Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,443
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,443

Hey Guitar Soloists,

I am getting more and more interested in guitar solos these days, and have a really simple trick I have been using that works great.

When I want to do a guitar solo to a tune, I open the song in BIAB, and turn on Amplitube "in the background" but use the record audio function in BIAB to capture multiple dry takes while I am just playing for fun, messing around, etc.

No complicated set up needed.

BUT, I can pick a cool solo by say Brent (or anyone else) and put it on notation mode and see the notes scroll by. Since I read music, this is a good way for me to get great ideas for the solo, and see what a "solid," lyrical, professional solo looks like as opposed to a "noodling" solo.

And I can record stuff when I am just having fun and not taking it too seriously.

Then after multiple fun takes, I will usually find one or two that can be spliced together, and will really fit the bill.

Then, I take the dry DI track, put it in a DAW, call up an amp SIM and away we go!!

(P.S.: I always record my dry tracks with an amp to the audio interface, so it is not technically dry but a Fender amp on tweed mode with no effects. I like the way that sounds, but everybody has their own system.)

Just thought I would pass this along. I am guessing a lot of people do something very similar.

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,110
M
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,110
Awesome, way to go, using your ingenuity. That's why Biab has Direct Input option now because I asked for it way back to be able to do just that.

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,443
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,443
Hey thanks!

I just noticed something cool.

I had a Brent solo (or someone) in BIAB on a utility track it seems and when I opened it in Real Band there was a chart (Real Chart) sitting right there in midi under the Real Track even though I did not have "also generate a real chart" selected in the program.

But that is super convenient. Awesome.

Now I will just look at the notation in Real Band and record a hundred takes there.

Wicked cool.

smile

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,727
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,727
I simply run the output of my spark 40 modeling amp into my focusrite interface. I can hear it through my studio monitors regardless of whether I'm in BB or sonar or none.

Simple setup.

I can then easily load any of the many BB guitar solos and learn them or use them as inspiration or simply record what I come up with.


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.
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,443
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,443

Yeah, I guess mine is kinda similar. Very similar if not identical except for the Spark.

I just am not sure that all people realize how freaking cool it is from a teaching standpoint to be able to learn how the pros do solos by reading their solos in notation right in front of your face while you are jamming along to a killer band.

If BIAB only did THAT, it would still deserve the Nobel Prize--and it does so much more.

smile

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,463
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,463
Originally Posted By: David Snyder
Hey thanks!

I just noticed something cool.

I had a Brent solo (or someone) in BIAB on a utility track it seems and when I opened it in Real Band there was a chart (Real Chart) sitting right there in midi under the Real Track even though I did not have "also generate a real chart" selected in the program.

But that is super convenient. Awesome.

Now I will just look at the notation in Real Band and record a hundred takes there.

Wicked cool.

smile

Priceless

Little hidden gems like this in RB keep me going
I'll use other DAWs, but RB is usually in the workflow somewhere, and many times the only thing needed.


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,443
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,443

I absolutely love Real Band, and the only think I have asked for is more tracks, like at least 200.

I do all of my audio work, recording, cutting and splicing there, and when I have all of my tracks of any kind, I move to Cakewalk for mixing.

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,590
J
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
J
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,590
David.

i support your more traks idea. plus i would like some rb wishes ive posted (past n' current ) in the wishlist coded up. only a few things/features needed in rb then nothing will touch it imho.

i do often the same as you cept i use reaps for mixing.

what i find verry handy in rb is sometimes i do a 'rough stereo mix' in bb , then import bb stereo into rb..then ive got loads of traks to test out rt's solos and my own
gtr solos. i save traks in rb this way for other things.

hn year to all.

om

Last edited by justanoldmuso; 01/14/23 06:45 AM.

my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..)
https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs
(90 songs created useing bb/rb)
(lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,727
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,727
Tab for solos, note by note for solos in slow-mo....all available on Youtube.

Just enter the name of the song/solo/tab and waa laa...someone somewhere has already done all the hard work for you. All that remains is for you to take the time to learn it.


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.
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,960
J
PG Music Developer
Offline
PG Music Developer
J
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,960
I'm going to look into possibly increasing the amount of tracks for the 2024 version of RB/PT.

BTW, David, I did test RB's ability to save a VST soft synth using a specific patch by pressing Save Group and reloading it, and it does work. Same for saving the song and reloading the song. Main thing is that you would want to set a track to use one of the non-default slots (any slot other than 16 unless you had saved other slots as defaults). If you load a soft synth like Aria into slot 16 (normally the default slot, set to use Coyote synth) then Coyote I believe will still have priority when loading in a song because default TGS was created for it and saved in Default Settings folder within the DX Settings folder.

Actually if you have a bunch of synths loaded into various slots and then go into the DX/VST Options and press the button to save default plugin settings it saves all synths currently loaded into DX/VST slots as defaults for those slots, so that when you do a File - New those slots will be filled with those synths and whatever patches they were currently set to when saved as defaults. I'm not suggesting that though, because normally I keep Coyote as the default slot (16) and all the other slots are non-defaults and then I load other synths into non-default slots and set various tracks to use other synths. The patches currently being used by those other non-default synths are saved with the song and re-loaded when loading in the song again, at least with the synths I tested it on like Aria, Sforzando, Synthmaster, etc.

Last edited by Jeff Yankauer; 02/28/23 08:29 PM.

Jeff Yankauer
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,590
J
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
J
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,590
Jeff.

As you know from my previous posts i want to see RB succeed….so i'm extremely happy that there will be a 2024 edition.

as well as my past ideas for consideration in rb (which i promise not to retype…lol.)

I think the idea of upping the track count is a good one. maybe to 90 ?

cos of course some people will do multi takes and then comp to a final comp trak.
which brings up how to make a final comp trak for a user who wants to choose ' best bits. from say 10 previous recorded traks of vocs.

but of course there would need to be an inbuilt check i suggest to save people from themselves in the situation where a user might try to get 90 traks on some v old junk pc.
particularly if such users also might be loading up on resource hungry plug ins.
ive seen this many times in the past.

also easy 'pan automation' would be nice. plus i would like to see one aspect addressed aggressively…..let me explain…..

i'm a 'digger' and dig deep into any software i use. eg like rb to find neat features i can use with my own methods. but some folks arent diggers. some are easily put off.

I think its fair to say rb is a program that a user must 'plunge the depths' to get the best out of it.
THUS i feel its imperative to find ways to make this very easy for sceptical users so rb isnt just given a 'once over' and not looked at again. ..which is sad and which i would suggest might be happening currently.

the other comment i would like to make is any way you could make rb more 'nimble' would be great. assembler code perhaps ??...lol.

let me say jeff that rb with some added features imho could lead the daw market.

what i might suggest jeff is to have a important pinned thread whereby pg users can comment openly on what it would take for them to use rb as their primary daw.
this is what we did once years ago with a user base. get everything out in the open.
a special open forum rather like a 'town meeting'...lol.
it was a great way to not only gauge what the user base 'really wanted' BUT also a way to explain why certain needs couldnt be implemented. we found such explanations really cut down any user frustrations.


wishing you only the best n' have a great 2023 jeff.

om

ps jeff ..feel free to pm me anytime if you want many ideas of how to make rb the daw leader.
cos i really want to see it succeed.



Last edited by justanoldmuso; 03/01/23 03:56 AM.

my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..)
https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs
(90 songs created useing bb/rb)
(lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 216
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 216
Hi David,

I like the notation feature as a learning tool also. BIAB was my teacher for learning bass.

I recently wanted to learn the chordal playing on a piano track of Jeff Lorber from BIAB, but the notation wasn't there. It seems hit and miss on whether there is notation... or maybe it's user error.

Do you have any tips on finding tracks that have notation?


Frank

Some tunes from me and my collaborator: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvGqM6ktMW5ltTnyit1KWPg/videos


Band-in-a-Box Ultrapak 2019, Windows 11, Reaper, Behringer u-phoria UMC404HD, Kali LP-8
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,110
M
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,110
Originally Posted By: Jeff Yankauer
I'm going to look into possibly increasing the amount of tracks for the 2024 version of RB/PT.

Yeh that'll get it up there. Wonder what the 2030 version will get ?
Not sure if I'll be around to see it ?

What's 48 + 24 + 24 + 24......
You can also drop wav files on the tracks in the Plugin.
You can drop midi files on the tracks and use the internal VstSynthFont.

Zoom++


Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 35
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 35
Thanks for sharing your process. I'm so new to BIAB and to DAWs that I'm still creating a process. What I have figured out how to do so far is to find a style that I like and to load the demo and listen to it. I might keep part of the demo and change up some of the chords or I might change all of the chords. I haven't been able to play my guitar at all in BIAB. I tried but it crashed the program every time (I just upgraded to the 2023 MAC and haven't tried in it yet). So, I take all the BIAB instrument tracks and put them into my DAW and record my guitar in that. I'm using Studio One. I also love that I can make a chord sheet video in BIAB and put the video into my DAW so that I can follow the chords as I play. That helps so much because without the video it's harder to remember all the changes and so forth. That's all I have figured out so far but it works and I'm having fun with it.

Last edited by paddy50; 04/28/23 03:02 AM.
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
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.

Happy New Year!

Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.

Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!

Season's Greetings!

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!

The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.

Team PG

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.

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

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.

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®

With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!

These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!

This Free Bonus PAK includes:

  • The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK: -For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
  • MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
  • Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
  • Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
  • Playable RealTracks Set 5
  • RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
  • SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
  • Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)

Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:


  • 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
  • FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
  • MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
  • Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
  • Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
  • RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
  • SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)

Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics85,768
Posts795,991
Members39,955
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
astroashton, hweiffen, NeedyJay, nncytrnod04, Tigerlily
39,955 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 176
DC Ron 110
Noel96 107
rsdean 102
dcuny 97
DrDan 89
Today's Birthdays
Daniel 34, jdgretz, Neil Brighton, nightjar, Vernon Neeley
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5