So after reading some posts about various drum VSTi's, I thought I might push my experience with BIAB and RB a bit further by substituting a few drum tracks.
So, here's where I'm stick. As a start, I've downloaded a midi song from the net in RB, its got melody, leads, rhythm guitars but no drum track. Perfect I thought, this would be a good one to start with. So, I go to the RT drum picker, search for a 4/4 time, 120 bpm track in the right genera and load it on an audio track.
OK, I know that the original MIDI might not be exactly at 120 bpm, a little variation is OK. For now, I just want to get close. I know I'll have to play around with timing by sliding it around a bit to get it to line up but the problem is the RT I pick is too fast. So I pick another RT, maybe this one is too slow. So, I go into the time stretching function and play around with that. That seems to work some...but after repeated guesses as to what the timing should be it's been compressed and expanded so much that all I get is artifacts and muddled sound out of it.
So I'm lost. I guess I could build up a MIDI drum track, done that before but with all of these RT's it would be nice to learn how to do this. It would make sense to start with a drum track and build the song up from that..start with the drum track, add bass, add rhythm etc. But there must be a way to add a drum track to an existing song.
How do you guys do it? How do you pick a RT track and make it fit your song?
Just a beginner in this area and want to learn, Jeff
How I'd try to solve the problem - First make sure your MIDI track has an accurate Tempo map
THEN try to find a RealDrum track In my experience the RealDrums will follow the Tempo map when provided. If your Tempo map defaults to 120 BPM then the MIDI is not including the Tempo for the RDs to follow (most likely) You can try to have RB analyze the Tempo, or use the ACW to make a Tempo map if needed (so the RDs have something to follow)
ACW = Audio Chord Wizard above, and if you pay attention to the check boxes as it opens you can tell it to find a new Tempo .. and once open, tell it the Tempo you want by hitting the F8 key on the '1' of every measure as it plays .. Getting the Tempo right is crucial for the RDs to line up
Otherwise you may need to work in reverse; have the RD track as it's own SEQ file, then run the ACW on it and adjust the Tempo map as needed in the ACW .. after that you should be able to import the MIDI using File-Special, and it should now follow the Tempo map you created in the ACW but it sounds to me like the Tempo map is not right, get that right in the first place and you shouldn't have to time stretch stuff, etc
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
Good advice Rharv. I just assumed that the tempo that real band indicated was correct. Perhaps it's not. I'll try running the ACW and see if that helps.
You mentioned that real band could analyze the tempo. I'm assuming that means without using the ACW. How is it that real band can analyze the tempo? What is the procedure to do this?
I *think you may be able to do that with the new-fangled Click Track feature, but I haven't tried it much .. I tend to just open the ACW as a habit. I remember seeing an option for 'auto-detected' beats or something like that. Like I said, I haven't tinkered with it much, so I may be wrong on what it does.
If you figure out how that works please enlighten
.. or you could just tap the Tempo keys to set a tempo manually .. yet another option, at least you'd know if the original was off a bunch
Last edited by rharv; 06/21/2211:34 AM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean