|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 10
Newbie
|
OP
Newbie
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,583
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,583 |
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 BB2024/UMC404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/MixBus/Notion/Finale/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,867
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,867 |
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 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,574
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,574 |
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 10
Newbie
|
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 10 |
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?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 10
Newbie
|
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 10 |
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 10
Newbie
|
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 10 |
Thank you, I will look into that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,583
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,583 |
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 BB2024/UMC404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/MixBus/Notion/Finale/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1
Newbie
|
|
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1 |
Thank you for the reference to MuseScore,
this is great software, more features and easier to use than Forte, and free besides.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,867
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,867 |
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 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums66
Topics81,625
Posts735,214
Members38,521
| |
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean