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Hello PG

why is F7 function key not opening "open Midi" anymore? Is this a german localization issue or a general one.
Pressing F7 opens the "Track settings and actions" dialog as shown in screenshot.

BTW,this dialog is completely not localized as you see. Top menus in german as other dialogs but this one.

Any ideas?

Cheers Stefan

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Function key <F7> used to load a MIDI file into Band-in-a-Box, and was introduced as a new featured in 2004.

However in 2022, Function key <F7> is now used to open the Track Settings and Actions Dialog.

I think this is not a localization. I'm not aware of why the change was performed.

You can open a MIDI file by typing the letters ss9<Enter>


BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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Actually, I have never understood what F7 does.
What is the purpose of F7's existence?


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Originally Posted By: swingbabymix
Actually, I have never understood what F7 does.
What is the purpose of F7's existence?

SBM, surely you have already pressed function key <F7> !?

It opens the Track Settings dialog.

From the Help:
Quote:

Track Settings and Actions

This is a convenient “one-stop-shopping” dialog where you can select RealTracks, Loops, MIDI SuperTracks, etc., set volume/ reverb/panning/tone, mute, solo, freeze, save as Performance Tracks, and do many other things for all 24 tracks.
You can quickly open this dialog in several ways.

- Press the F7 or t <Enter> keys.

- Use the Edit | Track Settings and Actions menu item.

- Right-click on the Chord Sheet and select Track Settings and Actions from the contextual menu.

- Right-click on the track radio button at the top of the screen and select Track Settings and Actions from the contextual menu.

In the list at the top of the dialog, you can see which instruments are currently selected for each track. It also shows the type of the track (RT/RD/MST), the mute or frozen status, and MIDI patches. Select a track in the list and select settings for that track at the bottom half of the dialog.

Enabled: If you uncheck this, the track will not be generated.

[Defaults]: This sets the track settings to defaults. Note that any settings from the underlying style will remain. To prevent style tracks from playing, disable the track.

[Erase Track]: This erases both audio and MIDI data from the track.

Frozen: If this is checked, no new data will be auto-generated for the track.

Editable Audio: This changes the track to an editable audio track, which will be saved as a WAV. This is usually done for vocals or other recordings.

Audio Base Tempo: If the track type is an editable audio track, this is the tempo that the audio was recorded or created at.

Audio Transpose: You can transpose the track if it’s an editable audio track.

Generation Type - None: If this is set, no auto-generation will occur except for an underlying style. To prevent generation from an underlying style, disable the track.

[re-Generate Whole Track]: For a RealTrack, this will re-generate the whole track.

[MultiRiff (re-gen part of track)]: This allows you to interactively create sections of RealTracks on any track by choosing from multiple candidates (up to 20).

Audio – RealTracks: Click on the radio button to open the RealTracks Picker, or click on the [+] button to select a RealTrack using other dialogs.

Audio - Loop: Click on this radio button to select a Loop.

Audio - UserTracks: Click on this radio button to select a UserTrack.

Audio - RealDrums (Drums Track): To select RealDrums on the Drums track, select this radio button to open the RealDrums Picker or the click on the [+] button to select RealDrums using other dialogs.

Audio - RealDrums (Other Tracks): This can be used for a second drum track or Drum Stems.

MIDI - MIDI SuperTracks: Click on this radio button to select a MIDI SuperTrack. MIDI SuperTracks are high-quality MIDI tracks, based on performances by studio musicians.

MIDI - MIDI from current style: This is a MIDI track from the current style.

MIDI - Custom MIDI from specific style: You can select a MIDI track from another style.

Summary: You can copy this summary and paste it into a custom description.

Label: This allows you to customize the short track label.

Description: This allows you to customize the long track description.

[Update]: Press this button if you have entered a label and/or description.

Volume/Reverb/Panning/Tone: You can control mixer for the track.

MIDI Patch: You can select a MIDI patch for the MIDI track by pressing the [+] button and using the menu. If you know the General MIDI patch number, Bank 0, and Bank 32, enter the numbers and press the [Update] button.

[Un-Mute]: This will un-mute all tracks.

Muted: This will mute the track.

MIDI Channel: This allows you to re-route the MIDI events on the current track to another channel.

Timebase: With this option, you can hear an audio-type track (RealTracks, RealDrums, etc.) at normal, half time, double time, or triple time. If the style tempo is 80, a 160 tempo should be set to double time.

Medley: This allows a RealTracks medley (multiple consecutive or simultaneous RealTracks on the same track).

Bluesy: This option will play major triad like C as if they were C7, so the track sounds bluesy.

Simpler: This makes the arrangement use “simpler” playing, with less notes and embellishments.

Direct Input: This option is for electric guitar RealTracks that were recorded any effects so that you can add your own effects by amp simulators.

Held: If you check this, the track will make a simple arrangement, mostly playing held chords.

[Play]: This plays the song, using the current track settings and re-generating the tracks.

[Re-Play]: This replays the song without regenerating the tracks.

[Stop]: This stops playback.

[SaveAs .sty…]: This allows you to create a new style with a new name. The style will contain the current auto-generated tracks in the song.




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AudioTrack:

I usually do a big outline in BIAB, and other details are done in DAW.


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Originally Posted By: swingbabymix
AudioTrack:

I usually do a big outline in BIAB, and other details are done in DAW.

So you are saying that you don't need / don't use the Track Settings dialog?


BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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Then PGM should remove the hint on F7 key in the file menu ;-)

Cheers Stefan

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Excellent point. It's obviously a language based option setting and I'll report it to the developers.


BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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Hi Stefan,

>>why is F7 function key not opening "open Midi" anymore? Is this a german localization issue or a general one.

The F7 key used to open a MIDI file, but now it opens the Track Settings & Actions dialog. This is mentioned in the upgrade manual.

>>BTW,this dialog is completely not localized as you see. Top menus in german as other dialogs but this one.

Some dialogs were not localized in older builds. You need at least build 917 and the latest German language patch (https://nn.pgmusic.com/pgfiles/languagesupport/deutsch2022.exe) to see the Track Settings & Actions dialog completely in German.

Michi
Documentation & Localization
PG Music Inc.

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