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As we now know, the substitution choices for replacing MIDI styles with RealTrack styles are contained in the RealTracksSubs.txt file sitting out on the X:\bb directory. About 30 substitutions are already contained in this file (that came with the 2011 delivery). In fact, each of us can modify this file and/or add to it with any style subs we wish.

I suspect several folks have already begun editing this file and adding/modifying their choices for substitutes. So, how about our starting a thread (this can be it) where we share our own substitute choices until PGMusic comes out with their suggested choices for subs? Or maybe there's a better way to get this underway that someone can suggest.

I realize that this is a very individualistic thing, but one could eliminate any they could not "live with" as a part of customizing down to their own preferred file. Even beginning with one or many specific "drop-ins" to this file would be a good start.

Thanks....make suggestions or send your own "drop-ins" forward for each of us to copy and drop into our own RealTracksSubs.txt file.....just to get this thing to "start growing". When I say "drop-ins", I mean that your suggested add-ons are already formatted so they can be simply copied and "dropped-in" without further editing. I would assume if you sent one or more forward, it would mean you've checked them out and they seem like reasonable substitutes in your "listening" opinion. The needed format can be seen by simply opening this file with Notepad and looking it over.

Cecil

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Also, don't forget to to backup that file, as I suspect it can easily get overwritten with a BIAB update that provides new substitutions from PGMusic. Maybe an idea would be to have a master substitution file and then allow users to have a user substitution file, must like you have .ls3 files for user styles.


John

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Excellent idea

I would ask contributors to keep it in some kind of organized format

For example, just copy and past your updated line from the file with a explanation following.

I.E.

c_jethro`_BGMA_B - This will substitute a Realtrack style consisting of mandolin, guitar and bass for BIAB's original midi style for bluegrass.

J_DJANGO`_GYPSYJF - This will substitute a Django rhythm backup for the original BIAB midi style for Gypsy Jazz comping.

C_EZSHUF`_T_FSHIN - Good substitute for a easy country swing feel. I use it for the song When I'm 64. Also used it on The Sheik of Araby though I had use the "expand (duration of chords by 2)" option but it worked great!



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Excellent suggestions, John and Joseph....although I haven't started my particular substitution list yet, I do plan to start sometime this coming week. I'm having hip replacement surgery tomorrow morning (wahoo) and while in the hospital, I plan to get my list underway.

I'll be back in touch about mid-week,
Cecil

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Cecil -

Good luck with the hip replacement surgery, and make sure they don't give you a hip on the recall list. As they say, it's fairly routine surgery these days, but of course, not so routine for the person receiving it. If you are like my mom, you will love having the pain gone and being able to walk so much better, as she experienced after her replacement. Just keep on top of the physical therapy afterwards.

- John


John

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John,

Thanks for your kind "good luck" wish (and the info concerning your Mom's success).....I definitely appreciate that and I do have hopes of being back home by Wednesday (and without a hip from the recall list). I finished giving final exams on Thursday of this past week and will have the Christmas break to, hopefully, get totally mobile again.

Again, part of passing the time will be spent piddling with BIAB and RB since I'll have my laptop with me. Incidentally, I'm thinking there's possibly an effective/reasonable way to prioritize the MIDI style replacements by RT styles based on a "closeness measure" across various features (genre, type, feel, tempo, etc. etc.)...using some "distance type function" (maybe mathematical and/or statistical in form)....and then again, maybe not; the use of such would be to just get an "initial" sub list. I've only thought about this briefly at this point, but I'm looking at a copy of the BBW.LST file for use as a possible data source in doing this type thing. My guess is that I will end up not having the time to get this completed any time soon unfortunately.

However, if many users pass along 5 to 10 sub suggestions, it won't take long to get a somewhat extensive "initial" list this way either.

Thanks again, John,
Cecil

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Cecil, best of luck with the procedure!

I recall PG Music commenting that they intend to improve that sub list; this was just a beginning. It might be wise to hear from them before investing a lot of time in what could be duplicate or even already-completed work.


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Matt,

Excellent suggestion....I'll do exactly that. Thanks for the "best of luck" wish on the hip thingy also, Matt; I definitely appreciate that.

I'm off to see the "wizard" (i.e., the "surgeon wizard", or at least I hope he's feeling his "knife wizardry" this morning). It's almost 4:00 a.m. here in big Texas and my better half and I are going downtown Houston to get my brand new hip this morning (around 7:30). I'm hoping to see an upward spike in my music skills shortly thereafter (cough, cough).....after all, why else do such a thing, right (i.e., to improve all aspects of life). I'm expecting this to not be a lot different from "subbing a MIDI style (i.e., the old hip that's been around for a long while) with a RT style (the new thing that is "just all around" better).

I'll report back in a little later,
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Prayers goin' up for you and your doctors, Cecil.


--Mac

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Mac,

Thanks for your e-mail...I appreciate that, PLUS, we all thank you for the many many contributions you've made in regard to answers to the many questions and issues that have been brought up on this forum.

THANKS MUCH,
Cecil

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EMAIL?

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Now you did it.
Even our PM box is overflowing


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Jumpin in on this interesting thread, I could see that its a great idea and it might even be possible for PG to provide an interface for changing - saving presets of these subs?


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Just more good wishes and prayers re: the hip replacement.

Merry Christmas,

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Oops, Mac, I called my post an "e-mail"...I've been a little "loopy" lately in preparation for a body part replacement. Sorry for my boo boo.

And, Danny, thanks for your wishes and prayers. I now have a brand new hip and it was a tremendous success. First, I got a partial knee replacement in 2004 and, now, the hip replacement. Both were done by the same doctor.....he is good and I'm excited about "kissing the pain goodbye".

Now back to making a sub list.....
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That'a okay, Cecil, I just wanted to make sure that someone hadn't masqueraded in an email or something like that, these days you never know...

You just work on being compliant with the good doctors, taking it easy and healin' fast.



--Mac

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