So far I've had great luck with the new VST plugin version with Cakewalk Sonar; it's worked like a charm until today. I've got a new song in BIAB that started with a style that had midi tracks for bass, acoustic and electric guitars. I switched those out for Real Tracks and saved the finished song with its appropriate title name.
When I opened this song in the BIAB VST plugin in Sonar, the original midi tracks appeared that I had changed out but not the new Real Tracks that replaced the midi tracks. I tried this several times with the same result. I downloaded the last update again - no change, same result. I looked through this forum but couldn't find anyone getting this result.
I set up a new Sonar project and downloaded the previous song that I had used the VST plugin on, and it downloaded perfectly. I know there must be a simple solution, but I just can't see it.
Thanks for any suggestions the BIAB community might send my way. Regards,
That is a bit weird. Having said that, I think that sometimes we get the purpose for the plugin mixed up. It was designed to work inside a DAW of choice not act as pass thru for BIAB songs. BIAB also has a plugin mode where tracks can be dropped over to a DAW and that was implemented to make songs build in BIAB easy to use. The plugin was built to add tracks to a current DAW project already in the DAW.
Last edited by RobH; 06/05/1902:28 AM.
Lenovo Win 10 16 gig ram, Mac mini with 16 gig of ram, BiaB 2022, Realband, Harrison Mixbus 32c version 9.1324, Melodyne 5 editor, Presonus Audiobox 1818VSL, Presonus control app, Komplete 49 key controller.
That is a bit weird. Having said that, I think that sometimes we get the purpose for the plugin mixed up. It was designed to work inside a DAW of choice not act as pass thru for BIAB songs. The plugin was built to add tracks to a current DAW project already in the DAW.
Well said.
The lack of 100% compatibility between the song file created in BIAB and the song file created in the VST was one of the biggest stumbling blocks for me in adapting this new feature to my workflow.
Thanks Robh for your reply. I see that I was taking a limited view of the VST Plugin based on the ease I had experienced since the update in moving my BIAB-generated songs from that app to Sonar using the VST plugin. The work-around is to make a note of the tracks in the original BIAB arrangement and download them into the VST and then drop them into my DAW (Sonar, in this case).
So I downloaded the new song to the VST and then downloaded the correct Real Tracks that had been missing before by selecting each one individually. When I eventually listened to the song arrangement in Sonar the song didn't sound the same - the arrangement was missing some of the original chords. I tried to copy and paste the original arrangement into the VST but it won't accept a paste.
I take your point about the original intention of the plugin. I thought it was the midi instruments that had been replaced with real tracks that had messed things up, but there's more to it than that. Maybe I just got lucky with the other songs I've successfully transferred from BIAB to Sonar via the plugin.
I guess I'll go back to last year's method of working on my new song.
Hi Dan, Thanks for your comment. I have to agree with you. Maybe the programmers will be able to make changes/improvements to give us 100% compatibility. That's on my wish list.
I guess I'll go back to last year's method of working on my new song.
That is pretty much what I did when I discovered the limitations of the plugin. HOWEVER, one excellent use for it is to generate multiple riffs for your songs. So, the way I use it is,
- generate tracks in BIAB just like always - save those tracks as WAVs just like always - open my song in the standalone plugin - generate multiriffs for my solo parts and save those out as WAVs - bring all the WAVs into a proper DAW and mix it up
I see the standalone plugin as being a tremendous advance for that single feature!
Thanks for your help. Everything in my Preferences and the plugin version match yours. I'll try another arrangement without any original midi instruments in the style and a very simple harmony and see what happens then.
Hi John, Thanks for sharing your working process. I do the same thing more-or-less. I haven't used the multi-riff feature yet but I plan to. And believe it or not, I haven't used the add-loops function either - I'm probably behind the times there. The VST-Sonar tutorial made the use of add-loops seem easy, and I thought the instance where the loops were added to the song sounded effective to my ears. BIAB offers so many possibilities for crafting songs, it's hard for me to keep up.
Update: I arranged a simple blues shuffle style in BIAB, then I opened a new project in Sonar, opened the BIAB VST plugin and selected the blues shuffle song arrangement with File. I had replaced the original Resophonic guitar track in the style arrangement with a Baritone guitar. The VST listed the original/deleted Resophonic guitar but not the Baritone. I added the Baritone to the VST file and then transferred all the instruments to the Sonar project. Although the Resophonic was listed as a track in the VST it did not transfer. The 12-bar arrangement in C reproduced correctly in the VST screen unlike the last song I tried to transfer via VST.
The conclusions I'm drawing from this week's work with BIAB & the VST Plugin are that (1) each song project may or may not work/transfer from BIAB using the VST in the same way it did the last time I used it - vigilance is important - always check you work; (2) the VST is a work-in-progress; (3) that although the VST plugin may not have been designed to transfer a perfect copy of a BIAB arrangement/song to a DAW, it does a pretty good job for a brand new BIAB app; (4) veteran BIAB users and Forum members are a helpful lot, thanks again, I'm glad you're here.
See I would suggest creating a song in BiaB and then inside BiaB using the DAW plugin mode and move the song to Sonar that way. Directly from BiaB to Sonar.
Then while mixing the song I decide that I need another track or instrument, then rather than go back to BiaB, I would open the VSTi to add tracks quickly or riffs.
Lenovo Win 10 16 gig ram, Mac mini with 16 gig of ram, BiaB 2022, Realband, Harrison Mixbus 32c version 9.1324, Melodyne 5 editor, Presonus Audiobox 1818VSL, Presonus control app, Komplete 49 key controller.
I think the plugin needs to be a simple as possible for new DAW only users that would not or could not normally use Biab app due to the steep learning curve. If you need to have all the million and one functions and features that the Biab app has in the plugin it would be better having ReWire. ReWire was close to working using the ReWireVST it was just the audio was scratchy coming from the DAW. It worked fine in RealBand. ReWire would be ideal to keep the Biab made song the same with all the F5 settings, changing instruments at different bars, it would play along in sync with the DAW, if they implement the MultiRiffs in Biab the easy way I posted as it works the same way it works in the plugin (see below), then when you have the MultiRiff that fits best just drag it into the DAW, and you wouldn't need the audio track in BB as it would be playing the tracks in your DAW along with the soloed MultiRiff. I think the plugin is more to add extra instruments to an existing DAW session the same way as EZKeys, EZDrummer or MusicLab RealGuitars do.
I agree with your description completely. By the way good to see you back at it Mr. pipeline!
Last edited by RobH; 06/07/1902:01 AM.
Lenovo Win 10 16 gig ram, Mac mini with 16 gig of ram, BiaB 2022, Realband, Harrison Mixbus 32c version 9.1324, Melodyne 5 editor, Presonus Audiobox 1818VSL, Presonus control app, Komplete 49 key controller.
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.