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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7 |
Hi all. new user, first post.
I've been playing with BIAB2010 for about a month now, learning it. I've scratched the surface. :-)
I have a question. Let's say I enter a song; for example, the current one I'm working on (Bonnie Raitt - Valley Of Pain). I get all the chords in and want to pick a style that's really close.
How to do it? I don't know enough about drums/rythyms to say "it's a country/swing/ballad/16/8/whatever. Short of wading through the 1700 in the style picker, any good ideas? I tried searching for bonnie or the song title but didn't come up with anything.
My influences are Mark Knopfler, Bonneie Raitt, GD, blues masters, so the stuff I like to play doesn't always fit "common" styles.
Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks!
Charlie
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,616
Expert
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Expert
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,616 |
In the Style Picker, search for a song or artist that has a similar sound. For example, Under the Boardwalk and Dock of the Bay have a similar feel. Do the same for an artist. I just checked and there are two Bonnie Raitt styles, C_HAL and BONNIER. Try those and see what happens.
R
ps. If you set your tempo, you can have the Style Picker narrow your choices by using the dropdown box Show Style by Feel and Tempo. And on the left side, choose the Country styles. They will greatly reduce your matches.
Last edited by Rachael; 02/09/10 02:35 PM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,157
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,157 |
Charlie,
Yes, use the style picker "search" box in the style list. Once you find a compatible style, open up the style list again. This time, hit the "change prototype" button, it will now set the compatible style as the main style to use when you click on the "if feel and tempo match." The feel and tempo will now be guided by your recently selected prototype style. You can then hilite the lists on the left hand side for a much narrower type search: IE: Rock, Country, Jazz Etc.. . .
Trax
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
Another thing to try is to get the tempo, right click the guitar radio button and try out a 12 string or acoustic guitar, the the bass button, something kinda country and keep adding RealInstruments until you think it sounds good. You just keep trying because it's part of the learning curve.
And lots of fun.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 42
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 42 |
I feel your pain Charlie.
That is definitely one of the pluses AND minuses to BIAB and RB... There are sooooo mannnyyy choices. :-)
Some good suggestions from John, Trax and Rachael for us newbs.
I would like to tag a second request to this thread. In the style picker window, there is an option to "play" (or preview) a style. Is there a way to play the style without waiting for both realtracks and realdrums to load (straight midi)?
I can't seem to find a check box anywhere for this option and it would save a minute or so for everyone I wanted to check out. Just looking for a quick preview of what it would produce.
Thanks,
Ric
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 928
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 928 |
Quote:
In the Style Picker, search for a song or artist that has a similar sound.
The only problem with that is that PGM has decided (for some reason) to abbreviate some names and to change the spelling of others.
So a search for "Rolling Stones" for example will reveal some Styles but some (such as =LHBO_ST) are listed as "StoneZ."
It is one of my (several) pet peeves about BiaB.
Quote:
I would like to tag a second request to this thread. In the style picker window, there is an option to "play" (or preview) a style. Is there a way to play the style without waiting for both realtracks and realdrums to load (straight midi)?
With the now much quicker load of RealTracks, unless your song is greatly huge, I don't see this as much of a problem any more.
What I, and others would like to see, is the Style tester start back at the begininng of the song ... or at least have this as an option.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,722
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,722 |
Welcome aboard Charlie!
Just my thoughts . . .
#1. When I am previewing styles I do so without realtracks because the load time is a lot quicker with just midi.
#2. I insert the chords and tempo, often just a few bars.
#3. Select styles that common sense tells me might fit this song, and hit play.
#4. When I find one that fits to my satisfaction I label and save it, then go to the next repeating this process until I find the best match.
#5. After I have chosen the best style for the mix, I start auditioning realtracks and real drums using the same approach.
Later,
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