Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
PowerTracks Pro Audio
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 129
P
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
P
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 129
I am trying to change certain instrument volumes after splitting the drum track. if,for example, I want the cowbell to be lower in volume I have tried decreasing the velocity and it turns the volume down on all the drum tracks. Same if I use the volume slider on the track. Is there a way to do this?

Last edited by panworks; 01/21/14 05:40 AM.
PowerTracks Pro Audio
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Can't be done with a GM compat MIDI synth solution, because all Percussion sounds are on only one MIDI channel, typically ch 10, in some few cases these days, ch 16.

Since the Volume command, cc7, is "by the channel" then changing the Vol also changes all instruments on that channel.

There are some MIDI synths that allow for assigning Percussion sounds to different channels, but there is a much easier way to do this.

First Render each track, one at a time to an Audio track, by Soloing that specific track each time.

Then Mute the MIDI tracks and use the Audio Mixer or the new Automated Nodes to set the volume for each sound.

Mix as Audio and not MIDI.


--Mac

PowerTracks Pro Audio
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,161
L
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
L
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,161
You can use the Velocity route to vary the volume of individual expanded Drum tracks, but results depend on the Synth in use. A GM standard external synth such as the Ketron SD2, or a GM standard VSTi such as Forte work well but a Drum VSTi such as BFD does not observe GM conventions. Rendering to audio makes for an easier Mix.

PowerTracks Pro Audio
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 129
P
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
P
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 129
AH yes, seems obvious now! I was going to render them to an audio file AFTER I got the balance right, Thanks folks.

Last edited by panworks; 01/21/14 11:31 AM.
PowerTracks Pro Audio
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,461
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,461
You CAN edit velocity like you need to, by using the edit-change velocities option .. just make sure you enable 'Data Filter' so you can define the note range of what you want to change on that channel. Pay attention to the radio button options in the first window.

smile


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
PowerTracks Pro Audio
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Editing Velocities for Percussion bank can work, but again that depends on the particular MIDI synth and how it implements the Percussion sounds. Some have only one true Velocity layer, others might have three, still others could have more than that. Some Yamaha synths will give you the same exact Velocity if you enter Velocity of zero. It will still work as if a 1 was entered. And if you enter 127 it will still actually work as if it was a 1...


So to use MIDI Velocities like that, you really just have to experiment and see how your particular synth responds.

Converting to separated Audio Tracks, on the other hand, leaves quite the assortment of options other than just Volume mixing, as well. For example, applying an instance of plugin Compressor to just one of those tracks can impact quite a lot, sometimes even use of a good MultiBand Comp plugin, or use of surgical parametric EQ plugin before a Comp plugin can allow for a bit of tailoring of the rather "static" MIDI sample once it is in the Audio Domain.


--Mac

PowerTracks Pro Audio
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 82
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 82
I don't know how you'd do this, but what
I'm working on is using different banks.

Again, I don't know how to do this yet. But
from what I've read here and there, you can have
16 tracks "per bank".

So I'm thinking, you could have your drums split to different
tracks, then assign different tracks to different banks. (?)

I have a lot of percussion issues when making backing tracks.
Not just individual drum volumes. But other events as well.
Like, ya don't want any reverb on the cymbals and kick. But
want some on the snare. Maybe on claves or tambourine.

And panning is a pain in the butt! Pan left, all drums end up
on the left. It's be nice to have Crash 1 on the left, Crash 2
on the right. Low toms left, mid toms panned dead center.
High toms on the right.

So maybe you could have kick, low toms etc. on one bank. Snare
on another bank. Hand percussion on another. Mid toms on another.
Etc.

I'd think you could also then assign different synths to different
instruments, same channel.

Again, I haven't yet figured out how to work with banks. Maybe
they don't even all "sound" at the same time. Or maybe all banks
play at the same time.

Comments welcome! Wayne


Learn to play guitar and/or blues harp at amazing speed! "I Just Wanna Play The Darned Thing!"
http://www.thewaynereedconnection.com
Free text & audio newsletter! (Training & learning tips)
PowerTracks Pro Audio
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Some certain few MIDI synth or sampler solutions will allow for assigning channels other than 10 (or sometimes 16) as Percussion tracks, but most will not.

The Percussion Bank, as per the General MIDI specification, is only really available on one of those two channels.

You might split each Instrument Patch by part into being on separate Tracks within your software sequencer program, but the problem is that they will all still be on that one MIDI CHANNEL and changing the Volume cc7 command for any one Track will raise or lower the volume of all others at the same time.

Don't confuse MIDI "channels" with being the same thing as "tracks".

The workaround is to indeed split them out into Tracks, but then Solo each track in turn and convert that track to a separate AUDIO track first.

Then you can Mute the original MIDI Percussion tracks and use the Audio Volume command to change each separate sound.


--Mac

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
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!

Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!

We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.

Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!

Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.

If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!

Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!

We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.

Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.

Happy New Year!

Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.

Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!

Season's Greetings!

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!

The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.

Team PG

Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window

In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe

This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®

With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 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 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK: -For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
  • MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
  • Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
  • Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
  • Playable RealTracks Set 5
  • RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
  • SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
  • Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)

Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:


  • 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
  • FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
  • MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
  • Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
  • Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
  • RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
  • SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)

Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics85,756
Posts795,851
Members39,952
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
Tigerlily, BB Wilbur, anonymously, TinaLBZ, Guitarzan26
39,951 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 169
DC Ron 108
rsdean 106
Noel96 106
dcuny 100
DrDan 86
Today's Birthdays
There are no members with birthdays on this day.
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5