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Joined: May 2008
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I want to begin this post by saying that I am aware that programming is much more complicated than the typical end-user appreciates, and that I have had nothing but positive experiences dealing with PG Music sales staff, support staff, etc. They are a great company and put out a good product and support it wel. That said, I do not understand why a program as good as BIAB still has a basic user interface that looks like a 1980s era piece of software.
The basic element of the program - the chord sheet - while functional and intuitive in many ways, is well below what I think we should get when paying top dollar for a computer program.
If the program is playing music, then the basic interface should look like a piece of music, not an abstract "hyperpad" or spreadsheet.
Meaning, something that looks like a lead sheet in the Real Book. A stave with an actual key signature, time signature, and melody. Chord symbols above the stave, etc.
And, most importantly: functional, usable elements of sheet music like first and second endings, repeat signs, codas, possibly even dynamic markings, etc. As the program exists, a typical new user or infrequent user is constantly hamstrung trying to "translate" from what is a relatively universally understood, simple system of symbols (sheet music), into "BIAB" equivalents.
An analogy would be old word processing programs, which were not "what you see is what you get," and you had to input your text in the "Word Perfect" translation, and hope that when you hit the print button, the end document looked the way you wanted. The change to WYSIWYG formats in word processors was monumental. BIAB is like a 1980's word processor.
Perhaps it would be a herculean task to change the format this way. Maybe it would make the program much larger, in terms of code, etc. Maybe it wouldn't be worth it.
But in my opinion, as the program exists right now, it is a powerful but somewhat disappointing program.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Aug 2006
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What about the player who does not want that? I want to use the lyrics window with chord scrolling . Should they code to satisfy me? What about the guy that doesn't want, or need to see a music sheet, but uses the program to build chord based backing tracks (one of the primary uses) should he be forced to read it as a sheet music?
I understand your need, but it is not everyones need. So why not keep it as it is and slowly improve all the features as it goes.
Lenovo Win 10 16 gig ram, Mac mini with 16 gig of ram, BiaB 2022, Realband, Harrison Mixbus 32c version 9.1324, Melodyne 5 editor, Presonus Audiobox 1818VSL, Presonus control app, Komplete 49 key controller.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Jul 2000
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86, you do know about the Lead Sheet Window, and Fake Sheet Mode, right?
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
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: May 2008
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Matt - I am aware of it, but as far as I know, for the mac version anyway, there is no such thing as 1st/2nd endings, repeats, codas, etc.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: May 2008
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I guess, Rob, I'm saying that I think because it would make the program better, without sacrificing anything. No, you don't code to every individual's personal preference, but you do try to make the best product out there.
I think the most intuitive way to make a music program is to make the interface look like a piece of music. Just like the most intuitive way to make a word processor is to make the interface look like a sheet of paper.
But people please correct me if I'm wrong....as far as I know, there is no such thing as a simple, clickable "repeat" or "1st ending" item in the mac version.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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OK, good to know we are talking about the Mac version. I am not familiar with that.
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
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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I see where you are coming from 86 but notation has limits. It simply cant reflect some of the things that go on in live music accurately. I learnt the classical route and used to think that notation and playing in such a way to accurately reflect the written notes was in some way a holy grail. I now realise that modern western notation is in fact a hotch potch of compromises that is incapable of reflecting accurately AND simply, some of the necessary things we do when we play in a certain style. For example, I once tried to notate a sax solo where the player started each note a little early for effect, if I wrote this strictly then I ended up with a mess of hemidemisemiquavers for what was essentially a solo in simple eigths. Another example, when playing a acoustic guitar solo the sustain of the notes is often as much a function of how the fingers move and how many open strings there are. If you tried to notate this exactly then you would have to note what maybe essentially easy phrases with various different rests intertwined. Notation also fails to signify some essential things. Often a player will put a heavier accent on the first and third beats of 4/4 but this is not written. The velocity and attack of different notes is usually left to the performeer though some indications are occasionally given. Often a player will sustain a note whilst a second and even a third and fourth note are played (subconsciously). If all of these notes (ie. on a guitar) were written as played then again one would get a very cluttered score which would be unreadable and unecessaraliy pedantic. For these reasons I dont see that notation can reflect a live perfomance, especially something like a blues harmonic solo or a rock guitar riff with lots of feedback. Try playing some simple solo (with feel) into a sequencer a (which supports scoring) and take a look at the result - a labrynth of clutter and confusion. As for refecting dynamics, in the real world a crescendo for example is not just a increase in the amplitude of a sound, but as the instrument(s) is stressed a totally different wave form casn be found, the attack can change, vibrato and much more
In the round I am saying that there is much more to this than meets the eye. Cubase has two concepts which help. They have 'display quantise' which distinguishes between two notations the 'real' notation of what is played, (which is often impossible to read) and the tweaked 'display' which is a simplification which does NOT strictly represent what you hear. It laos has expression maps which allow the selection of (e.g. different staccato samples, for the SAME notation symbol. This is important because even though the same symbol is used on the page a player will use a range of different staccato sounds for different contexts. In fact I vbelive that in a whole lifetime of playing the sax I have never actually made the same sound twice - in oscilloscope terms.
I agree weith you that the interfac e is outdated though.
Just IMO.... its complex!
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: May 2008
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ZeroZero - thanks for the thoughtful reply. I'd never thought of any of what you wrote, so obviously a strictly notation-based system would be inadequate.
But for those things which are used in standard notation and are easily conceptualized - like first and second endings, codas, etc. - I cannot believe this program is in its 10th version and these simple devices have not been created! Can we at least make these?
Again, thanks.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Aug 2006
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What you want in features i agree, the Mac version needs to catch up to the Win version for sure.
Lenovo Win 10 16 gig ram, Mac mini with 16 gig of ram, BiaB 2022, Realband, Harrison Mixbus 32c version 9.1324, Melodyne 5 editor, Presonus Audiobox 1818VSL, Presonus control app, Komplete 49 key controller.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Oct 2010
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Hello, This post is about 'odd' time signature (ie: 5/4, 5/8 etc...) I’ve been using BiaB since years to my overall satisfaction but: I understand that BiaB is not a score editor however: Currently both in playing and in printing scores with such time signature (ie ‘take five’) is not quite satisfactory though it’s somehow working. As an example 5/4 is shown as a combination of ¾ and 2/4 bars where ‘usual’ score should show up to 5 quarter notes (or more) within a single bar. This is not very handy when entering notes with a mouse. I recently tried to enter a song in 5/8 but found it quite impossible to enter eighth’s notes and came to use 5/4 instead, and by the way the song 'sounds' OK. So I’m wondering if there could be any plan to offer a better support for ‘odd’ time signature such as 5/4, 5/8 etc... so the score appears identical to those of 'real books' and other score publications. Thank you
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Along the same lines, I would really like to see BIAB able to import Music XML files.
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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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User Video: Next-Level AI Music Editing with ACE Studio and Band-in-a-Box®
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 German for Windows is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!
Wir waren fleißig und haben über 50 neue Funktionen und eine erstaunliche Sammlung neuer Inhalte hinzugefügt, darunter 222 RealTracks, neue RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, "Songs with Vocals" Artist Performance Sets, abspielbare RealTracks Set 3, abspielbare RealDrums Set 2, zwei neue Sets von "RealDrums Stems", XPro Styles PAK 6, Xtra Styles PAK 17 und mehr!
Paket | Was ist Neu
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."
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