
When we write MIDI strings, including MIDI Supertracks and regular MIDI styles, we avoid retriggering the same note. So from C to AM we would hold the common tones of C and E for example. So you might be better off using a MIDI strings part, either a MIDI super track or a single track from any MIDI style which you do from the track menu (eg strings track) and choose custom midi track.
Have Fun! Peter Gannon PG Music Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
That's the only way guys, use midi for this. The reason is RT's are audio files, you can't put a sustain envelope on an audio file like you can with midi. That envelope will sustain it in midi as long as you want. It's called ADSR for Attack, Delay, Sustain and Release. It manipulates midi data but is useless on audio files.
This is one of the big limitations of the RT's when using chording instruments like synths and piano. Remember these tracks are prerecorded. The player in the studio doesn't know what chords you will be using. If he recorded that part using those changes then sure he would sustain the common notes or use the sustain pedal on the piano but without that info you're going to hear those chords as separate sounds.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 4
Newbie
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 4 |
I want to thank all of you for responding to my initial post. I've been under the weather over the past couple of weeks, so I'm just getting back into the swing of things. I plan to implement your recommendations over the next few days and let you know how it goes.
Regards,
Tom J.
Tom J. Joliet, IL MacBook Pro
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 8,644
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 8,644 |
In BIAB, you can also freeze the other tracks with the regular chord progression, then adjust the chords to simplify for the synth pad and regenerate the part. The frozen tracks won't be regenerated unless you unfreeze them. That's the best solution, in my opinion. I do it all the time. It's simple and takes very little time and/or effort. I think it's a great answer. Alan
BIAB 2024 Ultra Plus-all StylePaks*Win11*32GB DDR5*Rhyzen 9745x*AT 2035 Mic*Peavey Nashville 112 Amp*Ibanez ART120* Acoustic/Electric/Washburn D200S Acoustic*Stromberg Monterey Jazz Guitar Loops: https://aldavidmusic.wixsite.com/bestmusicloops
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,797
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,797 |
When we write MIDI strings, including MIDI Supertracks and regular MIDI styles, we avoid retriggering the same note. So from C to AM we would hold the common tones of C and E for example. So you might be better off using a MIDI strings part, either a MIDI super track or a single track from any MIDI style which you do from the track menu (eg strings track) and choose custom midi track. I remember this feature, but what I don't remember is, does it have to be on the legacy strings track, or is it sensed on any track as long as one of the GM (or presumably GM2) strings patches are selected. And does that apply to just the ensemble strings (49-52), or patches like violin and viola (41-45).
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 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!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
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®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,683
Posts794,869
Members39,933
| |
Most Online25,754 Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There are no members with birthdays on this day. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|