Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 603
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 603 |
I idly looked into the free notation program MuseScore, since it makes decent scores, and its users sound pleased. Turns out the current version will not only dig melodies out of BiaB files, but it will also fetch the chords! Transcribing a MIDI melody is easy, but getting the chords has been elusive.
It took PGMusic 15 years to get around to adding limited window-size scaling. Instead of waiting for them to get interested in providing Music XML support at a speed like that, we might learn to use this to get nicer leadsheets.
Is anybody else using MuseScore this way? Any tips?
Last edited by allis; 03/27/11 12:26 PM.
Larry ______
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,607
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,607 |
Nice to know that, thanx. Just tried it. Looks good. Later, Ray
Asus Q500A i7 Win 10 64 bit 8GB ram 750 HD 15.5" touch screen, BIAB 2017, Casio PX 5s, Xw P1, Center Point Stereo SS V3 and EWI 4000s.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,059
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,059 |
Yes, I tried it too. I see a lot of possibility here. Of course, without reading the manual, I ran into a few problems, like double-bars every part marker, and some chord names that ran into each other or appeared on the wrong staff after apparently wrapping around. It totally mistook quarter note triplets where the first note was a rest. But it is nice that this program understands the BIAB native file format, especially the chords.
Thanks for finding this, Larry. I did not see BIAB mentioned on their website, so how did you know it would work?
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; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 603
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 603 |
Hi, Ray and Matt.
I only noticed BiaB files mentioned in File|Open. Apparently the publisher is not advertising the feature, and I suspect perhaps we're not supposed to pay much attention to it yet. That same menu also lists SMF, Overture files, Capella, and some others.
I found the same unruly stuff Matt did.
The melody line shifting between two different treble-clef staves is a bit creepy. I am sorry to hear it confirmed. The idea of melody wrapping around its own saddle horn and popping out The Other Side in some Stephen Hawking maneuver may be the explanation, after all. Maybe it clears up when you peel down to a single leadsheet staff, once there's no wrong place left for it to stagger off to.
Double bars at the Style Markers are actually likable, if you're expecting them; that can be turned to account to denote song sections clearly. It is less handy if you have added many extra markers for kickers. BiaB does it, if you set the option
In a stock state, MuseScore was touchy and literal-minded about timing, which had to be miserably near nominal. It notates too many rests. A first-beat note pulled by a normalish amount yields a holdover from the previous measure. It mostly failed to handle mild eighth-note swing -- all sorts of 16th notes end up in the beams.
The mess all this makes is especially noticeable considering BiaB had already interpreted the same MIDI data in a musical, sane way. I hope that familiarity will enable some leeway dialed into MuseScore by the user to average things out more humanely.
It's free software, so we mustn't rely on changes from the publisher. But boy, don't those chords look good? That's an achievement, that right there
Larry ______
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,059
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,059 |
Actually I did not have any trouble with the melody (except the triplets); it was some chord symbols that admittedly are close to each other in BIAB that ran together in MuseScore, or one got bumped to the beginning of the next staff. To be fair, the chords in MuseScore looked better than in my BIAB chordsheet, even before adjusting the spacing, because BIAB uses a smaller font for long, complex chords. Yes, I'm not complaining about the part markers; I like double bars for sections. If PG Music could implement the Wishlist feature suggested by Ian, Jford and others to differentiate part markers from fills, it would work better. Read more here: http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/showflat.p...true#Post277811My next experiment will be to try exporting from MuseScore into other notation programs that I know better. I don't care how convoluted that sounds; it sure beats re-entering the chords. And, maybe PG Music could partner up with these folks.
Last edited by Matt Finley; 03/28/11 06:38 AM.
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; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 603
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 603 |
Quote:
My next experiment will be to try exporting from MuseScore into other notation programs that I know better. I don't care how convoluted that sounds; it sure beats re-entering the chords.
Agreed! The extra step need not add much effort, anyway, especially for the three or four leadsheets a week I make. These programs slurp up files instantly; re-import is likely faster than learning a new way of editing.
Users claim MuseScore is easy to learn, but I don't think they grasp how dumb I am.
PS EDIT:
Import into MScore is sometimes unable to handle repeats at all -- it may bail out and stop converting after the first ending. In other tunes, it transcribes the whole piece pretty nicely with complicated repeats, but always in an "unfolded" form.
It oddly prints the Time and Key signatures on a separate line at the end.
It sometimes leaves out notes in the pieces I've tried.
So the process will not be automatic, and there's plainly going to be a fair amount of editing to do somewhere. That's not a shock.
I haven't seen again the bad note timing I originally complained of. I may have arbitrarily grabbed a sloppy melody for the first go. The notes actually look pretty good, including most triplets. There's never many notes missing; at their worst, they could be moused in quickly.
Last edited by allis; 03/28/11 01:19 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 603
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 603 |
Got bad results using Overture 4 (the only capable program I have) to open XML exported from MuseScore.
Notes and staves were successful -- they transfer EXACTLY as they appeared in the original, but no chords survived the trip. Sad surprise. I tried this with tunes converted from BiaB files, and also some from native MScore sheets. In no case did chords come through.
So MScore may need more work, unless I am doing it wrong. Or perhaps Overture is flunking the course. MScore BiaB import is clearly labeled "Experimental" in its menu, so they know they are not done with that.
--------------------- Larry ______
Larry ______
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!
Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
- Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
- Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
- Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
- Playable RealTracks Set 4
- RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
- SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
- 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
- Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
- Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
- RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
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.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
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.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
Join the conversation on our forum.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums58
Topics84,405
Posts778,786
Members39,649
|
Most Online25,754 Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|