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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 362
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 362 |
I'm feeling really confused about adding a drums track to a song. Maybe its because I'm trying to start from a "clean slate." It seems like you have no choice but to choose a style when creating a song, so I'm starting with a very basic style and then ripping out all the created tracks. In the process, I was trying to add a drum track, and it just seems really convoluted, so I must be doing something wrong. I've read over the documentation pretty carefully. Here are a couple observations:
> When choosing a new track for the Drums using the Drums button at the top, then choosing Select RealTracks, then on the submenu, Select RealTracks again, I get a list of 2000+ entries including Accordion, Piano, and other instruments. There does not seems to be any simple way to filter out drums. If filter by "drum" there are only three choices. The entries to appear to be Rhythm related, but it seems odd.
> If I want to choose from all possible drum tracks, including MIDI, it appears that you must first select "Force Drums to MIDI drums" and then choose "Select a custom MIDI style for this track" then select "Choose from Presets" and that then produces about 100 items, all starting with the word "Drums" and a description and associated style name. There does not appear to be any way to preview the drum track sound before applying it.
> Back to the RealTracks drums, there are so many choices, it is quite difficult to navigate, and there are previews available, but the descriptions of the drum tracks really don't provide a lot of detail. I think I'll have to make my own cheat sheet outside of BIAB to keep track of which drum tracks I like and what they sound like.
I'm thinking I must be doing this wrong - it can't be this hard and convoluted. I can also provide some screenshots if that would help. If I'm missing something that is documented, or already addressed in the forums, I'll be glad to review those.
Ed Z Soundcloud profile https://soundcloud.com/user-415064494BIAB user since 2019 iPad Mini, Garageband for iOS, BIAB for Windows 2020 UltraPAK, Xtra Styles packs 6-9, Windows 10 Lenovo PC, Kontakt Player, SpitFire LABS, SampleTank 4 CS, some Soundfonts
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,682
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,682 |
To choose a different drum track, click the drop-down arrow (far right) in the Drums track in the mixer and then choose "RealDrums" (the first selection). You will get the RealDrums selector screen - with just RealDrums. You can filter that or order it by a number of different columns which can make it easier to narrow in on what you need.
(You can do it the way you are doing it, but don't select "RealTracks" - click on RealDrums - it's the first selection...)
An easy way to audition them:
Put your main chord progression in a few times and then tell that to loop a few time. Like maybe C Am F G in 4 measures then 4 more and 4 more (12 measures) and repeated 5 time (or whatever).
Just add a couple of basic instruments besides the drums (acoustic guitars?) - mute anything else. And turn the drums up louder than the guitars to really be able to hear them....
Them bring up the RealDrums Selection screen.
Highlight a Drum Track to audition and hit the "Play Now" button at the bottom.
You will hear what the drums sound like with your chords at your tempo...
Not what you want? ... Hit the "Stop" button (beside the "Play Now"), highlight a different drums selection and hit the "Play Now" button.... repeat, repeat, repeat...
Once you fins something near what you want, try ordering by Artist - you might find that you like the way a particular Drummer does stuff... OR order by RealDrums Style Name - so you get all the similarly named RealDrums (like all the Rock, or all the Smooth Jazz, etc.)
I've been playing with it... turns out you don't have to hit "Stop". As it is playing, just highlight a different RealDrum and hit "Play Now" button again. It will keep playing, but swap out the drums...
Save that SGU as "Drum Test" - then you can call it up and just need to change the chords and tempo for each new song you start.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,988
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,988 |
A bit of advice about the way you are working - i think the drums issue is dealt with above. If you really want to start from scratch use RealBand not BIAB. You can add tracks as you like and choose midi or real tracks right from the start without erasing everything as you are doing in BIAB. In RB you don't need to start with a style. Just choose a key, time signature and tempo. Then search for the instruments you want.
You start with a clean slate rather than fight the way BIAB works. Mind you, I'd be surprised if you can't get a rough mix almost like the one you eventually want in BIAB. Choose the right style, tempo and key. The stylepicker lets you choose by genre,time signature and tempo and even by song name if you know the feel or sound you are looking for. Generate the track then if you don't like it choose another style till the track is close.
Save the file, open it in RB and then tweak the instruments as you like. Rather than start completely from scratch you'll find a lot of the BIAB generated tracks are fine. I often change guitars but find the bass, piano and drums are often fine as they are if i've chosen the right style.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 362
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 362 |
@floyd jane - Thanks much - I used the method you outlined and that is much better. There's a load of options to demo the drums, mark favorites, add user comments for the drum tracks and so forth, so I'm rockin' and rollin' now.
Ed Z Soundcloud profile https://soundcloud.com/user-415064494BIAB user since 2019 iPad Mini, Garageband for iOS, BIAB for Windows 2020 UltraPAK, Xtra Styles packs 6-9, Windows 10 Lenovo PC, Kontakt Player, SpitFire LABS, SampleTank 4 CS, some Soundfonts
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 362
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 362 |
@Bob Calver - Yep - drums issue is covered. I will definitely give RealBand a spin and see how the workflow differs. I'm starting to get a better feel now for how to use BIAB efficiently. I have to admit, though, I opened RealBand a couple times and it didn't have the immediate appeal that BIAB had, but I'm sure that's just because I've not worked with DAW's very much. But I'm going to take the plunge.
Thanks
Ed Z Soundcloud profile https://soundcloud.com/user-415064494BIAB user since 2019 iPad Mini, Garageband for iOS, BIAB for Windows 2020 UltraPAK, Xtra Styles packs 6-9, Windows 10 Lenovo PC, Kontakt Player, SpitFire LABS, SampleTank 4 CS, some Soundfonts
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 139
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 139 |
thanks for the tip Floyd. I've printed it out and I'm going to tape this to the wall for reference!
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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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Forums66
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