<<< OK so, the inevitable questions >>>

* Where did you find the MIDI file?

Internet Google search. Some are pay sites and some are free. There are some great sites and also great files but be wary of the not so great files. Many times though, the not so great files can be easily edited into great files. Many MIDI files are Artist interpretations of a commercial Hit and not so much a cover. That in itself is not a bad thing as such a version could easily become a custom cover for you. Also take a flash drive with you to your local music store, especially if you do a bit of business with them and they may load you up with MIDI files. My local store gave me over 3,000.

* How did you use it in BIAB (I am new to MIDI in BIAB, have used it a bit in a DAW)

Here's the good news about BIAB and MIDI. For many more years than PGMusic's BIAB has featured RealDrums and RealTracks, it was MIDI based software. It works lovely with MIDI. Even better if you have the PC version that includes RealBand. If you do covers for practice, for live or for recording, MIDI is the place to start. There is a lot to say about using MIDI with BIAB and it's all good. I will touch on just a few things here.

If you load a MIDI file, it automatically populates the chord chart. EDIT: F7 is the open command to look for MIDI files. (If a file has the .KAR suffix [Karaoke] - Band in a Box will open the file the same as a .mid file.)

It normally has a Melody track so it is a very easy song to practice to.

It generates very quickly.

Key changes can be made without affecting pitch and the chord chart is updated to the new key at the same time.

Tempo changes can be made without affecting pitch

Shots, rests and holds are normally built into the file

Editing is very comprehensive and nearly as easy as editing a typewritten document.

There are many BIAB Styles that are almost recognizable commercial songs
- One example is B_Gees2.STY is loosely based on "Staying Alive". It can be edited (and saved as a custom style) to very closely match the original notes of the song. Look for other 'Artist' based styles and some of those styles can be edited, modified and saved in a similar manner.

Check out Forum Member Notes Norton's Midi site. He specializes in BiAB midi styles, has complete Fake Books with matching midi files. He can make a custom midi style or song for you at a reasonable cost.

Everything in a MIDI file can be edited.

The Melody track can be used to generate MIDI based vocal backing parts with TC Helicon or instruments that follow the melody line.

Using the StylePicker, it's easy to do a search for the MIDI song you've loaded, locate a appropriate RealTrack Style and quickly generate a backing accompaniment track. At this point you can continue to use signature riffs and the melody track to go along with your backing track.

* Can you add a Real Drum track to the same song?

Yes. Load a MIDI file, Select a RealDrum kit you like on the Drums track and it will replace the MIDI drums with a RealDrum.

Thanks again for all the help. And 3 minutes??? Showin' Off!!

Yes. Absolutely.

Last edited by Charlie Fogle; 10/15/18 08:49 AM.
BIAB 2026:RB 2026, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.