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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 70
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OP
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I opened a MIDI file in Band in a Box 2013. It is making use of General Midi. It is only the melody part I am interested in. Normally, in the synth window (black area top left) I would just put the radio on Melody and choose something like electronic piano, but when I do this now, it makes no difference, I still get the MIDI sound.
I'm supposing there is a way to change the voice but what is it? What am I missing?
Woody - Sacramento
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
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When loading a MIDI file into Band in a Box, all tracks of the MIDI file will be on the Melody channel.
But to access them on a channel by channel basis and change patches, use the big round green SEQ (Sequencer) button in the toolbar to open another window, which should be rather self explanatory from there, also has mouseover tips and Help section. Here we can mute certain channels if desired, as well as change patches.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 70
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OP
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Posts: 70 |
@Mac,
Thank you for replying. What I am looking for is not another MIDI Patch, but what I would like is to make the sound I'm getting not be General MIDI. For example, I am bringing in a simple treble and bass clef MIDI file that should sound like a piano. GM does OK, but it sounds hookie and it would be nicer if instead I could get it to sound like the sounds you normally get out of BB.
Is there a simple way to do this? Perhaps I copy the melody track to the soloist track and make the soloist track sound the way I want it, then mute the Melody track. I don't know. I'm guessing.
Basically, all I want to do is bring in a MIDI file that has piano music on it and play along with with it - slow it down, etc. But the MIDI voices sound so bad it takes some of the fun out of it.
Woody - Sacramento
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2000
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.
Hi WAS: Some clarification of terms is necesary here. (We will leave Real Tracks out of the discussion for the moment)
>>>>... another MIDI Patch, but what I would like is to make the sound I'm getting not be General MIDI...>>>
General MIDI is not any particular sound. It is a set of agreements that most synth makers are party to. For instance, the agreement says that instrument #1 will always be a grand piano, #5 will always be a "Rhodes" sound, #27 will always be a jazz guitar, and soon. It is the list you see when you click on the menu under the word "Combo," and that is all it is. Each synth will have its own grand piano, rhodes piano, jazz guitar and so on. Each synth will sound different even though it uses the GM standard.
>>>...I am bringing in a simple treble and bass clef MIDI file that should sound like a piano....>>>>
BiaB has no sounds of its own. It can only send instructions to a synthesizer, The synthesizer is the sound source. Somewhere in your computer is a software synthesizer. You may not be aware of it. If you hear anything at all, is is because BiaB is sending instructions to this synth.
Go to OPT>PREFERENCES>MIDI and you will see inforation on which synths are hooked up to you conputer.
If you want better sounds, get a better soft synth. I recommend Coyote. It sounds good and you can buy it from PG Music for $40, then call tech support for help getting it set up. There are lots of other sound sources you could try, but this is the one I would recommend for someone new.
<>>>...it would be nicer if instead I could get it to sound like the sounds you normally get out of BB..>>>>
Not sure what you mean by "get out of BB." Please explain.
Oh...and...Hello from Sacramento!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Hi Woody, Seeing you have 2013, another option available to you is to use the Hi-Q sounds. Firstly: right-click on the Melody track (1) and then select "Select Hi-Q Midi Synth" (2).  Secondly: from the menu that will pop up, select one of the three pianos.  Regards, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2009
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OP
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Well, thank you all for your help.
I tried the Hi-Q sounds but when doing so I was told that Sample tank DSI was not installed. When I went to install it, it made a federal case out of it and it looked like it was going to install a number of things I don't really want installed, so I backed out.
Let me switch subjects a little bit and ask what perhaps is a simpler question. I can live with GM Piano if I have to. However, when I bring in a MIDI file I don't seem to be able to control the volume for the Melody from the Mixer Window. Now matter where I put the slider the volume seems to be the same. I want the volume to be lower for MIDI because I can barely hear my Thru track. I want to hear my thru track so I can play on top of it.
How do I lower the volume on the MIDI melody so I can better hear my Thru track?
Woody - Sacramento
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
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In the SEQ window, under Edit to the right of each channel in the MIDI file, there is a Velocity command that can be used to lower the Velocity of every note on a track, this can correspond to lowering the volume.
You can also pick one channel and not have it play at all by unchecking the corresponding box next to it under the PLAY heading. That effectively mutes any instrument in the file.
But there is a certain type of MIDI file, "type 0" that you can run into by downloading free files from the internet, that type of file puts all instruments on one channel or track, making it impossible to see the listing as separate tracks. In this case, RealBand has a command that can 'Extract to tracks' by channels, then save as .mid file from RealBand, close realband and open the file again in bb. Or you might find much more control over MIDI files by using RealBand to open and play them in the first place. For example, any "type 1" MIDI file will open right up on separate tracks in RealBand, and there's a volume fader for each track in Tracks View. As well as Mute and Solo buttons.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2006
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I never understand the thougt process that installing and setting up a program so that it works, as being to much trouble. A few minutes setup time and you can have hours of fun with the add on features in these programs.
Give 'er a whirl! Really!
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 70
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OP
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Posts: 70 |
HeyRob!
I'm not new to computers so this is not my first rodeo. When I did the insall it asked me for considerably more than just to intall Sample Tank DSI. It made me jump through all kinds of whoops where IK MultiMedia is concerned. It insisted on going through three diffent installations of Amplitide 3 free, Sample Tank Free and something else I don't remember. Their web site did not appear to be put together very well and I had no idea what they were doing to my system or how it might affect other things on my system that have to do with sound (like Sibelius and Finale)
I use BB primarily for practice and sight-reading. It did not appear to be worth the risk - given I have other options.
It's a great product in many ways, but this was my experence.
Woody - Sacramento
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2006
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Yup - SampleTank Free WAS a B--ache to install. There is a Top Class tutorial at the top of these pages and it got me through. It is worth installing it, not only for the Hi-Q sounds but also for the EXTRA FREE sounds that you can download from the website. Not sure if you can make those ones work in BAIB (havent tried yet) but what the heck.
I would like to see MORE Hi-Q sounds available via BIAB, maybe at the 2013.5 point. (Its gonna come - you KNOW that!!). Choice is pretty limited at the moment.
However I am in Lust with RealTracks and can only ask that BIAB bring on more and more and more. PLEASE don't make them all Jazz or Latin. Some of us are POP and Rock musicians. I know its a disgrace - but there it is! lol !!
cheers
ian
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