Free MIDI editor designed for BeatBuddy

57Strummer · May 23, 2016, 9:26am

Hi everyone hope that you are all well. I have been using my BB for quite some time now and very comfortable using it live etc, as you all know great product. So I am now at a stage where I need to edit or build my own beats using the fantastic BeatBuilder software. I have just started looking at it tonight and have a small beat that I am testing. Whilst this forum is amazing I can’t find the answers that I need and thought I should just ask… lol

So I have made my beat using beatbuilder and am ready to save it… My questions are this

What format do I save it as
Where do I save it to
When I import it into my BB where is it saved? do I need to create a separate FOLDER (like My Beats or similar) so that I know where they are…

I am sure these questions have been answered here but I just can’t seem to narrow down to them and find the answers I need.

Thanks all in advance and keep rockin’

JN99 · July 6, 2016, 11:32pm

I downloaded and installed and everything appeared to go fine. However, when I opened a midi file, no midi loads. The file shows as the open file but nothing is in the editor. Any ideas?

Tim_Williams · July 7, 2016, 7:03am

Try opening the file attached, that works in Beatbuilder here with me. If this opens it will eliminate one variable at least. It is possible that the midi file you are making does not map onto the Beatbuilder midi/instruments numbers. This often happens with non-standard midi mapping such as with the World Percussion drum kit.

JN99 · July 7, 2016, 3:12pm

Ok, thanks I will give that a try but must admit I’m a bit confused. One of the features of this editor from the OP and why I grabbed it is that it “automates converting downloaded MIDI files to a format compatible with the BeatBuddy pedal. Specifically, it remaps instruments to the subset of instruments included in the standard BeatBuddy kits”. How does it convert midi files to a compatible format if it won’t even load them?

JN99 · July 8, 2016, 6:28pm

Update - Tim’s file worked, I’m able to open it just fine (so far as I can tell) with the Beatbuilder. But the song file I have still will not open though it is mapped to BB std kit and plays fine. Is there a note limit in the Beatbuilder by chance? Also, still curious about how it remaps files. Thanks

Fourmost · August 25, 2016, 9:47pm

CharlesSpencer:

BeatBuilder 1.0 is now available. It’s a drum track creator and editor specifically designed for use with the BeatBuddy drum pedal and the BeatBuddy Manager software. It has features that assist in the creation of drum tracks like bulk volume adjustments, automatic “humanizing” of drum patterns through randomization of volumes and dequantization of notes, and standard editor functions: cut, copy, paste, delete, and insert.
Beatbuilder automates converting downloaded MIDI files to a format compatible with the BeatBuddy pedal. Specifically, it remaps instruments to the subset of instruments included in the standard BeatBuddy kits. It also lets you select pieces of a file and save them as song parts and it shows you how many pertinent note events are in the track, making it easier to work with the 500 note-on limit.

To install, first, your PC/Mac needs to have Java 1.7 or higher installed. If needed, free PC/Mac downloads are available here: http://java.com/en/download/

Download the BeatBuilder.jar file to your desktop:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/rm4weqraqw4ye2t/BeatBuilder.jar?dl=0

PC users are all set, just double-click the file to run it.

Mac users need to perform the following steps to make the file launchable:

Click once on the .jar file in the Finder.

Hi.
I am new to midi.
I have downloaded BeatBuilder and succeeded in downloading a midi file into it and subsequently into BBM.
The problem is that in BeatBuilder the screen (beats) does not move with the cursor as the song is playing.
Am I doing something wrong or is this normal? I am comparing the movement to Audacity or Protools.
Regards
Regards
2. From the menubar in the Finder select File → Get Info".
3 Click on “Open with” and from the popup menu.
4. Select “Jar Launcher”, which is built into OS X.
5. Whenever you double click on the .jar file the program should start

[ATTACH=full]776[/ATTACH]

For those who have already downloaded a beta copy and tried it out, I suggest checking out the help dialog, as I put a few tricks and tips in there. For those who have reported issues and asked for enhancements, thanks for your input, you’ve helped make it a better app.

CharlesSpencer:

BeatBuilder 1.0 is now available. It’s a drum track creator and editor specifically designed for use with the BeatBuddy drum pedal and the BeatBuddy Manager software. It has features that assist in the creation of drum tracks like bulk volume adjustments, automatic “humanizing” of drum patterns through randomization of volumes and dequantization of notes, and standard editor functions: cut, copy, paste, delete, and insert.
Beatbuilder automates converting downloaded MIDI files to a format compatible with the BeatBuddy pedal. Specifically, it remaps instruments to the subset of instruments included in the standard BeatBuddy kits. It also lets you select pieces of a file and save them as song parts and it shows you how many pertinent note events are in the track, making it easier to work with the 500 note-on limit.

To install, first, your PC/Mac needs to have Java 1.7 or higher installed. If needed, free PC/Mac downloads are available here: http://java.com/en/download/

Download the BeatBuilder.jar file to your desktop:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/rm4weqraqw4ye2t/BeatBuilder.jar?dl=0

PC users are all set, just double-click the file to run it.

Mac users need to perform the following steps to make the file launchable:

Click once on the .jar file in the Finder.

From the menubar in the Finder select File → Get Info".
3 Click on “Open with” and from the popup menu.

Select “Jar Launcher”, which is built into OS X.

Whenever you double click on the .jar file the program should start

[ATTACH=full]776[/ATTACH]

For those who have already downloaded a beta copy and tried it out, I suggest checking out the help dialog, as I put a few tricks and tips in there. For those who have reported issues and asked for enhancements, thanks for your input, you’ve helped make it a better app.

tony_hole · November 5, 2016, 3:54pm

how do i get it to work on win 10?

persist · November 5, 2016, 3:55pm

Tony, instead of double-posting, let’s cut it down to a single thread, please!

Punkyboy · November 5, 2016, 4:03pm

you need Java and updated .
Then click on the jar files to open Beatbuilder.
If don’t work try this:
I get it working with this tool

Download the “jarfix.exe” and just 2x click, and it works

http://johann.loefflmann.net/en/software/jarfix/index.html#Download

Greetings

tony_hole · November 5, 2016, 4:13pm

thx, java is up to date, have downloaded jarfix double clicked but what do i do then?

tony_hole · November 5, 2016, 4:14pm

ahhh just started working, many thx

Punkyboy · November 5, 2016, 4:21pm

Glad for you , enjoy !!

Bil_Facciponte · November 12, 2016, 1:19am

I’m trying to use the copy and edit function but can’t figure it out. I want to copy an entire section and use the same section throughout four bars. Any advice?

persist · November 12, 2016, 11:55am

Bil, just to be clear, are you trying to do this in the BeatBuddy Manager (BBM) or in the Beat Builder? If in the BBM, you can review http://forum.mybeatbuddy.com/index.php?threads/duplicating-a-part-to-move-i-give.6586/#post-27539

Bil_Facciponte · November 14, 2016, 8:50pm

I’m trying to do it in the builder

timmyd · December 7, 2016, 11:10pm

I’m trying to copy notes from one measure to another. However, each time I paste the copied notes it does paste them but also ads a new blank measure. How do I copy notes without having it add a new measure?

pax-eterna · January 4, 2017, 3:37am

such a shame it HAS to have Java. I refuse to install java for anything!

shawno814 · January 8, 2017, 1:03am

Anyone try editing a midi file right in the beat buddy manager? I usually use a third party software, but I thought to save some time (just editing a single hit or two) I’d right click and use the built in editor. I have to say it is aweful. There are hits that don’t show in the editor, the spacing between hits doesn’t make sense. I’m using version 1.6.4.0 so I’m not sure… maybe there’s an update somewhere. This can’t be the editing software that the BB staff developed is it? Yeesh.

persist · January 8, 2017, 1:47am

Rather than try to use it as a midi editor, it is better suited as a tool to identify Non-Supported drum instruments and bass notes which should then be fixed in your DAW.

The developers are aware of the issues.

mattmusic · January 19, 2017, 4:42am

can i use boss rc-50 as a slave to beat buddy using midi sync?