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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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The new feature I find most intriguing in 2017 is the upgrade to Elastique 3.
Have the beta testers or early adopters noticed much difference in sound or performance with the upgrade?
Thanks - Best - Andy
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Hi Andy, Yes. Elastique 3 does give better transposition. In my opinion, this is one of the reasons that the Realtracks sound even better in 2017. I haven't done a comparison between Elastique 2 and Elastique 3 in BIAB but recently in Reaper, I tried some manipulating of wavs using both versions. If you're curious, download Reaper (one doesn't need to buy it to use it), load a wav and try some pitch shifting using Elastique 2 and then 3. Comparisons are very easy in Reaper.  Regards, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Oh, yes.
There is another new feature, Natural Arrangement, that dramatically improves the sound, at least in complex jazz chords. It's hard to tell what level of the improvement is coming from each feature, but I'm not arguing with success!
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Noel: That's encouraging - Thanks. I have Reaper, but have never had cause to use Project Settings/Pitch Shift. (Ok, hands up: I didn't know it was there....)
Matt: I'm interested in your comment on Natural Extensions. 'What's New' says: <<...with fancy extensions...the musician may reinterpret these rather than playing them exactly as written...Now you can get Band-in-a-Box® to do the same thing>>
What do you think BIAB is doing with Natural Arrangements? Ignoring upper partials and simplifying the chord? Changing upper partials? Deleting some (eg changing an alt to #5#9) Improving voice-leading? Changing roots even? Is it only the chordal instruments piano/guitar whch are naturalised... ?
Thanks again to both of you. Best - Andy
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Andy, please consider my answer as my best guess. I've requested more info.
I do not hear any change of root.
I still hear the top note of the chord (essential!).
I do hear better voice leading.
If the chord is being simplified, I'm not bothered by it. As a composer, I'm really surprised by that!
I am listening just to piano and guitar.
BIAB always did take 'liberties' with chords just as a real player woul; it's just better now. I'm not a pianist but I hear almost no mass jumping of range in the comping.
I suspect your example is a good one: if I write 7alt, it's wide open and they can revoice it to improve voice leading.
Stay tuned.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Matt: I only use MSTs for piano. So far I've found no discernible difference with 'Force to simple arrangement' ticked and un-ticked. I wonder if it only works for RTs? Best - Andy
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Andy, Another thing that sometimes works with making arrangements better is to activate the "Avoid Transpositions of Realtracks" (#3) on the image from BIAB 2016.  This forces BIAB to generate tracks with no transposition applied unless there is no alternative. I've found this setting useful. Also, some keys will generate better than others. For example: C major usually seems to generate better than C# major. Eb major also seems to generate ok. I have a theory that the best keys are those that are a minor 3rd apart: namely C, Eb, Gb, A. I've never tested my theory. Regards, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I recall reading many years ago something that would support your conjecture, Noel. Remember when we removed the +/- tracks? They were set in minor thirds, so you were never more than a full step away from a track to be pitch shifted. It was set up like a diminished seventh.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Thanks Noel:
Song Settings/Avoid Transpositions clearly only applies to RTs. Do you think the new 'Natural Arrangements' option applies to RTs & MSTs?
So far, I've found it hard to hear a difference for piano MSTs with Natural Arrangement on or off.
And while I'm on MSTs: Would you know how many MSTs there should be post 2017 & 49 Bonus Pack? I'm only showing 203 - which I think is the same as 2016?
Many Thanks - Best - Andy
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Andy,
Here is a link regarding the Bonus 49 Pak. There are 30 MidiSuper tracks released that are included in that.
I've checked my list and I appear to have all that's listed. My total is 203, too.
In Song Settings, Natural Arrangement is listed under the heading of Realtracks. This makes me think that it is a Realtrack thing. I don't know for sure, though. Maybe someone from PG Music might visit and let us know for sure.
Regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Noel: Ah yes - I just found the list of BonusPack MSTs, and I have all of them. 203 seems to be the post-2017 MST total.
Great sleuthing on Song Settings/Natural Arrangement falling under RTs. In the global Prefs/Display its a stand-alone item.
Maybe Natural Arrangement only applies to RTs then?
As you say, advice from PG would be useful on this. And on the interaction between 'Avoid Transpositions in RTs' and 'Natural Arrangement'
Thanks again - Best - Andy
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Hi
What is this natural settings option? Better voice leading? It's done some rather weird things to some of my songs - I guess I wasn't expecting my backing tracks to change, but for me, the jury is still out. I just need to know what's happening.
Last edited by lambada; 12/03/16 04:42 AM.
Windows 10 Home 20H2 Build 19042.487
BIAB 2021 (Build 818)
Intel(R) Core(TM), i3-4160, CPU @3.60 GHz RAM 16 GB, 64 Bit X64-based processor
Zoom UAC-2 (USB 3 interface-built in midi)
VoiceLive 3 Extreme, Sputnik Valve Condenser Mic
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