I want to input a song from a lead sheet that is in 6/8 time.
In BB I click on time sig, The dialog says for 12/8 or 6/8, use 4/4 with a triplet feel.
Can some one explain how to do that please.
I think largely that they are referring to use a style that has a swing / shuffle feel. I agree, it's not explained very well. IIRC, BIAB internally only fully supports 3/4 and 4/4 time signatures.
I experimented and only got reasonable results with 6/8 styles with a much lower tempo.
Search your Style Picker for 6/8 styles and demo ones with a slow tempo. Hope this helps.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Hello Danna, Here is how I attempt this in BIAB 12/8 meaning there are four primary pulses (beats) per bar, and each pulse is naturally divided into three eighth notes. So enter 4 chords per bar and count: To count it : Count: "1 and a 2 and a 3 and a 4 and a". or Alternative: "1 2 3, 2 2 3, 3 2 3, 4 2 3," Or my favorit Count: 123, 456, 123, 456, .... (regardless, of count always emphasizing the first number of each group).
Now to get that " triplet pulse" you need a swing style. Trev is correct, it is not easy to find the groove but don't limit youself to searching for 6/8 or 12/8. You can find something in 4/4 which fits as long as it is designated "SWING" and you can count as I showed above.
Historically in BIAB there has been a lot of discussion on this. At the end of the day you just have to find the style that fits. Good Luck
I'm just adding to Audiotrack's and DrDan's excellent explanations.
While there are many different times signatures in everyday music, these can all be grouped into basically two main pulse beats. These are called "Simple" and "Compound" time signatures.
Simple time signatures are based on a pulse a note's beat (e.g. 2/4, 4/4, 3/2, etc). Compound time signatures are based on a pulse of a dotted-note's beat (6/8, 12/8, 6/4, etc). The dot after the note means that the note's total length is 1½ the time of note's value.
I tend to think of each numbered place in the matrix as a cell, not as a bar or measure. This gives you a lot of freedom you don't have if you think of them as bars.
For example, if your song is in 5/4 time, make the first cell 3 beats the second 2 beats, and the two cells combined make one 5/4 bar or measure.
6/8? Pick the right swing style, and the 4 beats of the first cell can be two 6/8 measures (or one 12/8 bar).
I tend to think of each numbered place in the matrix as a cell, not as a bar or measure. This gives you a lot of freedom you don't have if you think of them as bars.
For example, if your song is in 5/4 time, make the first cell 3 beats the second 2 beats, and the two cells combined make one 5/4 bar or measure.
6/8? Pick the right swing style, and the 4 beats of the first cell can be two 6/8 measures (or one 12/8 bar).
On some songs, I've found that using a waltz style (PGMusic calls all their 3/4 styles a waltz style, it doesn't necessarily mean it's a waltz) and using 2 bars to make the 6/8 works well. You generally have to use a faster tempo, since the waltz style is quarter note based, rather than an 8th note based 6/8 time. The first bar will give you the 1-2-3 and the second bar will give you the 4-5-6.
It won't look right on a printout, but it can sound right. I usually do my sheet music in a dedicated notation program anyway, so it's not a problem for me.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA
If you open the Multipicker Library, select the "Titles" tab, and then enter O HOLY NIGHT, you find the song appears.
Select an option and then select "Apply - Find matching styles" and BIAB will filter styles in Stylepicker that will work with this song. (The image below is from BIAB 2026.)
This is what was filtered in Stylepicker for me...
I have the Audiophile version of BIAB. In relation to the number of styles, this is the same as UltraPak. I also have nearly all the XPro Styles (Sets 1–10) and Xtra Styles (Sets 1–21). These styles are add-ons and they are not included in regular BIAB purchases.
If you have a look at the "Set #" column in my previous image of Stylepicker, you'll see that many of the styles listed are from the add-on style paks.
I have the Audiophile version of BIAB. In relation to the number of styles, this is the same as UltraPak. I also have nearly all the XPro Styles (Sets 1–10) and Xtra Styles (Sets 1–21). These styles are add-ons and they are not included in regular BIAB purchases. --Noel
Thanks Noel ... I see.
I did purchase the Ultrapak, but did got get the extra styles.
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Norton Music
![[Linked Image - Only viewable when logged in]](https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=download&Number=31897&filename=style filter using song titles.jpg)
![[Linked Image - Only viewable when logged in]](https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=download&Number=31898&filename=o holy night style list 2026.jpg)
![[Linked Image - Only viewable when logged in]](https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=download&Number=31992&filename=o holy night style list 2026 (2).jpg)
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean