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Songwriting
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Joined: Dec 2002
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Thanks so much guys. JJJ - here is a 20% off coupon for Master Writter, but only for the 1 or 2 year subscriptions. https://bit.ly/masterwriter20Dave, Ya, I need some tools also. Thanks for the endorsement.
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Songwriting
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I find that no matter what writing aid you choose you have to really refine it after you get any suggestions or results. SO far i have been using the build in lyric tab in BiaB, and also Joanne Coopers lyric lab. They give me a base and i take it from there. Maybe un-rhyme it a bit or change things that sound made up.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Zoom Livetrack L-8
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Songwriting
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Thanks so much guys. JJJ - here is a 20% off coupon for Master Writter, but only for the 1 or 2 year subscriptions. https://bit.ly/masterwriter20Dave, Ya, I need some tools also. Thanks for the endorsement. Thanks Dan! Hey, do you know if they include both the songwriter edition and the creative writer edition with a single subscription? I have a bucket list item to write a story!
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Songwriting
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Joined: Dec 2002
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Actually JJJ, I have no idea. I was not even aware there were two editions available. I will have to look into that. But since you mentioned your are working on the Great American Novel, have you looked at https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview. I am working on my Biography with the 30 day free version of Scrivener, however, I am in the procrastination stage of writting which is good for me since the 30 days only counts when you actually use Scrivener so there is no rush. 
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Songwriting
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Joined: Apr 2017
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Thanks so much guys. JJJ - here is a 20% off coupon for Master Writter, but only for the 1 or 2 year subscriptions. https://bit.ly/masterwriter20Dave, Ya, I need some tools also. Thanks for the endorsement. Thanks Dan! Hey, do you know if they include both the songwriter edition and the creative writer edition with a single subscription? I have a bucket list item to write a story! I already posted that it’s the same app. You can open MW in either view or both simultaneously per the MasterWriter FAQ. How do I view two versions side by side?
To view two versions side by side, open the versions tab, and click the three dots on a version that is not selected, then click “show.” This will present the two versions side by side.
BIAB 2026 Audiophile Mac
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Digital Performer11, Logic, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScore/Notion/Overture
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Songwriting
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I used to hand-write them in a notebook.
However, I now free write my thoughts into a Word document. I find it easier because I can capture my free-flowing ideas quicker and they are a lot more legible. I then simmer it down and capture the main idea even before creating the lyrics. At that point, I start construction my lyrics and find it a lot easier to re-arrange lyric lines and edit.
2024 UltraPAK BIAB / Tascam DP-008 EX multi-track recorder/ Audacity / Audix OM7 Microphone / Mackie CR3.5 3.5" Powered Studio Monitors & Sony MDR-7506 studio monitor headphones.
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Songwriting
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In another thread, someone mentioned they had MasterWriter 2.0. If you look it up, there's nonsense that it is cloud based—incorrect; it's a stand alone app.
The Mac version of MW 2 can be run on macOS 10.14.x Mojave but no later which was what prompted me to upgrade to the cloud based 3.0 that you access through a browser only (there is an iPad GUI but I've never used it). MW 2 also requires the Java 6 Legacy Run Time, the last available from Apple before Oracle bought SUN.
MW 2 can be installed on two computers only. The two I had it on are long gone. I now have a pair of 2012 MacBook Pros dual-booting into Mojave and Catalina that I acquired and upgraded within the last few years and use for running legacy apps and testing. Perhaps I'll contact MW Support about releasing one or both Activations so that I can install it on those old machines.
BIAB 2026 Audiophile Mac
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Digital Performer11, Logic, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScore/Notion/Overture
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But since you mentioned your are working on the Great American Novel, have you looked at https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview. I am working on my Biography with the 30 day free version of Scrivener, however, I am in the procrastination stage of writting which is good for me since the 30 days only counts when you actually use Scrivener so there is no rush. 's great strength is as an outlining and organizing tool—write to your outline structure, change as needed, plug anything else in, then compile to Word (or any of the free Word emulators) for final editing and publication. Very powerful—I've done picture-laden coffee table books, ghost-written a few other books etc. It can be a bit confusing but there's good support and a number of User Groups where someone is always ranting about Scrivener not performing the way they want—without learning how to use the app. There are three versions, one each for Mac, Win and iOS/iPadOS but none for Android. Stand-alone pricing is $24 for iPadOS, $60 for Mac or Win, $96 for Mac/Win bundle and there are Subscription options as well. They can all work on the same files as long as they are hosted in Dropbox—the free version has enough storage for most users. Scrivener can be made to work with other cloud services but only Dropbox is supported. If not accessing your files from more than one station, the Mac/Win versions work fine as stand-alone. I bought the iPad version in 2016 from the App Store. Scrivener 3 was released in 2017, the last time L&L got any money from me. Nine years since the last paid upgrade works for me.
BIAB 2026 Audiophile Mac
24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia/Tahoe, M1 & M5 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer11, Logic, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScore/Notion/Overture
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Songwriting
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Joined: Jun 2012
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Thanks so much guys. JJJ - here is a 20% off coupon for Master Writter, but only for the 1 or 2 year subscriptions. https://bit.ly/masterwriter20Dave, Ya, I need some tools also. Thanks for the endorsement. Thanks Dan! Hey, do you know if they include both the songwriter edition and the creative writer edition with a single subscription? I have a bucket list item to write a story! I already posted that it’s the same app. You can open MW in either view or both simultaneously per the MasterWriter FAQ. How do I view two versions side by side?
To view two versions side by side, open the versions tab, and click the three dots on a version that is not selected, then click “show.” This will present the two versions side by side. I think you are confused! The FAQ is referring to opening 2 versions of a song, NOT the 2 versions of the program. I have asked MasterWriter directly because I am now an owner of the upgrade but based on what I am seeing so far I don't think they allow use of both versions on a single subscription. Google says you can but every method it suggests to do so fails.
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Songwriting
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I got what I guess is the final word directly from MasterWriter and that is, basically, NO, you do not get access to both versions with a single license! It may not matter much since both are very similar but I'd really prefer access to both interfaces. Below is what they said, The CW and SW versions have the same tools, the differences are negligible. The only notable differences are that the order of dictionaries is slightly different in each and the info page of the songwriter version contains fields related to a song, such as writer/publisher info, key, time signature, length, bpm, etc. Otherwise, the two programs are identical in terms of content and other. Either can really be used to write anything.
If you write songs and are also a creative writer, I would stick with the songwriter version in case the Info page is helpful in tracking information related to your songs. But yes, I can switch you the creative writer version very easily if needed.
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Songwriting
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But if I’m taking notes, I write by hand. Not only do I remember and understand it better afterward, but I also know where on a page to look for something. That's exactly the method I use, too. There are inherited nuances to hand-written notes that definitely add additional meaning to the actual words that were used.
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.
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Songwriting
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,149
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,149 |
Thanks so much guys. JJJ - here is a 20% off coupon for Master Writter, but only for the 1 or 2 year subscriptions. https://bit.ly/masterwriter20Dave, Ya, I need some tools also. Thanks for the endorsement. Thanks Dan! Hey, do you know if they include both the songwriter edition and the creative writer edition with a single subscription? I have a bucket list item to write a story! I already posted that it’s the same app. You can open MW in either view or both simultaneously per the MasterWriter FAQ. How do I view two versions side by side?
To view two versions side by side, open the versions tab, and click the three dots on a version that is not selected, then click “show.” This will present the two versions side by side. I think you are confused! The FAQ is referring to opening 2 versions of a song, NOT the 2 versions of the program. I have asked MasterWriter directly because I am now an owner of the upgrade but based on what I am seeing so far I don't think they allow use of both versions on a single subscription. Google says you can but every method it suggests to do so fails. I think I followed their directions and tutorials exactly and those refer to areas and functions that do not appear to exist. I did stumble on how to integrate the libraries into any word processor and that works. I suspect that Creative Writer version is that with a builtin word processor. That may be better for me. I’m way too busy today but will call them next week and see if I can make better sense of it. I don’t like it when documentation is wrong.
BIAB 2026 Audiophile Mac
24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia/Tahoe, M1 & M5 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer11, Logic, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScore/Notion/Overture
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So I'm currently working on a new song. I generally throw in a bunch of lines just as fillers and then come back and try to figure out what will continue the story line as well as fit the existing rhyme and groove of the song. Kinda like the ham and eggs story about McCartney writing Yesterday.
If I had a co-writer, normally I'd kick it over to them with instructions such as.... Of the 4 lines in this section, I like the first two and the last one. See if you can come up with something else that fits better for line 3. Feel free to rewrite line 4 if necessary but keeping with the rhyme of the first part.
I use AI in that manner. It comes back with 3 or 4 suggestions. Then it asks, should I suggest something more aggressive, more laid back, or gritty? Choosing one of those options provides several more variants for the lines in question.
As is often the case with suggestions from a live co-writer, what actually happens is that one of those lines kinda somewhat fits or works but it causes me to consider something that is different from the suggestion that works even better and for me.
And that is exactly what happened. I'm still in the refining and editing stage with the lyric but that is how I get to a finished lyric. It starts in my head and comes out with a lot of places that require more work. The more work, editing happens and I end up with a final lyric. That is how I use AI in my writing process. It simply suggests and I edit it to my liking.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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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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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
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Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
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Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
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No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
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Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Peter Gannon Talks Band-in-a-Box with zplane
zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!
Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
Check out the full interview here: https://products.zplane.de/blog/peter-gannon-interview-pg-music
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