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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 38
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 38 |
Hi,
I am using BIAB 2010.5 under Win7.
I know I can enter chords and build a song but can I enter a melody.
In other words, can I enter the melody notes only?
TIA
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
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You can enter a melody. A melody without chords would be weird. No one would know what to play.
You say 'can I enter the melody notes only'?
That to me is enigmatic.
You enter the chord, this tells the bass player here's your roadmap and the rest of the band uses that to flesh out the arrangement.
There are tutorial videos for all this stuff.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,506
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Hi TIA. There are several ways to enter a melody in BIAB. Among them are, import a MIDI file with the melody, record your own with a MIDI keyboard, record your own with the QWERTY keyboard and edit the pitches, or (my favorite) go into Notation Edit Mode and enter it using the mouse.
The melody will be MIDI and will play along with the backing tracks on whatever hardware or software synth you have selected for your MIDI sounds. You may also enter a counter melody or harmony on the Soloist track. Either can have full harmony or chords along with the melody notes.
You can have just the melody play without any other instruments or backing tracks, if that's what you are asking, by muting those other tracks.
Tell us if any of this appeals to you and we can be more specific on how to do it.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 38
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 38 |
I think you answered my question on the money.
I just purchased BIAB so I'm in a learning mode.
To further discuss your answer, I do not have MIDI.
I think I would require a Synthesizer for MIDI, is that correct?
tim
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,506
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Tim, MIDI is a set of instructions to either a hardware device or a software program that will play those instructions. You "have" BIAB so you have something that generates MIDI.
You can also buy a simple MIDI keyboard to input MIDI melodies. Mine is from M-Audio but there are a bunch to choose from for $100 or so. You do not need a "full synth" like a Korg or Roland or Yamaha keyboard that has its own sounds, but if you buy one, you can also use it for output (playing sounds).
BIAB ships with a few choices of software synth, and even Windows comes with a poor one. PG Music markets a Coyote Forte synth that is good for about $40, and if you have a 32-bit operating system, BIAB ships with a pretty good Roland VSC.
So, we need more info to help you:
What version of Windows do you have? 32 or 64-bit?
What did you select in the Options, Preferences, MIDI driver for Output? Did you check the DXi box?
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Hi northcoast,
In addition to Matt's questions, can I ask, what do you want BIAB to be able do for you? As Matt has already indicated, the more we know the more we can tailor our help to your requirements.
Regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
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Given the HUGE number of band in a box songs one can find on the net, it's often a waste of time entering what someone else did.
And as said, you can import a midi file, analyze the chords, check them against other sources, have the melody show up, and correct the chords. For example, 'Let me call you sweetheart..' I have like 4 versions already. But I could go find a midi version, import the melody, interpret the chords, then go to the net and find the lyrics, paste them in the lyric window, check the chords on a guitar lead sheet against the results I got, add an intro, an ending, and get band in a box to make me 4 part harmony so I can print a lead sheet with chords, (if I get really into it note based lyrics) and the harmonies on the staff so the singers have their parts, put my name beside the arrangement, the beats per minute, the style, the original author and print it on a ten buck piece of paper.
To be honest the sky is the limit.......
One step at a time.
What song are we talking about....
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 238
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 238 |
Northcoast, you can also DISABLE the STYLE so only the melody plays... (Right click on the Stlye Box, and uncheck the item in the drop down menu that says "Style is Enabled"
2008 Gibson ES-339 Custom & 2010 Les Paul Traditional. Fender SCXD Amp
BIAB/RB 2015 UltraPAK + Ketron SD2
Windows 7/64 Intel i5 3550 PC, Tascam USB144MKII
Behringer X1204 Mixer
Bose Companion 3 and/or L1 II w/T1 + SM58 MIC
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 38
Enthusiast
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OP
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Wow...Great responses thanks to all...
I am running a 32 bit Win 7 and BIAB 2010.5 MegaPak.
I have a lot to learn and I guess I should start by understanding just what MIDI is and how i can use it.
I was under the impression that MIDI required a hardware device.
Let me play a little more and I will be back with more questions at another time...
TIA tim
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,506
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Whenever you're ready, Tim.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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