No absolutely not. For starters you can generate MIDI Soloists #1-361 using this dialog. And you can generate RealTracks Soloists (well, in fact *any* RT) as well using settings like "Solo around melody", "Solo middle chorus", and so on.
Quote:
2. Does the 2023 Partial Regen feature completely replace the need of 2022 MultiRiffs feature?
3. Does the 2023 Partial Regen feature completely replace the need of good old Soloist feature?
4. What are the essential differences between Partial Regen, MultiRiffs, Soloist, and Melodist?
Partial Regen and MultiRiffs are related features but not the same.
F8 (MultiRiff) allows you to specify a few bars of a track and it will generate and preview several riffs - you can back up and listen to previous riffs to compare, and then accept your favorite.
Alt+F8 (Partial Regen with settings) allows you to easily regenerate a region, in a dialog with options.
Ctrl+F8 (Partial Regen) easy way to do a partial reg now with current settings.
Andrew has responded but there is room for additional responses.
Quote:
1. Is the Soloist feature outdated and obsoleted?
No. Each time additional RealTrack and style content is added more content is available for use by the Soloist feature. Plus, more than five hundred user created Soloists can be accommodated.
Quote:
2. Does the 2023 Partial Regen feature completely replace the need of 2022 MultiRiffs feature?
Users will likely develop a habit of using one more than the other and the two features are somewhat similar but one does not completely replace the need for the other. For example MultiRiffs offer multiple choices to choose from at a time while Partial Regen offers one choice at a time. If I'm wanting inspiration I might choose to use MultiRiff while if I want something very specific I might choose Partial Regen.
Quote:
3. Does the 2023 Partial Regen feature completely replace the need of good old Soloist feature?
No. Simply put, they each draw from different databases.
Quote:
4. What are the essential differences between Partial Regen, MultiRiffs, Soloist, and Melodist?
You're likely not going to agree with my response. Intent. What do you intend to do? What do you hope to achieve?
Sidetrack for a moment. What's the difference between a song melody and a solo in a song? To me the difference is hard to define but I do know there is a difference between a song melody and a solo. Sometimes a solo closely follows a melody but sometimes a solo is almost completely separate from the rest of the song.
Perhaps the best answer is the Soloist window has a setting where "Melody Influences Solo" can be enabled or disabled.
Partial Regen and MultiRiffs work with song structure while melody and solo work with what makes a song memorable. Nobody hums or whistles a Partial Regen or MultiRiff but everyone remembers a melody or solo.
No. Simply put, they each draw from different databases.
This is my biggest concern.
Correct me if I'm wrong. My understanding is, when you install the RealTracks 001 to 429 on your computer, you own all of them, and can use them however you want.
Meaning, for any backing/solo/melody source material, you can put it on any style track or utility track, you can generate the sound regardless of what method you use.
In other words, if you put a Soloist RealTrack on a utility track, it should give you the same result, no matter if you use Partial Regen, MultiRiffs, or Soloist method to generate. The final results are RT based, not method based.
This is what I believe: When you use Partial Regen or MultiRiffs, you can access to all RT source material, including Soloist and Melodist RTs and MIDIs.
Unless I'm wrong. What did I miss?
A Canadian music producer, singer songwriter, composer, and professional guitarist.
This is what I believe: When you use Partial Regen or MultiRiffs, you can access to all RT source material, including Soloist and Melodist RTs and MIDIs.
No, MultiRiffs and Partial Regen are for RealTracks only (any of the three RealTracks types - Soloist, Background, or Rhythm). I see your point though someone might want to use it for a MIDI track.
The Melodist is a separate thing. It generates unique chord progressions and/or a (MIDI) melody. It can also choose a style to play the song and the style can be a MIDI style or one with RealTracks in it. By themselves RealTracks do not generate chord progressions, they generate parts that play over your existing chords.
when you install the RealTracks 001 to 429 on your computer, you own all of them, and can use them however you want.
When used within a song I would say that is correct. However, if you were to use them in another way, for example isolate the raw tracks of a RealTrack to use as a source to create samples for use in a third party product I would say no. For such a use I recommend consulting with an attorney and having the attorney review PG Music's License agreement (page 2 in both the Band-in-a-Box and RealBand user manual) before proceeding.
Quote:
Meaning, for any backing/solo/melody source material, you can put it on any style track or utility track, you can generate the sound regardless of what method you use.
I agree you can generate a sound.
Quote:
if you put a Soloist RealTrack on a utility track, it should give you the same result, no matter if you use Partial Regen, MultiRiffs, or Soloist method to generate.
Disagree for multiple reasons. The Melody and Soloist tracks follow different rules and are less constrained than other tracks. At this moment, Utility tracks follow different rules than other tracks. A good example of the type of rules and constraints that maybe available on the Melody or Soloist tracks is the UserTracks Development window. The UserTracks Development window can be accessed by pressing F5 at any bar and then selecting the UserTracks Development button at the left, bottom side of the F5 Bar Settings window. My thought is each feature has the same pool of material to draw from but each draws from different parts of the pool so each will obtain different results. Which track you're using can somewhat influence what pool of materials is used.
Quote:
The final results are RT based, not method based.
I agree somewhat. When you select a RealTrack you are partially defining the size of the pool of material you want to use. However the method may also define how large the pool of material is to draw from. For example lets say you select one of the twelve Cory Pesaturo Accordion RealTracks. Chances are all twelve were recorded at the same time, in the same studio while using the same instrument so all twelve RealTracks should sound extremely similar. It is possible all twelve RealTracks can be used as source material. The method could include all or some of the RealTracks.
Quote:
This is what I believe: When you use Partial Regen or MultiRiffs, you can access to all RT source material, including Soloist and Melodist RTs and MIDIs.
It's possible but it is also possible there are constraints that say "only use these bars in a solo" or "only use these bars in a melody". The only published guide we users have is the UserTracks Development window. I believe there are more rules and constraints in place than we have know of.
I understand Melodist is a composing tool to generate chord progressions and melodies for the song. This is clear and easy.
But I'm still quite confused with Soloist.
As I checked the installation folder, for RealTracks, I have exe files named from 001 to 429.
But in addition, I have Soloist exe installers named from 2 to 20, plus two files named Andy, Jeff.
Q1 - What do these separate Soloist exe files install?
Q2 - Andrew said MultiRiffs and Partial Regen can only access to RealTracks. Can I assume MultiRiffs and Partial Regen can not access/generate MIDIs and Super MIDIs?
Q3 - Is there a difference between, (a) Generate a MIDI or Super MIDI solo using Soloist; (b) Insert the same MIDI or Super MIDI to a track, then using full track regular gen and play?
Q4 - Andrew mentioned MIDI soloist 1 to 361. Can these MIDI be accessed using regular RealTrack picker, and then generated in a regular way?
Q5 - Jim mentioned database material constraints. So, if I use MultiRiffs or Partial Regen, will there be any RealTrack material that I can not access, but only Soloist can? If I use regular gen & play, will there be any MIDI material I can not access, but only Soloist can?
Q6 - Which tool gives the best result on day-to-day production work for generating electric guitar solos for rock/pop/ballad?
A Canadian music producer, singer songwriter, composer, and professional guitarist.
Beliefs ought to be based on one's knowledge and experience. For one to have established a belief, (likely a misnomer when current knowledge, recent experience, as yet untethered expectations etc. would suffice), about a very complicated piece of software one is relatively new to and about which one asks many, many questions seems rather like placing the baptism before the birth.
Last edited by rayc; 03/08/2305:22 PM.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
I have no idea about the answer to your questions.
Could you at least share a bit of personal experience on during cooking your own music, when you would prefer to use Soloist, when you would prefer not?
To be honest I don't care much about 'why' a pro like you does it. I only care about 'what' a pro does.
It was never my intention to stress out a guru with secular details. My only purpose of existence is to absorb a guru's vision and mindset, so that I can achieve spiritual awakening and reach nirvana.
A Canadian music producer, singer songwriter, composer, and professional guitarist.
<< Q2 - Andrew said MultiRiffs and Partial Regen can only access to RealTracks. Can I assume MultiRiffs and Partial Regen can not access/generate MIDIs and Super MIDIs? >>
True that multiRiffs and Partial regen only work with RealTracks when creating, but using the Artist Performance File feature, multiRiffs and regens can be bounced with Midi and SuperMidi tracks merged as a mix of these different audio media types.
<< Q3 - Is there a difference between, (a) Generate a MIDI or Super MIDI solo using Soloist; (b) Insert the same MIDI or Super MIDI to a track, then using full track regular gen and play? >>
Doing this is counterproductive. No need to generate a solo w/ soloist feature if you're going to then regenerate a full track. The solo will be overwritten.
<< Q5 - Jim mentioned database material constraints. So, if I use MultiRiffs or Partial Regen, will there be any RealTrack material that I can not access, but only Soloist can? If I use regular gen & play, will there be any MIDI material I can not access, but only Soloist can? >>
MultiRiffs and Partial Regeneration material is based on the original data of a highlighted track region and chords contained in that region. However, users can also create MultiRiffs and partial regenerations selected from any RealTrack and replace the original RT instrument with any other instrument. For instance, an electric guitar can have a fiddle replace several bars in any selected region of the electric guitar track.
<< Q6 - Which tool gives the best result on day-to-day production work for generating electric guitar solos for rock/pop/ballad? >>
To create a electric guitar solo, I would use the MultiRiff feature.
Could you at least share a bit of personal experience on during cooking your own music, when you would prefer to use Soloist, when you would prefer not?
I seldom use the features we are discussing. That is because I generally am satisfied with the results Band-in-a-Box provides without resorting to using Partial Regen, MultiRiffs, the Melody or Solo features. But, some might say I'm easily pleased!
I find your questions and our discussions interesting. You ask questions about features I seldom use but do want to learn more about. Your questions provide me a good reason to research and learn more about the subjects of your questions.
I learn by watching PG Music tutorials, searching the user manuals, creating test songs and remembering past discussions.
What I find REALLY interesting about the questions in the threads you've started is you keep bringing up subjects of interest that are rarely discussed in the forum. Also the thread subject headings are fairly specific so the responses stay on point.
Other than this PG Music forum, what other music forums do you visit and post on a regular basis?
The reason I'm asking is because I was shocked on how much juicy contents can be buried under an old school BBS type of forum.
I was not impressed, at all, with this PG forum. It doesn't support mobile device, texts are too small to read on mobile, high resolution pictures can't be displayed, etc. I didn't like this forum.
Until I realized each day and every day how a rediculous amount of people posting a rediculous amount of content on this forum.
Not only BiaB related topics, but also everything else about music: workflow, mixing, VST, NFT, AI, Melodyne, monitization, marketing... imagination is the only limit.
Much more engaging than any other forums on the planet.
(PG Music has a Facebook group, but seems to be a barren wasteland, compare to this forum)
That's why I'm asking if you know any other music forums exist, just as juicy as this one.
Other than posting some technical questions, I currently spend ten times of my time searching and reading older off topic posts. There is just too much juice for me to handle.
So if there's another place as nutritious as this forum, I will definitely be interested in checking it out.
A Canadian music producer, singer songwriter, composer, and professional guitarist.
Well, you didn't ask me, but I understand what you are saying and asking. My other favorite haunt in terms of music forums is https://vi-control.net/community/. Friendly and informative for all thinks "virtual instruments" including composing and music making.
BIAB – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud (Tip: No need to create a SC account to hear music - just hit ESC ).
Hmm, the forum does support small screens. Check "My stuff " preferences --> "Enable mobile support". Should default to TRUE but worth double-checking.
There are three I frequently visit and one I visit a few times a month. You are aware of the PG Music forum so I will skip this one.
+++ Cakewalk by Bandlab +++ is my full featured DAW of choice. The Cakewalk forum has a nice mixture of professional versus hobbyist users. Some of the software developers frequently participate on the forum. Since Cakewalk by Bandlab is based on the mature framework of Sonar and the developers were part of the Sonar development team the institutional knowledge and DAW knowledge in general is deep.
I have a paid membership in +++ The Steel Guitar Forum +++ because my elder brother played pedal steel guitar and was a charter member of the forum. Through this forum I've come to know many steel guitar players that knew my brother and gain new insight into life as a professional touring and/or session musician. Unlike the PG Music or Cakewalk by Bandlab forums that are supported by a business, the Steel Guitar forum was created and maintained by a private individual. The membership fee is $5 US for lifetime membership.
The +++ Mix Challenge +++ forum provides monthly challenges to mix a song project. The competition is made for novice to professional musicians and mix engineers alike. In addition to the mix challenge there are also a remix and mastering challenge as well as a songwriting competition. The forum always needs new song projects to use in the contests. This forum has the most professional atmosphere of the forums I visit.
Hmm, the forum does support small screens. Check "My stuff " preferences --> "Enable mobile support". Should default to TRUE but worth double-checking.
I can confirm this is not working.
Attached a screenshot from a Chrome browser in an Adroid mobile phone.
Reason? If someone upload a picture in a post, the whole thread loses its mobility view.
Solution? Log out. Once logged out, picture can't be seen. Mobility view comes back.
A Canadian music producer, singer songwriter, composer, and professional guitarist.
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Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
Playable RealTracks Set 4
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We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
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XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
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
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