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MIDI SuperTracks FAQ


Q. What are MIDI SuperTracks?

Starting with Band-in-a-Box 2012.5, we’ve enhanced the MIDI style generation, by adding a new engine that generates MIDI SuperTracks. Instead of MIDI styles based on C7 chord patterns that get repeated over every chord, the MIDI SuperTracks are based on actual playing by studio musicians. Play the SuperTracks using your MIDI synth, or favorite VST plug-ins to get a great sound using MIDI. With Band-in-a-Box 2012.5, we include 3 new MIDI SuperTracks sets (Pop/Country and Jazz) with piano, organ, and bass MIDI SuperTracks – 46 MIDI SuperTracks in all.

MIDI SuperTracks are MIDI tracks that can be added to a track or a style, and play like other MIDI tracks in a style. They are called “SuperTracks” because they are generated using a different engine than typical MIDI style tracks. Typical MIDI style tracks are generated from C7 patterns in the style, and repeat these patterns over any chord. MIDI SuperTracks use actual MIDI playing from musicians (similar to RealTracks in that regard), so are not based on patterns.


Q. Are MIDI SuperTracks available for all instruments?

We have released 46 MIDI SuperTracks so far (with version 2012.5), and they are for piano, bass, and synth pad/strings. So they aren't available for all instruments. You can mix n match them with other instruments in styles, either with MIDI drums, guitars, or RealTracks drums, guitar (or any instruments).


Q. Can you edit them like any MIDI track?

Yes, and this includes editing them within Band-in-a-Box, or exporting them as MIDI files to your DAW (Sonar, Logic etc.)

Q. Can I change instrument patches, or use a custom synth on these tracks?
Yes. For example, you can change the piano patch to a clav, or the acoustic bass to electric bass. Also, you can use any synth, or a soft synth (e.g. VST plugin on Windows) to hear the MIDI SuperTracks playing through your synth. Anything you can do with a standard MIDI track can be done with the MIDI SuperTracks.

Q. What styles are provided with the MIDI SuperTracks?

All of the styles that we release that have any MIDI SuperTracks are named starting with "M_" These styles have 1 or 2 MIDI SuperTracks, mixed in with other MIDI or RealTracks for other instruments. The Memo in the StylePicker will tell you if the style uses some or all MIDI SuperTracks.

For example M_JAZBAL is a Jazz Ballad style, with a MIDI SuperTracks for bass and piano. The drums for this style are RealDrums, or if you disable RealDrums you will hear a MIDI Drum style (as with previous MIDI styles). As noted, we don't have MIDI SuperTracks for drums. Another example is "M_BZ128P.sty Slow 12/8 Blues Solo Acoustic Piano 60 MST". This is a solo piano, so is entirely MIDI SuperTracks.


So most of the styles have 1 or 2 MIDI SuperTracks, mixed in with RealTracks or other MIDI tracks. Some of them are entirely MIDI SuperTracks - these would be bass and piano styles. If you want MIDI Drums, disable the RealDrums.

Q. Do the MIDI SuperTracks sound better than the older MIDI tracks?

Yes. The older MIDI tracks are based on C7 patterns, whereas the new ones use a completely different algorithm and engine, not based on C7, but based on actual playing by top studio musicians. Since you can also see (and print) notation, you can also learn from these tracks, as you see what studio musicians have played, rather than learning from a computer generated part. Also, the MIDI SuperTracks play differently in different keys, and over different chord types, not just transposing and mapping patterns like the old styles do.

Q. Where can I hear MIDI SuperTracks demos?
There are demos here http://www.pgmusic.com/addons.supertracks.php?os=win and a video here (click on Band-in-a-Box 2012.5 video http://www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.demos.htm )

Great summary, Peter!

.. and a great concept, too!

Also, the MIDI SuperTracks play differently in different keys, and over different chord types, not just transposing and mapping patterns like the old styles do.

This is what I've heard but never actually analyzed it. This is a big deal, it's what really makes the track sound live.

Bob

Not being from the USA and not having a Jazz or musical theory background, what are C7 chords? I assume it means some kind of sequence or variation and not just the chord of C7.
Ian

This is the wrong thread for your question, but....

C7 = C+E+G+Bb (dominant 7th)
= 1,3,5,7

Has nothing to do with being from the USA

The older MIDI based styles used a "map to C7" routine, much like many musicians, okay, maybe Pianists, think when they are transposing to a different key. \

Let's say, for example, you wanted to play a song that you can easily play in C, but now want to play it in G. Well, any C note would become a G note, any D would become an A, etc.

I think there's a little more to it than that "under the hood" though, what with software, algorithms, that sort of thing, but the mapping to C7 is a major part of rolling your own style, said the man who once forgot to do that routine when trying to make his own style...

Hi,
may have been answered elsewhere, but can one actually create their own midi super tracks, or only edit the existing ones?

Hi rikki,

As far as I'm aware, it's only possible to edit the existing ones. PG Music have not yet provided any information on how to go about creating one's own.

Regards,
Noel

Hi Noel,
thank you.
Maybe one day.
They sound interesting , though, might do a bit of checking out of the editing options.

+1 to Rikki's question about creating our own midi super tracks. I would love to know if this can be done??? And if it is something that you plan to enable, please could you enable it for the Mac version!


paul

Technically you're not correct. The notes are right, but the Bb is not a 7, it's a flat 7 (or b7). Might sound pedantic but you might confuse some people who are learning basic chord theory.

It is a rather common convention that just saying "7" means the Dominant 7.

While that may confuse a noob, it would be more confusing later on for them not to learn that from the gitgo.

--Mac

the whole concept of MIDI super tracks reminds me that while we users typically request the addition of features that already exist in other programs, PGMusic is busy improving everything that's unique about their paradigm.

I'm glad they have a plan and that they continually implement it with each new release.

Things like elastique, MIDI super tracks, Real Tracks, Real Drums all came about when nobody was asking for them, and they are all on my personal "BEST ADDITIONS EVER" list

My hat is off to everybody at PGMusic... your ability to look ahead and see what will be cool and useful tomorrow... then create it... is why you have such an amazing and unique set of products

Will midi super tracks work with pro tools 10 which uses RTAS and AAX plugins instead of VST. My assumption for now is that any midi event could be played that is imported over to pro tools, I would just play them thru what synths are in pro tools is this correct?

thats what I do.

Where is BIAB 2013.5 or will it be BIAB 2013.75?

Seeing that supertracks are played by musicians, do they maintain the "human feel" or are they quantized to a grid?

I think this picture will confirm to you the answer to your question. MSTs are the sizzle...

Supertracks are not quantized thus yes they do maintain the "human feel". IMHO all MIDI tracks should be non-quantized.