|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
I just heard Band-in-a-Box on YouTube
|
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 259
Apprentice
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 259 |
I started working with BiaB at the beginning of April, during a lot of the Covid-19 lockdown. I bought the Pro Pack, not knowing that something called RealTracks even existed. I was initially looking for an app where I could type in chords and generate simple MIDI that I could feed into various plugins. I quickly saw the potential of using RealTracks for the kinds of music I want to produce, so within a few days had upgraded to the UltraPak. My genres of choice are jazz/latin primarily, with a dose of exotica and rock mixed in. And I'm primarily focused on doing rearrangements/reimaginations of pop/rock songs. This particular song is a cover from the repertoire of Nazz, a group from the late 1960s. It was Todd Rundgren's first band, and he was the primary songwriter, although not the vocalist. Todd has been one of my primary influences since the early 1970s, so it's only natural I mess around with his songs. The original is a rock ballad, but my take is as a samba. https://youtu.be/TEGuX3hqXtwOne of my primary vocal inspirations is Kenny Rankin, and a lot of the arrangements I'm coming up with are influenced by the instrumentation he has on many of his early albums. Nylon string guitars playing bossa or samba patterns are the foundation for many of these. When I started working with RealTracks, I was blown away by how well the jazz guitar tracks worked for the songs I want to produce - especially the nylon guitar tracks from Oliver Gannon. It's been like working with real musicians :-) I've also suffered a dislocated shoulder and rotator cuff injuries in the past couple of months, and am awaiting surgery. My original intent was to play all the keyboards and sing, and use BiaB for everything else. But I've even had to use some keyboard tracks, and have been very pleased with them. So I'm able to comfortably sit in the arranger/producer/singer chairs and let BiaB handle most of the rest. Really great product. I hope you enjoy this song! The video was produced by a good friend and fellow Todd Rundgren fan, Ronnie Temple, who I met at Todd's house in Hawaii during his 60th birthday celebration in 2008. We've been close friends ever since, and he worked in the corporate video world for many years, so was a natural to partner with. Everything but vocals are from BiaB. I mixed/mastered in Cakewalk. Style is _NOITE+.STY (Noite Brazilian Samba MultiStyle) RealTracks in style: ~717:Bass, Acoustic, Samba Ev 190 RealTracks in song: 2892:Piano, Electric, Rhythm FusionFastLatinJeff Ev 190 RealTracks in style: 3256:Guitar, Nylon, Rhythm SambaRamon Ev 240 RealTracks in song: 723:Sax, Soprano, Soloist Samba Ev 190 RealTracks in song: 1773:Piano, Electric, Soloist JazzFunkMovin Ev16 130 RealDrums [in style:SambaBrazilFastBrushPercAlex: a: SambaBrazilFastBrushPercAlexb: SambaBrazilFastBrushPercAlex
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I just heard Band-in-a-Box on YouTube
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,780
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,780 |
So I'm able to comfortably sit in the arranger/producer/singer chairs and let BiaB handle most of the rest. I believe that you certainly sat in every one of those chairs extremely well. A great arrangement.
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I just heard Band-in-a-Box on YouTube
|
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 259
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 259 |
Thanks, VideoTrack! I find the whole process of developing an arrangement a real blast in BiaB. I like many find the interface a bit antiquated and quirky, but once I got into the "groove" of things, I enjoy being able to mix and match as needed. BTW, I have a link to the original Nazz version in the Youtube video comments. but here it is as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWuPEHLzCaU
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I just heard Band-in-a-Box on YouTube
|
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414 |
Wow - very well done, I thoroughly enjoyed my listen. It fits really well with the samba groove 
Cheers,
Deryk
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I just heard Band-in-a-Box on YouTube
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,340
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,340 |
Nice vocal.
Love those sambas.
+1 for Kenny Rankin and Todd Rundgren. They both record near me (or used to).
It sounded to me like the sax sound was struggling. If you are only a few metronome markings away from the recommended tempo, it can affect some RealTracks. Sambas in BIAB can be tricky because most of the RealTracks are counted in 4/4 with tempos around 190 (like some of the ones you used). Your song is clearly in cut time at 120 bpm. However, your BIAB tempo is probably set at 240, yes? Then you fall into that middle ground where its uncertain what instruments to use. The drums adapt well. Other instruments, you might consider changing the time base. When you select a RealTrack, you will see a setting for double-time or half-time. Play around with it on some instruments like the solo piano; you might be surprised.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I just heard Band-in-a-Box on YouTube
|
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 259
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 259 |
Matt, thanks so much for listening and also for the comments and recommendations. I’ve listen to your Brazilian recording and love it so I know you are well-versed in the style. I’m recovering from shoulder surgery so mostly replying via Siri, otherwise I would go into more detail about how much I enjoyed your recording. But I do look forward to listening again.
And thanks so much for the suggestions – you are correct that the tempo is 240 , And the soprano sax is at 190. So a middle ground. When I get a chance to sit back at the computer I will experiment a bit more with some tempos and other settings. I have used the halftime and double time settings on other tunes and it’s giving some good results in some cases. I’m still like a kid in a candy store with Band in a box, having all of these virtual side man at my beckoning . So still working out my own best practices and checklist for the whole workflow. I’m having a blast with it.!
A question you or someone else might be able to help with. If I do want to work with the tempo change, I had frozen the tracks in the BiaB file because I like the sax and how it would integrate with the vocal. If I change the track tempo I assume I would have to unfreeze everything and then I would get completely different playing. Is there some notion where unfreezing a track would still give the same patterns that were played previously? I hope that makes sense. I would think BiaB internally has to have some "road map" they calculate for each instrument each time the tracks are regenerated. Would be nice to freeze that.
Last edited by cwiggins999; 08/15/20 04:59 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I just heard Band-in-a-Box on YouTube
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,340
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,340 |
I think I understand this question. If the song tempo changes, the song really should regenerate and then you get what you get for comping patterns, with no guarantees it will have all the elements you like from another generation. If you just freeze all the tracks and change the tempo too far, you'll get unpleasant artifacts in the sound. But you are correct, some amazing things can be done by freezing some tracks and not others. Another poster today wanted pushes on just the guitar, for example. When you combine freezing with time base, there are so many possibilities.
Thanks for the kind words about my music. I don't generally run into the problem of a soloist RealTrack sounding not quite right, because that's the part I furnish, so I don't have any good suggestions.
I did want to mention I've had a short discussion with Peter Gannon about the tempo of a samba. I hear them counted in two at tempos around 100. BIAB counts them in four at tempos close to 200. My drummer on the CD, who played with Spyro Gyra and Blood, Sweat & Tears, agrees with me. A similar problem exists in BIAB Bluegrass. I hope we could see some samba styles in the future more like what I think is the standard: cut time. The good news is that, with the BIAB time base being extended to RealDrums recently, all the tools are there.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I just heard Band-in-a-Box on YouTube
|
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 310
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 310 |
I absolutely LOVE THIS !! So smooth and cool !! Video's nice. I also like rearranging covers in a different style but this ain't about me. It's about you. Nice job and very well done. I have no IMHO's tips for you musically ... LOL In my view if I like what I produce and NON-Musicians like it I'm overjoyed. Produce for music lovers and not musicians and you'll be a lot happier. Musicians are great but sometimes a bit too picky. Even if the notes wrong if the feels right it all works out. I learned that from a few producers over the years.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I just heard Band-in-a-Box on YouTube
|
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,989
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,989 |
I really enjoyed the use of the Style! Thanks for sharing.
Cheers,
Ember
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I just heard Band-in-a-Box on YouTube
|
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 259
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 259 |
Thanks! The huge variety of styles and ability to audition and swap in various RealTracks give an incredible amount of choice to musicians.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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: 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.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,301
Posts790,747
Members39,855
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean