What exactly is 'force to simple arrangement' supposed to do? To my ears, it really doesn't do much at all - and when I need a true simple drum/bass RT, and check the 'simple' action, the RTs still way over-play...am I missing something here?
This good question comes up every so often. What follows is just my opinion.
As I understand it, the intent of Force Simple is to remove upper extensions. Anything higher than a 7th (like 9ths, 11ths and 13ths and flat nines, sharp elevens etc.) gets stripped out. In practice, some users feel it doesn't always become "simple enough", such as using straight 3 note triads, without even a seventh. Worse, sometimes that seventh can be dominant or major, and be the one that is the wrong choice for the song.
It appears to be highly dependent on the style or RealTrack selected. If you choose a jazz RealTrack, Force Simple may not work very well. On a folk or classical style, it should work better.
Finally, there are local and global overrides for this and we don't know what the hierarchy is.
If you find a particular style that is not responding as you need it to, and it's reproducible, one thing you could do is freeze the song to send it to support@pgmusic.com and make your case. Or go to the Styles Wshlist forum.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
I guess what I'm looking for is the tasteful simplicity (UNbusy) of a midi track but played by a 'real' player. I have a very 'tasteful' duo (piano/vocals/tracks) and most, if not all, the RT for jazz 'overplay' in my opinion, and don't really fit our arrangements - but the midi stuff is too 'stiff' - thus my dilemma... Thanks for your thoughts...
Have you tried selecting the "simple" option for the specific RT?
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I guess what I'm looking for is the tasteful simplicity (UNbusy) of a midi track but played by a 'real' player. I have a very 'tasteful' duo (piano/vocals/tracks) and most, if not all, the RT for jazz 'overplay' in my opinion, and don't really fit our arrangements - but the midi stuff is too 'stiff' - thus my dilemma... Thanks for your thoughts...
A Supermidi piano track may help your situation. Supermidi will play with the feel of a RealTrack (because it is played by a real player) but is MIDI and therefore editable.
Just to clarify what Bud said in case there's a bit of confusion...
In Realtrack picker, there is an option called 'Simpler' that can be used to obtain Realtrack generations that are less busy (see Image 1 below). This setting is different from "Force simple arrangement". As others have mentioned, "Force simple arrangement" stops BIAB from embellishing the chords that are entered (e.g. playing C11 when C7 has been entered; playing Fmaj7 when F has been entered; etc.).
To reduce the likelihood of obtaining 'busy' Realtracks, try the following...
1. In Realtrack picker set the Realtrack to "Simpler". This option is not available for all Realtracks and will be greyed out (i.e. unavailable) for some Realtracks.
2. Set the "Force to simple arrangement" option for either the whole song or the individual tracks. This setting won't affect the busyness of a RT generation but it will stop RT generations related to chord extensions and so has the potential to help reduce the complexity of the sound.
3. In "Song settings" activate the "Avoid transpositions in Realtracks" option. It's also worth trying the "Ignore slash roots.... except for Bass" option, too. (See Image 2 below.) While these settings aren't specifically related to the complexity of a RT generation, they may help because they reduce BIAB's options when it comes to generating tracks.
How you sir are brilliant at guiding members to where or when,I've been Amazed at your posts and your ability to guide a member to a fix ..
Teachers do that...?wish I had the time. And the expertise .
I have read all the threads of things on biab I want to know ...your always there.
That's why I know you teach for a living.
good on you
Hey beatmaster!
Thanks for the smile You are right. I'm a high school teacher.
When I started out with BIAB there were a number of people here on the forum who helped me get underway. The way I see it, it's now my turn to help out where I can.
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MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
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Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
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RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
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You are right. I'm a high school teacher.
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