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Add-ons and UserTracks for Band-in-a-Box
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,097
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,097 |
This was a very interesting discussion four years ago and I'm glad it got revived. A lot of things could have changed under the hood since then so I'm curious if my thoughts and guesses then are still valid now.
First, since the RT's are a main part of PGM's "Secret Sauce", I don't think they're going to release all the goodies that go into producing a Real Track, these user templates are dumbed down versions.
Second, that list of chords that Biab recognizes is for midi, not necessarily the RT's. We all know RT's are recorded by a real person playing that instrument in a studio. If s/he didn't play a proper 6/9 chord then that chord gets ignored if you're using that RT. Or maybe it gets subbed with a standard major 6th or 9th.
Third, the file sizes. This is part of the secret sauce I think. To me it's logical to assume there is a max file size for an RT because if there wasn't and somebody produces a massive piano RT that has all of those chords in the list played in all four keys so they can be properly transposed, the generation times would be huge, like measured in minutes not seconds.
And even if that massive RT was produced, what I described is only one chord inversion in one position on the piano and it's the same for guitar. You should have at least two different inversions but three or four are really needed to cover jazz properly so multiply that list of chords by one of those factors.
For any noobies, understand this is no problem with midi. We have printed out and discussed midi piano tracks generated by Biab and they are really good. Lots of different chord positions, left hand voicings etc and all based on the style. Not so with the Real Tracks and I'm pretty sure it's because of file size limitations.
Fourth, I don't think it would do any good to take an RT soloist and run it through the ACW because soloists are plying single notes and the ACW doesn't work well with single note lines, it needs the bass and a chording instrument.
Just some thoughts.
Bob My thoughts: FIRST: I think they've given all the goodies just not in one complete explanation with full step by step instructions. They left out how their algorithm accesses all the audio data and many users don't consider the UserTrack Development list when they create their personal UserTrack and create SGUs that are specific audio for those song circumstances. Not addressing as many different possible transition points as possible, these UserTracks are sub par creations. My point here is the templates are complete but for a quality User RealTrack, multiple SGU templates must be used with each addressing a specific and more complex piece of audio the algorithm is programmed to locate and use. For instance; Start by creating a base chords SGU template or use one of the BIAB provided Templates. Continue your UserTrack with an intros SGU template, Create an endings SGU template, Create a common chords transition SGU template and also create an uncommon chords transitions SGU template. I think the User Development Page located in the Bar Settings Page infers the need for additional SGUs for UserTracks that allows the BIAB algorithms to recognize pointers to select and program specific audio for the Chord Chart. The Simple Pop Template will provide one intro and one ending and a set of Chords but we know that we can add additional SGU templates to add more intros and endings and more chords for our User Track to choose from. From reading the Forum intro, user manual and help files, I've come across additional clues to what I'll call 'algorithm pointers' that add to the complexity of recorded audio, be it PG Music RealTrack or a UserTrack. One example I think is in multiple places there's reference by PG Music staff to RealTracks having 'smooth transitions'. Solo intros, endings and chord changes are all specific areas in a song Chord Chart that sometimes force users to regenerate a track in order to randomly get a correct intro, solo ending or different chord inversion. I think this is because the BIAB search algorithm found and selected a less than ideal or even incorrect piece of audio. I know that the BIAB algorithm 'reads ahead' our song Chord Chart and selects audio clips to create a performance the same as if a 'live' session player was performing our song. It selects audio in our key and at our chosen tempo and apparently there are pointers in the algorithm to recorded 'smooth transitions' for RealTracks. I wondered why doesn't the BIAB algorithm 'read ahead' and 'see' OUR programmed Chord Chart transitions by Soloists and chord transitions? In various literature, PG Music claims soloists and players provide 'smooth transitions' and their demos always have 'smooth transitions'. BIAB does this regardless how many times we change key, tempo or chord progressions. With a bit of study and experimentation, I learned how to access this BIAB 'reads ahead' feature and always get a programmed 'smooth transition' just like a PG Music demo. I don't know if my speculation is correct or not but I can say with absolute certainty, I get a smooth solo intro, solo ending and can correct bad chord changes flawlessly every time. I have not personally had a single issue since learning the method. This theory applies equally to BIAB algorithm reading ahead any artist's personally created UserTrack. SECOND AND THIRD: I combine these two points as I believe they're related. I don't think it's necessarily the size of the file although that is relevant to keeping the overall program to a manageable size. I believe the limitation is content related to having sufficient audio choices for these 'algorithm pointers' to select from and to include as many of the chords recognizable by BIAB as possible. A clue to me is that RealBand Multi Riffs are limited to seven each generation even though these seven can be compiled and generated repeatedly. When Multi Riffs were introduced to BIAB, the number of each generation of Multi Riffs was also seven. Since a RealTrack is always (regardless of file size) a finite amount of recorded audio, seven seems to be the maximum safe number of regenerations of audio selections possible without producing duplicate audio clips. FOURTH: I agree.
BIAB Ultra Pak+ 2024:RB 2024, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
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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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