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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 134
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 134 |
I've been trying to generate some melodies suitable for 'call and response.'
I've been messing around in the melodist editor and I see the control to increase spacing between 8th notes and to reduce the chance of long phrases, but I'm still not getting what I want.
I probably don't understand. Is there a way to produce shorter melodic phrases, maybe more staccato, with greater space between phrases ... or is this more dependent on the particular melodist?
Or is this something I should be trying to tweak using the soloist?
Thanks in advance.
Prado
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
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When I use the Melodist, I find that at some point, "copy and paste" and manual edit become necessary to get what I want. I'm not sure that any fully automated process can completely replace the human sense of sonic balance in phrase construction.
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 134
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Posts: 134 |
Thanks, Noel.
You are undoubtedy correct. However, if possible I'd still like to get to a more 'inspirational' place with the melody before I start the by hand 'humanizing.'
That's why I was hoping there was a way to tweak the melodic phrases a little closer to where I'd like to take things.
Prado
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,360
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Hi Prado,
If it can be done, I'm sure there's someone in these forums who will know how to do it! My knowledge doesn't extend that far.
Good luck,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696
Expert
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Joined: Jul 2000
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Prado - You don't mention whether your hope is to generate vocal or instrumental melodies - quite a difference here. There are so many variables in even choosing a melodist to work with. There are no real shortcuts - just experimentation - and generating and regenerating. Each regeneration of a melody is like shaking the die only with notes - a different result. I don't mess with the parameters much because I don't understand the musical term adjustments - I just find a melodist I like. I write lyrics but I don't look for melodies for lyrics using this feature. I use it more for "fills" between vocal phrases - another soloist as it were. I block off the bars for a passage to generate, then keep regenerating until I get something I like. Then I move off to the next group of bars. Not sure if that helps but there is not a lot written about how to use all of the melodist features for maximum advantage. Good luck - Ian 
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2009
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Thanks Ian.
I am looking to generate instrumental phrases. I've been using BIAB to rough out an arrangement for remixes of vocals. I'd like to use the melodist to help with fills or possible bridges in the songs. Of course, if my music skills were at another level, I'd just write or play the riffs I have in mind!
I note that almost anytime I use the melodist the phrases generated fill up a whole bar or more. Sometimes a bar is left silent, but almost never are there pauses inside the bar with melody.
Since I'm new to this I don't know if it is a characteristic of the particular 'melodist,' or a program 'tweaking' feature.
You say much is written, are you referring to anything specific or just the total of what is in the forum, faqs, tutorials, etc?
Thanks again.
Prado
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,696 |
 Actually what I said was "there is NOT a lot written" on how to super tweak the melodists. Are you working with the full 2010 BIAB with all of the melodists? There are guys here who know much more than I about this feature than I do - even after 10 years  Maybe re issue this thread under a new title " How best to tweak the BIAB Melodists and Soloists". Perhaps you may get more responses - either that or you're ground breaking here and will have to do a lot of experimenting. Sorry I can't be more helpful at this point. Try not to change each individual melodist - there must be a "save your own" melodist feature (can't access my program right now), that way you can experiment and the default melodist is still there untouched. Ian For repetition you can always fall back on copying and pasting IF you can generate something you like.
Last edited by Ian Fraser; 01/29/10 12:31 PM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
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Go to this link and locate the Melodist/Soloist Video Tutorial, it may help you sort things a bit: http://www.pgmusic.com/bbdemovideos.htm --Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 134
Apprentice
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OP
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 134 |
Thanks for you help, Ian.
Yes, I've got 2010. Perhaps some of my issue relates to my ignorance about the relationship of styles to melodies and soloists. I note most of the melodists appear to be jazz oriented and are linked to specific styles.
Maybe if I learn how to make my own styles I can figure out how to make melodists closer to what I'm looking for? I note that when you use the midi file to style function you can designate a track as melody. I'm Reading the Big Fabulous Manual, but so far the section on the Melodist Maker doesn't really make things clear to me. It looks like the edit page has all the 'rules.' I see that there are extra numbered but untitled melodists in the drop down box. I guess these are the ones you tweak to make your own?
While the soloist does have a function to tell the max notes to a beat, I don't see this in the melodist.
I guess the drill is to find a melodist as close to what you are looking for as possible, then inspect the parameters in the melodist editor and keep tweaking till you get as close as you can to what you want.
Yes, thanks for the heads up about not changing the melodists already there!
Prado
PS I'll think about reposting this titled as you suggest.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 134
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Thank you Mac ... I've watched this a couple of times. It is excellent in explaining how to use the melodist and solo tracks ... but it doesn't tell much about creating melodists, which apparently is what I'm going to have to learn to do.
Prado
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