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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 106
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 106 |
Hallo
I'm in the process of making some easy-listening backingfiles. I need high-quality sounds, but I'm not sure which way to go and what is possible.....
1) Some of the demos on the PGmusic's site sound really great. How do I make my file sound the same way? ... or as good?
2) I actually like the sounds that comes with logic, but is it possible to use them (as a sound module) with BIAB?
3) Everybody speaks highly of the Ketron SD-2. I used to have a Roland SonicCell, but couldn't make really great with that machine. How do a comparison fall out?
4) Is there any virtual modules worth mentioning in regard to the questions above?
sincerely
mads a
BIAB since 2010
Catalina (10.15.7) iMac (27", late 2013), 32 GB.
BIAB 2022, installed on internal HD; Logic proX; EZdrummer; Spark; Synfire; Suggester .
Musicians Institute (GIT) 1991;
Conservatory of Southern Denmark 2000.
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Joined: Apr 2009
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Joined: Apr 2009
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Hallo
I'm in the process of making some easy-listening backingfiles. I need high-quality sounds, but I'm not sure which way to go and what is possible.....
1) Some of the demos on the PGmusic's site sound really great. How do I make my file sound the same way? ... or as good?
2) I actually like the sounds that comes with logic, but is it possible to use them (as a sound module) with BIAB?
3) Everybody speaks highly of the Ketron SD-2. I used to have a Roland SonicCell, but couldn't make really great with that machine. How do a comparison fall out?
4) Is there any virtual modules worth mentioning in regard to the questions above?
sincerely
mads a I'll try to answer these as best I can 1. Band in a Box (BB) will give you the raw tracks as will Real Band (RB). What you do with them and how you use them will determine the results you get. The more experience you have with mixing and production, the better the results will be. However, straight out of BB/RB, the tracks will sound good. 2. IDK.... read on... 3. I've never heard the SD-2. I use a Yamaha DX-27S for my midi work and NEVER use it's internal sounds. 4. I always use the virtual or soft synths I have. What you use depends on what you like and your budget. If you have a listen to the music of the folks here in the forums.... check the websites listen in their signature as well as new songs from the User Showcase forum, you will find a wide variety of styles, genre's and quality based on the individual's abilities and experience. IMHO..... BB & RB, when used together properly, will give you superbly crafted quality audio tracks which are the building blocks for your song projects. What you do with them after that is up to you. Needless to say, you can use them "as is" for fun, or you can mix and produce them into something that approaches professional quality. I first bought a few of the introductory packages with the Real Tracks I wanted..... but soon realized the full potential that was lurking in the top of the line version and upgraded to the everything package and love it. The audiophile version uses uncompressed wave files, BUT.... the "normal" version, which is the one I use is mighty fine too. I've never had anyone complain about the quality of my audio tracks.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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I can answer number 3 The Ketron SD-2 Orchestral Wizard is a pocket size MIDI module that packs an enormous punch There are some audio samples here I've got one, I'm impressed.
BIAB & RB2024 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
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I have a Ketron SD-2 along with a collection of other sound modules. The SD-2 has one of the best General MIDI sound banks I've heard, plus 3 more banks of non-GM sounds. Virtual soft synths? I don't use them for a few reasons: - Hardware synth modules last longer than software synths - I still have synths I bought in the 1980s that are not only working perfectly but have useful sounds that have never been duplicated by more modern synths. When the computer OS changes, it's possible your investment in a software (virtual) synth will be gone, as it won't work on the new OS
- No latency - actually about 5ms (the time sound takes to travel about 5 feet). The software (virtual) synth has to manufacture each note using math and the computer's CPU and other resources, this takes time. The hardware synth stores the sounds in ROM so they are immediately available
- No latency continued - since all hardware sound modules have about the same latency (+- a millisecond) you can mix as many as you want without having a timing problem. So if the sax sound is best on one synth, the bass on another, the snare on another, the piano on yet another (etc.) it's no problem. You can pick the best sounds of each. I've used more than 10 different synths combining the voices in synths I bought in the 1980s with brand new ones.
- Minimal CPU load - because the soft synth only needs MIDI signal, and doesn't have to 'do the math' for each note on each voice and each expressive element, your computer is more stable, less likely to crash, and your DAW can work more efficiently
- Better sounds - again, since the sounds are in ROM, they can be much more complex than those of a soft synth. To save CPU time, most software synths take short-cuts, resulting in poorer sound quality (of course this is relative to hardware and software quality)
My two favorite MIDI synth modules are my Ketron SD-2 and my Edirol SD-90 - but there are many synths I have had the pleasure of owning, so there could be better ones out there for you. Insights and incites by Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Joined: Jan 2011
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Posts: 106 |
Thanks for all these very useful remarks....I'm so much wiser now.
In regard to question number 1):
" Some of the demos on the PGmusic's site sound really great. How do I make my files sound the same way? ... or as good?" This question was more directed at the sound quality of the intruments in the styles and how are they are fitted and put together.
I played with a Tyros guy for a while and it was quit amazing as a guitar player always to perform aside all these perfect instruments inside a CD like perfect mix.....The band that came out of the speakers was simply so well put together in the yamaha styles.........In other words any bass, for example, regardless of the quality will not sound equally good in any midi file, which is my point....:-).....In my ears the soniccell didn't do the job in regard to BIAB, which is why I'm asking this question.
As a newB I have found it hard to make BIAB sound as good, as I actually think it can. This I blame on the importance of the right instruments being put together in the different styles, which is not were I'm strongest..... :-)....
I need a plug-and-play unit that just fits the BIAB styles perfectly.....does it exist?
ma
BIAB since 2010
Catalina (10.15.7) iMac (27", late 2013), 32 GB.
BIAB 2022, installed on internal HD; Logic proX; EZdrummer; Spark; Synfire; Suggester .
Musicians Institute (GIT) 1991;
Conservatory of Southern Denmark 2000.
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Joined: Dec 2011
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As Herb mentioned, I suspect that a lot of the quality you hear with RT's and RD's goes beyond the very high quality of the raw files. Mixing the tracks in a way that presents a good soundstage with the "right" amount of balance takes the RT's and RD's to the pro studio sound. A good mix with effects and polished by mastering is what makes many of the songs you listened to shine. There's a learning curve that never ends but it's fun. And as mentioned the BiaB tracks even w/o all of the above sound great.
Bud
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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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