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RealBand
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 38
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 38 |
Hello,
Current : BIAB 2008
Considering : Update to Plus Pack HD with Real Band
Hardware : PC plus MOTU 2408, Alesis HD24, four VS-2480
Software : Sonar, BIAB, Fruity XL, Ableton 5
I went through the Real Band demos and was blown away with what I heard ! Band in a Box has come a long way.
Being a studio owner I see an immediate potential in a studio environment for Real Band.
My main concern is with Sync-ing audio output from the computer to a stand alone digital recorder. In the past, with BIAB MIDI instruments, I just took the standard MIDI files into Sonar and added groove quantise-ing and recorded the sound module outputs into the digital recorder. Mixes are mainly done outside the computer. Once the MIDI file is in Sonar I can sync the computer to the recorder through SMPTE. BIAB does not support SMPTE or groove quantise-ing.
I am assuming that Real Band does not support SMPTE either. I am using an older MOTU 2408 that only has an D/A converter in 20 bit. Therefore I will be doing the individual track output transfers in digital because MOTU 2408 will pass through 24 bit digital data. It can receive/send up to 24 track of digital via three ADAT light pipe I/O.
Question : Does Real Band support Multiple outputs - one stereo or mono digital output per instrument?
(If you are familiar with MOTU 2408, "piano" to ADAT 1, ch 1 - "strings" to ADAT 1 ch 2 - "stereo drums" to ADAT 1 ch 3 and 4 - etc.)
The long way around of syncing to an external recorder is to visually line up tracks using using the count in, after each track is recorded into the multi-track. That can get pretty tedious and counter productive to any minor arrangement or instrument changes.
Question : Does Real Drums output the used "audio clips" by individual drum instruments ? In other words, were the "audio clips" created as a stereo audio tracks?
Stereo drum audio tracks includes the entire kit. This will not allow any processing of individual instruments, such as re-EQ'ing the kick drum, or applying a different reverb on the toms, etc.
Undoubtedly the addition of Real Band to my studio arsenal will be a plus. I am trying to get an idea of how much of its capabilities I can utilize. Sync to external recorder is an issue I want to understand well before spending $400. Versatility of generated drum tracks is another.
I appreciate any input.
Thanks
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RealBand
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
RealBand is based on the PowerTracks engine and look and runs very much like PowerTracks Pro. Both can support SMPTE. However, the user must realize that when Audio tracks are involved, which is what the RealTracks are, that realtime tempo stretching cannot be supported as it can be easily done with MIDI tracks but not with Audio.
--Mac
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RealBand
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,647
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,647 |
I can vouch for the syncng of the sequencer/DAW.
SMPTE and midi time code still apply.
If tempo is known it is easy, and if it isn't, one of the strong features of RB is the ACW which not only analyzes chords, but also tenpos, allowing one to rewrite the tempo map for syncing if necessary.
You are right- the drums are indeed a stero mix, but the ones I've used were recorded well enough that with proper EQing you can do a lot with the kit mix.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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RealBand
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
About the RealDrums:
Do they work in *every* case?
No. There are certain types of productions where the drumkit mixing is a part of the production. In these cases, the producer is likely better off using a different drum solution that allows that kind of total control over each instrument in the kit, with separation.
However, for a good amount of work, the RealDrums have proven to represent a super shortcut that sounds very good to excellent. For example, I've been asked who the drummer was on the session. By another drummer.
--Mac
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RealBand
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 70
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 70 |
Yoda, you can use use MIDI Sync as Sync Source. You would press play on RealBand and awaiting MIDI Sync dialog will pop up.Then hit play/record on your recorder. I use an HD8. works a treat!!!
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RealBand
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 38
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 38 |
Thank you all for your response.
Interesting . . . The software engine for RB is Power Tracks and not BIAB and it supports SMPTE or MTC. Cool !
So when I get Real Band, there is a dialog box to send MTC. My VS2480 sends and receives MTC, so I can bypass the MTC to SMPTE converter. Cool #2 !
Question for Stephan326 . . .
Can Real Band act as the "sync slave" ? Your post sounds like RB can indeed do that. If I can control RB via MTC from the recorder . . . that would be Cool #3 !
About the drums. Although they are some of the best sounding drum samples I've ever heard, on most of my mixing process, I would need or want more control of each drum instruments. Fortunately I have several local drummers available to replace the finished drum track. Certainly there will be situations where Real Drums output will be just fine to use on the final mix.
I will be ordering my upgrade within a couple of weeks.
Thanks
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RealBand
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
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Joined: May 2003
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Yes RB can sync to either MIDI sync, MTC or SMPTE
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RealBand
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 70
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 70 |
Yoda, that is absolutely correct!!
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RealBand
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
You really need to speak to Harvey Gerst. If you don't recognize the name, google it. Big time producer, engineer and studio owner. He's a forum member and uses Biab and Real Tracks a lot in his work. He's very helpful around here and if he doesn't see this thread, I would email him.
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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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.
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Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
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Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
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- 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
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- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
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