Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 120
Harpo Offline OP
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 120
Hi All

I haven't been here for a while and it's nice to be back!
I've been looking at the progress BIAB has made in the last 3 or 4 years, and I'm impressed!
I'll be ordering BIAB 2011 very soon!

I have a question about entering chords for an odd number of bars and getting BIAB to still play as if the following measure was the "first" bar.

The tune I'm referring to is very popular "What"s Going On", by Marvin Gaye.

The "B" Section of this tune is 10 bars long which causes the backing BIAB tracks to not play as if it's at the "beginning" upon entering the 12 Bar "C' Section.

At this point I'm 2 Bars behind the 1st measure when I approach the beginning of the song!

There must be a way to edit 2 bars out of the backing track so that when I come out of the "B" Section I'm still hearing the backround playing as if I'm at the first measure of the "C" Section.

Can anyone give me some direction on this one??


Thanks


Harpo


It's not what you're "Playing", It's what you're "Saying"!
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
I'm not following what you're describing. Try again.


John
ESI Gigaport HD+
Lenovo Turion II /4 Gig Ram/ Win7x64 be
15.6" Monitor
"The only Band is a Real Band"
www.wintertexaninfo.com/BANDS/JohnnyD.php
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 120
Harpo Offline OP
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 120
Do you know the song??

It's the classic Marvin Gaye tune, "What's Going On"

The B Section is only 10 measures long (as opposed to 12, or 16 or 4 for that matter). Since it's an odd number of bars is therre a way to get BIAB to understand this so when I get to the next section BIAB is playing as if it's on the first measure and not the 3rd measure (1st measure- 2nd- 3rd- 4th - 1st- 2nd- 3rd- 4th 1st- 2nd- now 1st 2nd 3rd 4th etc.)

Sorry this is kind of hard to discribe if you don't know the song I guess, maybe??

Harpo


It's not what you're "Playing", It's what you're "Saying"!
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,513
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,513
I've heard the song but I'm also not clear on what you are asking.

I think what you might be looking for is a part marker. Click on the measure number of the measure after your 10-bar section. That will place a part marker. Left-click once for blue, twice for green. A part marker causes a drum fill, and, as of about a year ago, a line break on the screen. Also a double-bar on the printed score.

If that's not it, please try again.


BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
OK I think I know what your after. The same as Matt stated you need part markers however you would be best to do this song as one big "chorus" chorus being a misnomer for pop songs the way PG uses it. Set the box at the top to just 1 chorus & the number of bars to anything more then what the song is. Enter your chords and for the different sections add the part marker. Typically BLUE for verses & GREEN for CHORUSES & SOLOS & INTROS etc.When the song is roughed out reset the number of bars to the actual number of bars.This should get you in the ball park.


John
ESI Gigaport HD+
Lenovo Turion II /4 Gig Ram/ Win7x64 be
15.6" Monitor
"The only Band is a Real Band"
www.wintertexaninfo.com/BANDS/JohnnyD.php
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 120
Harpo Offline OP
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 120
After thinking about this for awhile I think I might be able to be more clear by asking another question.

I first, however, want to thank you for your patience.

BIAB usually plays 4, 8 or 16 bar backround based patterns, correct?? (maybe this is where I'm having misconceptions)

Now, since this section is an odd number of bars (10) wouldn't this cause BIAB to be 2 bars behind when approaching the C Section of this song??

Hope this explains better

Harpo


It's not what you're "Playing", It's what you're "Saying"!
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 120
Harpo Offline OP
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 120
Okay Guys, I'll try that now.

Thank you both ahead of time!!

Harpo


It's not what you're "Playing", It's what you're "Saying"!
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,513
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,513
If it's MIDI styles, I believe there is no problem with sections of any measure count.

If it's RealTracks, those are made of recorded phrases that can be of several different lengths. I know it has been stated that some are two bars long, some four, and some eight, which would indicate that there should be no problem doing a 10-measure long section.

In addition, although I don't remember if a RealTrack phrase can be as short as one bar, it seems to work well enough when I do sections with an odd number of bars.

So - just go ahead and try it; it should work fine.

By the way, in my next concert, I will be playing Serrado by the Brazilian composer Djavan, and that song has several 10-bar sections.

Last edited by Matt Finley; 03/05/11 04:58 PM.

BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944
Whenever you put a part marker in there, BB "starts counting" again, so it will play songs with odd-number of bars in sections OK. For example, a 7 bar section followed by a 8 bar section would be fine.


Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 120
Harpo Offline OP
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 120
Thanks everyone!

All your suggestions were relevant.

I haven't been using BIAB in a while, so I'm not as up to speed as I should be in regards to the specific features and ways BIAB works in certain circumstances.

This works fine!

Thanks again!!

Harpo


It's not what you're "Playing", It's what you're "Saying"!
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!

If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.

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!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,086
Posts799,999
Members40,031
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
Newest Members
misoprostol, roshan2121, Din, AurealiusB, sam31985
40,031 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 153
DC Ron 95
rsdean 92
WaoBand 86
DrDan 70
Today's Birthdays
CeeDee, SethMould
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5