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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 31
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 31 |
I recently purchased BB for several uses. One is to make backing drum tracks of our songs for gigging, as we are a duo.
I imported an mp3, used ACW to break the song down, set the bars, fixed the chords, and created the Tempo map before sending it back to BB. At this point, I THINK I should be finding an appropriate style for each part of the song and apply it to the Tempo map and tweak from there. How do I do this? I'm bleary eyed as I digest the multitude of options and possibilities of this software and can use some experienced guidance.
Thanks.
Doug
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 11
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 11 |
I'm in exactly the same boat. I just purchased the ultraPAK this week to use for a number of purposes one of which was to create Bass and Drum backing tracks for pre-existing songs.
I'm finding it almost impossible to find "what you want" in a RealDrum pattern. Very frustrating.
I was up till 2:00 in the morning auditioning styles and my initial joy over the sound quality and realism of the RealDrums and RealTracks vs. Midi has turned to major disappointment after hearing the exact same drum and bass part on style after style.
With 20 sets of RealDrums, you'd think everything should be in there. However, my favorite drum pattern ... Boom, Chicka, Boom, Chick ... 1, 2&, 3, 4 ... very common in 50's and 60's rock n roll ... (The Ventures to Roy Orbison's "Only The Lonely") ... is nowhere to be found.
If it's in there, they buried it pretty good.
I'm going to keep working with the program, but if any of you veterans have any tips for "finding what you want," I'd be all ears.
Thanks,
Dean
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815 |
I believe that if you are intent on using BIAB RealTracks and RealDrums, then sometimes the drumming and instrument choices will "change" your original song a little. If you want it "exactly" how you want it and nothing else, then you will need to learn how to drum or master one of the drum creation programs. So far I have been able to come "close enough" on my realdrum selections to be OK with me.
Maybe some of the BIAB midi style with drums would be better -- and then you can find drum soundfonts to make the drumming sound realistic as possible.
Kevin
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
If you are wishing to get a close to a cover band as possible, you want to audition styles using the Dx synth. Or finding a midi where someone did that. There are many many more midi styles than ones with Realdrums.
I strive for my own interpretation of a song, in my mind I'd rather take my own picture of a mountain than put up a slide show of someone elses work.
That's of course my somewhat humble or not, opinion.
I have the ketron sd2 external module and if I don't think the Realdrums suits the song I search around and get the midi styles going. They are the next best thing. The Dxi isn't as good as the Ketron in most instances but it comes with the program.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 11
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 11 |
Thanks for the responses. You've both echoed my own thoughts.
However, I was hoping someone would say, "Oh, finding what you want is easy, here's what I do... "
I'm sure the OP and myself are not the first users who have run up against the frustration of having a song idea (original material as well as covers) where we know how we want the song to sound, but can't find that particular item.
My main purpose for Band in a Box is as a songwriting tool and there is a vast amount of really great material to work with in this program. What I'm essentially trying to do at this point is "set up my workshop."
I'm wanting to organize all the tools (on paper, in the program, or in my head) so that when I need a hammer I'm not sorting through a pile of tools in the middle of the floor. (The StylePicker is okay... but many of the descriptions are vague and somewhat cumbersome.)
So, I'm looking for tips on how you organized your own tools. Anybody have any clever tips they care to pass on?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
USE BIAB.
*The familiarity gained from using BIAB a lot is priceless.
*One way to start is to open up the Demo song for each style that you kind of like and just WATCH BIAB perform. You can note all sorts of things and how they are accomplished from doing just that.
*Next comes laying out songs that are already there. Just as the study of cover songs written by others can help hone your own songwriting skills, this excercise and the experienced gained is also equally priceless.
*Watch the pgmusic tutorial videos, both the ones that come on your disk and also the ones that are online. Time. Well. Spent.
*Don't view BIAB as a shortcut tool. Think of BIAB as a musical instrument. Just as we can't play the guitar like a pro on the first day we bought the guitar (or first week, or first year... ) we can't take a program that can do as much as BIAB can do for us and expect to spend little or no time PRACTICING and learning with this instrument and get great results.
*"Have Fun" -- The BIAB motto. Having fun with thte program beats allowing the program to frustrate you. So when I can't get it to do exactly what I want or need it to do, I don't sit there sweating that out, I may post here with a question and see how others are solving that specific (or not) but I make it a hard fast rule to cut that one at least temporarily and move on to something else with the program.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 11
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 11 |
Thanks Mac. Excellent advice.
I've decided to do just what you're suggesting.
I've decided to set aside my goal of "setting up the workshop" at this point, and instead, concentrate on learning how to use each individual tool. I'm sure the BIAB workshop will come together faster doing it your way.
Thanks for taking the time to put it into concrete terms. You've given me ideas I hadn't thought of.
By the way, I didn't realize there were more tutorial videos beyond what came with the UltraPAK. I will definitely check them out.
Thanks,
Dean
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 31
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 31 |
Thanks for your responses, and I agree that it will take time to learn BB's features and workarounds, but I AM having fun.
Doug
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!
The Newest RealBand 2024 Update is Here!
The newest RealBand 2024 Build 5 update is now available!
Download and install this to your RealBand 2024 for updated print options, streamlined loading and saving of .SGU & MGU (BB) files, and to add a number of program adjustments that address user-reported bugs and concerns.
This free update is available to all RealBand 2024 users. To learn more about this update and download it, head to www.pgmusic.com/support.realband.htm#20245
The Band-in-a-Box® Flash Drive Backup Option
Today (April 5) is National Flash Drive Day!
Did you know... not only can you download your Band-in-a-Box® Pro, MegaPAK, or PlusPAK purchase - you can also choose to add a flash drive backup copy with the installation files for only $15? It even comes with a Band-in-a-Box® keychain!
For the larger Band-in-a-Box® packages (UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition), the hard drive backup copy is available for only $25. This will include a preinstalled and ready to use program, along with your installation files.
Backup copies are offered during the checkout process on our website.
Already purchased your e-delivery version, and now you wish you had a backup copy? It's not too late! If your purchase was for the current version of Band-in-a-Box®, you can still reach out to our team directly to place your backup copy order!
Note: the Band-in-a-Box® keychain is only included with flash drive backup copies, and cannot be purchased separately.
Handy flash drive tip: Always try plugging in a USB device the wrong way first? If your flash drive (or other USB plug) doesn't have a symbol to indicate which way is up, look for the side with a seam on the metal connector (it only has a line across one side) - that's the side that either faces down or to the left, depending on your port placement.
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows® Today!
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows for free with build 1111!
With this update, there's more control when saving images from the Print Preview window, we've added defaults to the MultiPicker for sorting and font size, updated printing options, updated RealTracks and other content, and addressed user-reported issues with the StylePicker, MIDI Soloists, key signature changes, and more!
Learn more about this free update for Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1111
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Review: 4.75 out of 5 Stars!
If you're looking for a in-depth review of the newest Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows version, you'll definitely find it with Sound-Guy's latest review, Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Review: Incredible new capabilities to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs.
A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."
"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."
"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."
Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!
The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!
There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.
If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.
We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!
Congratulations to the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
We've just announced the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
There are 45 winners, each receiving a Band-in-a-Box 2024 UltraPAK! Read the official announcement to see if you've won.
Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed!
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