PG Music Home Forums FAQ and Knowledge Base I want a video that shows me how to .... Record a multi track song using only BIAB as described below.

I posted this process in a thread a few minutes ago and realized this would make a great video tutorial of an under utilized feature that demonstrates the true power of the BIAB program.

The Steps:

BIAB actually emulates the multi track recording process really well when applied to recording on the single Audio Track and also to bouncing a Style of 5-6 tracks down to a stereo audio file. It's true BIAB only has one Audio Track (Channel) but it's also true that the one channel for Audio recording can be used multiple times and most people don't realize that BIAB provides two different ways to record multiple audio tracks.

First, to bounce a Style, render and export the song to a WAV - Import the WAV back into the Audio Track, convert the audio to a Performance Track and move the Performance Track that since you have a stereo mix of the song and Style, all of the Style tracks are now available to be replaced with additional instruments or even different Styles. This process can be repeated multiple times. Performance Tracks can be rendered to a stereo WAV mix, imported and replace the mix and this mix can replace existing single Performance Tracks that have been bounced down to a mix. Old school, but very effective and useful.

The second method to use the Audio Track for multiple takes is almost hidden. Select the Record Audio Button from the Transport Toolbar, in the window that opens, there's a check box beside the wording, Overdub underlying audio. Checking that box allows recording another take of audio without overwriting the existing recorded audio and BIAB applies a preset mix of the multiple takes. This process can be applied multiple times so perhaps you're recording a vocal, using this technique and process, you can double your vocal, record harmonies, backing vocals or even play an instrument to add to the track. The BIAB preset mix does a good job with the mix and it's done digitally so there's no noticeable degradation of the sound.

*****

What needs to be demonstrated:
Load a RealStyle demo and render the demo to a WAV file.
Name and Save the Project.
Import the WAV file to the Audio Track.
Convert the Audio Track to a Performance Track.
Move the Performance Track to the Bass Channel.
Select new RT or MIDI instruments to replace each of the original Style instruments.
(Optionally, you may want to demonstrate one of the tracks being a medley of instruments.)
Kill the Audio Track.
Render the mix of the Performance Track and the new instruments to a WAV file.
Import the WAV file to the Audio Track.
Convert the Audio Track to a Performance Track.
Move the Performance Track to the Bass Channel.

The above process can continue to be repeated but let's move on for this demonstration.

Select the Record Audio Button on the Transport Toolbar.

Record test audio: ie -"Testing for this Demonstration."
and save the take.
Select the Record Audio Button and this time check the Overdub existing Audio Button
Record audio to merge with the first take. ie: 1,2,3 to simulate a backing vocal
Repeat with an additional take. ie: 4,5,6 placing this audio in a different measure to simulate doubling the backing vocals.
Export this audio track and import the WAV or at least explain that using merged vocals can replicate the same process as described above with mixer channels.

This demonstrates having dozens of instruments on dozens of tracks with multiple vocals added to the instrumental backing tracks all from the 8 track BIAB Mixer with a single audio channel.

Thanks for considering this and contact me if anything is unclear.

Charlie

Charlie,

Now that you've written the script outline, when can we expect the video? No one understands, knows and has the experience with the process that you do.

Seriously, I don't know how much interest or experience you have with creating a video. Video creation might be an area you don't want to explore. But a video like you describe is a good idea.

<<< … A video like you describe is a good idea. >>>

I'm hoping this will intrigue the PG Music Staff and they'll create a video. I'll be glad to consult and clear up any deficiencies in my script if necessary but their work is professional and would be better than anything I can do.