Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#126295 08/21/11 02:07 PM
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
A
Anonymous
Unregistered
Anonymous
Unregistered
A
After moving from BIAB to RB, I discovered a WORLD of difference in creating songs and the layers of sound that make them "sing". I suppose there are many ways to do any task, but I'd like to share what has been working for me.

This CD I have been working on is country. I have had to listen to a LOT of country, a genre that has not been my favorite over the years. I needed to learn the correct palette of sound for these songs I have been writing. (A lot of country music television....) I am using "The One That Got Away" as my example.

Song written..... on to programming. I laid down my chord progression on paper (the theory background never goes away) and then put it into the chord chart in RB. I then experimented with styles, finally deciding on which drum beat is right, which bass line fits (More on bass later) and generated. That gave me the canvas.

From there I needed to "paint" that canvas. I added some strummed 12 string, some picked acoustic.. all "country" Real Tracks. I got it to where the rhythm was acceptable, but needed some punch, something ear catching and emotion evoking.

Using the "rhythm" pedal steel parts, I generated 3 different tracks. Once they were all generated, I played it back with only drums and pedal steel tracks. That gave me a chance to listen to, and make notes on, where there were loud patches that needed to have gain cuts, where the expression or chord voicing of the generated track did not work with the other tracks.... things like that. Blending the guitar parts back in, I found something still lacking. So in the second half of the intro, I decided to add some fiddle. Now this song is a slow tear-jerker ballad kind of song, and that fiddle really added some emotion to the piece. It took a LOT of experimentation with gain changing and using fade in and fade out as if there was a volume pedal doing swells. It took me SIX regenerations until the fiddle part blended just right, and a little bit of pasting to move sections around.

That was all done, but I still needed a solo. Okay, on to bar whatever, select the bars, and start playing with the Brent Mason samples. Again, several regenerations on several tracks, I came away with enough to segment together a good solo, to the point where had Brent been playing it in my studio I would not have changed a note.

The "more on bass later" is not that big a deal. One of my songs has a lot of "over" chords, like A/D, G/D... the style was not staying faithful to that, but with some quick copy and paste, it took all of 3 minutes to fix that. When you have something really specific in mind, you may have to work with it a bit.

Then the live tracks... vocals, some drum fills to bring back the song after a pause late in the song tapped in on a drum machine, and some organ under the chorus. Played those in, and sat down to mix it. Again with pen and notebook, taking notes where this has to boot and this has to cut.... but I don't like using the mixer sliders, so with those notes I use gain changes to do those volume adjustments rather than turn on automation and having the software remember my mixer changes. That also includes a lot of fading in and out in different places.

Then a dump to the hard drive, one at 320k for my use, and another at 128k for uploading, and it's done.

It sounds like a lot more than it is, because when you factor out not having to play every instrument in, and play it again and again to remove clams, not programming a drum machine.... it really is a streamlined process and well worth the time it takes to learn the software. I can't imagine a song going from conception to MP3 in 8 hours or less without Real Band. It would take me 8 hours of just PLAY time.

Then factor in the level of support offered by the company, and the brotherhood in these forums....

Folks, it doesn't get any better than this.

#126296 08/21/11 04:28 PM
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 10
G
Newbie
Offline
Newbie
G
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 10
Hello,
Man, I totally admire your dedication to the cause. Maybe, after I've learned the nuances of RB, I'll feel the way you do. Right now, I'm hearing alot of unacceptable sound coming out of it. Don't give up on BB, it has some sounds that, when played through a good PA, sound superior to what RB comes up with. An example would be the BB Dixieland Band sty. Record a tune using that BB style, send it over to RB. The first thing it does is Render a real drum style to it. Compare that to the midi style it replaced and I think you'll agree Midi ain't dead yet! lol! You sound like an old live musician,like me, so I appreciate everything you say. I'm just suggesting that some of this midi stuff is pretty darn good! Have a great evening, brother.
Griff

#126297 02/17/12 02:39 PM
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
T
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
T
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
Hi Eddie,would have liked to listen to that track maybe you should post it up Im sure I could learn a lot just from listening to it Frankie


AMD Athlon 7550 dual core
processor 2.51 ghz
1 87 gb ram
windows 7 Ultimate
yamaha rev 500 effects
tacam DP-24 DAW
Samson Resolv NF monitors
Yamaha PSR-620 Keyboard
Fender semi accoustic guitar
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 581
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 581
Yep, would love to hear the track if possible ?

MitchC #126299 02/18/12 12:43 AM
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,506
R
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
R
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,506
Griff, whatever you can build in BiaB, you can build in RB, and then some. If you are getting less that acceptable sounds it is a setting, or setup.


HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB 2025, Realband, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 9 32c , Melodyne 5 editor, Presonus Audiobox 1818VSL, Presonus control app.
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,122
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,122
I love to finish in Real Band. I use BIAB for the quick version to sketch ideas etc, but then move to RB for any major applications.

MitchC #126301 02/18/12 11:37 AM
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
A
Anonymous
Unregistered
Anonymous
Unregistered
A
Quote:

Yep, would love to hear the track if possible ?




http://www.soundcloud.com/eastside-eddie/tracks

Insignificant Other is the best example. That's the one that is like 8 generated solos cut and pasted in to one keeper.

#126302 02/18/12 01:36 PM
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,179
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,179
Yep, you made Brent fit right in


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
rharv #126303 02/18/12 02:32 PM
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
A
Anonymous
Unregistered
Anonymous
Unregistered
A
Quote:

Yep, you made Brent fit right in




Had he been sitting in my room and I was telling him what I wanted it couldn't have come out any better. The way I pasted those chops together fit that song together SO WELL it was amazing.

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!

It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!

We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!

Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:

Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana, Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes, MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano, Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7, Playable RealTracks Set 4, RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark, and more!

Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!

New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!

We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!

Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!

Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.

Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles

Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)

And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.

You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.

Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!

The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!

Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!

With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 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 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK: -For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles. -For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles. -For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
  • Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
  • Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
  • Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
  • Playable RealTracks Set 4
  • RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
  • SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
  • 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.

Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:

  • 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
  • FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
  • Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
  • Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
  • Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
  • RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe

Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!

New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!

Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.

New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!

We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!

If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!

Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 9 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.

New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!

Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.

New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!

We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!

If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!

Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 9 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.

Forum Statistics
Forums58
Topics84,452
Posts779,373
Members39,665
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
Nelsong2025, GUHA2025, romy88, NJGuy, rodbrown
39,665 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 119
WaoBand 102
DC Ron 93
rsdean 72
dcuny 66
Today's Birthdays
David Orr
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5