What exactly is 'force to simple arrangement' supposed to do? To my ears, it really doesn't do much at all - and when I need a true simple drum/bass RT, and check the 'simple' action, the RTs still way over-play...am I missing something here?
This good question comes up every so often. What follows is just my opinion.
As I understand it, the intent of Force Simple is to remove upper extensions. Anything higher than a 7th (like 9ths, 11ths and 13ths and flat nines, sharp elevens etc.) gets stripped out. In practice, some users feel it doesn't always become "simple enough", such as using straight 3 note triads, without even a seventh. Worse, sometimes that seventh can be dominant or major, and be the one that is the wrong choice for the song.
It appears to be highly dependent on the style or RealTrack selected. If you choose a jazz RealTrack, Force Simple may not work very well. On a folk or classical style, it should work better.
Finally, there are local and global overrides for this and we don't know what the hierarchy is.
If you find a particular style that is not responding as you need it to, and it's reproducible, one thing you could do is freeze the song to send it to support@pgmusic.com and make your case. Or go to the Styles Wshlist forum.
BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
I guess what I'm looking for is the tasteful simplicity (UNbusy) of a midi track but played by a 'real' player. I have a very 'tasteful' duo (piano/vocals/tracks) and most, if not all, the RT for jazz 'overplay' in my opinion, and don't really fit our arrangements - but the midi stuff is too 'stiff' - thus my dilemma... Thanks for your thoughts...
I guess what I'm looking for is the tasteful simplicity (UNbusy) of a midi track but played by a 'real' player. I have a very 'tasteful' duo (piano/vocals/tracks) and most, if not all, the RT for jazz 'overplay' in my opinion, and don't really fit our arrangements - but the midi stuff is too 'stiff' - thus my dilemma... Thanks for your thoughts...
A Supermidi piano track may help your situation. Supermidi will play with the feel of a RealTrack (because it is played by a real player) but is MIDI and therefore editable.
Just to clarify what Bud said in case there's a bit of confusion...
In Realtrack picker, there is an option called 'Simpler' that can be used to obtain Realtrack generations that are less busy (see Image 1 below). This setting is different from "Force simple arrangement". As others have mentioned, "Force simple arrangement" stops BIAB from embellishing the chords that are entered (e.g. playing C11 when C7 has been entered; playing Fmaj7 when F has been entered; etc.).
To reduce the likelihood of obtaining 'busy' Realtracks, try the following...
1. In Realtrack picker set the Realtrack to "Simpler". This option is not available for all Realtracks and will be greyed out (i.e. unavailable) for some Realtracks.
2. Set the "Force to simple arrangement" option for either the whole song or the individual tracks. This setting won't affect the busyness of a RT generation but it will stop RT generations related to chord extensions and so has the potential to help reduce the complexity of the sound.
3. In "Song settings" activate the "Avoid transpositions in Realtracks" option. It's also worth trying the "Ignore slash roots.... except for Bass" option, too. (See Image 2 below.) While these settings aren't specifically related to the complexity of a RT generation, they may help because they reduce BIAB's options when it comes to generating tracks.
How you sir are brilliant at guiding members to where or when,I've been Amazed at your posts and your ability to guide a member to a fix ..
Teachers do that...?wish I had the time. And the expertise .
I have read all the threads of things on biab I want to know ...your always there.
That's why I know you teach for a living.
good on you
Hey beatmaster!
Thanks for the smile You are right. I'm a high school teacher.
When I started out with BIAB there were a number of people here on the forum who helped me get underway. The way I see it, it's now my turn to help out where I can.
Add updated printing options, enhanced tracks settings, smoother use of MGU and SGU (BB files) within PowerTracks, and more with the latest PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 update!
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.
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!
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!
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.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
You are right. I'm a high school teacher.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean