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This is something I feel is very importnt for us guys who mainly do covers of songs. The topic is using MIDI tracks found on the internet.
For those of you who don't know what MIDI, or Musical Instrument Digital Interface, started out as a universal language for digital instruments to interact with each other via a cable. You would plug this cable in and you could sync the tempo of one machine to another, use a sound bank from another instrument, and a whole lot more. Now adays, you don't even need to have an instrument to use MIDI; all you need is a DAW, software instruments and MIDI files. Because MIDI files are now being made via computer, you can download these files from the internent and if you have hi quality samples,I recomment 8dio, you can have a really convincing backing tracks.
So, my point here is to tell all those people out there who are mainly playing covers for solo gigs and need to have accurate backing parts to use MIDI files that can be found on millions of website for free. If you are playig a song, like a Jimmy Buffet type song where you only care about the chords, then you use BIAB.
Computer: Macbook Pro, 16 inch 2021
DAWs: Pro Tools, Logic, and Maschine
plays drums, percussion, bass, steel pan, keyboard,
music producer/engineer
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Excellent advice. PS - you just gave away my covers' secret 
It takes courage for a man to admit his wife was wrong.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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I'd like to mention +++ MIDI.ORG +++ . While midi.org doesn't have musical midi files available for download the website does offer many resources that will help someone learn more about how midi is used and what midi can do. The website is free to join.
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“So, my point here is to tell all those people out there who are mainly playing covers for solo gigs and need to have accurate backing parts to use MIDI files that can be found on millions of website for free. If you are playig a song, like a Jimmy Buffet type song where you only care about the chords, then you use BIAB.”
I disagree. I've done all kinds of covers with BIAB, not just Buffett.
Stones, Beatles, Kinks, Moody Blues, Elvis, Dwight Yoakam, etc.
Internet MIDI files are mostly crap nowadays- Copyright laws have taken most of the good ones down.
I feel that the BIAB version is actually better than most MIDI files, using Real Tracks. Your MIDI file is only going to sound as good as your sequencer. YMMV.
Regards,
Bob
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...........
Your MIDI file is only going to sound as good as your sequencer. YMMV.
Regards,
Bob Bob I respectfully disagree with this statement. Your MIDI files will only sound as good as your MIDI sound source and your knowledge of MIDI controls, i.e. CCs, pitch bends, etc. It doesn't matter what DAW you are using these days as most of them cover MIDI pretty well.
It takes courage for a man to admit his wife was wrong.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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"....Your MIDI files will only sound as good as your MIDI sound source" UH...that's what I said.  Regards, Bob
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On a good number of the tunes I record I use both Real Tracks (and live playing) and midi. Some are half and half.
Midi for mostly piano and synths and some triggered drums that I use in addition to Real Drums.
I know my way around midi pretty well (I use it a lot for classical) and would have to say I am leaning towards Bob's viewpoint if you are talking about rock and roll.
Midi is great (and I have heard Mario do awesome stuff with it) but if you are trying to sound like the Rolling Stones or even some modern indie band you can't do that with midi.
However, I have found some Real Track styles where I can get pretty dang close.
I guess it really depends on what you are playing.
For rock, pop, country, Americana, and many forms of Jazz I am sold on Real Tracks for the bed, though I like some midi for various instruments--again, mostly piano, or maybe sax, stuff like that.
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"....Your MIDI files will only sound as good as your MIDI sound source" UH...that's what I said. Regards, Bob I thought you said your MIDI files will only sound as good as your sequencer. Some sequencers don't have any MIDI sound source. I was referring to good sound sources like Kontakt, ST3, etc. Those are sound sources that do not come with any sequencer. I am not trying to start a war. I just want to explain where I was coming from.
It takes courage for a man to admit his wife was wrong.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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"....Your MIDI files will only sound as good as your MIDI sound source" UH...that's what I said. Regards, Bob I thought you said your MIDI files will only sound as good as your sequencer. Some sequencers don't have any MIDI sound source. I was referring to good sound sources like Kontakt, ST3, etc. Those are sound sources that do not come with any sequencer. I am not trying to start a war. I just want to explain where I was coming from. I misspoke- apologies. I meant to say your MIDI files will only sound as good as your sound source. A lot of MIDI sound sources (like built-in General MIDI) leave a lot to be desired when compared to a Real Track. Regards, Bob
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What I do lately is first try to find a good midi file to start from (for free). If not then I recreate the song with BIAB to a somewhat close rendition. That's 'cause I'm cheap and BIAB is rather fun for me. As long as it has the same general feel, which often relies in the drums and bass, then I can usually ad-lib the rest with my guitars and vocals.
For starting with a good midi file I often resort to SampleTank 3 and the Studio Instruments that came with Cakewalk Music Creator 7. Which I think are the same that now come free with BandLab. Then I have a few free piano VSTi plug ins and I still user a few instruments from Cakewalk TTS-1 as needed.
BTW, the free drum midi's from Groove Monkey come in very handy at times.
Does the noise in your head bother me ?
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MIDI is also very useful for controlling things. I only mention this because it sometimes get forgotten.
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I often add midi bits to what B.B. RealTracks give me. For example, I wanted to really clean up a piano RealTrack where there was things I did not want in it. Imported the RealTrack into Melodyne exported it as midi. Changed the odd notes added extras I needed in the file. Played the midi track using Addictive Keys with the piano tone I wanted. Rendered the track and pulled it back into the rest of the tracks (RealTracks) from B.B.
Midi is very powerful when used the right way. I sampled my telecaster and have in the past merged bits with me playing the Tele and using midi where actual playing did not work. The ultimate cheat.
Tony.
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I misspoke- apologies. I meant to say your MIDI files will only sound as good as your sound source. A lot of MIDI sound sources (like built-in General MIDI) leave a lot to be desired when compared to a Real Track.
Regards,
Bob
I'm glad that we cleared this up my friend. I completely agree with your built-in GM statement. That, IMHO, is what gives MIDI a bad name.
It takes courage for a man to admit his wife was wrong.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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I've been a long timeuser of BIAB, starting back when the entire application came on a floppy disk. Back then it was all MIDI. I would generate parts in BIAB and export those to Cakewalk. Then I would add other instruments and usually re-do the bass guitar part. Since upgrading to the newer version of BIAB, I've recreated some of those same songs, using the same key and tempo. I export those as WAV files and import into Studio One along with the existing MIDI files. The RealTracks and MIDI tracks line up perfectly and I can remix the song using some of the RealTacks and some of the MIDI parts. Certain parts sound much better using the RealTracks, such as guitars, drums and wind instruments. Piano, Bass and string parts I can use MIDI or RealTracks.
Rich
Windows 10, 64 bit | BIAB 2019 PlusPak | Studio One 2 Artist
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Teunis,
I do this ALL the time with Piano, but I do it a different way, in Real Band.
I regenerate the track in Real Band and click the "also generate real chart" option and it gives me a midi piano track of the performance, which I then use with software in exactly the way you have described.
Also, many of the piano tracks have a Hi-Q instruments equivalent and have the same number, so you can do it that way do.
Might save a little time.
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
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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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 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.
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