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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 5
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 5 |
I'm working on my first serious BIAB project. I'm exporting files to my DAW (Reaper). All that works fine.
But it raises some questions. I have 3 tracks, drums, bass, and piano, that are RealTracks. However, I am able to drag MIDI over to my DAW for all three of these.
My main question is, are the MIDI data actually created at the time of recording and therefore represent what was really played by the musician, or are the MIDI just a transcription for notation purposes?
I was under the impression they were just transcriptions for notation purposes. But, the piano seems spot on, with every grace note and glissando in it. It just sounds too good. When I use the Addictive Keys VST, it sounds great. A bit different than the real tracks, but good.
I haven't listened as closely to the bass and drums, but they sound pretty good using just MIDI.
If in fact, the MIDI is recorded as played, is everything digital (drum , piano, bass synths). Or where acoustic instruments used and somehow MIDI data captured?
And perhaps, does this vary from style to style. I happen to be using the "Jazz Swing Poll Winners" _JPLMDSW style.
One last things. In BIAB, I cannot see piano roll info for the drums. Which I assumed meant there wasn't any MIDI drum data. Yet I could export MIDI drum data. This makes no sense to me. Any idea?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,789
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,789 |
Yes it is all very complex isn't it. If the RT midi sounds good, use it. If not stick with the Audio - or mix and match. You get to mix and master and arrange the final song.
Some of the midi will indeed be good. But some will not. Some are transcriptions and some are actually midi instruments being recorded. You will find it is a mixed bag.
Have fun.
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,357
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,357 |
I was under the impression they were just transcriptions for notation purposes. But, the piano seems spot on, with every grace note and glissando in it. It just sounds too good. When I use the Addictive Keys VST, it sounds great. A bit different than the real tracks, but good. The above is correct. Audio is not converted to midi. In many cases it has been notated after the audio recording and is used for notation purposes. Because of this, it might not always be exactly the same as played. The piano is one of the exceptions. Dr Gannon has mentioned on the forum that the piano Realtracks are created by using a Yamaha with midi capabilities and, because of this, the midi files are an exact transcription of the playing. Regards, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 109
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 109 |
I'm working on my first serious BIAB project. I'm exporting files to my DAW (Reaper). All that works fine. I do something similar. I open the BiaB file in Real Band, making sure "Generate -> Also generate Real Chart" is selected. Then I add additional interesting Real Tracks and select "Render -> Render to individual files ( midi & wave)." Then I import all the files into my DAW for editing. This gives me more choice as to what sounds best. Sometimes an additional take of a Solo, for example, is better than the 1st one.
Boyd Win10 - 16GB-RAM - BiaB 2019 - Mixbus 4 - Slate Bundle - Komplete 10 - Ozone 8 - Neutron 2 - Waves Gold Ample Sound Guitars & Basses - Pianoteq 6 - SSD5 - SD3 - JamStix 4 - Omnisphere - UVI Falcon - EastWest Play Sonarworks Reference 4 -
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,114
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,114 |
Hi Noel
Quote “The piano is one of the exceptions. Dr Gannon has mentioned on the forum that the piano Realtracks are created by using a Yamaha with midi capabilities and, because of this, the midi files are an exact transcription of the playing.”
Very interesting that, I suppose you don’t know which model of Yamaha I have owned a few of their digital pianos currently CVP 405. Maybe its one of their hybrid Grands that have both Acoustic and Digital Love to know just curious .
But it does explain why the midi piano parts sound so good played through my Yamaha even when derived from a realtrack piano . especially when sent to one of the higher bank panel voice patches like MSB 0 LSB 122 Mike
BIAB2021 UltraPlus,AsusN55S1Tbssd, W10/64,Akai EIEpro Yamaha CVP405,SquireStrat, CoolsoftVMidSynth Novatation Impulse61 Ctr kbd, Cwalk blab Kontakt http://mikesmusic.byethost16.com/
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,114
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,114 |
Hi Noel
Thanks for that, very interesting an Awesome machine a Yamaha Disklavier That’s why they sound so good on my clavinova. Thanks to you and Peter for the insight. Best regards Mike
BIAB2021 UltraPlus,AsusN55S1Tbssd, W10/64,Akai EIEpro Yamaha CVP405,SquireStrat, CoolsoftVMidSynth Novatation Impulse61 Ctr kbd, Cwalk blab Kontakt http://mikesmusic.byethost16.com/
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 5
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 5 |
Thanks for the input. The post by Peter Gannon is as definitive as it gets.
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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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Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
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Season's Greetings!
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Team PG
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