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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 5
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OP
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 5 |
Hi. I'm Jerry Plemons a newcomer to BAIB, former trumpet player and arranger. I have BIAB 2014.
My question is this: I would like to use a Real Tracks selection, like tenor sax or trombone (played by a real player) to play the notes that I wrote. I don't want BIAB to generate the track. Is there a way to have Real Tracks instruments play my notes?
Many thanks in advance for your help,
Jerry
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2000
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Hi Jerry!
Realtracks does not work that way. Its more like handing a horn player a sheet with just the chords on it. The RT player will follow your chords by playing appropriate notes that it chooses.
You can enter and save notation to the Melody and Soloist tracks. These notes will be played through the synth of your choice.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058
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Welcome Jerry. Good advise so far.
I notice you are an arranger. BIAB has a MIDI feature I find useful that generates harmony automatically. You can do octaves, four-part, drop 2, parallel fourths, Jazz Messengers style, whatever - over 100 choices (and I only cited some jazz ones; there are many appropriate to other music genres).
Pro trumpet player here too.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 5
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2014
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Thanks for the quick answers. All I have is a fast Windows 7 Pro PC with 12gig of Ram and a terabyte of disc space and a Real Tech HD Audio card. By synth, is that a keyboard device (like a portable electric piano, that has a MIDI output)?
I don't have synth yet, but I would like to have something that can produce realistic Trumpet, Trombone, and Sax sound as well as some good strings. The built-in Real Drums, Real Bass, and Real Guitars do an amazing job for the rhythm sections, but I would really like some believable horns. Can you recommend a synth or other device to help my arrangements that isn't too expensive?
As you can see, I'm a real newbee at this. I even have a lot of questions about the BIAB system - like why does the wav output not get all the channels or recognize mutes,etc/
Thanks so much for your help. I'll probably nag everyone crazy asking questions.
Jerry
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,693
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Hey Jerry, welcome to the world of Biab and digital audio. To a noob, it's very tricky and confusing stuff.
First, the Real Tracks. They are prerecorded audio files of phrases. They cannot be broken down into single notes, only phrases. The phrases tend to be from one to four bars long. Imagine if you had the horn track only from one of Tower of Power's songs. One phrase might go something like Baa(2-3}ba //ba ba BA baba// That's a prerecorded two bar phrase and that's also what a RT is. Obviously you can't take that prerecorded TOP phrase, put it into Biab and expect that phrase to somehow play what you wrote. It's simply a prerecorded track.
The absolute magic of Biab is all the RT's are full of these phrases and somehow Biab can take the chords your wrote along with the style information and parse all those different phrases together to create a complete track for you, BUT it's still phrases, not single notes. AND not only that, if you regenerate Biab will give you a completely different track from the first one by changing the way it puts the new track together using the same RT phrases. We will have Biab regenerate many times in order to have it come up with a part we like for a particular tune. That's great and all but the big weakness is Biab does it IT'S way not YOUR way. If you want to write exact parts then you have to use midi and synths. And that takes us to...
The second point which is your comment about getting high quality horn sounds to work with. All I can say is welcome to the club. This is what all of the more expensive synth packages are all about. The best ones cost upwards of several thousands of dollars. Basic cheap synths like the Coyote Forte for $40 are fine for basic arranging just to get your song together but to finalize a project to make it sound pro quality you need something like Kontakt or Omnisphere plus a whole lot of knowledge and experience in using them. It ain't easy, that's why people who can do that are called recording engineers.
Native Instruments makes Kontakt and they have a sound library called Session Horns. It's awesome but the regular Kontakt synth by itself is about $5-700 then Session Horns is sold separately for another $300. They do have sales and combo packages from time to time but as you can tell, this is not something you can do for a hundred bucks. You have to treat this like any other worthwhile hobby. People spend thousands on golf or remote control model airplanes for example.
The other possibility is to buy one of the top pro level keyboards that have like 2000 sounds in them. If you play keys as well as horns, that could work too, you just hook up to your computer using a midi or USB cable and Biab will play the sounds from the keyboard. That's called using a hardware synth as opposed to a software synth. Both have their plusses and minuses.
There's way more to this I could write about but this should give you enough to think about for now.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,492
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,492 |
As others have said: No. This is the truth -- but only 98 percent of it. Depending on your written melody you might be more or less successful for various parts of your song. What you can do is: 1. Create a chord progression with the right color tones to "force" the RealTrack into your melody. 2. If you are happy with a result, freeze that track an import it in RealBand. 3. If you're not happy either re-generate the song or go back to #1 an tweak your chord progression. You still might need Melodyne or an occasional midi-sequence of one to four notes to finalizs the track. Peter Gannon explained the latter here: http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=113955&Searchpage=1&Main=17769&Words=Bass&Search=true#Post113955Guido
Desktop; i7-2600k, 8 GB mem., Win 10 Pro, BIAB 2017; RB 2017 - latest build
Laptop: i5-2410M, 4 GB mem, Win 10 Pro, BIAB 2017; RB 2017 - latest build
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,827
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,827 |
Hi. I'm Jerry Plemons a newcomer to BAIB, former trumpet player and arranger. I have BIAB 2014.
My question is this: I would like to use a Real Tracks selection, like tenor sax or trombone (played by a real player) to play the notes that I wrote. I don't want BIAB to generate the track. Is there a way to have Real Tracks instruments play my notes?
Many thanks in advance for your help,
Jerry
You can drag any realtrack sax or trombone into Riffstation. There is a Sax at the end of the video. http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=256480#Post256480
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,217
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BiaB comes with a basic version of Sample Tank, which is one of the more powerful software synths. It can do a lot, but there is a leaning curve. The learning curve is worth it because you will learn stuff you need to know if you are going to get into the more advanced stuff like Kontact.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,217
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,217 |
.
I should have written this earlier: BiaB Comes with a more basic soft synth called "Coyote Forte." It is quite serviceable, and learning how to use it will lead into the basics of MIDI implementation and related topics, which you have to know before you move on to the more advanced stuff.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 5
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 5 |
Thank you all for your comments and recommendations. I'll try Coyote and maybe add a keyboard. Any recommendations for a good keyboard would be appreciated.
This is a great forum and I've got a lot of browsing here to do that I'm sure will help a lot.
Jerry
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058
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Jerry, start a new thread in the Off-Topic forum and write in the post title that you are looking for a keyboard.
Garry Curran on this forum is a great resource person on keyboards.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,693
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Absolutely you can start a whole discussion about it but basically it's the same as what I wrote about softsynths. You can get decent sounding consumer keyboards at Fry's or music stores for $2-300 and they really don't sound too bad. Beyond that the sky's the limit. I have a whole collection of pro level stage keyboards, each one was about $2,500-$3,000 new.
Mo' money = better sound just like everything else.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!
Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!
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These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
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-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
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-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
- Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
- Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
- Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
- Playable RealTracks Set 4
- RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
- SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
- 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
- Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
- Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
- RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
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Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
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Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
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
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