Here's an easy way to add more Midi and Audio/RealTracks without leaving Biab and going to RealBand or your DAW. This also allows you to generate up a track just how you like, like MuliRiffs, by custom generating any section you like: http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=394393
This goes back to what I have been asking for in the wish list for the last few years. That is open up all 16 channels for MIDI and Audio. Problem solved with no work-around.
This is an excellent work-around but it might be easier with all channels open. YMMV.
The fitness trainer asked me, "What kind of a squat are you accustomed to doing?" I said, "Diddly."
64 bit Win 11 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
This goes back to what I have been asking for in the wish list for the last few years. That is open up all 16 channels for MIDI and Audio. Problem solved with no work-around.
This is an excellent work-around but it might be easier with all channels open. YMMV.
I'm not proficient with midi nor can I play Piano/keyboard. But, I once owned a Yamaha PSR-950 workstation. It had a composer section that resembled a 16 track recorder. I used that recorder to build tracks one finger or chord at a time. Sometimes the completed work actually sounded as if a competent musician had played everything at once.
Is that what you are referencing saying to open all 16 channels for midi and audio in BIAB? I'm not clearly understanding how a similar workflow would progress in BIAB.
I know two variations of old school mixing that easily free tracks in BIAB that can sum to a total of 16 tracks for recording additional audio or midi but I'm not clearly understanding the channel assignments. Could you explain a bit the benefit of having the 16 channels if BIAB had 16 tracks and how you would build a song? My work around may be something you could use.
Charlie, by channels I mean tracks. Right now you have 5 tracks open to either MIDI or RTs while the rest of the tracks are dedicated to melodist, harmony, MIDI guitar etc. I wish is to open all tracks to the user.
The fitness trainer asked me, "What kind of a squat are you accustomed to doing?" I said, "Diddly."
64 bit Win 11 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Charlie, by channels I mean tracks. Right now you have 5 tracks open to either MIDI or RTs while the rest of the tracks are dedicated to melodist, harmony, MIDI guitar etc. I wish is to open all tracks to the user.
That's the way I was interpreting your post but my knowledge base of midi is not that deep but that's how the Yamaha workstation multitrack recorder worked. Normally, track 10 was used for drums, track 1 for piano, track 2 for bass, track 4 for melody and track 7,8 for guitars
The multitrack operation of BIAB is similar to the Tascam DP series of multitrack recorders. I have used Tascam Portastudios for many years and for most of those years, tracks were limited to 4 or 8 tracks and bouncing was essential. With digital recording and hard disks, the track count increased to 24/32 actual tracks but the total number of tracks using virtual tracks and bouncing is practically limitless.
The Tascam DP008 pocketstudio can record mono or stereo tracks and is marketed as a six track model, (2 mono tracks and 2 stereo tracks), it is simply an upgrade of an earlier model DP004 which had 4 mono tracks. Pocketstudios and Portastudios can record two tracks simultaneously. But by bouncing tracks (digitally) to a virtual track, you can record all 4 tracks, using all of the available inputs, then bounce these four onto a single or if stereo, to two tracks into a virtual track that replaces one or two (stereo) recorded physical tracks. Continuing to follow those steps, you can record an unlimited number of total tracks bouncing the four available tracks in various combinations. Being digital, there is no loss of quality in the rendered recording. I have posted Tascam Dp multitrack examples in another thread here on the forum and you can hear how well they record for yourself.
Biab Features of the audio track and Performance Tracks allow Biab to record and save tracks in a very similar manner to the Tascam DP series recorder. In other words, nearly an unlimited number of tracks can be generated, mixed and bounced....
The feature of being able to record multiple instruments on a single track add to the recording versatility of Biab. (Punch in/out)
I will give an example of multitrack recording beyond the eight visible Biab tracks but make note, there are many variations of this technique and this is only limited by the requirements of the song and your imagination. You may already be aware of this technique but I don't recall ever seeing it discussed in depth here on the forum.
EXAMPLE:
After you've completed a chord chart - by inputting yourself, import a midi or a chart generated via the ACW, or just open any existing sgu file.
Select a style. I chose OUTRAGE.STY a five track Realstyle for this example.
Pan and mix the tracks. You can add additional tracks to the audio, Melody and Soloist tracks if desired.
Render all the tracks to a WAV audio file to your desktop. According to your needs, you may decide to render just a few tracks; for instance, drums and bass and a loop track...
Import the rendered audio file to the Audio Track. It should default to 1.1.0 and sync with the existing tracks. Use the Audio Editor to sync the tracks if necessary. I haven't had to do this so far.
Select Audio/Move Audio to Performance Track
A window will open to allow you to select any track other than the audio track. You will be prompted to save the file if it hasn't been saved at this point.
Since my song normally will only have one bass or drum track, I select one of these tracks to move the Performance track to. It will be a stereo track.
At this point, all of the remaining tracks including the audio track are available to select styles, Realtracks, midi tracks, Supermidi or audio and free to add additional tracks to be rendered to your song.
Continue rendering the new generated tracks over the existing chord chart. MUTE the performance track(s) unless it's desired to be included in the bounce to a new audio file to be exported and reimported back into the audio file and converted and moved to another track as a performance track.
This process can be repeated many times without loss of audio quality. You can use F5 to have newly generated tracks to contain multiple instruments. A very complex arrangement can quickly be generated in this manner and never leave the Biab program. This technique works with both PC and Mac versions. Effects and VST's can be applied. Performance group tracks can be rendered together to form larger group performance tracks. Although only a single audio track can be recorded at once, using this method allows for multiple audio tracks such as vocals and additional backing tracks to be recorded into Biab mixed, rendered, exported and reimported back to the audio track, made into a performance track and moved to another track.
A very powerful benefit of doing this in Biab rather than moving to RealBand is the Stylepicker for Biab is different than the Stylepicker in RB. The RB Stylepicker does not contain the feature to audition styles over your chord progression but that feature is available in Biab Stylepicker. A style can sound dramatically different played over your chord progression from how it sounds playing the demo. Some RealStyles contain up to five tracks of RealTracks so you can also audition hundreds of Rt's in just minutes versus the time required to do the same in RB.
You may already be aware of this technique but as I've noted, I've not seen it discussed in depth here on the forum before. Hopefully I've described the process with enough clarity you can experiment with the techniques and find some use from it.
Yes Charlie I understand your bouncing process. It is a very creative use of BiaB and it is different than my 16 track suggestion.
I have a different workflow. When I want more tracks from BiaB I will transfer the tracks into Sonar, go back to BiaB then transfer this into Sonar. In Sonar I cut, paste, blend, control volume, pan, etc.
Your workflow is perfect for someone who knows exactly what they want and they can stay in BiaB. Being the scatter brain that I am most of the time I have a general idea of what I want but I will not get to my goal until I use the trail and error method.
The fitness trainer asked me, "What kind of a squat are you accustomed to doing?" I said, "Diddly."
64 bit Win 11 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
I understand Mario. I also use a similar workflow as you and incorporate either RealBand or Studio One DAW or both on occasion. While you can export as many Biab tracks as needed now, I can see where having 16 available at once would be quite useful.
You are correct that for the user making backing tracks and is more concerned with generating a song 'in the style of' tracks and who won't be doing a lot of cutting and pasting and letting Biab do all the heavy lifting, then bouncing can quickly allow them to spice up the finished product with some additional instruments without transferring tracks over to a DAW.
The biggest benefit for me is how quickly styles and realtracks can be auditioned in the Biab using the Biab stylepicker and the play using my chord progression feature rather than the RB stylepicker which takes quite a bit more time.
Your workflow is more traditional and better known as well as used by most users by a large percentage over the bouncing method I believe.
Biab was designed as that, a Band that will start play instantly, so it plays in Ram. Now it has evolved for other purposes it could easily have something like energyXT within it so everything can be done within the confines of Biab. Maybe the new 64bit version will have this.
Charlie, like myself I am sure that many others had not heard of your bouncing workflow until now. I'm sure there will be more users investigating your methodology.
The fitness trainer asked me, "What kind of a squat are you accustomed to doing?" I said, "Diddly."
64 bit Win 11 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
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XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
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Note: 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.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 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.
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Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
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Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
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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!
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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
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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!
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!
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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
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!
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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!
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!
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.
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