Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Off-Topic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934
Hi All

I am currently performing with a wonderful musician, Lebogang Lechela, who plays some fantastic covers of well known songs on the acoustic guitar. The other day we recorded a few of these tracks in RealBand and here is my favourite.

If I were a Rich Man

So I thought some less experienced folk may be interested in the process I used to record and mix this track.

Here is the blog post.

Recording and mixing a single acoustic guitar track using RealBand

Ps if anyone wants to have a go at mixing this track let me know and I will send the raw track over


Last edited by JoanneCooper; 05/31/17 12:25 AM.

LyricLab – Where words become music https://www.lyriclab.net/
Off-Topic
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,838
C
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
C
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,838
What an excellent mix on Lebogang Lechela's cover of "If I were a rich man". You did a super job on recording, mixing and mastering the track.

Great Blog Joanne. You are an excellent writer in explaining the process so concisely.


Charlie


BIAB 2025:RB 2025, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
Off-Topic
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,312
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,312
Thanks for putting this together Joanne! I've highlighted this blog post on our Facebook page smile

-Callie

Off-Topic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934
Charlie and Callie. Thanks so much for the comments. And Callie thanks so much for sharing on facebook. I always get a good response from that community.


LyricLab – Where words become music https://www.lyriclab.net/
Off-Topic
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,005
Veteran
Online Happy
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,005
Excellent blog post Joanne. Thank you for taking the time to share so much detail about your workflow. I hope you'll have an opportunity to read the comments and answer the questions I left on the blog post.


Jim Fogle - 2026 BiaB (Build 1224) RB (Build 8) - Ultra+ PAK
DAWs: Cakewalk Sonar - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8
Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD
Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
Off-Topic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934
Hi Jim. Thanks so much. I have posted a reply on the blog post. Let me know if you need any more information.


LyricLab – Where words become music https://www.lyriclab.net/
Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,590
L
Expert
Offline
Expert
L
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,590
Hi Joanne. I always enjoy your posts. Are you using any other DAW apart from Real Band? I'm getting into Real Band at the moment and I love the integration to BIAB 2017. I love the way it splits up midi files on to individual tracks which you can then add (eg SampleTank) sounds to although I wish there was an patch map for Sampletank (omni) Perhaps there is? I can also see the benefit of extra tracks, regenerating parts of Realtracks and the multi riff option. The volume tool and automation tools are also great, but
I'm wondering if our productions need to go somewhere else later? I know you use Ozone for mastering and I'm considering getting an Izotope mixing and mastering package when it's reduced in price. However, I find I look over at YouTube videos of various DAWs and Realtracks seems somewhat lacking for the final stages. eg no graphical EQs, little in the way of compression tools (I know there are VSTs). Should I view Real Band as a half way house or is it enough on its own? Perhaps REAPER should be a song's final resting ground?


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
Off-Topic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934
Hi lambada. I am sure others are going to have lots to say about how RealBand is not a proper DAW but I love it and have not found any reason to change. I find a way to do everything I want to do using RealBand and audacity. Not to mention the ability to generate real tracks and midi on the fly. Which is a big plus to me as I mix my tracks in an iterative way rather than doing all the "arranging" first.

I use ozone extensively on both individual tracks and on the mastering. I mean it has a great graphical interface that is easily understandable (unlike slate digital whose interface I find very confusing). It has all the processors I need. Compressor, eq, stereo enhancer etc etc.

I tried ProTooks but found it too power hungry as I do all my work on a relatively underpowered laptop.

Do you mind if I post your comments to my blog?


LyricLab – Where words become music https://www.lyriclab.net/
Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,590
L
Expert
Offline
Expert
L
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,590
Not at all. I always enjoy your posts, so post away. I suspect others will respond too. It's good to see Realband getting a few new videos too. As you say, it supplements BIAB very well and tends to get overshadowed by BIAB. I may even try streaming from it at a later date. As you say Ozone might be my missing link as I want the graphical interfaces for EQ etc. So far, none of my midi automation has transferred over to Realband, but I'll figure that out. I'm starting now to get into recording my own material rather than just playing along to covers.

Last edited by lambada; 06/01/17 02:33 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
Off-Topic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934
Hi lambada.

Ozone is an absolute essential for me. But expensive...

For live streaming, when I use backtracks (which I generally don't anymore) I just use MP3 files with scrolling chords and lyrics.


LyricLab – Where words become music https://www.lyriclab.net/
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!

PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.

The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.

The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.

Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!

Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.

Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!

Order now!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!

Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!

We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.

Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!

Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.

If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!

Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!

We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.

Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.

Happy New Year!

Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.

Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!

Season's Greetings!

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!

The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.

Team PG

Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window

In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe

This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics85,959
Posts798,256
Members39,996
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
hasaan khan, Nicomatteo, Opur, Carly Bishop, copperbrazier
39,996 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 169
DC Ron 122
Noel96 113
rsdean 102
rharv 66
Today's Birthdays
AnnWa, Rockeric, Wali
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5