Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,484
Veteran
OP Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,484
This wish arises because sometimes we would like to constrain notes to suit a particular instrument of VSTi.

It seems very likely that there is already some constraint of this kind withing BiaB as instruments already play in suitable ranges ... piano, trumpet, tenor Sax, violin/fiddle and so on. There are times when it would be useful for a user to set such a constraint, for example for an unconventional instrument or a particular mapping on a VSTi.

I suspect this might be best achieved on a per-track basis, though some kind of user-defined instrument template may be an alternative. I imagine in normal circumstances that such a constraint would be set by default for an instrument selected from MIDI or RealTrack, but may then be overridden by the user. I would also imagine it to apply only to auto-generation, not to be a constraint on notes that one might manually enter or edit.

Some examples of where the feature would be helpful:

Some instruments have a narrower or different range than typical for the general class of instrument. That's quite common with ethnic and early instruments. (e.g. Balafon, Crotales, Kora, Recorders, Zithers).

Some VST instruments are shifted by an octave (or two), often to bring expression controls into the left-hand on a keyboard. (This shift can be done by whole octaves using MIDI Channels).

There are ways to achieve these things manually or externally, e.g., by editing the notes manually or by post-processing MIDI, but there are attractions with a level of automation.


Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2025 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
.
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,035
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,035
It would be a nice feature to be able to tell BIAB not to exceed certain ranges. And I agree, it would have to be on a track by track basis.

I have some VSTis that come with the 'correct' range limits.

It's one thing to have a note that is incapable of being played. For example, a tenor sax has a low Bb a ninth below middle C. It cannot play lower. It's another to put an upper limit. For example, a practical highest note for a tenor sax might be a D concert over high C (their written E), but good players can go way over that. Give me a high C on a trumpet, no problem. Ask me to play that same note on a flugelhorn and I'll play it, but you won't like the tone, pitch or timbre. Think Chuck Mangione.

So, limits are very subjective in some cases.

I discovered my piccolo trumpet samples did not go high enough and I went into their code and modified it, and discovered the samples existed but the company had limited using it! The famous Penny Lane solo is an example. The highest note is considered too high for my VSTi, and yet it clearly can be performed by a good player.


BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,484
Veteran
OP Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,484
Mark's post was deleted, but the question was very reasonable...

" ... are you talking about range only?"

I was thinking about range only.

The reasons for that were twofold ... the instruments I looked at with special scales always did something sane with notes outside of the scale, e.g., they play a note from the scale (whether that's sane is moot), or they play a trill or similar ... other instruments might not. I also felt perhaps the harmoniser may perhaps a better way to manage such instruments. I have to say though, that I'm not at all certain that I'm right about that.

I think that constraints within scales may be being over-clever of over-proscriptive, but again I may be wrong.


Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2025 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
.
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,689
Originally Posted By: Gordon Scott
Mark's post was deleted, but the question was very reasonable...

" ... are you talking about range only?"

I was thinking about range only.

Thanks, I decided you’d actually been clear enough so no need for the question.

Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,316
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,316
I agree that for realism, the range of notes could ideally match the natural range of the instrument, but as mentioned, with the opportunity to specifically adjust that range at times if required.


BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 934
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 934
+1
I had suggested something similar before, not only to limit the absolute range, e.g. to one octave, but also the available notes. For example, I would like to use BiaB to simulate my hang, a kind of steel drum that is tuned to a limited japanese Akebono scale of 5 notes in two octaves B C E F# and G. Fixed and not transposable.


Biab/RB latest build, German Language Pak, Win 10/64 Pro, 1 TB SSD, 32 GB RAM. Notation SW Finale, StaffPad, SmartsScore – Playing Double Bass, Guitar, Piano
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,484
Veteran
OP Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,484
Originally Posted By: Brille
+1
I had suggested something similar before, not only to limit the absolute range, e.g. to one octave, but also the available notes. For example, I would like to use BiaB to simulate my hang, a kind of steel drum that is tuned to a limited japanese Akebono scale of 5 notes in two octaves B C E F# and G. Fixed and not transposable.

I'd looked at a number of instruments for which I had VSTs and all those where the scale was restricted, e.g., to diatonic, etc., did sensible substitutions, but I've just looked at hang-type drums on Pianoteq and, whilst they limit to an octave-and-a-bit, they will play any note withing the range, which isn't the way a hang drum normally works. That would suggest that I'm probably wrong that limiting only the range is enough.

I'm a little torn between asking for something that I feel is likely already present but not usefully exposed and something that affects the character of play like defining a scale. There are many possible constraints to scales. A map of available notes would be a way, but it may be tricky to implement a playing style. That said, one can ask and PGM can consider it or not as they see fit.


Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2025 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
.
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,110
M
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,110
You can't chain midi plugins in Biab, but if you use Element you can




There are a lot of Piz midi plugs like midiForceToRange.dll




and you have reajs.dll that is in ReaPlugs that allows many Reaper midi plugs, it will list all the plugins you have in Reaper or you can set it to use a local folder.


Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,831
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,831
Thanks for the suggestion. This is implemented in BiaB 2023. Currently works as a manual command. It can also be used on a midi super track as an automatic command to constrain range. Currently not implemented as automatic for tracks in midi styles.


Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins

Join the conversation on our forum.

Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac Videos

With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll also keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.

From overviews of new features and walkthroughs of the 202 new RealTracks, to highlights of XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAKs 18, the 2025 49-PAK, and in-depth tutorials — you’ll find everything you need to explore what’s new in Band-in-a-Box® 2025.

Reference this forum post for One-Stop Shopping of our Band-in-a-Box® 2025 Mac Videos — we’ll be adding more videos as they’re released!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac is here, packed with major new features and an incredible collection of available new content! This includes 202 RealTracks (in Sets 449-467), plus 20 bonus Unreleased RealTracks in the 2025 49-PAK. There are new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 4, two new sets of “RealDrums Stems,” XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAK 19, and more!

Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac with savings of up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special—available until July 31, 2025! Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.

2025 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
We've packed our Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK with some incredible Add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is automatically included with most Band-in-a-Box® for Mac 2025 packages, but for even more Add-ons (including 20 Unreleased RealTracks!) upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49. You can see the full lists of items in each package, and listen to demos here.

If you have any questions, feel free to connect with us directly—we’re here to help!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 Italian Version is Here!

Cari amici
È stata aggerate la versione in Italiano del programma più amato dagli appassionati di musica, il nostro Band-in-a-Box.
Questo è il link alla nuova versione 2025.

Di seguito i link per scaricare il pacchetti di lingua italiana aggiornati per Band-in-a-Box e RealBand, anche per chi avesse già comprato la nuova versione in inglese.

Band-in-a-Box 2025 - Italiano
RealBand 2025 - Italiano

Band-in-a-Box 2025 French Version is Here!

Bonjour à tous,

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 pour Windows est disponible en Français.
Le téléchargement se fait à partir du site PG Music

Pour ceux qui auraient déjà acheté la version 2025 de Band-in-a-Box (et qui donc ont une version anglaise), il est possible de "franciser" cette version avec les patchs suivants:

BIAB 2025 - francisation
RealBand 2025 - francisation

Voilà, enjoy!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 German Version is Here!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!

Die deutsche Version Band-in-a-Box® 2025 für Windows ist ab sofort verfügbar!

Alle die bereits die englische Version von Band-in-a-Box und RealBand 2024 installiert haben, finden hier die Installationsdateien für das Sprachenupdate:

https://nn.pgmusic.com/pgfiles/languagesupport/deutsch2025.exe
https://nn.pgmusic.com/pgfiles/languagesupport/deutsch2025RB.exe

Update Your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 to Build 1128 for Windows Today!

Already using Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 1128 now from our Support Page to enjoy the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.

Stay up to date—get the latest update now!

Forum Statistics
Forums58
Topics84,308
Posts777,562
Members39,615
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
kottke, kaleu, Claudio Paolini, bjornen71, CATBELLOU
39,614 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 141
zedd 119
DC Ron 106
WaoBand 105
rsdean 91
nonchai 87
Today's Birthdays
Manos
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5