|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 463
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 463 |
Hello All,
I've worked on a lot of material in 6/8 from midi sources. While it never looked right, it of course did sound right. Now I'm working on the Mexican standard "Guadalajara" to accompany a singer, but the midi file needs some reworking.
I open the midi in BB and with the unsupported time sig of 6/8, the files opens in 4/4 and is almost impossible to edit. Then I tried BB's own 6/8 and similar styles, but they were unusable.
Anybody have any advice in dealing with this?
All help is greatly appreciated.
Percy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
I gave up on that a long time ago. It's a limitation. I treat it like my inability to speak Russian. Just can't be done. In fact it remains the reason my wife and I don't use backing tracks for our Celtic stuff, Robbie Burns nights, St. Paddy's Day stuff etc. The workarounds don't work well, and I just figure we are better to do without.
I treat it like my inability to play Chopin. Not happening. I then use Band in a Box for everything but 6/8, 12/8 etc.
I do have a piece I'm playing now that has 5/4 8/7 ....it's weird. And I don't think one would even try to do that in Band in a Box.
Put it on the wishlist, I've done that pretty much every year.
John Conley
Musica est vita
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,276
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,276 |
Quote:
Put it on the wishlist, I've done that pretty much every year.
Yes, put it on the wishlist. It's been there for eons and likely a lot of regulars are getting tired of putting it on this list each and every year again and again. Hopefully PG Music will not just listen but rather gets its act together on this one ...
Martin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 463
Journeyman
|
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 463 |
Gentlemen,
Thanks for the input.
I ended up importing the melody from the midi into a Celtic-style sgu file and had to cut and paste a lot of the melody to match the corresponding bars, where I manually entered the chords. The Celtic styles are very versatile. I love 'em !
Percy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944 |
There are lots of 6/8 and 12/8 styles in Band-in-a-Box, both using MIDI and RealTracks. The important point is that they are all in 4/4.
Think of a song like 'Color My World' or 'Moonlight Sonata'- some people would consider that 12/8. Others would consider it 4/4. We consider it to be 4/4 (each beat has a triplet feel). And let's say you play Color My World real fast (for fun) -would anyone consider it still to be 12/8, or is just another 4/4 swing tune?
Same with 6/8. A bar of 4/4 is the same as 2 bars of 6/8.
So things should sound fine once you use the 4/4 idea. The notation will be strictly 4/4, and there is no way for BB to show the notation in 12/8 or 6/8. If notation is the issue under discussion here - then I agree - BB has no support for 6/8 or 12/8 notation, and it will show up in 4/4.
Importing the melody from a MIDI file - it might be better to first convert the melody to 4/4 in a sequencer like RealBand. BB is supposed to convert 12/8 melodies to 4/4 automatically when you import from a MIDI file, but if that isn't working, the sequencer coversion might be the best suggestion.
Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021 |
Yes I do a lot of 12/8 tunes and they are fine but I can't read. Looks all the same to me. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 463
Journeyman
|
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 463 |
Peter,
Thanks for looking in on this thread. I've made some progress since earlier today.
I first opened up the 6/8 midi file in PT and the 'Warning- the following time sigs are supported...'
appeared, so I changed the meter to 4/4. When I then opened the midi in BB, the meter was 4/4 and the melody was off by 2 beats even after I saved the file as an mgu. I couldn't get the melody lined up no matter what I did. Even in 2/4.
Next, I opened up the original 6/8 midi in BB, whereupon BB then mapped the 6/8 meter to 4/4. This yielded somewhat better results. I tried cutting and pasting the entire melody, parts of the melody, etc. but it became tedious. The melody just wouldn't line up. But these things sometimes happen with midis.
Then I remembered the 'NUDGE' feature and in a split second moved the entire melody 2 beats back in time and the entire melody lined up perfectly on the desired beats.
Just wanted to let you know. Looking forward to the next version of BB.
Percy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Order now!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,048
Posts799,340
Members40,015
| |
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean