Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 4
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 282
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 282
I recently found this Soloist RealTrack #3198 very good, and I want to listen to the track and learn about the guitar arrangement.

However, I can't. If I load this track to BiaB, BiaB will chop the track into pieces, then re-assemble the pieces into a new track, which sounds very inconsistent and unpleasant.

In order to preserve the consistency, I go to the folder of this Soloist RealTrack, which contains the relevant wma audio files, and drag the wma file directly to the DAW.

C:\bb\RealTracks\Guitar, Acoustic, Soloist PopBalladBrent Ev 065

Then, I need to create a backing track for the solo, but I don't know the chord progression.

Where do I find the "Chord Chart" that contains the chord progression information?

Shouldn't the creation of a RealTrack similar to a User Track?

First, PG Music staff creates a chord progression, then using this chord progression to create a backing track, then Brent Mason plays a solo based on this backing track, and finally the chord progression file and the audio recording of the solo are saved together, as a RealTrack.

In a User Track, the chord progression information is saved into a SGU file, and this SGU file is called "Chord Chart".

For each RealTrack, BiaB needs to read the information in this "Chord Chart", in order to perform the "chopping and stitching" task, based on a user's chord input.

If BiaB can read it, how can a user find and read it?

[Linked Image - Only viewable when logged in]

Attached Files (Click to download or enlarge) (Only available when you are logged in)
Soloist 01.png (345.51 KB, 307 downloads)

A Canadian music producer, singer songwriter, composer, and professional guitarist.
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,680
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,680
"Shouldn't the creation of a RealTrack similar to a User Track?"
I think it is, (there also shots and holds which are not implemented in U.Tracks) and there are several different templates / chord charts for User Tracks. Also, a player could of done several takes. Some changes will sound more natural than others. Some are more interesting than others.

Maybe irrelevant to you, but did you try using Partial Regeneration on the track? You can get pretty close to natural sounding transitions.

Last edited by Rustyspoon#; 12/11/24 08:19 PM.
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 26,854
Veteran
Online Happy
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 26,854
I’m not sure we can answer. I asked years ago for a template to record myself playing over jazz chords to make a user track but I didn’t get anywhere with the process.


BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,680
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,680
https://www.pgmusic.com/usertracks1.htm

"You can pick and choose which ones you want to record, and this added material will give your style things like:

song endings
additional material for greater diversity in your style
additional common chords like sus, dim
additional jazzy chords like maj7, m7, m7b5, etc.
additional less common chords like 7b9, 13, mmaj7, etc.
You can also create your OWN chord progressions to add to your UserTracks style! Just make your own custom progression in Band-in-a-Box®, record along with that chord progression, and save the .sgu+.wav in the same folder as this file, and Band-in-a-Box® will automatically add that material to the UserTrack when it is used."

Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 282
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 282
Originally Posted by Rustyspoon#
Maybe irrelevant to you, but did you try using Partial Regeneration on the track? You can get pretty close to natural sounding transitions.

Well, for a standard 8 bars solo, if I sit there partial regen back and forth for three hours, yes, I can eventually get a decent consistent solo.

In my situation, I just simply want to listen to Brent Mason, and I can't even do that.


A Canadian music producer, singer songwriter, composer, and professional guitarist.
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 282
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 282
Originally Posted by Matt Finley
I’m not sure we can answer. I asked years ago for a template to record myself playing over jazz chords to make a user track but I didn’t get anywhere with the process.

I suspect, in my picture, the .bt1 files, are indeed the "chord chart". I just need a software/code/script to open the file and see inside.

Hope PG staff can provide a solution.


A Canadian music producer, singer songwriter, composer, and professional guitarist.
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,680
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,680
"three hours" ? Doesn't take that long smile You might get it right from the first try. You can partial generate small sections (~1/4 of a bar) on the fly using Track View.

Sorry, can't help you with a charts.

Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 282
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 282
Originally Posted by Rustyspoon#
https://www.pgmusic.com/usertracks1.htm

You can also create your OWN chord progressions to add to your UserTracks style! Just make your own custom progression in Band-in-a-Box®, record along with that chord progression, and save the .sgu+.wav in the same folder as this file, and Band-in-a-Box® will automatically add that material to the UserTrack when it is used."

Exactly! BiaB needs the .sgu file in order to "navigate and manipulate" the user recorded .wav file. That's how UserTrack works.

Now, when it comes to the officially recorded wma files, all of a sudden, the "referencing sgu" are all missing.

It must be somewhere, otherwise BiaB won't work.


A Canadian music producer, singer songwriter, composer, and professional guitarist.
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,110
M
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,110
I can tell you a way to do it but I will have to mention that terrible REAPER and I might get jumped on and have to leave the forum again for another 6 months frown
In the song setting dialog there is "Avoid transpositions in RealTracks".
https://stash.reaper.fm/v/48388/Import-frozen-SGU-MGU-realtracks-drums-tracks-GUI.zip

https://stash.reaper.fm/v/47372/ReaTrak-amagalma_Write-project-markers-or-regions-as-media-cues-to-selected-items-active-takes-source-files.zip

make a copy backup of your wav files in the RealTrack folder and store elsewhere
if you don't have wav files just batch convert the folder wma > wav
create a chord track in Biab in a key
generate up the soloist guitar track
freeze track and save
Run Import-frozen-SGU-MGU... script in Reaper and open the saved frozen SGU
load the chords into Reaper, see link below post #804821 Working In Biab & Reaper Simultaneously and Instantly
load the tracks
insert the track
you can insert a cue into the wav file by placing cursor where the chord occurs with ReaTrak-amagalma_Write-project-markers-or-regions..
from Action list run View: Toggle show media cues in items
Biab will try not to transpose so look for transpose amount at the top of the Reaper items, allow for this when add chord names as cues in the wav file.

The .bt1 are just beat files like reapeaks in Reaper. The info is in the XT2 ST2 in C:\bb\Soloists.

Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,110
M
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,110
If I go and have a break again just ask Rustyspoon or AudioTrack as they will be very helpful with Reaper.

Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,627
C
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
C
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,627
<<In my situation, I just simply want to listen to Brent Mason, and I can't even do that.>>

Sure you can.

A search for for Styles that contain RT@3198 results in six styles. Each of these Styles has a complete demo song with a chord progression, soloist, and backing tracks.
Using the demo's will have a decent consistent solo by Brent Mason playing a solo with this RT in each appropriate Style. Opening the Guitar Window or Notation with tabs to follow along and see how Brent Mason plays the solo.

Attached Files (Click to download or enlarge) (Only available when you are logged in)
RT#3198 Styles.jpg (97.63 KB, 234 downloads)
SGU Charts with Chords.jpg (102.79 KB, 234 downloads)
Demo with Guitar tabs and notation.jpg (265.21 KB, 234 downloads)
Demo with Guitar Window.jpg (251.07 KB, 234 downloads)

BIAB 2025:RB 2025, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,663
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,663
Originally Posted by MusicVillain
I suspect, in my picture, the .bt1 files, are indeed the "chord chart". I just need a software/code/script to open the file and see inside.
I suspect that .ST2 and .XT2 files in \bb\soloists contain information that drives the chord map for the dicing and splicing of the Realtracks. I'm guessing that PG Music keep this information restricted to protect their product and safeguard their intellectual property.


MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2024
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,680
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,680
musocity,
"mirror mirror on the wall, who is the smartest dude of all" ?

you are nice, until you are not.

Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 282
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 282
Originally Posted by musocity
I can tell you a way to do it but I will have to mention that terrible REAPER and I might get jumped on and have to leave the forum again for another 6 months frown

The .bt1 are just beat files like reapeaks in Reaper. The info is in the XT2 ST2 in C:\bb\Soloists.

Musocity,

I'm willing to go down this path to install Reaper, load your scripts, create frozen sgu, and extract info from temp.txt.

Before I dive in, one question though: Does it work with soloist type of RealTracks?

Last time, back in August 2023, when we talked about this, you did mention, for rhythm type of RT, you get the chord progression of the entire track, but for soloist type of RT, you only get a key, no chord info.

Is it still true with your new method?

For chord/rhythm type of RT, it's polyphonic, so that I can simply use DAW's chord detection function to figure out the chord. No need for Reaper.

For soloist type of RT, because it's recorded in monophonic, DAW's chord dectection function will not work. But it takes me 5 seconds to figure out the key of the track by ear.

It is the chord info of a soloist type of RT I need to figure out.

Why don't you go to the folder I mentioned, pick any wma file in that folder, and try it with your method, and see if you can extract the chord info for that entire track.


A Canadian music producer, singer songwriter, composer, and professional guitarist.
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 282
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 282
Originally Posted by Charlie Fogle
Using the demo's will have a decent consistent solo by Brent Mason playing a solo with this RT in each appropriate Style.

Not really.

I tested on the demo songs before I posted this thread, and they were pretty bad.

No tracks were frozen, and the soloist RT was "spliced and glued" by BiaB, generating a randomized result each time.

The solo in the demo song has no better consistency than using my own chord progression.

I suggest you go to the RealTrack picker, select the RT #3198, then preview the track. There are two preview mode: Band and Solo.

The Solo preview is a part of the original recording without BiaB's manipulation. The Band preview is the same solo plus the backing of the original chord progression Brent Mason played on.

You will find the RealTrack previews are ten times better than the RealTrack itself.


A Canadian music producer, singer songwriter, composer, and professional guitarist.
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 282
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 282
Originally Posted by Noel96
I suspect that .ST2 and .XT2 files in \bb\soloists contain information that drives the chord map for the dicing and splicing of the Realtracks. I'm guessing that PG Music keep this information restricted to protect their product and safeguard their intellectual property.

Peter Gannon is walking towards the wrong direction.

Of all RealTracks, 2/3 of them are chord/rhythm based RTs, of which the chords can be easily detected by a DAW. There is nothing Peter can safeguard here.

About 1/3 of the RTs are melody/solo based, and because of its monophonic nature, a DAW's chord detection feature does not work.

If Peter had known some music theory, he would realize the fact that solo based RTs do not work the same way as the rhythm based RTs.

Rhythm based RTs are easy, they are all "clean cut" by the bar line and beat line. BiaB can generate a perfect rhythm track.

Soloist RTs, on the other hand, will not work this way. If you listen to the wma, Brent Mason is playing cross bar line notes all the time, there is no "clean cut". When BiaB "splice and glue" the solo, it ruins the context, big time. There are also anacrusis notes, lead-in notes, and pick-up notes, in the original recording, being completely mismatched by BiaB's splicing algorithm.

If Peter Gannon really wants to protect his software, shouldn't he be protecting the audio files rather than the chord charts?

By making the chord charts impossible to open and read, Peter is ruining the software's solo quality on the legit user base.


A Canadian music producer, singer songwriter, composer, and professional guitarist.
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,110
M
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,110
"Then, I need to create a backing track for the solo, but I don't know the chord progression.

Where do I find the "Chord Chart" that contains the chord progression information?

Why don't you go to the folder I mentioned, pick any wma file in that folder, and try it with your method, and see if you can extract the chord info for that entire track."


That method will give you the chords it's played over
\bb\RealTracks\Guitar, Acoustic, Soloist PopBalladBrent Ev 065\ag5071.wav
you will end up with a file that has all the chords displayed in it as cue points
you can then create your own solo to be played over a progression by coping sections from that source track.
You also have Extensions > Region Playlist that is a quick way to arrange sections and play smoothly from one section to another.

Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,110
M
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,110
Originally Posted by Rustyspoon#
musocity,
"mirror mirror on the wall, who is the smartest dude of all" ?

you are nice, until you are not.

Just tell me what year you want me to be compatible with, 2009-2010, 2011-2012....?

I'm nice until I talk about Reaper.

Just don't give me a hard time all the time because I mention Reaper. Why have you got features in Biab that you use that come from me showing examples using Reaper ?
You have no issue using the Midi Chord track with virtual instruments, I didn't see you complain all the time about that when I posted.

Originally Posted by Albert Einstein
Condemnation before investigation, is the highest form of ignorance.

Surely it must eventually come to light, surely.

Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,199
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,199
Originally Posted by MusicVillain
...
If Peter had known some music theory, he would realize the fact that solo based RTs do not work the same way as the rhythm based RTs.
...
An unnecessary, incredibly subjective and derogatory comment. Please refrain.


BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 26,854
Veteran
Online Happy
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 26,854
Originally Posted by AudioTrack
Originally Posted by MusicVillain
...
If Peter had known some music theory, he would realize the fact that solo based RTs do not work the same way as the rhythm based RTs.
...
An unnecessary, incredibly subjective and derogatory comment. Please refrain.
In addition, it's quite untrue. Peter Gannon has an excellent knowledge of music theory. Yes, please consider your words more carefully.


BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 4

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
Holiday Weekend Hours

Our Customer Service hours this weekend are as follows:

Friday, April 18: 8:00 - 4:00
Saturday, April 19: closed
Sunday, April 20: closed
Monday, April 21: Regular hours

Thank you!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 French Version is Here!

Bonjour à tous,

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 pour Windows est disponible en Français.
Le téléchargement se fait à partir du site PG Music

Pour ceux qui auraient déjà acheté la version 2025 de Band-in-a-Box (et qui donc ont une version anglaise), il est possible de "franciser" cette version avec les patchs suivants:

BIAB 2025 - francisation
RealBand 2025 - francisation

Voilà, enjoy!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 German Version is Here!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!

Die deutsche Version Band-in-a-Box® 2025 für Windows ist ab sofort verfügbar!

Alle die bereits die englische Version von Band-in-a-Box und RealBand 2024 installiert haben, finden hier die Installationsdateien für das Sprachenupdate:

https://nn.pgmusic.com/pgfiles/languagesupport/deutsch2025.exe
https://nn.pgmusic.com/pgfiles/languagesupport/deutsch2025RB.exe

Update Your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 to Build 1128 for Windows Today!

Already using Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 1128 now from our Support Page to enjoy the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.

Stay up to date—get the latest update now!

Update to RealBand® 2025 Build 5 Windows Today!

Already using RealBand® 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 5 now from our Support Page to ensure you have the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.

Get the latest update today!

PowerTracks Pro Audio 2025 for Windows is Here!

PowerTracks Pro Audio 2025 is here! This new version introduces many features, including VST3 support, the ability to load or import a .FLAC file, a reset option for track height in the Tracks window, a taller Timeline on the Notation window toolbar, new freeze buttons in the Tracks window, three toolbar modes (two rows, single row, and none), the improved Select Patch dialog with text-based search and numeric patch display, a new button in the DirectX/VST window to copy an effects group, and more!

First-time packages start at only $49. Already a PowerTracks Pro Audio user? Upgrade for as little as $29!

www.pgmusic.com/powertracks.htm

Video: Summary of the New Band-in-a-Box® App for iOS®

Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new Band-in-a-Box® app for iOS®! Designed for musicians, singer-songwriters, and educators, this powerful tool lets you create, play, and transfer songs effortlessly on your iPhone® or iPad®—anytime, anywhere.

Band-in-a-Box® for iOS® :Summary video.

Check out the forum post for more information.

Forum Statistics
Forums58
Topics83,833
Posts770,939
Members39,450
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
Rafay Butt, DarkVecto, SJJ, Rachel S., chris95
39,450 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 162
DC Ron 115
rsdean 100
WaoBand 74
Today's Birthdays
arturarroyo, ecdoe, gospel singer, Harald, nadi
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5