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I've been struggling with this. I started a chart in biab, finished it in RB- made it a whole lot longer. How do I reopen just that chart in biab? Is it as save-as over in RB? I'm just plain stumped!
Dan
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RB cannot save a song in BiaB format (.sgu, .mgu, etc.).
BUT -- you might try saving the song as a MIDI file and BiaB can open the MIDI file.
Just remember that MIDI files do not contain chord data. BiaB can "get" the chords from the MIDI file intelligently, though.
--Mac
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I was gonna try that tonight. Is it not odd that RB cannot save-as that chord chart? I mean, there the chord chart is....right there! Same as in biab! This looks like a wish list item.
Dan
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RB and Biab are two entirely different programs. It was amazing to a lot of us a few years ago when they came out with RB and we found out they gave Power Tracks some Biab functions. Awesome. Still, RB is primarily an audio/midi recorder/sequencer it's not just another version of Biab so while it will read and open Biab files, it won't save in that format. Mac's suggestion of using Biab chord detection is ok but the problem is it's never perfect. If you don't have any chords to start with then the chord detection is very useful to create a chart from a midi file because it will give you the basic layout even if some of the chords are wrong and that alone can be a time saver. Since you have the basic tune in Biab already I think it would be faster to use cut and paste on Biab's chord grid to adjust it to match what you did in RB rather than going through the whole song correcting the mistakes that were created by using the midi file chord detection but try it both ways and see. Plus opening in Biab a midi file that was created in RB from an original Biab file loses all the instrument settings, bar settings, maybe harmony, soloist, pushes/holds and of course no Real Tracks/Drums, all kinds of stuff you may have in your original Biab file.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Thanks Bob. All that I figured as I was thinking through it. What I'm going to try is this- have both programs open, copy the full chord chart in RB, paste it in biab. Hopefully that will do the trick. I do understand that they are two different programs, but it would be nice if at least the chord chart can be saved separately so both can open it. The chart is everything, or at least a whole bunch! I'll let you know how the copy/paste goes between the two. Can't imagine it wouldn't work.
Dan
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Quote:
Can't imagine it wouldn't work.
Dan
Au contraire...we've all been there, done that. That's why I gave you the detailed explanation. I have no idea what kind of hoops they had to jump through to get Power Tracks to read and generate Biab tracks in the first place but whatever it is, it won't work the other way. Each program stands on it's own. What does Biab open? It opens Biab files and midi files. That's it. What does RB open? Biab files, seq and midi. That's it. Every DAW saves projects in their own unique format so Biab won't save as .seq and RB won't save as .mgu or the other Biab ones. Somehow the programmers were able to create a partial link between the two. The other thing is I don't think they want RB to go too far in duplicating what Biab does even if it is possible because then they lose the uniqueness of what Biab is. Biab is their flagship program and I think they want to keep it that way.
All this is still a work in progress so maybe if it is possible, they will add the ability to transfer the chord grid in a future update. Add that to the wish list if you want.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Hmmm. I'm not looking for my whole RB production to open up in biab- just the chord chart. I'd like to at least try and copy the changes to a new empty chart over in biab. Are you saying I can't copy the changes from my RB chart to the clip board and while biab is open too, just paste the changes in? Odd. I mean, it's the clip board. I'm looking to add a couple more instruments over in biab to the arrangement- maybe noodle with creating a melody. And as much as I know I can add instrumenst in RB too, I actually prefer biab because it generates SO much faster than in RB.
Dan
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Alas, you are correct. No go. I shouldn't have doubted. Oh well!
Dan
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Hello Shockwave:
I had a similar situation and the following worked for me--
In RB, in the Chords window, I copied the the chords from an existing mid file and exited. Upon exiting, I was of course made aware of the info stored on the clipboard and if I want to keep it.
I then opened BB and started a new song. Under File-Open Special is an option -- import chords from PG Music midi file on clipboard. I clicked and the chords appeared. This method also works for MGU files!
I have not yet pasted over an existing file, but unless I'm mistaken, it should be possible to bounce between the 2 programs.
Give it a shot.
Percy
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WOW Percy. Way to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Works perfect. You don't need to exit RB for it to work. Just highlite the chords in RB, hit the copy button, go to BIAB, file, open special,from clipboard. You get a little message answer OK and VOILA>
Awesome.
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'Open Special..' provides a nice and well hidden procedure to import chords from midi files creadted by PG Music programs, such as Band-in-a-Box, RealBand or PowerTracks.
There is another spot featuring this feat; 'File/Import Chords from MIDI file' has a checkbox -> 'OK to use PG Music Chord names from MIDI file'.
Thus PG Music programs communicate pretty well with each other. Would that PG Music heeded clipboard conventions, though ...
Martin
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John,
How is it that some of you all can have both BB and PT or BB and RB open at the same time?
When I switch between RB and forget to properly exit RB and then open up BB, BB acts up, and next time I open RB, it has crashed.
Percy
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This sounds like possibly an ASIO situation.
Try MME drivers, they allow use by multiple programs at the same time.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Quote:
John,
How is it that some of you all can have both BB and PT or BB and RB open at the same time?
When I switch between RB and forget to properly exit RB and then open up BB, BB acts up, and next time I open RB, it has crashed.
Percy
Hi Percy,
One thing that can cause that is the use of ASIO Audio Drivers in both programs.
Most of the time, ASIO is a "one man dog" designed to be used with only one program at a time.
Attempts to open two programs that are set to use the same ASIO driver can result in a digital catfight and error messages.
Try setting ONE of the two programs to use the Windows "MME" Audio drivers.
--Mac
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Gentlemen,
Thanks for the replies.
I double checked the audio drivers of all my PG products and all are MME.
Can some of the other audio settings affect the aforementioned issue?
My audio in/out driver is Microsoft Soundmapper rather than my Realtek audio card.
I don't know why.
Percy
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Using the built in card will ultimately cause issues. It is fine for simple playback, but the drivers are not really written with heavy recording processes in mind. If you want stellar outcome invest in a good solid audio midi interface something like this. http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/pro...face?sku=241710The interface is the heartbeat of the process.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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Quote:
WOW Percy. Way to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Works perfect. You don't need to exit RB for it to work. Just highlite the chords in RB, hit the copy button, go to BIAB, file, open special,from clipboard. You get a little message answer OK and VOILA>
Awesome.
I'll try this tonight. This is great! I knew there HAD to be a way. It's like....it's a darn piece of paper- both should be able to share it!
Dan
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Quote:
My audio in/out driver is Microsoft Soundmapper rather than my Realtek audio card.
I don't know why.
Percy
Micorsoft Sound Mapper is a known problem with music making apps.
Don't you have something else listed there to select?
--Mac
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Mac,
So in BB, I go to Audio Drivers where I have the Microsoft Soundmapper and my Realtek soundcard listed.
This time (for the first time) I selected the Realtek and a message appeared concerning a wavesynth table and some latency issue. I just clicked ok and lo and behold, I can now, finally, have both programs open at the same time.
Until I read John's message this morning, I had absolutely no idea PG Music users were doing this.
As always, thank you, Mac.
Percy
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