Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 3 of 3 1 2 3
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,313
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,313
Hi Tributeman
Mac's made some really good points. MIDI can sound bad for two reasons.

1: the MIDI data just doesn't cut it, sloppy, too rigid, un-natural, no expression where there should be, etc.
2: the synth that the MIDI is controlling has lousy sound samples.

Have a listen to some of these samples, all produced from MIDI data, and a decent synth.

Regards
Trevor


BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
T
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
T
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
Hi Trevor like Ive said I really need to be educated on this what you linked was absolutely amazing the strat WOW! Ive gone on to Nortons site and they dont sound nothing like that yet people have said good things about that site.. so again why is what Im hearing different to the link you sent? me could it be my soundcard if so I will definately change it to get those great sounds.


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
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Those MIDI files were made using the Ketron MIDI synth for the sounds.

Which is the point.

The Ketron SD2 hardware MIDI module sounds very good indeed.


--Mac

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,372
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,372
All my styles were also made by a musician (me) playing in real time into a MIDI sequencer. I use keyboards, wind controller and drum controllers.

After recording many minutes of each instrument into a sequencer, snippets of those live recordings were imported into BiaB.

MIDI, like anything else musician requires a learning curve. But because it's easy to play without a learning curve by step-entering, a lot of people do it that way. The result is what gives MIDI a bad name.

It's like the drums. It's easy to hit the drums but it takes a lot of practice to be a drummer.

Well, it's even easier to get a note out of a synth using MIDI, so a lot more people attempt it.

To get good MIDI you need two things:
  1. A good musician to play the MIDI controller - in real time
  2. A good sounding software or hardware synthesizer

And the good musician is the most important of the two.

Insights and incites by Notes


Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Copy and Paste what Bob just said above.

Very clear, concise and to the point explanation of what I've been tring to say in too many words.


What Notes just typed be a Truphemism, ya'll.


There aren't any shortcuts to Strong Performance.



--Mac

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
T
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
T
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
A good musician to play the MIDI controller - in real time
A good sounding software or hardware synthesizer
And the good musician is the most important of the two.
as Im not a good musician this might make me stay recording RTs BUT!

Maybe I should get clued up on the above Bob..Ive got a small recording studio for my songwriting using the Tascam 24 track for additional tracks mastering and mixdown..Obviously anything that will improve my demos I want to know about but as Ive just been using real tracks I havent had no problems regarding that side of it.The keyboard I use is one Ive had for quite a long time the yamaha PSR 620 mostly for strings but dont really use it that much nowadays.Any advice would be appreciated Thanks Frankie

Last edited by tributeman; 03/10/14 11:40 AM.

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
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,372
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,372
There is only one road I know of to becoming a good musician: education and practice.

Unfortunately it isn't instant gratification. You have to learn skills and then use those skills to get to the next level. One step at a time, each new adventure results in new knowledge and a new satisfaction. It's a journey, not a destination, I could live to 200 and still have new things to learn.

On the other hand: Perhaps it's fortunate that it isn't instant gratification - if it was easy, anyone could do it and I wouldn't be able to make a living doing music and nothing but music.

A good music theory book, a lot of practice, and if possible a good teacher are all worth their weight in gold.

You would probably be surprised at how much you could learn in an hour per day. IMHO Turning off the TV for an hour and moving along the path to musical ability is much more rewarding than watching another sitcom or reality show.

Sorry if I sound like I'm on the soap box, I'm trying to be encouraging but sometimes the most gentle words just don't come.

Notes


Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
That's a good soapbox to stand on, Notes.


--Mac

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
T
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
T
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
thanks Bob I apreciate the advice as I will be 70 this year Im not sure if I need to start taking up musicianship especially as it appears there are musicians on BIAB doing that for me.. Ive written some good songs that people like John David bass guitarist with Dave Edmunds and a writer of over 200 cover songs are quite impressed with (the RTs not just my songs)What I really wanted to know is can I improve my demos again using MIDI and without having to learn to play above what I do now.I play reasonable rhythm guitar and play chords on my keyboard.I was a lazy musician as I earned my living as a singer and I cant see me changing anytime soon.But if its the only way to go to improve my demos using midi then its certainly given me food for thought Thanks 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
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
If you are more comfortable on guitar than keyboard, consider one of the MIDI output guitars or adding a MIDI output pickup with converter to an existing guitar.

Then the guitar can be used to record MIDI tracks.

Three note chords, set to the Strings patch, for example, can make it rather easy for you to come up with your own String tracks. Or Piano. Vibes. etc.


--Mac

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
T
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
T
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
Mac great advice any suggestions on a good midi output pickup for my guitar which is a semi accoustic Fender Cheers 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
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,372
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,372
The bad part about MIDI guitar is there is a slight delay while the pickups analyze the frequency of the vibrating strings.

The newer pickups are much better than they used to be, and I'd advise you to check out the pickups you decide to buy and include the latency in your decision.

On the other hand, if the guitar is a few milliseconds behind you can always advance the MIDI track a few clock tics after you record it.

In the very early days I bought a pitch to MIDI controller to record my sax into MIDI, and it had quite a bit of latency, but moving the MIDI data fixed it. Now I use a Wind MIDI controller that has for all practical purposes no latency.

And although you are 70, it's not too late to start learning. Most experts say that the way to prevent senility is to learn something new, like a new language. And learning musicianship is like learning a new language.

At 70 I wouldn't expect you to become a Jeff Beck but it could be interesting and could even improve your song writing.

I picked up guitar in my mid 60s and am having a great time with it. My guitar playing friends can't believe how quickly I got pretty decent at it. But it is my 7th instrument so I carried a lot of baggage with me.

On the other hand, I'm trying to learn to converse in the Spanish language, and at times it seems pretty hopeless to me. I can get 'baby talk' sentences. But often if I ask a question, I can't understand the answer. But I plan to live to 100 so I have lots of time to improve.

Actually, I plan to live forever - so far - so good wink

Whichever way you go, I hope it works for you.

Notes


Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
T
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
T
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
thanks for your advice I guess you didnt pick up my "lazy"tag..the demos Im doing now with just real tracks are in my opinion very suitable for getting to a publisher or producer..cant believe the demos I sent them in the early days yet still managed to get a publishing deal with Rondor Music.Im not saying Im giving up on midi but my question was.. is it just renewing software keyboard etc looks as if its a bit more than that.But again thanks for the advice.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
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,372
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,372
We're all lazy about one thing or another - or at least most of us.

I'm never lazy about music - because I love it, on the other hand there are a lot of other chores around here and it's easy to say, "You know, I need to learn a new song for the duo" or "That new Band-in-a-Box style needs tweaking and I think I know just what it needs," wink

Good luck to you Frankie.

I think the RTs can be an advantage for a songwriting demo as some publishers listen with different ears from the general public.

Notes


Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 897
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 897
Mac and other comments...

Very cogent comments. I can sure tell the difference between some copied midi tracks that are commercially availble.

The sampled sounds and songs that manufacturers put in their keyboards are really great, even without being midied. When I play my old Motif ES , the data produced, eithr audio or midi recorded or transmitted by midi are superb. Same for the other sounds produced by my keyboards, even the old, old M1+...

Don't know if any of you are using Windows 8, or 8.1....and using some of the free software programs that are available from X-Box...there must be over 75 of them that you can install for nothing...or for a few dollars...

The sounds you get for 3 hours of, say, Smooth Jazz selection, are fantastic when played through some good speakers. Whether are not they were recorded with straight audio, or with midi controlled instruments, is hard to tell. But the Presnce of today's various approaches to recording, can grab your attention in just milliseconds!!!!!!!!!


Yamaha...Motif ES-8, Motif Rack, CS6X
Korg...Karma,Triton Classic, PA-80, M-1+
AkaiSampler-S5000, Roland.. X5080 Rack/G-1000 Arranger
Various Guitars/Basses Amps Pedals Rec.Equip.


Plus, BIAB 2015 and Sonar Platinum 2015 Upgrade from Cakewalk's Sonar X-3
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To
Page 3 of 3 1 2 3

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
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins

Join the conversation on our forum.

Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac Videos

With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll also keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.

From overviews of new features and walkthroughs of the 202 new RealTracks, to highlights of XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAKs 18, the 2025 49-PAK, and in-depth tutorials — you’ll find everything you need to explore what’s new in Band-in-a-Box® 2025.

Reference this forum post for One-Stop Shopping of our Band-in-a-Box® 2025 Mac Videos — we’ll be adding more videos as they’re released!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac is here, packed with major new features and an incredible collection of available new content! This includes 202 RealTracks (in Sets 449-467), plus 20 bonus Unreleased RealTracks in the 2025 49-PAK. There are new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 4, two new sets of “RealDrums Stems,” XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAK 19, and more!

Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac with savings of up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special—available until July 31, 2025! Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.

2025 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
We've packed our Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK with some incredible Add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is automatically included with most Band-in-a-Box® for Mac 2025 packages, but for even more Add-ons (including 20 Unreleased RealTracks!) upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49. You can see the full lists of items in each package, and listen to demos here.

If you have any questions, feel free to connect with us directly—we’re here to help!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 Italian Version is Here!

Cari amici
È stata aggerate la versione in Italiano del programma più amato dagli appassionati di musica, il nostro Band-in-a-Box.
Questo è il link alla nuova versione 2025.

Di seguito i link per scaricare il pacchetti di lingua italiana aggiornati per Band-in-a-Box e RealBand, anche per chi avesse già comprato la nuova versione in inglese.

Band-in-a-Box 2025 - Italiano
RealBand 2025 - Italiano

Band-in-a-Box 2025 French Version is Here!

Bonjour à tous,

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 pour Windows est disponible en Français.
Le téléchargement se fait à partir du site PG Music

Pour ceux qui auraient déjà acheté la version 2025 de Band-in-a-Box (et qui donc ont une version anglaise), il est possible de "franciser" cette version avec les patchs suivants:

BIAB 2025 - francisation
RealBand 2025 - francisation

Voilà, enjoy!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 German Version is Here!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!

Die deutsche Version Band-in-a-Box® 2025 für Windows ist ab sofort verfügbar!

Alle die bereits die englische Version von Band-in-a-Box und RealBand 2024 installiert haben, finden hier die Installationsdateien für das Sprachenupdate:

https://nn.pgmusic.com/pgfiles/languagesupport/deutsch2025.exe
https://nn.pgmusic.com/pgfiles/languagesupport/deutsch2025RB.exe

Update Your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 to Build 1128 for Windows Today!

Already using Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 1128 now from our Support Page to enjoy the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.

Stay up to date—get the latest update now!

Forum Statistics
Forums58
Topics84,296
Posts777,394
Members39,612
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
bjornen71, CATBELLOU, Banjopotamus, BudLab, ranvidlor
39,611 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 145
zedd 120
DC Ron 104
nonchai 104
WaoBand 102
rsdean 87
Today's Birthdays
earl kirby, Guitarman 2
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5