Some time back I was putzing around with the system before I got the 2014 version of BIAB (build 82) and I messed things up to the extent that now when I call up a tune in BIAB to be played through my Motif-Rack ES, all I get are the drums. No other instruments. Can anyone give me an approach I might take to get this back on track. There are probably a 1,000 perameters to look at. I can't find anything odd in the midi setup, but doubtless I'm missing something. I need some direction. Any suggestions?
I would hazard the guess that you are hearing real drums, and the rest of the tracks (that you are not hearing) are midi. Try playing an all real style, then report back whether you hear other tracks.
Bruce
Right, have this problem occasionally with my Motif XS rack. You're definitely hearing RealTracks and no midi. What works for me is to shut the system down completely, computer and all, start up the computer, start the Motif before starting BIAB. If that doesn't do it, reinitialize BIAB, shut it down and then bring it back up. Can't say why this happens at times....something in the electrons I guess!
Is the receive channel limited to channel 10 on Motif?
Are you sure the drums you hear are from the Motif?
Could they be Realtracks?
Is the MIDI port being used for the other tracks the same as the Drums (if indeed MIDI)?
also confirm you are NOT in "Voice mode" (a.k.a. patch mode on other synths) you are in one of the multi-timbral modes "Performance mode" or "Master mode" ??
Wow, where do I start! Thanks for all of these ideas. Yes, it was real tracks that I was hearing and by shutting down everything, starting the motif first before opening Cubase. So, for now, I'm good to go. I do have another question that I should post under another heading, but I'll throw it out here. It is regarding using real tracks with midi tracks. Is there a way to import midi files from another source, ie. Cubase, into BIAB and convert them to something (chord progressions) that real tracks could read? I know how to send real tracks as audio to Cubase, but I'm not sure how to use store bought midi files with BIAB to use real tracks. Thanks for all your help.
One way, and I bet not the only way, would be to use soft synths or midi instruments in the exteral daw to create one or more audio tracks from the midi tracks then run the audio track(s) through the Audio Chord Wizard so it can create a chord chart, tempo map or both. The last step would be to allow ACW to import the chart or map into Biab or RealBand.
This sounds like a potential approach. Help me understand something: The Audio Chord Wizard is the BIAB Chord generating component. Yes? Can I put my Cubase generated audio tracks into BIAB to allow the ACW to do its magic? I don't think I've ever done this. What I have done is make a chord symbol map within cubase. This can be done with the raw midi files, but it's a mess. The program analyzes EVERYTHING. Makes 13th chords over major 7ths, sometimes 2 chords per beat. Its unusable. BIAB's chord wizard is much cleaner. So, the issue is importing a audio file from Cubase to BIAB. Any thoughts?
The Audio Chord Wizard is available for use within both Band-in-a-Box or RealBand. As far as I know, though it runs independently, the only way to start it is from inside either of these programs.
A short overview, after you start ACW it opens in a seperate window. You can provide information that you may know in advance (like key signature, starting tempo or 3/4 versus 4/4 timing) but that is optional. You point ACW to the audio file and it loads the file into ram, begins its analysis and starts drawing the waveform and populating a tempo map and chord sheet. At this point the program let's you interact with it so the analysis can be more accurate.
You interact by using your mouse to click and drag the start line of the first bar to the correct position then pressing F1 to confirm the position. Then you play the audio file and adjust bar lines until the best results are achieved. While you are making adjustments ACW will be constantly recalculating it's analysis in real time.
Once you are satisfied with the results you are given the opportunity to choose if the tempo map, chord sheet or audio file are imported into the underlying Band-in-a-Box or RealBand program.
Both PG Music and users have placed multiple videos demonstrating how-to-use Audio Chord Wizard videos on YouTube. Results usually improve dramatically as you become more familiar with using it.
It's one of those tools that you find sometimes that the more you use it, the more ways you'll want to use it.
Okay. Thanks so much. I really think the real band stuff, used in combination with midi and my own playing can make some credible tracks. It's going to take some serious learning, but the tools are here for producing real music on my own. I'm excited.
The audio chord wizard is designed to convert audio to chords. MIDI just requires converting to audio and then the ACW tries to guess.
If you have MIDI, in Realband you can just open the chords window, then right-click and select a MIDI chord wizard option.
Much faster, more accurate, and more likely to put a smile on your face.
The key (of course) is to have the Tempo right so the chords work as expected. Any decent MIDI file will be set to correct Tempo, but if you experience chord weirdness that's one of the first places to look.
The MIDI wizard uses the notes in the MIDI file (reliable data)
The ACW depends on MIDI to first be converted to audio then the ACW guesstimates take place. It is better for use when you have to start with audio .. but if you are starting with MIDI the other MIDI Chord Wizard option is better IMHO.
Great tip Rharv, didn't know that there was a Midi ACW Wizard thought ACW was for audio only.
Rharv,
I was not aware of the midi chord wizard in RealBand. You might want to repost this information as a tips & tricks.
Thanks for the insight.
I've posted videos in Tips/Tricks for ACW, MountainSide
Jim,
Feel free! You know it now, it's documented, and if you think it will help others go ahead and post it.
I just thought he (OP) may need clarification on when to use the ACW and when to use the MIDI Chord Wizard.