When bringing in an MP3 file for the stem splitter, the split works just fine. BUT if I have the usual count-in feature activated, the clicks of that count-in play over the beginning audio of the newly split song and I can't seem to get rid of of those clicks. If I disable count-in in the song properties before the import into the splitter (or even after), the first 2 bars or so of the imported music get cut off and won't play. The playback starts from that point and the beginning doesn't play. Grrrr. Bug? User Error? Can't seem to solve this one. Thanks for any help.
It's not user error. BIAB requires a two bar count in and recorded audio normally hasn't been recorded with two bars of silence. This means that imported or opened audio into BIAB must have Bar 1 set.
The stem splitter uses the Audio Track for processing stems. BIAB aligns the split stem tracks with the Master File on the Audio Track which that track also aligns with the Chord Sheet and BIAB Styles. The Stem Splitter process automatically aligns the stems tracks that are placed on Utility Tracks with the Master Track on the Audio Track as part of the stem splitting process.
Importing audio using the Stem Splitter, making the tempo map takes care of setting Bar 1. The clicks are not written into any split tracks.
It's easy to set Bar 1 manually if you don't want to hear the count-in over the audio.
Open the audio file using BIAB open command and place the audio file onto the Audio Track Save the project Open the Audio Edit Window Place the curser at the very beginning of the audio wave file Right click and select the Set this point as Bar 1 Ok out of the AEW
Open Stems Splitter Select the Use existing audio button Proceed normally
Because the split stems are aligned with the Master Track by the Stems Splitter, if you manually set Bar 1, it must be done first, before the stems are split in order to maintain proper alignment between all of the split Tracks.
Charlie, Thank you for this awesomely complete and generous reply with images. What an amazing help you are. At first I found it confusing and then it started to make sense and now I am very excited to do this later today. I was so stuck not understanding why I was having trouble. I was following exactly the PG video instructions on this topic, but you have revealed some of the mysterious (to me) inner workings and quirks of this amazing but uber-complicated program. Anyway I just couldn't wait to thank you and will dive in and perhaps have some followup questions. This splitter feature is turning into an amazing tool for my practice needs. Onward and I will report back!
Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate that. The Stem Splitter has been a favorite feature of mine and I'm finding lots of uses for it and integrating split tracks with other BIAB features.
I haven't forgotten your other thread about notation. It's a more complex and convoluted subject but BIAB can do it. I'm having to think it through and prepare a reply.
OK, I got somewhere now. Different behavior with this method. First it took quite some time for the waveform to appear. I didn't expect that, but it eventually showed up. At first I thought the method was not working. Then everything went according to your instructions, BUT the prefix for the stems was not used and during playback which was successful from the programed 1st bar, all the other style instruments started playing even though there was an "x" indicating that the style was turned off. This had not happened before. So I just muted all of those. And then I noticed that in my previous splits with the "start of the music problem", BB would create stems and store each one in the original folder for the project, but this time did not save out any stems at least in that location. I then "saved" the song again and those stems then showed up in the folder as wav files but not labelled as usual with the name of the stem part like Bass, vocal, etc. just Hey Joe #1, Hey Joe #2... Odd that the prefix was not used and the names of the stems were so generic. The stem tracks are labelled in the BB mixer as the correct instrument and the name "stem"
Any thoughts? (hey, though making progress here!!)
Yes, you are making progress. That's great. The explanation about setting Bar 1 only addresses the count-in and location of the audio wave file within the Audio Edit Window. You only need to do this if you are listening to the audio file before running the ACW or Stem Splitter. Stem Splitter is a separate function from that.
The Audio Chord Wizard and Audio Edit Window are both single track editors. Setting Bar 1 of audio on the Audio Track is done prior to using the Stem Splitter if you want to set bar 1. If you open an audio file from within the Stem Splitter, make all your settings and solo the Master File audio track in the BIAB Mixer. Creating the tempo map will also sync the other stems once the creating the tempo map and running the ACW is complete.
Using the Stem Splitter, the Style should be disabled and I always solo the Master File located on the Audio Track so that is the only track sounding out.
There have been issues in the past using styles with RealTracks that disabling the style doesn't mute the RealTracks. Solo the Master File track and that will solve the issue of hearing other tracks while you are creating the tempo map. Once completed, the tempo map will be synced with the other stems.
Thanks for that Charlie. One (oh sure...) last question. The PG video tutorial showed opening the audio file to be split with the open special > open special with stem splitter and then working with the file in ACW rather than your suggested open regular open and then use the AEW.
Can the PG method with the use of the ACW be used to set the first measure just like the method you described using the AEW?
If so, then the key seems to be to set that first measure first before any other manipulations. Does this sound right?
You are correct. It's best and easiest to open/import the audio file using the Stems Splitter. I didn't properly explain to you the reason I mentioned opening/importing the audio file is because I didn't know if you were working with the audio file before you used the Stems Splitter to create the stems.
It's unnecessary to use the Audio Edit Window method unless you have cause to work on the file before splitting it.
Using the Audio Chord Wizard on the Master Stem Track will set the first Bar and the Stems Splitter program will align the stems with the Master Stems track tempo map created from ACW.
EDIT: An exception to the above is when using the Stems Splitter or the ACW and you're having issues correctly getting Bar 1 set. In that situation, it's beneficial to unclick the ACW button, which disables the ACW and engages the AEW. With the AEW active, put the curser at the correct bar 1 and the audio waveform moves into the adjusted new Bar 1, then re-engage the ACW button, making it the active window again. This makes a visual change of the realignment of the waveform that I find helpful.
A tip to how I open the Stems Splitter is I use the shortcut - Type Stems into any measure on the Chord Sheet and the Stems Splitter instantly opens. In my case when I'll be working with a file and Stems Splitter, I open a New project and type Stems into a measure and I'm instantly ready to choose my file and use the program.
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