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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 271
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 271 |
Well... my UltraPac arrived on Monday. I have it all installed and am attempting to learn as I go. There is one thing that really has me baffled. Every time I make a change - even a chord change - and then hit "play" to listen to said change, I have to wait for what seems like forever for the song to regenerate. I realize that I'm using Real instruments and that they are a lot larger than midi but... isn't there a faster way of doing a song? Am I doing something wrong or is this the norm? Personally, it is very annoying to have to wait for it to regenerate even when I've made a change to one chord. My computer is a good one... 4 gigs of ram, 3 gig Pentium dual and tons of HD space. Could someone enlighten me???
Thanks...
Bobby
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 928
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 928 |
Bobby, I'm surprised there are nine views of your post and no replies ... so far.
This question has been brought up before a couple of times.
Can you be more specific? What exactly do you mean by "seems like forever?"
Five seconds? Thirty seconds? Ten minutes?
Also, how long is the song? Twelve bars? Forty-eight bars? How many Real instruments?
One thing to keep in mind, whether you make one tiny change or a hundred changes, or no changes, once you hit [PLAY] if you have RealTracks, BiaB re-generates the song. And yes that does take time.
Also, I have not done an A/B comparison on this yet, but did you copy the RealTracks folder to your C: drive or is it still on the external drive?
- Mark
Last edited by FirstBassman; 03/18/09 01:49 PM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,616
Expert
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Expert
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,616 |
If you could give us more info it would help.
- Vista? There is an issue with BIAB and Vista that has to do with the UAC (User Account Control)
- What message(s) do you see at the top when you hit Play?
It takes my 1 year old laptop about 12 seconds to generate a 32 bar song with two RealTracks.
As pointed out, each time you hit Play the song regenerates. Use Replay to get around this. To see if BIAB wants to regenerate, right click on the Combo part. If the line 'Song has changed, needs regeneration' is checked, it wants to regenerate. To get around it, uncheck that line and press Replay.
Rachael
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 271
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 271 |
Hi, and thanks for the reply, Mark
What seems like forever is anywhere between 30 -45 seconds... The song isn't finished yet... I have about 40 bars in it. Yes... I'm using Real Tracks. And yes... they are all installed on my HD... I'm not using an external drive. I guess I'm kind of disappointed that it's going to take so much time... maybe I'm expecting too much? I love the sound quality however. I guess I'm just going to have to get used to it, huh?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 271
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 271 |
I'm using Win XP Pro. I get a message on the page title bar saying that it is generating and I watch the numbers for each track go up in percentage, starting from 0 to 100%. It seems that it generates each Real Track separately. 12 seconds??? Wow... I would LOVE it if that's all it took. I read in my user manual that I should be using Replay but when I make a change it still does the same thing. It seems that Replay only works when there's no changes made. I'll try your tip about the Combo part.
Thanks
Bobby
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 271
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 271 |
Hi Rachael...
Just to let you know that the Combo thing/Replay works!!! Thanks!!!
Bobby
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,616
Expert
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Expert
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,616 |
Yes the 'Generating...' message is normal. Even dual-core CPUs process one track at a time although both cores are busy during the process. Make sure there are no other messages about .BT0 files or stretching when the song is generating. That has been known to slow the process down considerably and there are fixes.
Since you just installed BIAB, defragging may help a little.
Only other things I can think are what else is running that would slow down BIAB? If you suspect, use your XP system monitor program (Task Manager) to see if anything else is eating up your CPU.
R
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,610
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,610 |
Regeneration of Real Tracks is slow. Once you've finished your song, you can freeze it and play-back will be right away. Later, Ray
Asus Q500A i7 Win 10 64 bit 8GB ram 750 HD 15.5" touch screen, BIAB 2017, Casio PX 5s, Xw P1, Center Point Stereo SS V3 and EWI 4000s.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,976
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,976 |
A typical song with RealTracks generates in about 10 seconds. But there are several factors that control that:
In general the formula would be something like this
TimeToGenerateRealtracks =
(Length of song in seconds) x (Number of RealTracks) ÷ (CPU speed of computer and hard drive)
Tips:
- When sketching out the song (changing chords etc.), use 1 chorus, instead of 6 choruses - the song will generate abbout 6x faster!
- If you have a RealTracks that you use a lot, you can convert the WMA to WAV, that'll take up more space for that RealTracks (about 400MB instead of 70MB), but it'll generate about 25% faster. To do that, Prefs-RealTracks Settings- and press the [..] button beside the Install, which lets you select a folder to expand to WAV (the [..] beside the Archive button would undo this)
- Replay button won't generate the song again, unless the chords have changed.
- Right click on combo button, and de-select song needs regeneration. Then rePlay button will not re-generate the song even if the chords have changed.
- Right click on a single instrument at the top to regenerate that single track only.
- Freeze a song, to move all the tracks to the audio track, and then it won't regenerate, and will reload quickly next time.
- If using Vista, and using an external USB hard drive for your RealTracks, make sure that User Account Control is disabled - otherwise Vista requires all kinds of permissions to read and write data to the hard drive.
Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 824
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 824 |
I also find the regeneration of RealTracks to be too slow when I am first entering a tune. My tip is to work with an all-midi style until you have the thing finished and then change to a RealStyle. Works for me! But it depends on the end use of the tune. I only use BB for producing lead sheets, small band arrangements and for practicing.
RealTracks is great for practicing. The initial generation time is not a problem because it gives me time to pick up my trombone and sit down on my practice stool. Thereafter one can hit Replay instead of Play and you don't have to wait for regeneration.
Which reminds me: Can one get some kind of hand controller for a computer using BB? My desk and practice area (Studio? Ho! Ho!) are not very well set up and this would be a useful tool.
Grah Jive Talk
"Don't worry baby, they'll swing their arses off."
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,122
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,122 |
I usually start out with an all midi style, until I get part markers and intros etc where I need them. Then start looking for an appropriate style with Real Tracks, or I may like the midi style in general, then open it in Power Tracks and assign real instruments to some of the indiviual tracks. Lots of ways to approach this issue.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,683
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,683 |
Quote:
Can one get some kind of hand controller for a computer using BB?
Besides the Frontier Tranzport?
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 928
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 928 |
Bobby: Quote:
What seems like forever is anywhere between 30 -45 seconds... The song isn't finished yet... I have about 40 bars in it.
I hate to say this, but 30-45 seconds for a 40-bar song with RealTracks sounds 'normal' to me.
That equals my experience.
Ray:Quote:
Once you've finished your song, you can freeze it and play-back will be right away.
Yes, Ray, but the situation the O/P was asking about was when he changed a chord in the song.
Peter:Quote:
A typical song with RealTracks generates in about 10 seconds.
Peter, we have discussed this before but I doubt most of us are experiencing ten-second re-generations. As mentioned before, 30 to 45 seconds sounds more typical and likely.
Peter:Quote:
Right click on combo button, and de-select song needs regeneration. Then rePlay button will not re-generate the song even if the chords have changed.Quote:
May I try and clarify on this?
So, what happens? Does the RealTrack know to play the new chord even if the Track is not re-generated? How does it know to do that?
Or does it play the same chord as before? In which case, what's the point of the action described above? Thanks.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 824
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 824 |
Quote:
Quote:
Can one get some kind of hand controller for a computer using BB?
Besides the Frontier Tranzport?
Mmmmmmm, interesting! Probably more control than I was looking for but it's not that expensive. That device must have slipped under the radar because it is new to me. Maybe I should click the Products tag more often.
It doesn't say that it works with Vista, and in my case I am on 64bit. Does it?
Grah Jive Talk
"Don't worry baby, they'll swing their arses off."
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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.
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 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 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 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.
Peter Gannon Talks Band-in-a-Box with zplane
zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!
Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
Check out the full interview here: https://products.zplane.de/blog/peter-gannon-interview-pg-music
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