You can use loops, but for them to respond to chord changes, they need to be acidized loops. Not all loops are.
Both BIAB and RealBand allow you to acidize audio files when you render them, but you would need to know the appropriate information (tempo, key, time signature, etc) to do so.
There are also utilities to do so, as well. I don't know if there are free utilities; I know there are utilities you can buy. Google will be your friend here.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 8TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 11TB SATA
You can use loops, but for them to respond to chord changes, they need to be acidized loops. Not all loops are.
Both BIAB and RealBand allow you to acidize audio files when you render them, but you would need to know the appropriate information (tempo, key, time signature, etc) to do so.
There are also utilities to do so, as well. I don't know if there are free utilities; I know there are utilities you can buy. Google will be your friend here.
The recent updated version of the free ADSR Sample Manager just incorporated that exact feature! I've used it, and it does a remarkable job (although results vary based on a variety of sample-specific factors, ofc).
I understand that if we use ADSR Sample Manager or Loopcloud, we can ask the softwares to generate the tags for bpm, key, etc.
After the softwares finish doing this, do you mean I can just copy the loops to the Loops folder in BIAB?
My sincere thanks,
So you touch on a workflow issue that I've never encountered in BiaB for the simple (if not somewhat lamentable) fact that I would have ported over to Reaper at that point because the last thing I need is another headache at that point.
That said, you bring up a topic that is definitely something I've been meaning to explore when time frees up with work (I've got seasonal crunches in my particular field, and I'm smack in the middle of a biggie).
However, because yes, it would be very, very, awesome to try and generate RTs over various loops, and this is a potentially extremely rewarding thing to set up, here's how I would go about it.
I would load the sample manager VST/.dll within Minihost Modular into the track I want the loop(s) on and I would run a MIDI in (perhaps both a MIDI and audio in, because why not?) through ADSR on an empty track and see what happens.
Alternatively, I would tray exporting the loops through ADSR sample manager AFTER running the detect utility, and then export the whole shebang into a new folder which I would drag and drop (copy) into the C:bb/loops folder or whatever you have it set up as. I have a hunch (hope) that the "ACID/Metadata" will have adhered to the exported/processed copies of your loops.
In the event that any of that made sense (just reread what I wrote, and I'm still not sure it makes sense to me) and you feel like giving it a go, I'd love to get an update and hear how it went.
Incidentally, if you've not yet used Minihost Modular, you need to get on that stat.
The possibilities with this thing with BiaB are absolutely staggering (thanks again Pipeline, should you happen to see this!)
So you touch on a workflow issue that I've never encountered in BiaB for the simple (if not somewhat lamentable) fact that I would have ported over to Reaper at that point because the last thing I need is another headache.
Well said... fact is folks try to do too much in BIAB when it is far easier to work out-side the box to get it done.
Thank you so much. I am not familiar with Minihost Modular, so need time to look at it.
To clarify, I actually use BIAB to generate the desired chord sequence for the whole song. Then I will drag the files to Reaper to record vocal and mix.
I'm interested in the loops fuctions. In my imagination, if BIAB can make a new chord progression out of a slick loop from Big Fish Audio (just an example), that would be great. As you know, for loops, often you cannot change the chord progression or you can only do that in a very difficult way.
You may find +++ THIS +++ PG Music video useful. PG Music created the video in 2014 to introduce loops to Band-in-a-Box users.
I seldom use loops in Band-in-a-Box but have played with them enough to realize certain things, the more simple the loop audio content is the better the loop works and you use percussion loops differently than instrument loops.
For example, one of the audio loops PG Music provides is an electric bass playing eighth notes. All the notes are "C" at a tempo of maybe 80 bpm. The unaltered loop is "C, C, C, C, C, C, C, C". The loop has embedded root key, tempo and length metadata that Band-in-a-Box reads so Band-in-a-Box can shrink or stretch the loop time and transpose the audio. Since the audio is one note repeated multiple times the changes sound natural. If the loop audio content was more complex, the opening guitar riff heard in The Beatles recording of "Daytripper" for example, the results would not be as pleasing to hear.
For percussion loops timing is important but you normally don't want pitch to change. Imagine the sound of a snare drum "following" a song chord progression! Weird, for sure!
Nature loops normally don't change pitch or time; they just repeat as needed.
Loops that have pitch, time or length embedded are called Acid or Acidized loops in honor of the software program where the idea was first used.
ReaTrak will integrate Biab chords and tracks into Reaper.
Hi Pipeline,
This looks amazing, but when I ran it in compatibility for Windows 7 it froze on the splash screen (even tho I have 10, maybe I misunderstood your instructions?).
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I just experimented with the loops. The ones delivered with BIAB work fine, but of course I would be happy to use other WAVs, too. My target is to transform WAV samples into transposable loops, preferably automatically without setting the key, tempo etc. for every WAV manually.
To get them acidized somehow I tried all the alternatives listed in this thread, but to no avail:
- I´m able to run Acidicer, but I can´t drag´n´drop WAV files or folders onto the "name" area, the mouse pointer shows a "forbidden" symbol.
- I also tried ADSR Sample Manager and Loopcloud. They scan and tag everything nicely, but I didn´t find a button to write the neccessary metadata info files somehow, so BIAB could read it.
It feels like I oversee some critical point. I only use BIAB btw, but not RealBand.
Acid loops have tempo, root key and (optionally) time signature information embedded in the audio file. Band-in-a-Box, RealBand and many DAWs read the data as the audio file is imported into the program.
Band-in-a-Box reads loop data when the loop is imported from inside the PG Music loop sub folder. Typically the loop sub folder is located at X:\bb\RealTracks\Loops where X = the drive letter where Band-in-a-Box is located. If the audio file is imported into Band-in-a-Box from OUTSIDE the loop sub folder, Band-in-a-Box WILL NOT read the embedded data.
When you use the DAW dropbox to render and export audio tracks you are given a checkbox option to add ACID information (tempo, key, and time signature) to the WAV file. There is no way I know of to add ACID information to a track segment.
Please note, RealBand can export complete ACID tracks or selected track segments. this is taken from page 123 of the 2019 RealBand user manual:
Quote:
Export Acid Loop - Highlighted section or entire track to WAV in Loops Folder… This command will render the highlighted section of the current track or the whole track as an ACID Loop and save it to the bb\RealTracks\Loops folder.
To get the Acidizer to run on Win 10 now I had to set the Compatibility mode to Vista. I uploaded the Acidizer.zip to the PG server so it is still here down the track. Just remove the .mp4 extension, you may have to set Explorer to Show File Extensions.
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.
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Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 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 21 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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fact is folks try to do too much in BIAB when it is far easier to work out-side the box to get it done.
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