Tony,

As Noel indicated RealBand, or Band-in-a-Box for that matter, can become your best friend in this instance as both programs can save audio files as Acidized loops.

Acidized loops have tempo and key signature information embedded in the file. When a loop is loaded into a program the program looks for the embedded information so the program can correctly adjust the loop tempo and key to match the surrounding song. Both Band-in-a-Box and RealBand can use Acidized loops and more than 1000 Acidized loops come with the programs. In addition to reading the embedded information, both programs can embed the information.

Typically loops are small; only one, two or four measures in length. Using a vocal "oooo" as an example it would need to sound different at 60 bpm than it would at 120, 160 or 200 bpm so you would want to make multiple loops at different speeds. You also might want to make multiple loops in different keys. PG Music makes each Realtracks in about five keys evenly spaced across an octave. That way each note doesn't have to change pitch too much.

So for the one sound, "oooo", you would likely want to create enough loops to cover both the tempo and key ranges you might encounter. For single note loops like the example you may be able to get by with less. When PG Music first introduced Acidized loops to the programs they created a video using just one bass note in a one measure loop to play bass through a complete song. I was very impressed by the video which is why I still remember it.

Another reason why you might want to create loops in multiple keys is to create background harmonies.

Jim Fogle - 2025 BiaB (Build 1128) RB (Build 5) - Ultra+ PAK
DAWs: Cakewalk Sonar - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8
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