Okay, first of all, Happy Thanksgiving, everybody! I hope you and yours are doing well and having a great time and all that.
Now, on to the topic at hand. I know this isn't the case with all RealTracks, but it is with many of them. You know how, when you click on the Notation icon, then a RealTrack track, often the notation information will be displayed? Well, just how hard would it be for BiaB to go ahead and create a MIDI track from this info, if the user so desired? Seems like BiaB's already done it, in order to display the notation information, right?
Or maybe this is possible, and I just haven't found a way yet how to do it?
Why would I want to replace a RealTrack with a (possibly inferior) MIDI track? Simple. I can edit the MIDI track, and with a decent synth and other controls, you can get MIDI track sounding very nice. But mostly, I can EDIT it. I can move it around, rearrange it, and place elements of it where I want in a piece of music. Can't easily do that with a RealTrack. Well, I suppose you can chop up a RealTrack, but it isn't so easy changing what's being played.
Currently, if I wanted to copy a RealTrack, I'd have to print it to a .pdf file, then load that file into a character recognition program like SmartScore X Pro or PhotoScore & NotateMe to produce a MIDI file. Both of these packages tend to be problematic, but they work, more or less. Or, I could just do it the manual way and notate the chart into a notation package, like MuseScore. But it would sure be nice if I could just save the track(s) as a MIDI file, which it appears I'm not able to do.
So I guess that would be a big wish list item of mine for a future version of BiaB.
If the Realtrack has MIDI notation associated with it, it's very easy to create a MIDI file of that track.
Simply click on the track on the top display of tracks (not the tracks in the mixer), hold the mouse button down, and drag the track to the MID quadrant of the dropbox.
The MIDI is created in a click of the fingers and you'll find it in \bb\DragDrop (which can be accessed by right-clicking on the dropbox).
I do this regularly -- especially with piano, drums and bass. As you've already pointed out, editing is really powerful with MIDI and a good softsynth can achieve excellent results.
The image below shows how I do it with notated Realdrums.
If the RealTrack does not have MIDI notation attached to it, one can pull the track into Melodyne then export it as MIDI. However for this Melodyne is required. If the part is polyphonic (eg piano, guitar) you will require at least the Editor version of Melodyne.
Tony
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
Thanks Dan, I figured out the answer to my question, and then deleted my post... I realize now I should not have done that... No stupid questions, right?
If the RealTrack does not have MIDI notation attached to it, one can pull the track into Melodyne then export it as MIDI. However for this Melodyne is required. If the part is polyphonic (eg piano, guitar) you will require at least the Editor version of Melodyne.
Thanks Dan, I figured out the answer to my question, and then deleted my post... I realize now I should not have done that... No stupid questions, right?
I was always taught that it is easy to recover from a stupid question but often difficult to recover from a stupid mistake. Also, a common saying is “there are no stupid questions just stupid answers”.
Tony
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
If the Realtrack has MIDI notation associated with it, it's very easy to create a MIDI file of that track.
Simply click on the track on the top display of tracks (not the tracks in the mixer), hold the mouse button down, and drag the track to the MID quadrant of the dropbox.
The MIDI is created in a click of the fingers and you'll find it in \bb\DragDrop (which can be accessed by right-clicking on the dropbox).
I do this regularly -- especially with piano, drums and bass. As you've already pointed out, editing is really powerful with MIDI and a good softsynth can achieve excellent results.
The image below shows how I do it with notated Realdrums.
Regards, Noel
Wow! Thanks, Noel! Something told me there had to be a way to do this within BiaB. Glad I was right and I'm really glad I asked the question because I would have never figured that one out.
Cool, so I just now converted a half dozen tracks to MIDI. Looks like I'm gonna have some editing fun in the next few hours.
I had one more question, but I think I answered it. I was wondering if I could do this conversion for tracks that did not display any musical notation data, and apparently the answer is "no." I've just tried a few different RealTracks where notation data is not displayed and, instead of that little MID box in the DragDrop turning green it turns red and there's a note that pops up in the bottom right corner of the screen, saying basically that there's nothing to be displayed. Too bad.
I don't know if I have a copy of Melodyne Editor -- probably don't. I just discovered earlier today that apparently I have a Melodyne VSTi -- it came up in Cakewalk, as I was having it scan for VSTi's.
So if the track is of an ensemble, such as a horn section, Melodyne won't work as well? Seems to me it could be treated about the same way a piano score would.
The freebie versions given with daws are usually Melodyne Essential. Melodyne Essential won’t do polyphonic. It is ok for vocal, bass or a single horn and that sort of thing. Right now (29th Nov 2019) the upgrade from Essential to the Editor version is US$149 at Pluginboutique. With the editor you can do polyphonic tracks so converting piano tracks or guitar tracks is possible.
I don’t often convert to MIDI but this discussion had my interest up. I dropped a guitar RealTrack to MIDI then used Addictive Keys to play it back. It gave me a really nice addition to the song. Thanks for sparking a thought.
Tony
Last edited by Teunis; 11/28/1907:53 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
It would seem that Assistant or upwards is required for Audio to MIDI. The base version that came with Cakewalk (Essential) doesn't seem to have that support feature.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
It would seem that Assistant or upwards is required for Audio to MIDI. The base version that came with Cakewalk (Essential) doesn't seem to have that support feature.
Thanks for that I never even considered the Essential version does not do Audio to MIDI. Whilst the Assistant version does I don’t think it can do Polyphonic note editing or MIDI conversion. (It’s been a long time for me as I’ve owned the Editor version for years).
Tony
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
Band-in-a-Box can transcribe audio to MIDI, as long as it is a monophonic instrument. In the Audio Edit window, click on the [Edit] button and choose Transcribe. This will transcribe the entire track, or the selected region, into MIDI on the Melody or Soloist track.
This feature is available in version 2018 or higher.
To first get a RealTrack copied to the Audio track, one way is to right-click on the Master radio button (top-left), and choose Render Song to Audio Track.
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.
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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)
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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)
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!
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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!
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!
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!
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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