I have read some of the long posts praising RB and counter arguments. I tried falling in love with RB on several occasions. Full disclosure: It's not a piece of software I will be using. Within past 3 years several important features were added to BIAB... In my view, the most significant difference (and probably the loudest argument for RB) was multiriff generation. With new Partial regeneration, it solved that missing piece for me. Couple of "pro" reasons that come to mind is that many users have their projects in RB and they need RB functioning to keep those projects alive. Also "free" is a good price to pay. This is also understandable.
What else? What are unique features that are missing from BIAB that are in RB in working with PGmusic content? If possible, kindly keep it simple. Thanks.
RB can record multiple inputs at once. RB has better routing options. RB has Aux sends. RB has a quick and easy click track feature for manually synching a track to work with adding RealTracks and skip the ACW. RB has batch file conversion. RB makes it easy to create a UserTrack. RB can record Mixer automation in real time. RB has Sub-group outputs. RB can have more than four FX's on a track. RB has insert markers. RB has Track type pre-sets. RB has multiple from/thru range selections. RB can have Templates. RB has scraps feature (ability to select, load and save regions of audio). RB has 3 ways to display time: either bars/beats, time or frames passage. RB has a mono mix button. RB can merge two mono tracks to a stereo track. RB can split a stereo track into two mono tracks.
Most of these have to to with audio, not specifically working with PGmusic content.... There are a couple of interesting items. Specifically these two:
* can record Mixer automation in real time. - Assuming automation of nodes with external controller (for audio AND RTs?).
* makes it easy to create a UserTrack. - I guess that is not very practical in BIAB because of 255 bar limit? I will read on this. I wish there would be a better way to create UserTracks in BIAB. A wizard with various templates, punch in recording, note correction and that kind of stuff. So it guides not only with recording process, but "save" process too. My take, current process confusing people, that's why not too many people creating them. I don't consider myself complete noob, but even I asked pipeline to help assembling couple of User Tracks (that we made public)
This is a good one too: "has 3 ways to display time: either bars/beats, time or frames passage."
This I don't get: "has scraps feature (ability to select, load and save regions of audio)" Well I kind of do... I assume this is mainly for audio, not RTs.
<< Most of these have to to with audio, not specifically working with PGmusic content.... >>
That's correct. RealBand can be thought of as primarily to deal with additional live or pre-recorded audio to create, manipulate, audition, and correlate them with the main BIAB program. It completes the package of BIAB software being comparable to stand alone, digital, multi track recorders.
While the introduction of Utility Tracks in BIAB have lessened the necessity of these features, for older versions from prior to BIAB having Utility Tracks and even the versions with Utility Tracks, these functions and features have the same value in a production project as much as ever.
Mixing user-produced audio with BIAB generated tracks has been an important component of BIAB since its inception. RealBand facilitates the interaction between external audio and BIAB generated audio.
<< * can record Mixer automation in real time. - Assuming automation of nodes with external controller (for audio AND RTs?). >>
No. It records most mixer events made with the mouse during a playback mix. Fader movements, aux send movements, panning, master fader and panning moves and group events. It's track specific and works regardless the content type on the track. It works with audio, RealTracks and Midi. I've never attempted to use a controller with the program.
<< * makes it easy to create a UserTrack. >>
You're right. It optimizes the process in some ways.
<< This is a good one too: "has 3 ways to display time: either bars/beats, time or frames passage." >>
I agree. It also has a convenient large clock display.
<< This I don't get: "has scraps feature (ability to select, load and save regions of audio)" Well I kind of do... I assume this is mainly for audio, not RTs. >>
No. This feature also works with midi, audio and RealTracks. It's a RB convenience feature that's sort of a copy/paste-import/export-save as combination.
I have watched over the years as BIAB has added functionality so that it now does a lot previously only available in RB. However, it's still a lot easier and simpler in RB.
All tracks really are equal and you can see them all at once.
Great work Charlie - RB really does complete the BIAB offering.
To expand on Load/Save scrap... In an RB SEQ file you can select (example) bars 8-24 of multiple audio, MIDI and generated tracks, then 'export' (for lack of a better word) that section by using Save Scrap, and then 'Import' it into another project using Load Scrap, or the same project at a different spot, etc. It's a handy way of handling multiple tracks for a section of a song.
It's a unique way to grab a chunk of a song and save it for later or use in another project. AND you can load any MIDI, Audio or seq chunk that way and it will adapt to the current tempo. (Time-stretch etc, if I recall correctly).
You can use the actual Import function for WAV or MIDI files and get pretty much the same result, but not a single file with multiple tracks of varying types. That's where the Scrap feature shines.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
I personally love the simplicity of Real Band, and the layout.
I do ALL recording and most track generation there, and ALL editing and splicing there--sometimes using BIAB for export if it is a very simple song.
(I do outline the song in BIAB first, though, then open in Real Band.)
Once all tracks are generated, edited, recorded, spliced, whatever, I export and then move to Cakewalk for mixing, where I have more than 1000 VSTS I think now.
But Real Band is where it all starts for me.
I love Real Band.
David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers
Hey boys, you are wondering to the side. I understand that some people have a passion for that program. I am not questioning your choice
The question is really this: What are unique features that are missing from BIAB that are in RB in working with PGmusic content?
Seems that Scraps feature is a Big one that is missing from BIAB. Sounds interesting how rharv described it:
"It's a unique way to grab a chunk of a song and save it for later or use in another project. AND you can load any MIDI, Audio or seq chunk that way and it will adapt to the current tempo. (Time-stretch etc, if I recall correctly)."
I don't know most of the features and functionality of BIAB or RB - but I just need/want to create a song and have the software generate multiple instances of the Real Tracks I've chosen. After that I move to another DAW.
But I should probably learn about Multi-Riff and/or Partial Regeneration.
Mike, That is one cool song or band name: The Basement where Analog Goes to Die love it!
-------
olemon, If I understand the whole philosophy behind "multiple instances of the Real Tracks I've chosen"... to get parts you want out of X number of tracks generated from single RT
To me personally this method is obsolete with new Partial regeneration. Because instead of piecing something out, you are generating as-you-go and get exact parts where you need them in a single track.
Well, even though it's a partial generation, which I'm assuming is just having a particular RT generated for certain bars or sections of a song, the generations still won't always work, will they?
But at some point they do tend to repeat so generating a larger number of instances may not yield much variation. Mostly I'm talking about lead instruments - maybe generating a half dozen instances for each depending on the arrangement - typically within all of that audio I can find something that works.
I need to check out PG Music's tutorials on the subject.
Expert opinions needed in regards to the video posted by Rustyspoon.
1. What's going on? How come the ACW window becomes the Audio Edit window?
2. Looks like the ACW window perfectly docked underneath the chord sheet. Can ACW be resized while remain docked, so by lowering ACW window gives more space to chord sheet?
3. Does this 2023 Partial Regen feature completely replace the need of 2022 MultiRiffs feature?
4. Does this 2023 Partial Regen feature completely replace the need of good old Soloist feature?
5. What are the essential differences between Partial Regen, MultiRiffs, Soloist, and Melodist, in the context of real life music production?
6. What is your weapon of choice?
A Canadian music producer, singer songwriter, composer, and professional guitarist.
MV 1)It doesn't become... It is in a way audio edit window. Has other purposes, but that is how I use it (even for node editing) as waveform is large enough. I use it because you have access to both: Chord sheet and Waveform at the same time.
2)It is docked. I don't believe you can un-dock it. Unfortunately. I hope that will change one day.
3)2022 feature didn't went away (In theory, it should) but ALT+F8 is NON-modal, so that is a blessing as you can do sooo much without jail box of previous 2022 partial regen. In my opinion all features should be combined and made into one non modal tool.
6) This non-modal partial regeneration tool.
I will leave 4,5 for those who can answer them better.
2)It is docked. I don't believe you can un-dock it.
When it's docked, are you able to drag the top edge of the ACW window down, so the waveform becomes smaller, while the chord sheet gains more estate?
Quote:
3)2022 feature didn't went away (In theory, it should) but ALT+F8 is NON-modal...
Explain the word "Modal". You said this word many times in different posts. F8 is MultiRiffs, Alt+F8 is Partial Regen, Ctrl+F8 is Quick Partial Regen. They all seem to generate a portion of a track, so why they are different?
A Canadian music producer, singer songwriter, composer, and professional guitarist.
*You can't pull it up or down. Not that I know. Maybe Charlie F. knows a secret.
*Modal restricts actions to function of that specific box menu. Like you are in jail, until you exit. With Non-modal (Alt-F8) you are not jailed to the that menu box and can do other things in GUI, tools, etc.
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We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
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