Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,520
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,520
I have been poking around in the super midi track demo folder.
I see many demos with three or four real tracks and one blue midi piano track.

What is the conceptual use of this arrangement? What special use can you put these tracks too?

Thanks,

Billy


New location, new environment, new music coming soon

Seize the moo-ment
If you feel like you’ve herd all these cow puns before, you probably have deja-moo
Off-Topic
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,682
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,682
One of the great things about the MIDI Supertracks is being able to use a vst instrument to get the same performance that a RealTrack provided.
Particularly (for me) the pianos.

In a recent song, I used 3 different sources for a piano track:
An EZKeys track and 2 different BIAB MIDI Supertracks.

Since they are all MIDI, I could apply the same piano module (the EZKeys Grand in this case) to the combined performance.
If I had tried to use the EZKeys wav (export) and the 2 BIAB RealTracks they would likely all sound different.

If there is a MIDI Supertrack available for a piano RealTrack, I always go with the MST because I can control what the piano sounds like. I have a number of good vst pianos and they all allow parameter tweaking. And I find that many of the piano RTs have effects on them that do not work in my mixes.

It also allows you to edit the performance - which is not always possible with the RT.

If you want, you can hear the 3 track example I referred to here:
https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=618149&page=1

Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,866
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,866
I sometimes use jazz piano super tracks. The playing may be exuberant but as you say, editing is easy. I believe there is less repetition heard in a super track performance than in a RealTrack comping track.


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
Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,520
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,520
OK, what both Matt and Floyd said makes total sense to me. This is about mostly control and perhaps a better original performance and integration.

So I assume this is still all midi 1.0 standard. Nothing having to do with the new 2.0 standard that came out in January.

Sometimes things get named a certain way and if you don't know..."Midi Super Tracks"? What is "Super" about it? So now I know.

I also have several piano VST's.

I am not one to be super happy to set around regenerating tracks, especially not knowing if what I am looking for even exist. MIDI is still the least problematic way to adjust things.

I had a piano part that played an A chord when I had written an A7 chord. After about nine regens it plated the flat seven. Those are the sort of things that are confusing.

Thanks,

Billy

EDIT...Very beautiful song Mr.Floyd

Last edited by Planobilly; 10/07/20 07:52 AM.

New location, new environment, new music coming soon

Seize the moo-ment
If you feel like you’ve herd all these cow puns before, you probably have deja-moo
Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,067
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,067
MST > Logic Pro Grand Steinway is our go to piano.

Great feature.

Bud

Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,520
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,520
I been thinking about buying Spectrasonics Keyscape Virtual Keyboard Collection. There bass vst is really good.

Anyone own it?

Billy


New location, new environment, new music coming soon

Seize the moo-ment
If you feel like you’ve herd all these cow puns before, you probably have deja-moo
Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,797
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,797
Originally Posted By: Planobilly
.................
Sometimes things get named a certain way and if you don't know..."Midi Super Tracks"? What is "Super" about it? So now I know.

........................

Thanks,

Billy



What is super about MIDI Super Tracks, a very dumb name IMHO, is that they are not quantized. All BiaB MIDI tracks are quantized to 120 BPM. Non-quantized MIDI tracks have more feel via subtle timing variations that you can not get with 120 BPM quantizing. MIDI Super Tracks are MIDI's version of RTs, just a lot more modifiable.


Me, it's not about how many times you fail, it's about how many times you get back up.
Cop, that's not how field sobriety tests work.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Off-Topic
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,125
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,125
Band-in-a-Box midi typically is pattern based so if you're creating a three chord song the same pattern plays over each chord. MIDI SuperTracks are based on a midi recording of a musician performance.


Jim Fogle - 2024 BiaB (1111) RB (5) Ultra+ PAK
DAWs: Cakewalk by BandLab (CbB) - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8
Laptop: i3 Win 10, 8GB ram 500GB HDD
Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD
Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,520
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,520
It appears to me that the midi super tracks could have been constructed at the real tracks sessions.

I have no idea what PG Music has actually done in their recording sessions. There are high quality hybrid pianos which produce both analog sound and midi information. There also exist high quality pianos that produce high quality digital sound and midi information. I own a digital piano that when I play it into my DAW the analog output goes into the A to D converter and and on to a track. The midi information is transmitted at the same time to another track.

It is also quite common for live acoustic drummers to have midi triggers on their drum kits and to produce both analog sound and electronic sound concurrently. I have gotten so used to hearing electronically produced drum sounds I actually prefer it in most cases. I personally don't like some of the real track drums in BIAB because they are on one track. That makes it extremely time consuming and sometime impossible to have the the level of control I would like.

Due to latency and other technical issues midi guitars have never been very popular. There are woodwind midi devices that also have many technical issues due in large part to the midi 1.0 specification. I have read that the new midi 2.0 specification may go a long way to resolving some of these issues.

The pattern based midi would and does produce a very generic comping arrangement while a performance based midi file would automatically be less generic. Anything can be done with midi to include creating a complete piano track one note at a time. It is fine to fix a few notes or chords you don't like. It is like punching in a few misplayed guitar parts. At some point all that is pointless. It becomes garbage in garbage out, more trouble to fix than to play again.

I find the blue "midi super tracks" to be much better than other midi tracks in BIAB.

My question was to try to understand if I am missing anything.

Cheers,

Billy


New location, new environment, new music coming soon

Seize the moo-ment
If you feel like you’ve herd all these cow puns before, you probably have deja-moo
Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 11,395
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 11,395
Originally Posted By: Planobilly


I find the blue "midi super tracks" to be much better than other midi tracks in BIAB.

My question was to try to understand if I am missing anything.

Cheers,

Billy


SMT's or MST's are one of the little known secret treasures of BIAB. But here is a downside. Once you realize how great these are you want to have them all. But over the years many of these were sold separately as add on paks so they are not all included in the "Everything Pak" when you purchase. Not sure a comprehensive listing exists??

A quick search of my drive says I have 254 MSTs


Dan, BIAB2024, SoundCloud Win11, i7(12thGen), 32GB, 1TB SSD(M.2 NVMe SSD), 2TB Libraries, 1 TB(WD-Black), 2TB SSD(M.2 NVMe SSD)Data, Motu Audio Express, Keystation 61, SL88 Studio, Reaper

Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,866
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,866
Billy, Jim gave you important information in the last sentence of his last post.


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
Off-Topic
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 58
cxp Offline
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 58
Besides the obvious advantage of being performed instead of programmed, MIDI SuperTracks have another important advantage. You are not bound by the instrument that the track was performed on. These tracks are only data and can be applied to the infinite number of patches available with todays modern synths and romplers.

The biggest drawback to RealTracks is that you are confined to the instrumentation that PG chooses to use. This is almost always traditional instrumentation. This may be fine for most forum members who tend to skew older. However, from time to time much has been made of the product not appealing to younger music makers and the look of the interface has been blamed. I believe it is not the interface, but the featured music that does not appeal to potential younger users.

Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,866
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,866
By the way, this isn't an Off-Topic question at all. It's very much regular BIAB, with some good information and discussion here.


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
Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,520
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,520
Thanks Matt,

I think I understand all this pretty well now. I am going to render a midi super track and also a standard midi track to look at the midi information each contains. I think in Sonar there was a view that gave a list of the midi commands for a track.

The one thing I am not clear on is how the standard midi tracks were generated in the past.

Also I saw and I understand what Jim said. Jim has bees super helpful in getting me to under what can be done in BIAB that I want to do.

Where do I post these type of questions in the future?

Thanks,

Billy


New location, new environment, new music coming soon

Seize the moo-ment
If you feel like you’ve herd all these cow puns before, you probably have deja-moo
Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,866
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,866
Oh, I just thought there is valuable discussion about BIAB that might be missed by its being in this forum. The regular BIAB for Windows or BIAB for Mac product forums would be good.


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
Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,520
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,520
OK, thanks Matt...BB for windows next time.

Billy


New location, new environment, new music coming soon

Seize the moo-ment
If you feel like you’ve herd all these cow puns before, you probably have deja-moo
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!

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!

Learn more about this free update for PowerTracks Pro Audio & download it at www.pgmusic.com/support_windows_pt.htm#2024_5

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!

Forum Statistics
Forums66
Topics81,605
Posts735,009
Members38,514
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
Newest Members
amdwilsns01, Juan Jose, BroDon, Xtian, michael07716
38,513 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 186
DC Ron 100
DrDan 77
dcuny 71
Today's Birthdays
DORUMALAIA, Rayblue69
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5