|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 5
Newbie
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 5 |
I've used BIAB for decades, but never really dug into it. The interface has always been very non-intuitive. But, I now have version 2017 and decided to commit to getting to know it better. To that end, I wanted to be able to record a MIDI keyboard input, but have found it difficult and after extensive looking and reading, cannot find if there is a better way.
Here's where I'm at now.
When not recording or playing back the song I can hear MIDI keyboard input. It appears to be using a the Microsoft CS Wavetable synth. In any case, it sounds cheesy and completely unusable latency (>100 ms).
When playing back the song, whether or not I'm recording, I hear the synth assigned to the "thru" track. Latency is short and acceptable.
After recording, the MIDI is now either on the "melody" or "soloist" track, depending one which was selected when recording. Of course now, the patch is whatever is assigned to the "melody" or "soloist" tracks.
Is this really the best that can be done? Do I have to continually reset the "thru" track and "melody/soloist" tracks to match so that what I hear will be the same?
It would seems to make a lot more sense to hear the sound as it would be on the track it is actually getting recorded to, like every DAW or sequencer I've ever used.
Also, the keyboard works as expected, with all other programs. I don't think this is a MIDI keyboard problem, but just a how BIAB works. And I'm hoping there is something I've overlooked to make this work a bit more smoothly.
Another odd thing, the keyboard is outputting on MIDI channel 1, yet the BIAB MIDI monitor shows the key activity as being on channel 5. This makes no sense to me.
Any guidance would be appreciated.
Thanks,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 167
DonCarlos
|
|
DonCarlos
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 167 |
I also plan to first experiments with MIDI keyboard guitar exist at Veterans recommendations:
- how to do it
- What are the best hardware and software MIDI instruments that have tested with Win10 (including drivers)
- What kind of sound card recommended
Karel Jacko alias Don Carlos - Czech Republic Dealer PG Music, Inc - +420 604 111 102, +420 602 561 567 mobil - Band Leader Groups Jazz za Bukem and Hot Jazz Sutrs; - BIAB 2020 Win10; BIAB 2019 MAC; - Roland GK-3 Divided Pickup (Guitar and Bass); Roland GR-20 Guitar Synth; - MOTU UltraLite mk3 (Firewire); Fishman Tripleplay - MacBookPro 13 with touchbar 2018, Wiki BIAB czech support page wiki.zabukem.eu
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,114
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,114 |
Hi
This is a bit complicated to explain but here is my take.
Your midi keyboard sends its data to the software over Ch1
The through track is just that, it passé your note and midi data that you play through to the internal pc midi synth say Microsoft GS Wavetable, or any other external hardware midi synth or sound module that you select in midi settings, it sends this to ch5 of the receiving synth, you may chose the patch for this in the through track.
This is what you hear when playing or recording.
If you chose to record to the melody track the note and midi data that you play gets written here on the melody track what you are hearing is the through voice chosen previously from the chosen internal or external synth.
Now when you play back you song your notes and data are coming from the melody track the melody track sends its data on ch4 using the patch selected for the melody patch. The data is sent depending on you midi set to either your dxi synth if the box is ticked or to your internal or external midi synth or module as selected.
Later edit
Note the thru track does not have to routed to the midi internal or external synth drivers just don’t tick the box in midi set up
It will then go to your VST dxi if selected the ch assignment are still as stated
Hope this helps a bit
Best regards
Mike
Last edited by Mike Head; 01/24/17 05:22 AM.
BIAB2021 UltraPlus,AsusN55S1Tbssd, W10/64,Akai EIEpro Yamaha CVP405,SquireStrat, CoolsoftVMidSynth Novatation Impulse61 Ctr kbd, Cwalk blab Kontakt http://mikesmusic.byethost16.com/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,674
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,674 |
Spitfire wrote:
I've used BIAB for decades, but never really dug into it. The interface has always been very non-intuitive. But, I now have version 2017 and decided to commit to getting to know it better. To that end, I wanted to be able to record a MIDI keyboard input, but have found it difficult and after extensive looking and reading, cannot find if there is a better way.
Here's where I'm at now.
When not recording or playing back the song I can hear MIDI keyboard input. It appears to be using a the Microsoft CS Wavetable synth. In any case, it sounds cheesy and completely unusable latency (>100 ms).
If you are using MME (versus ASIO), then you are going to have latency, unless you are passing through to a hardware synth (such as a keyboard).
When playing back the song, whether or not I'm recording, I hear the synth assigned to the "thru" track. Latency is short and acceptable.
The Thru track is just that; it allows input from an external source (keyboard, MIDI guitar, etc.) to play either to an assigned VSTi or your default synth port, depending upon your settings. Playback of a song doesn't use the thru port. An additional feature of the thru port is that BIAB can capture that input and record it to either the Melody or Soloist track. And if you want the instrument playing on the thru track to play back with the same instrument on the Melody track, you need to manually select that same patch on the Melody track.
After recording, the MIDI is now either on the "melody" or "soloist" track, depending one which was selected when recording. Of course now, the patch is whatever is assigned to the "melody" or "soloist" tracks.
Yep, that's the way it works. You record something from the thru track (and the instrument you hear depends upon what you selected for that track). But what gets recorded to Melody or Soloist is just the note data, not the actual sounds. You have to set that yourself.
Is this really the best that can be done? Do I have to continually reset the "thru" track and "melody/soloist" tracks to match so that what I hear will be the same?
It works as described above. I would suggest putting in a wishlist item that says something to the effect of "if I record to the melody track from the thru track, then automatically apply the same settings to the melody track (or soloist track)".
It would seems to make a lot more sense to hear the sound as it would be on the track it is actually getting recorded to, like every DAW or sequencer I've ever used.
See previous comment
Also, the keyboard works as expected, with all other programs. I don't think this is a MIDI keyboard problem, but just a how BIAB works. And I'm hoping there is something I've overlooked to make this work a bit more smoothly.
Another odd thing, the keyboard is outputting on MIDI channel 1, yet the BIAB MIDI monitor shows the key activity as being on channel 5. This makes no sense to me.
As I understand it, the thru track accepts input from any of the 16 channels, but processes it on channel 5 internally once it receives the input, and then passes it along to the melody track to be converted to channel 4 (or soloist track on channel - anyway, I think it's channel 8).
Any guidance would be appreciated.
Hope this helps.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA BB2025/UMC404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/MixBus/Notion/Finale/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,114
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,114 |
Hi all Yes John ch 8 for soloist. Spitfire, If you want to see the current ch assignment in BIAB go to options / preferences / channels see my pic. You will notice amongst other things that BIAB does not use ch 1 for any of its own parts the first mixer track Bass uses ch 2 Best regards Mike 
Last edited by Mike Head; 01/24/17 06:45 AM.
BIAB2021 UltraPlus,AsusN55S1Tbssd, W10/64,Akai EIEpro Yamaha CVP405,SquireStrat, CoolsoftVMidSynth Novatation Impulse61 Ctr kbd, Cwalk blab Kontakt http://mikesmusic.byethost16.com/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 5
Newbie
|
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 5 |
Seems that the behavior is normal for BIAB, if unusual for music programs in general (at least any I've used).
Why not just route the incoming MIDI to the melody or soloist track like a DAW would do? It's be so much less confusing.
Anyway, thanks to all for the input. At least I know I'm doing it the way it needs to be done in BIAB.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,674
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,674 |
Why not just route the incoming MIDI to the melody or soloist track like a DAW would do? It's be so much less confusing. Because BIAB is not a DAW; it's also used by many for live performance. Having the thru track allows you to have a melodist and soloist track already ready recorded while you play along. Sure, they could have done it differently, but that's the way they implemented WAAAYY back when and it's been that way ever since. If they route input to the melody or soloist track, you still have to tell it where to go and what instruments to use. Just like when you move a track from the melody to soloist track, you still have to configure the soloist track. In RealBand, however, you just record to the track you want and you can copy one track to another with all settings intact. But BIAB isn't RealBand and vice versa. If you want this behavior to change, you'll have to add it to the wishlist, but I like having the Thru track (once I understood it). That being said, even with the current architecture, I like the idea of copying all the track settings over when you record a melody or soloist track, and I like the idea of being able to "copy" the melody track to the soloist track (and vice versa) with all settings/effects/etc intact. It think I'll head over to the wishlist now...
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA BB2025/UMC404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/MixBus/Notion/Finale/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 5
Newbie
|
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 5 |
John,
I understand BIAB is not a DAW, but there are still common ways of doing things. And there's nothing about having the option to assign a MIDI input to a track that would preclude being able to assign it somewhere else such as letting it thru.
And I realize much of BIAB goes way back. There's a balance to be struck with any software between keeping the old, that many customers are used to using, and updating to be more modern. BIAB is a great program in terms of what can be done with it. But it has always been unnecessarily difficult to use.
I've used it on and off for decades, but never got beyond banging in some chords and selecting a style, because it was so hard to understand. This time, I have committed to gaining more understanding and trying to make better use of it.
As with most software, I'm sure that once I know how to do it, it will be fine.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,674
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,674 |
Please see my wishlist request I just made regarding this...we'll see what the future holds.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA BB2025/UMC404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/MixBus/Notion/Finale/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-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!
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 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!
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.
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
Join the conversation on our forum.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums58
Topics84,404
Posts778,750
Members39,648
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean