After years playing my saxophone over BinaB backing tracks--all Realtracks and Realdrums, I though it would be good to record myself over the backing tracks and send them to some people who have asked and perhaps put them online somewhere--eek.
I though this would be simple and as I'm struggling then perhaps its me that's simple.
Questions
Can I just record audio--I'm using a Zoom H2 as the mic fed directly into my PC USB port,and would listen to the backing track through earphones so the mic doesn't pick it up---as an add to the BinaB backing track--if so is it there permanently or can I remove it and start again--a few wrong notes in the improvisation might be an issue.!!!!!!! Is it better to import the backing track into Realband and record there--never used it so lots of learning to do to do that--but have been able to import a BinaB track
I have Audacity on my PC but cant import a BinaB track into that for some reason, which I am trying to sort
I cant render to MP3 in BinaB--its saying I don't have a codec even though I have downloaded the Lame MP3 codec--BinaB cant find it for some reason-- running win 7 premium and wmp11, so I assume I would have the same issue with Realband????
Sorry its so long but I would like to hear from someone who is actually recording their playing using BinaB backing tracks
I don't know where you got the impression that any kind of recording is simple -- because it surely isn't (ha, ha).
Generally, I export the BIAB as wav files, import them into my DAW (I use sonar) and then record my parts.
You can record one audio track in BIAB or you can use RealBand. Or you could export the BIAB as one wav file, import that into audacity and then record that. The options (and problems) are endless!!!!
Everyone on the user showcase forum is doing what you want to do. I would say that opening your BIAB files in realband and then recording your part is the first thing to try. Let us know how that works for you.
Generally, I export the BIAB as wav files, import them into my DAW (I use sonar) and then record my parts.
This is what I would suggest.
I haven't used Audacity since forever but seems to me if you've actually exported a BIAB backing track(s) as a .wav you should be able to import them into Audacity without issue....unless I'm missing something in your original post. I export all BIAB tracks as individual wave files to a folder and import from that location into the DAW. This is how I've done it for my BIAB songs. (I'm on Sonar also)
I know nothing about the H2 Zoom audio interface recording quality which may be something to consider for your purpose.
Using the Zoom H2n as a computur audio interface you should be able to record your sax playing in Audacity, RealBand or Band-in-a-Box. While both RealBand and Audacity have the advantage of recording multiple audio tracks and Band-in-a-Box can record only a single audio track, Band-in-a-Box is likely the easiest solution for you to start with.
The computer has to identify the Zoom as an interface BEFORE BiaB can use it. Most people try to always use the same USB port so "Found new hardware" doesn't pop up so often.
Once the computer recognizes the Zoom as your audio interface, start BiaB and go to audio settings and choose Zoom or Asio as your audio driver for both audio input and audio output. Your computer will send the BiaB sound to the Zoom headphone jack and the Zoom audio to the Audio track in BiaB. It doesn't happen too much but don't be surprised if you have to set the BiaB audio settings, close BiaB and then start BiaB before the Zoom audio settings take hold.
Now you're almost ready to record. If you have BiaB 2014 or 2015 the audio mixer track is hidden. Click on the mixer's audio button and the audio track becomes visible.
Hit the audio record button and record a few bars then stop. Playback, set your level and have fun.
By the way, if you haven't recorded sax before a good starting microphone location is about 12 to 15" in front of the sax at a height of halfway between the bell and mouthpiece.
You can use Audacity or RealBand and gain the capability to record multiple tracks but getting you up and running on either of them is beyond the scope of one post. This gets you started recording and we can visit Audacity and RealBand in another post.
Real Band might be your friend here. You have the choice of lots of tracks. If you play any notes you're not happy with, you can just re-record those bars onto another track, erase the ones you don't want, and merge them or cross fade between the two to get a smooth progression. Lots of options. Most importantly, your playing will all be in sync with the other instruments.
In Real Band, set the Audio input device to your microphone, select the track you want to record on (make sure it is set to an Audio Track), press record and blow away.
Consider playing some three part harmonies by recording on multiple tracks - Big Band in a Box!
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
Wow, that was quick and thank you all for the great advice and input about my options
I think Realband is the way I will try first---I have imported one of my BinaB backing tracks into Realband--it seems to import into track 10 and above???? is that because its realdrums and realtracks etc???
I have set up the mic and got that working and set up the levels and also got the output from Realband playing into earphones OK
Time to make some noise !!!!!
BTW is that MP3 codec thing a common issue--its seems that downloading and installing the Lame MP3 codec doesn't work so I think I will have to take the final output from Realband as a wav and try to use another way to make MP3
Forget about using Audacity for that......It might do in a pinch but it's not designed to be used as a multitrack recording DAW. Use the right tool for the right job.
I'd set up Real Band for that purpose since it is a DAW.
Get the song the way you want it in BB and then save it and open it in Real Band. RB will create audio tracks for the real tracks and use synths where it must.... If you use the real track styles in BB there should not be any midi synths in RB's rendering..... which is what you want.
Now...simply select an unused track, set it up for audio recording as mentioned above..... and hit record and see what happens.
Yes, most of the folks in the showcase, especially anyone singing on the song is doing exactly what you are discussing. Some folks, like me, are using multiple live tracks recorded along with the PG tracks.... a mixture really sounds good. Probably the biggest downside to playing live tracks along with the PG real tracks is trying to sound as professional and creative as the RT's sound. After all, they are some of the best session players around.
I too take all my tracks into Sonar for the final stages.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Phil Another tip, after you open/import your BiaB song into RealBand, save it as a RealBand file with a .SEQ extension. Next time you open it in RealBand, it will load virtually instantly. Trev
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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!
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.
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