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Joined: Mar 2025
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Hi all, I am working on a new song and set myself a challenge of doing it completely in BIAB. In the verse, I want to add cowbell (why? I hear some of you ask) which doesn't feature in the drum track I am using. In the chorus, I want to add a shaker or other single percussion like tambourine - in addition to the drum track. Preferably, I'd like cowbell and shaker/tambourine to be Real.
I've had a cursory look around and can't find a solution, but know members of this forum are more versed in the features of BIAB than I am. I am happy to accept easy fixes or workarounds. I am using BIAB 2024 (I know - the shame of it all!) and the Real Style I am using is _GUAJIRA.STY Guajira Trio. I'm already using 6 utility tracks for vocals so have some empty if I need to use a utility track as part of the solution.
Solutions or ideas greatly welcome!
Andrew
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Joined: Jun 2012
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It might be easiest to add a MIDI track for both. If you found a RealTrack for cowbell, then it may not play the specific rhythm you are looking for, whereas you can create any specific rhythm / placement with MIDI.
You could also consider loops to achieve this.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Mar 2025
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OP
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Joined: Mar 2025
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You could also consider loops to achieve this. Are those inside BIAB or is it external?
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Jan 2010
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This may be the time for you to consider adding a DAW to your workflow. Immediately you can do the cowbell thing fairly easy. You will find many new things you can do in a DAW than are difficult or impossible to do it BIAB.
Overall, the quality and consistency of your product (tracks) will improve
Yes, there is a learning curve. Yes, it may take more time to finish a track.
Yes, your track will be better.
Anyway, just the opinion of some guy on the internet
biab2026(Mac) Latest Build Mac OS (Latest) Apple Mac Mini M2 pro 32GB Ram Logic Pro (latest or pretty close) Blue and White Sea Star
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You could also consider loops to achieve this. Are those inside BIAB or is it external? Yes, you'll find them in the Loops tab of the Multipicker (press M then enter on the chordsheet to open the Multipicker). There should be a 4 bar cowbell loop in there if you do a search.
I work here
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This may be the time for you to consider adding a DAW to your workflow. Thank you Mr Geeze! My normal workflow is to export to my DAW (Cakewalk or Reaper), but after seeing some posts about fully using BIAB in more (or all) of the workflow, I thought I would try it out, given this is a BIAB forum. My initial thoughts are that I am missing the flexibility, visibility and control of a DAW, but still impressed by the level of function in BIAB nonetheless. Andrew D
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Mar 2025
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Yes, you'll find them in the Loops tab of the Multipicker (press M then enter on the chordsheet to open the Multipicker). There should be a 4 bar cowbell loop in there if you do a search. Thank you Simon - I’ll check them out! Just another example of a product rich in secret surprises!
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Thank you Simon - I’ll check them out! Just another example of a product rich in secret surprises! Happy to help!
I work here
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For these types of percussion sounds, I use Shimmer Shake Strike 2 from In Session Audio. It's a Kontakt instrument that runs in the free Kontakt Player if you don't have the full version. This short video explains things much better than I can in words. It's worth watching all the way through to learn about what they call the "knockout effect". It's something that loops can't replicate. Not inexpensive (on sale now for $110, including the expansion pack which adds a lot of additional instruments), but if you like to use these types of percussion effects, it's a bargain. Shimmer Shake Strike 2
ThinkPad i9 32GB RAM 7TB SSD; Win11 Pro; RME Fireface UCX II; BiaB 2026 Ultra Studio Pro 8; Tonalic Studio 1; Reaper v7; Bitwig Studio 6; Melodyne Studio 5 Gig Performer 5; NI S61 MK3; Focal Shape 65; Beyerdynamic DT 880 & 770
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Quite impressive, and I agree it's worth watching to the end. Very versatile.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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For these types of percussion sounds, I use Shimmer Shake Strike 2 from In Session Audio. It's a Kontakt instrument that runs in the free Kontakt Player if you don't have the full version. This short video explains things much better than I can in words. It's worth watching all the way through to learn about what they call the "knockout effect". It's something that loops can't replicate. Not inexpensive (on sale now for $110, including the expansion pack which adds a lot of additional instruments), but if you like to use these types of percussion effects, it's a bargain. I’ve been using it for years, It used to be inexpensive as was the upgrade to version 2.
BIAB 2026 Audiophile Mac 24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia/Tahoe, M1 & M5 MBAir, 2012 MBP Digital Performer11, Logic, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScore/Notion/Overture
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Nice.
I'm attracted also to their World Percussion kits.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
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+++ HERE +++ is a link to the InSessionAudio website for those wanting a closer look.
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Nice.
I'm attracted also to their World Percussion kits. It's too bad that their freebies are no longer available. Fruit Shake was the gateway drug that got me hooked. It's still available in my downloads, however.
BIAB 2026 Audiophile Mac 24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia/Tahoe, M1 & M5 MBAir, 2012 MBP Digital Performer11, Logic, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScore/Notion/Overture
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Nice.
I'm attracted also to their World Percussion kits. It's too bad that their freebies are no longer available. Fruit Shake was the gateway drug that got me hooked. It's still available in my downloads, however. Yes it is. That looks like a nice try-before-you-buy option. I pushed the button on both the shakers and the world drums.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
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