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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 10
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 10 |
Not sure if this belongs in this category but will ask anyway.
I am trying to learn how to use Band in a Box to write my own
music.
The tutorial I found was not very helpful, so a couple of questions.
Anyone know of a detailed tutorial?
How do you input accidentals into the score?
I am using BaiB 2010, does 2016 offer any significant improvement in this area of writing notation.
I write for guitar and wish it was possible to have the score in treble clef only, although I can read and enter notes in both treble and bass clef, it is difficult for most guitar players to read it in both.
If someone can point me I the right direction, I would
appreciate it.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Dec 2000
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BIAB has it's own unique notation editor. While it has a number of features, it's really there more as a convenience to the users, as dedicated notation editing is not the purpose of BIAB. I personally use a separate notation program, and then just export MIDI from my notation program and then import MIDI into BIAB when I want the notes in BIAB. My go to program is Noteworthy Composer (while not as full featured as the big boys, still has a lot of ability and was one of the first that I learned). It costs $49. You can also get MuseScore for free. I also use Notion, Finale, and Sibelius, as the need arises, but they are not free. That being said, in BIAB, it will honor your key signature, so be sure to set the key of the song before entering notes (so in the key of D, all C's and F's will be sharped). You won't see the sharps on the notes themselves (because they are in the key signature), but the notes are correct. However, if you have true accidentals, you can just right click on the note and use the "Force Accidental" box, where you can choose sharp or flat or natural. If you haven't, you should read through the section in the user's manual. Just bring up the PDF and search for "Editable Notation". BIAB has a unique input method where you click on the staff and it enters a very long note. This doesn't mean that your first note is 6 beats long, because all you have to do is enter the next next and it shortens the first not accordingly. If you want to enter a hard rest, just click on the "rest" checkbox and click on the staff and it will again shorten the not that's there and enter a rest. Once you use it a few times, you do get the hang of it, but it's unlike any other notation program. Here are some links to Notation videos that PGMusic has produced (which unfortunately I did not have time to preview, but will hopefully help and not take up much of your time): http://youtu.be/Twyl0qNMhBohttp://youtu.be/uIv3fRmhlsQhttp://youtu.be/NolLEQNl_FM
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA BB2025/UMC404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/MixBus/Notion/Finale/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Jul 2000
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I concur with the above solid advice by John.
About accidentals, yes, set the key signature first. But you can also use the left mouse button in Editable Notation Mode to drag a note up and down in pitch by half-steps. The accidental will be added as needed. Then, if you prefer a different enharmonic accidental (like A# instead of Bb) you can use the Force Accidental as John mentioned.
Also, I would like to add answers to your two specific questions at the end of your post:
First, no, the method of notation entry in BIAB has not changed significantly, to my knowledge, since version 2010.
Second, about the clef, a guitar is a transposing instrument in that it sounds an octave below what is written. Thus you might consider transposing your melody and/or soloist tracks up one octave to compensate, and that might eliminate notes appearing on the bass clef stave. If you need to know how to do that, there are at least two methods and we can help you.
Finally, I have used many notation software programs over three decades, even serving as a beta tester for one, and I absolutely love the initial note entry method in BIAB. As John described, it does have a few things that seem odd at first, but that prove to be tremendously powerful. As a composer and arranger, I enter ALL my songs into BIAB, and then move the MIDI into a notation program or a DAW as needed, which should tell you how much I like BIAB for note entry. PG Music asked a few weeks ago what feature we liked best in BIAB, and notation entry was my choice.
You might tell us what tutorial you used, if it's different from the links John gave.
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.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Dec 2006
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You would be better off looking at the free version of noteflight. I used to have a paid version but gave it up for BIAB as I no longer transcribe stuff.
Windows 10 Home 20H2 Build 19042.487
BIAB 2021 (Build 818)
Intel(R) Core(TM), i3-4160, CPU @3.60 GHz RAM 16 GB, 64 Bit X64-based processor
Zoom UAC-2 (USB 3 interface-built in midi)
VoiceLive 3 Extreme, Sputnik Valve Condenser Mic
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Thank you for the response. Looking over these comments, I am
thinking of a separate notation program.
I have been using Forte 7, basic version, I upgraded to the
home version but it kept crashing my computer, didn't work well at all. The basic version continues to work well, but very slow.
The workspace tools are also very small, making for a lot of mistakes.
I noticed BiaB has much larger notation size and it's unique note placement method is much faster. In short I like BiaB, but
since all or nearly all my compositions are in treble clef, then
notation programs like Forte 7 are a plus.
I will check out the ones you mentioned, Forte is not free either
but I will gladly pay for one that works. With Forte, you cannot
adjust the length of a bar, so they get very condensed, with all
16th. notes.
Is that feature available in some of the ones you use?
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Feb 2016
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In the little bit that I have used BiaB, I agree, the note
placement system works very well, It is large,easy to see and
incredibly fast. I will continue to experiment with it.
In the meantime I am looking for something better than Forte 7.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Feb 2016
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Thank you, I will look into that.
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Offgridguy - Since you don't seem to have a preference, I would probably start by using MuseScore, mainly because it is actually pretty full featured, but is also free.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA BB2025/UMC404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/MixBus/Notion/Finale/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com
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Thank you for the reference to MuseScore,
this is great software, more features and easier to use than Forte, and free besides.
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MuseScore has another advantage over most other notation software: it can read a BIAB file directly. Other programs require using MIDI, or better, Music XML.
I would still like you to consider my comments about treble clef, above, before you rule out using BIAB.
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.
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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.
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Band-in-a-Box 2025 Italian Version is Here!
Cari amici
È stata aggerate la versione in Italiano del programma più amato dagli appassionati di musica, il nostro Band-in-a-Box.
Questo è il link alla nuova versione 2025.
Di seguito i link per scaricare il pacchetti di lingua italiana aggiornati per Band-in-a-Box e RealBand, anche per chi avesse già comprato la nuova versione in inglese.
Band-in-a-Box 2025 - Italiano
RealBand 2025 - Italiano
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!
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.
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