How do I change the instrument on a realtrack without changing the notes being played on the track ?
I can change the instrument in the mixer by right-clicking on the patch, so far so good. However, when I press the PLAY button the old instrument is played (despite that the new one is shown in the mixer). If I re-generate the track the new, correct instrument is played, but also the notes which I want to keep.
If I freeze the track neither the notes nor the instrument is changed, an expected behaviour.
What is the correct procedure to change the instrument and keep the notes (melody) ?
This isn't possible. That's not how RealTracks work.
When PG Music hires someone to create RealTracks for them, they provide that artist with a chord sheet and tell them to play "something" in a given style that matches against those chords.
What that artist decides to play is entirely their decision.
So one artist might see a D major chord, and decide to play a flurry of F# notes. A different artist might see a D major chord, and decide to play a single D note.
So you can't just swap out RealTracks and expect to get the same notes.
what is midi and how it works (i.e. you need a synth of some form) what are midi supertracks? what are RealTracks? how do editable RealTracks work?
we keep seeing new users who haven't grown up with BIAB since the midi only days who would find things a lot easier to understand if there was a basic primer
and i'm sure if they knew the basics they would be able to solve a lot of their own problems
Bob Calver, this is a great idea. I really want to understand the limitations of realtracks. Is there any possibility to edit them at all? According to the answer from dcuny I guess the answer is NO.
At least I have now learned from the post "How to: Replace a RealTrack with a MIDI Track in Band-in-a-Box®" (May 12 2022) that I can make a midi from a realtrack which I then can import to my DAW for editing. That's always something
Bob Calver, this is a great idea. I really want to understand the limitations of realtracks. Is there any possibility to edit them at all? According to the answer from dcuny I guess the answer is NO.
At least I have now learned from the post "How to: Replace a RealTrack with a MIDI Track in Band-in-a-Box®" (May 12 2022) that I can make a midi from a realtrack which I then can import to my DAW for editing. That's always something
With those steps it is replacing what the RealTrack plays with a new track that is MIDI. You can find a MIDI track that is the same type of instrument and genre, but the exact notes and rhythms would still be different from what was previously generated for the RealTrack.
How do I change the instrument on a realtrack without changing the notes being played on the track ?
I can change the instrument in the mixer by right-clicking on the patch, so far so good. However, when I press the PLAY button the old instrument is played (despite that the new one is shown in the mixer). If I re-generate the track the new, correct instrument is played, but also the notes which I want to keep.
If I freeze the track neither the notes nor the instrument is changed, an expected behaviour.
What is the correct procedure to change the instrument and keep the notes (melody) ?
I'm using Version 2020, 734
If the RealTrack has RealChart midi you can copy that midi to another track and add a VSTi like Sforzando and choose the instrument you want from the PG Library, this way it will play the same notes but on another instrument.
Well.... there might be a way... but it's not looking like its a direct path, but it does seem doable.
Use a DAW. Export the audio track into the DAW as a WAV. Some DAWs have built in audio to midi conversion tools and others do not.
HOWEVER..... MELODYNE. Found this about Melodyne.
Melodyne allows you to export audio notes as MIDI notes, in order, for example, to double your vocals with a sound from a software synthesizer. The MIDI notes are an exact representation of the audio notes in Melodyne. For each audio note, a MIDI note is created with the same position, length and pitch.
Once you have a midi track that's accurate compared to the audio, you can easily use any synth and get a different instrument.
As far as trying to get a different Real Track to play it.... I don't think that is doable yet. It might be coming in a future version. But for now.... you can convert audio to midi and use a synth with nice samples.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Just my opinion, you shouldn't mention Melodyne without also mentioning the cost. The full polyphonic ie chords, program was around $500 depending on special sales, time of year etc. The slimmed down version for single note lines was about $150 or so.
what is midi and how it works (i.e. you need a synth of some form) what are midi supertracks? what are RealTracks? how do editable RealTracks work?
We do have this info in various places around the site, such as on the add-ons page, FAQs, and video page, but I've gathered what I think will be the relevant pieces and popped them in below for anyone who finds this thread and reads over it looking for help:
What is MIDI track? A "MIDI" track contains no actual recording of sound, but consists of events defined in the MIDI language, such as note on, pitch bend, etc. These events are stored in the track and, when sent to your synth, or internal sound card’s synth, the events will get played back and heard as music.
What Are MIDI Supertracks? Instead of MIDI styles based on C7 chord patterns that get repeated over every chord, the MIDI SuperTracks are based on actual playing by studio musicians. When you play the SuperTracks with your favorite MIDI synth or VST plug-ins, you'll hear great sounds using MIDI. MIDI SuperTracks are an excellent option for those looking for the editing and control capabilities of regular MIDI tracks but a more authentic sound similar to RealTracks.
What are RealTracks? RealTracks replace the MIDI language for an instrument in an audio format on any track, which can be controlled in similar ways to MIDI instrument (such as programming in volume changes, muting etc.). They follow the chord progression that you have entered, so you hear an authentic audio accompaniment or solo.
RealTracks are not "samples". They are full recordings that play in perfect sync with the other tracks you have loaded in the program. You can choose them from pre-made Band-in-a-Box® Styles, or combine RealTracks instruments to make your own band.
How do I know if RealTracks have notation? Some RealTracks have notation available and some do not. To know if a RealTrack has notation or not, first go to the RealTracks Picker. Then look under the Chart column. The "N" means it has notation. Also, "Gt" means that the guitar will display a guitar tab, or if it is a bass then the bass track will display a bass tab.
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 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:
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:
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.
Already using RealBand® 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 5 now from our Support Page to ensure you have the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.
PowerTracks Pro Audio 2025 is here! This new version introduces many features, including VST3 support, the ability to load or import a .FLAC file, a reset option for track height in the Tracks window, a taller Timeline on the Notation window toolbar, new freeze buttons in the Tracks window, three toolbar modes (two rows, single row, and none), the improved Select Patch dialog with text-based search and numeric patch display, a new button in the DirectX/VST window to copy an effects group, and more!
First-time packages start at only $49. Already a PowerTracks Pro Audio user? Upgrade for as little as $29!
Video: Summary of the New Band-in-a-Box® App for iOS®
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new Band-in-a-Box® app for iOS®! Designed for musicians, singer-songwriters, and educators, this powerful tool lets you create, play, and transfer songs effortlessly on your iPhone® or iPad®—anytime, anywhere.
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