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#485139 - 08/09/18 05:47 AM
[Post your own Tips and Tricks here]
Adding motion and dynamics to your string tracks.
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Registered: 03/21/17
Posts: 395
Loc: Merkaz, Israel
Journeyman
Registered: 03/21/17
Posts: 395
Loc: Merkaz, Israel
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So I wrote this as a response to a query posted in Band in a Box and now posting this here pursuant to VideoTrack's suggestion.
Basically, the OP in that post was finding that the MIDI string tracks were playing simple triads with an occasional inversion thrown in, and wanted to achieve a more dynamic and varied sound.
This was my response:
You actually have a number of options for getting movement in your string sections.
1) Use MIDI supertracks or RTs for your string sections. The "regular" MIDI styles are based on a C7 algorithm (as PG music refers to it). These are rather static mappings that simply transpose to the chords you are using. On the other hand, RTs and MIDI Supertracks are input/played by musicians, and therefore have a much wider range.
2) [Music theory alert] If you want more precise inversions, why not use slash chords? Basically, if you have a triad, which is based on the 1, 3, and 5, why not place the three or five in the bass and restate the chord-which will essentially add in an octave note-or use the chord that results from stating the third degree as the root and the fifth as the 3rd etc. Then you can shuffle/alternate between the three varioutions within the same measure, and BiaB will likely throw in some leading and/or transitional notes throughout,
3) Make sure the strings patch is placed on the melody track and utilize the "Humanize" function, which has a wealth of fantastic options.
4) Make sure the strings patch is placed on the melody track (as above) and use the harmony function. Also has a wealth of fantastic options, some of which are specifically geared toward strings, IIRC.
5) Use extensions! The more "info" you feed into BiaB the more it blossoms. I've found that generally when you use an extension--even if it's the added note of simple 7th/Maj7 chord--BiaB will generate something much more complex than what is essentially a held chord with the 1, 3, 5, and 7. Sit down with your guitar or piano or whatever your instrument of choice is, and see what might be added in over any given triad, generate and play, and watch the magic happen.
Hope this helps!
P.S. I was thinking of maybe making a demonstration video to post on YouTube if there's enough interest in the topic. If this is something a number of you folks would be interested in, let me know in the comments below, and I'll see if I can carve out some time over the weekend to record and upload a video.
All the best,
Deacon
_________________________
Band-in-a-Box 2019 PlusPAK w 2019 Bonus Pak. Lenovo IdeaPad 110: ISK Windows 10 Home 64-bit. CPU: Intel Core i3 @ 2.00GHz Skylake-U/Y 14nm Technology. RAM: 8.00GB Dual-Channel. 238GB SSD
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#490962 - 09/14/18 01:42 PM
[Post your own Tips and Tricks here]
Re: Adding motion and dynamics to your string tracks.
[Re: DeaconBlues09]
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Registered: 03/26/04
Posts: 1621
Loc: Way too close to Palm Springs,...
Expert
Registered: 03/26/04
Posts: 1621
Loc: Way too close to Palm Springs,...
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Definitely Interested. I've been sticking with midi strings and editing like crazy in Piano Roll. While I will probably still use midi strings over Real Strings it certainly sounds worth a try to with either to first get BIAB to do some/most/all of the creative work for me. I don't really play keys/synth/string myself so making these creative edits don't come easy for me. Plus the time spent is often exhausting although fun. I would totally be willing to accept what musician would offer and most likely accept what BIAB gave me if a little more creative in the right sections of a song.
BTW, when you refer to "string dynamics" I assume I would apply the same techniques to pads, synths, organ and more at times.
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Does the noise in your head bother me ?
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#490980 - 09/14/18 03:30 PM
[Post your own Tips and Tricks here]
Re: Adding motion and dynamics to your string tracks.
[Re: DeaconBlues09]
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Registered: 08/21/18
Posts: 334
Journeyman
Registered: 08/21/18
Posts: 334
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Great info.
_________________________
BIAB 2018 Audiophile. Windows 10. Former user of old version. Prefer creating while learning over learning before creating. Passable, intermediate level acoustic rhythm guitar player. Songwriter, lyricist, composer loving all styles.
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#495814 - 10/13/18 11:56 PM
[Post your own Tips and Tricks here]
Re: Adding motion and dynamics to your string tracks.
[Re: DeaconBlues09]
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Registered: 10/07/18
Posts: 92
Enthusiast
Registered: 10/07/18
Posts: 92
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P.S. I was thinking of maybe making a demonstration video to post on YouTube if there's enough interest in the topic. If this is something a number of you folks would be interested in, let me know in the comments below, and I'll see if I can carve out some time over the weekend to record and upload a video.
All the best,
Deacon
Having seen your other video, Deacon, I would very much hope that you would make a video on this topic. Thanks.
_________________________
"If The Beatles or the 60's had a message, it was 'Learn to swim'. And once you've learned - swim!"
John Lennon
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#495815 - 10/14/18 12:01 AM
[Post your own Tips and Tricks here]
Re: Adding motion and dynamics to your string tracks.
[Re: drutgat]
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Registered: 03/21/17
Posts: 395
Loc: Merkaz, Israel
Journeyman
Registered: 03/21/17
Posts: 395
Loc: Merkaz, Israel
|
P.S. I was thinking of maybe making a demonstration video to post on YouTube if there's enough interest in the topic. If this is something a number of you folks would be interested in, let me know in the comments below, and I'll see if I can carve out some time over the weekend to record and upload a video.
All the best,
Deacon
Having seen your other video, Deacon, I would very much hope that you would make a video on this topic. Thanks. Glad you find them helpful, I'll try and see if I can carve out some time over the week to post something :-)
_________________________
Band-in-a-Box 2019 PlusPAK w 2019 Bonus Pak. Lenovo IdeaPad 110: ISK Windows 10 Home 64-bit. CPU: Intel Core i3 @ 2.00GHz Skylake-U/Y 14nm Technology. RAM: 8.00GB Dual-Channel. 238GB SSD
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#495945 - 10/14/18 11:33 PM
[Post your own Tips and Tricks here]
Re: Adding motion and dynamics to your string tracks.
[Re: Tobias]
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Registered: 03/21/17
Posts: 395
Loc: Merkaz, Israel
Journeyman
Registered: 03/21/17
Posts: 395
Loc: Merkaz, Israel
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Definitely Interested. I've been sticking with midi strings and editing like crazy in Piano Roll. While I will probably still use midi strings over Real Strings it certainly sounds worth a try to with either to first get BIAB to do some/most/all of the creative work for me. I don't really play keys/synth/string myself so making these creative edits don't come easy for me. Plus the time spent is often exhausting although fun. I would totally be willing to accept what musician would offer and most likely accept what BIAB gave me if a little more creative in the right sections of a song.
BTW, when you refer to "string dynamics" I assume I would apply the same techniques to pads, synths, organ and more at times. Hey Tobias, Sorry I missed this somehow. You could definitely apply these techniques to pads, synths, organs, and more. That said, I would not use the same techniques for, say, strings as I would for pads due to the difference in sonic and contextual functions of the respective instruments. For instance, real life string sections will have the lower register instruments playing less notes in step-wise motion while higher register instruments will be playing arpeggios. For organs, I would be more inclined to add a rotary effect and automate the oscillations such that the rate accelerates and decelerates to taste. With pads I would tweak the ADSR envelope and apply an LFO or two to the filter tp get that swelling and morphing effect. I will definitely try and make a video or two touching on these subjects in the coming weeks. :-)
_________________________
Band-in-a-Box 2019 PlusPAK w 2019 Bonus Pak. Lenovo IdeaPad 110: ISK Windows 10 Home 64-bit. CPU: Intel Core i3 @ 2.00GHz Skylake-U/Y 14nm Technology. RAM: 8.00GB Dual-Channel. 238GB SSD
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Notation Enhancements in Band-in-a-Box® 2019 for Windows!
There are Notation Enhancements in the NEW Band-in-a-Box® 2019 for Windows! These include:
•A new button in the Print Options dialog which lets you quickly print a "chords only" fake sheet. You can also access this from the right-click menu on the chord sheet.
•A new track type (Drums) is now available for The Melody and Soloist tracks.
•Clicking close to a stave line will put a note on the stave line instead of between stave lines. (Previously, you had to click extremely close to a stave line to insert a note on The line.)
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25:45 - New Features: Easy Entering of Notation with the 'N' Key
36:48 - Change Beat Resolution From the Right-Click Menu
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37:42 - Asterisk to Indicate Middle C on & Spin Controls
37:53 - Force Accidental from the Right-Click Menu
38:01 - Edit Any Track in the Event List
38:09 - Keystroke Note Entry Mode 'N' for Faster Note Entry
38:28 - Print Chords Only Fake Sheet
38:32 - More Control of Notation Size
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-New Feature Summary - Notation Enhancements
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2:55 - New Feature: Redesigned SongPicker
21:58 - New Features: SongPicker Enhancements
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