For Concern #2, if you only need to add "add a crash cymbal at the first beat of the next bar", can you not use the BIAB 2023 feature of "Playable Real Drums", and add the crash cymbal where you need it?
I think that is a great idea. However, as far as I know, not all RealTracks and RealDrums are playable with HiQ patch instrument available. If the drum of the style selected is non-playable, then this method won't work. Otherwise it's a smart workaround to add custom cymbals and beats.
A Canadian music producer, singer songwriter, composer, and professional guitarist.
I think now I have a good grasp on this APT vs APF concept.
APT is basically PG pre-made MGU files with audio tracks attached. Once opened, users can change chords, change styles, to make a new song. Attached picture shows PG pre-made Artist Performance Set folders. In short, APTs are song templates.
APF is a technique. Users can right click any track in the mixer, and convert that track into an APF, which is essentially an audio file. It is equivalent to rendering to a WAV file first, then import the WAV file back to the same project as an external audio file. In short, APFs are exports.
Jim and I had this discussion before: APF is actually a "scalar" file that has lost its generatibilities from BiaB.
APF used to be used as sub-mix files because users don't have enough mixer tracks. However, with the introduction of utility tracks in BiaB 2021, users now have more than enough mixer tracks, and APF is no longer needed or useful that much.
A Canadian music producer, singer songwriter, composer, and professional guitarist.
<< APF is a technique. Users can right click any track in the mixer, and convert that track into an APF, which is essentially an audio file. It is equivalent to rendering to a WAV file first, then import the WAV file back to the same project as an external audio file. In short, APFs are exports. >>
Not exactly. An APF is a conversion process so BIAB can recognize an audio file on another track besides the single audio track. This feature has been expanded to include the 16 additional Utility Tracks. The conversion doesn't involve any exporting or importing. The APF WAV file is saved without rendering. The process is faster than rendering and saving a WAV file.
<< APF used to be used as sub-mix files because users don't have enough mixer tracks. However, with the introduction of utility tracks in BiaB 2021, users now have more than enough mixer tracks, and APF is no longer needed or useful that much. >>
My thoughts about an APF's value is it's now 16 times more useful than prior to Utility Tracks being introduced. It's now much easier to remain in BIAB before exporting to a DAW and in many, if not most cases, eliminates the necessity to use a DAW for a lot of tasks where exporting has previously been utilized. In comparison to the analog world of multi track recorders, BIAB is the equivalent of updating from an 8 track to 24 tracks. All of the multi track editing and recording principles, functions, techniques and processes remain the same.
For users wanting to remain in BIAB as long as possible, learning to implement APF's provides a tremendous advantage.
Is this APF WAV file saved in the same folder of SGU, or saved somewhere else on C:, or just saved in the RAM? How I can find this "conversion" WAV file in the computer?
Quote:
An APF is a conversion process so BIAB can recognize an audio file on another track...
I assume once you converted a RealTrack to APF, it's done, you can not revert back to RealTrack anymore. If you want change a few chords later, the APF doesn't regen, and you lost the original RealTrack. You need to find and insert the same RealTrack again, in order to regen, and re-convert to a new APF.
Quote:
For users wanting to remain in BIAB as long as possible...
Remaining in BiaB for production is always the goal. But probably it's not a good idea to convert any green tracks to orange, otherwise you lose the ability to regen should any changes happen on the way. A simple freeze may seem to be more practical.
A Canadian music producer, singer songwriter, composer, and professional guitarist.
<< Is this APF WAV file saved in the same folder of SGU, or saved somewhere else on C:, or just saved in the RAM? How I can find this "conversion" WAV file in the computer? >>
Yes, it's saved and automatically named in the same folder as the SGU file. An SGU file must be saved before an APF can be saved. If the project hasn't been saved, there's a prompt to save.
<< I assume once you converted a RealTrack to APF, it's done, you can not revert back to RealTrack anymore. If you want change a few chords later, the APF doesn't regen, and you lost the original RealTrack. You need to find and insert the same RealTrack again, in order to regen, and re-convert to a new APF. >>
No. APF's can be undone and RealTracks restored. Rt. click on the track| Track Actions | Erase Performance Track Sometimes you may have to erase the track data as well and select revert back to style instrument. This is done in the Track actions menu also.
<< Remaining in BiaB for production is always the goal. But probably it's not a good idea to convert any green tracks to orange, otherwise you lose the ability to regen should any changes happen on the way. A simple freeze may seem to be more practical. >>
Absolutely. The APF is a tool and use when it's the right tool for the job at hand.
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!
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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."
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