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Lexi Offline OP
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hi all,

i use BIAB to create backing tracks for practice, and for that purpose i like having the track available in multiple keys. for example, i've just created a basic 12-bar blues, and now i want to practice that in C, G, D, A, E, Bb, Eb and Ab.

in BIAB itself i can easily transpose and re-render the song, but i prefer to export the renders to MP3 for practice so i can carry the files around with me. this means i have to render in C, transpose to G, render in G, transpose to D, render in D... and so on.

is there a way to just give BIAB a list of keys and have it render the song in all those keys at once?

if not then it's not a huge issue, i'm just hoping to save a bit of clicking :-)

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That could be a fantastically useful feature for those who need it. Imagine also a series of increasing tempos for the same piece.

I would, however, want to see this sort of thing tucked well out of sight, as an adults-only super advanced feature, to avoid complicating the existing interface for non-“power” users.

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In the help manual it says:

Choose the Key

You can use the special operators "tk" and "tr" to set or transpose a key signature.

Typing tkc plus the Enter key will set the key of the song to C. Typing tkbb sets it to Bb. Note that this sets the key signature but does not transpose the song.

The "tr" operator sets the key signature and transposes the song. Typing trf and pressing Enter would transpose the song to the key of F, typing trab would transpose the song to Ab.

Another way to set a key signature is to click on the [Key] button on the toolbars and choose the key of your song from the lists of all major and minor keys.



If you select from the "Transpose and Set Key Signature" column, the song will be transposed to the new key signature you choose.

If you select from the "Just Set Key Signature (no transpose)" column, the key signature will be changed but the song will not be transposed.

Here is where it gets interesting as it states:

You can have multiple keys in a song by changing the key signature in the Edit Settings for bar dialog (F5 function key). The new key signature is shown on notation.


I tried it in a 12 bar blues song that is 36 measures long in the key of G and using the F5 button, I told it to change to the key of E starting on measure 13, clicked on the regenerate key but after regenerating, it still played in the key of G on measure 13.

Now I am really confused.

Last edited by jcland; 12/15/21 07:07 AM.

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Lexi, welcome to the forum. No, I don't think BIAB has this feature, but it's good you asked here first. Unless someone else says it does have this, then I suggest you go to the BIAB Wishlist Forum well below this one, and post a request there. It does sound like a useful idea that would save time.

Jcland, before we consider if this is a bug, can you answer two questions please. What version and build of BIAB is yours, and do you have frozen tracks (the frozen tracks would not obey a key signature change). You might also consider starting a new thread for this, as some will not see it here who might be able to help.


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Matt:

Latest version 2022 with build 908

No frozen tracks.

Will post a new forum question.


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Lexi Offline OP
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thanks, everyone. as far as i can tell i'm the first person to ask for this, so i'm not too surprised it's not possible... i'll wander over to the wishlist and post there.

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Jcland, yes, I see the other thread. I also see a lot about frozen tracks not working. You said your are not frozen, but is that NOW or EVER? Don't answer that; let's pick up in your new thread.


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Is a 12 bar blues song that is 12 measures long starting in the key of A, changes to the key of B starting on measure 13 and repeating the chord progression, then C starting at measure 25, the D at measure 37 and finally E at 49 what you're trying to do? (see attached Chord Chart)
If so, BIAB can do this fast and easy. Let me know if I'm interpreting your task and I'll explain how to do it. No need to explain unless I'm guessing the correct task.

Charlie

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Chord Sheet Screen Shot.png (142.79 KB, 116 downloads)

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I believe Lexi is looking to automate the creation of multiple audio files, in different keys, from a given song file.

So you open up lalala.sgu and say, "transpose and render this for me in A, B, and C", and you get lalala-in-a.mp3, lalala-in-b.mp3, and lalala-in-c.mp3.

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Personally I would do what Charlie says and then export a single, long audio track. Then import to DAW, split every 12 bars to separate track, duplicate regions to extend amount of bars etc and then export stems as stems. I guess it depends how quick and familiar you are with the DAW.

But that got me thinking, could something like this be done in Realband? I've no idea because I don't use it but if it's possible then that might be the way to go.

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Hi Lexi,

It's possible to do what you want but it's not a fully automated process.

That said, you'll find that the below technique is quite streamlined once you get the hang of it.

=====

Firstly, you will need to create individual BIAB files for each of the keys. This shouldn't take too long since it's only a matter of using the transpose setting.

Secondly, save each file with a unique name... e.g. Songfile_keyC, Songfile_keyEb, etc...

Thirdly, make sure that these BIAB files are saved to a unique directory that has no other BIAB song files in it.

Fourthly... follow the instructions contained in the below pdf which outlines how BIAB batch processes songfiles and creates audio files.

All the best,
Noel

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how to process batch audio.pdf (142.87 KB, 3 downloads)

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Hi Lexi,

Did you try my suggestion? I was wondering how it worked for you.

Regards,
Noel


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Another Noel96 masterpiece. Hmmm, write an instructional book or video series?!?!? Just sayin'.......

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