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#42822 11/15/09 11:28 AM
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Now that PG Music has created Real Band, will PT be continued/improved, or eventually dropped, since RB seems to do everything- I'd like to see a checkmark comparison listing, showing what can be done- even BIAB can now record an audio file.

Also, I can't seem to find a list of all the Real Band instruments- not styles, but the instruments-drums,guitar, sax, banjo, etc.

Thank you!

Rusty

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PT12 can do everything that RealBand can do except for the obvious, which is the autoaccompaniment engine derived from Band in a Box.

In fact, RB is actually PTW with the BIAB section added onto it. All else is identical in look, feel, underlying engine and operation. I like having everything in the same place, makes switching one to the other a breeze with no real learning curve or that moment of searching for something that "used to be right here but isn't" as with other softwares.

PGMusic has assured us in the past that Powertracks will remain in the lineup. Some folks are likely not to be interested in autoaccompaniment and just want a good reliable MIDI/Audio sequencing software and PTW fills that bill.


--Mac

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Hmmm... RealBand can do everything PowerTracks can do, plus more. The engine is the same and the interface is basically the same (other than accommodating the new features). So, in my mind, what's in a name? I think if they took RealBand and put the BIAB tracks in their own separate area (so you don't get confused between the auto-generating tracks and the ones you do yourself) and increased the non-BIAB tracks to 48, added some more of the features people have requested for PowerTracks (and even RealBand), you would have the next version of RealBand/PowerTracks/whatever you want to call it. Are we looking for the name or the functionality? Maybe call it PowerBand (and leave the "Real" moniker for the instrument sounds).

For me, once RealBand came out, the only thing I used PTPA for was the TC-Helicon harmonizer, but now that TC is available in RealBand (sort of, by way of PowerTracks, ironically), all I need is RealBand. It does everything the PowerTracks did and more.

But to each his own...


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Rusty,

Around about the time PowerTracks version 9 was current, I had become very comfortable with this digital audio workstation, and it would do everything I needed to record and manipulate audio on my computer. Not having much use for specific MIDI applications or VST/VSTi technology, version 9 was just about right for my needs.

When version 10 was released, some of the methods I used to get results with the program no longer worked, and the new features introduced didn't enhance the performance of the software - for my purposes. So, it was a matter of developing new workflow habits... The same applied to versions 11 and 12 as they were introduced.

I made a suggestion on the wishlist forum that a "classic" version of the program be released that allowed those of us who were already happy with the way it worked to enjoy a functional version of PTPA that was periodically updated, but without all the new "bells and whistles".
Now, it looks to me that PTPA12 has become just that ! You want trippy features: go with RealBand. You want basic digital audio processing (with a few neat toys thrown in ) - PowerTracks is your tool.

When I work in Windows (rather than in Linux), PTPA is my DAW of choice because it works .


just looking for clues...
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Rusty - For myself, I can't see giving up using PT. I've spent 15 or so years using PT and BIAB together. My PT version is PT build 12. I don't even use a couple of the newer PT bells and whistles - I still use the Classic view Tracks Window. Now if they could sort out some RT "saving" issues on the BIAB side of things I'll be happy - I'll keep using PT as it is - I echo Oren's sentiments especially when I read the RB Forum and read some of their problems.

If change comes, it does - until then I'm happy with my status quo.

Ian


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Mac,
OK, PTPA12 is what I have. You said it will remain in the lineup, BUT, will new versions of it be coming out-13,14...? Or is PTPA12 THE ultimate version of that program? Will PG MUsic now do updating to Real Band features and not the two separate programs? Sounds to me like they've made their lives a lot more complicated! That could be part of "the plan" to prevent any downsizing- "We have all these programs to change and improve!"

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I have no inside information on that subject.

However, again I state that development has told us, right on this forum back when RealBand first came out and people started sounding the death knell for Powertracks that they would continue to support Powertracks. I would assume that would mean upgrades, but only time will tell for sure.

Preferring to be an optimist, I'm the "bottle is half full" kinda guy.


--Mac

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"I'm the bottle is half full kinda guy", So does that mean you drank the first half and did'nt even share?!?!?


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To me it means we still got a half a bottle of it no matter who drank the first half.

An optimist shares because we figure that if we share, others will return the favor.


--Mac

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Certainly! So Pass that thing over here!


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I must confess that though I love PT12, I rarely use Real Band! If I want to hear how a new song might sound, I certainly play around with the styles in BIAB (now using 2009.5) and I might end up importing something into PT for further meddling ... but I've never been much attracted to Real Band. I have tried using Real Band, but it didn't seem as useful as either BIAB or PT for the things I needed to do.

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That is funny ..
Realband is as useful to me as BiaB AND PT .. combined!

The only BiaB features I use are inside RealBand (the realtracks and drums)


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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When I upgraded PT, the salesperson verified my intentions of doing so, stating that RB would provide the same functionality. I'm glad I went ahead and upgraded.

I turn to PT to accomplish recording quickly. I like RB, but it's a new pair of shoes to me, not quite broken in and a little quirky yet.


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As a strict soloist pianist, that arranges everything, PTPA provides everything I need.

Now that I'm talking about PTPA, several years ago, someone published a list of keystroke shortcuts for editing commands - like Slide, Quantize, Velocity Dynamic, etc. Does anyone have a list of these - I lost mine.

Glenn

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I will admit - we use PT exclusively at Barry's place (the big studio room)
It is stable as can be and never fails us.

..but when at home and working I tend toward Realband just for the convenience.. all its missing is the Harmonizer in most versions, and I like the additional right-click options available in RB that are not available in PT at this point

couldn't find those shortcuts for you Glenn .. tried; I remember that post too, I thought it was by Andrew of PG staff, but could be wrong


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RB can use the Harmonizer from PT12 if you have that installed on your machine.


--Mac

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Only the most recent version, which is why I said 'in most versions' ..

Leaning on that one (harmonizer) less and less these days


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I like to keep my sequencing and auto-accompaniment separate.

I use BiaB for auto accompaniment then export to MIDI

I use Master Tracks Pro for MIDI sequencing. It handles multiple MIDI ports so I can run all my sound modules on different MIDI ports (channels 1-16A, channels 1-16B, ... to ... channels 1-16P) without a MIDI patch bay. Plus it has the easiest interface I've used - everything is available from a drop down menu - no sub menus (YMMV). Note: The most recent version of MTPro is buggy, and has been for a long time. The new owners are not very responsive so I cannot recommend it. I'm still using the last version Passport produced.

Then I use PTPro to record Audio.

To me, when auto-accompaniment, sequencing, and audio recording get combined into one program, the menus get too large and there are too many sub menus and sub-sub menus which really slows my work down. Since I use auto-accompaniment, MIDI sequencing and audio recording at different times, it just seems to me that there is no need to combine the programs so that I'm slowed down by mousing a bunch of sub-menu choices. But of course, not everybody works like I do so I can see where many people would like them combined.

Insights and incites by Notes


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Noticed that with the advent of 2010 BIAB - PT was NOT listed in the "drag and drop track" feature . . . unless it is indirectly included under "...and more." Funny it wouldn't be listed next to RB in the promo material.

PT to be marginalized??

Ian


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Shortcuts: I found them under "Function Keys" in the Manual

Andrew

Function Keys & Hot Keys



The function keys provide quick access to some of PowerTracks Pro's commands. The following is a list of each of the commands that you can access via the function keys. (Note:this isn’t a list of every shortcut in PowerTracks.)

F1 On-line Help

F2 Open a new Event List Window

ALT+F2 Open a new Notation Window

SHIFT+F2 Open a new Big Lyrics Window

CTRL+F2 Open a new Audio Edit Window

CTRL+ALT+F2 Open new Lead Sheet Window

CTRL+ALT+P Open a new Piano Roll Window

F3 Open file

F4 Save file

F5 Tempo

CTRL+F5 Preferences

F6 Go to Time

F7 From = Now

SHIFT+F7 Open Next File

SHIFT+CTRL+F7 Open Previous File

CTRL+F7 From = Value

ALT+ F7 Now = From

F8 Thru = Now

CTRL+ F8 Thru = Value

ALT+ F8 Now = Thru

SHIFT+ F8 Open Next File

SHIFT+CTRL+F8 Open Previous File

F9 Panic

F11 Run .DLL or .EXE

Shift+F11 Select .DLL or .EXE

Ctrl+1 Tracks Window

Ctrl+2 Bars Window

Ctrl+3 Chords Window

Ctrl+4 Tempo Map

Ctrl+5 Comments

Ctrl+6 Sysex Window

Ctrl+7 Guitar Window

Ctrl+8 Mixer

Ctrl+9 Meter Map

Ctrl+M and Ctrl+U will let you mute/unmute a track in the Mixer and Bars windows.

[ and ] hotkeys change the tempo by 5.

Ctrl – (Ctrl Minus) changes playback speed to half speed

Ctrl = (Ctrl Equal sign) changes playback speed from half speed to full speed

P – Play

CTRL+P Play from Start

R – Record

Ctrl+ R Record from Start

S – Stop

W - Rewind


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