|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 15
Enthusiast
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 15 |
I need to create transposed lead sheets for several musicians in a class. I have entered the chords and Concert pitch melody into biab - found a suitable style & can play the whole song.
I can use the 'options' to transpose for various instruments (Eb / Bb).
What I want to be able to do now is to print those leadsheets off so that I can hand them out in the class - Turn off the melody line & just play the backing to go along with the soloist.
I have tried to use the file > print feature - but it does not allow me to print a single chorus AND the coda (Tag). Biab also wont let me set only 1 chorus (it switches off the Tag if I do that). I also notice that it does not seem to show repeat marks where the chorus wraps around.
So - how do I setup biab to print the intro, 1st chorus and the tag? ... if necessary, I'll use a pen on the printouts to add repeat marks - but I need to get the music back out first.
Regards
Chris
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
I do this all the time, but it's been a while, and it seemed so easy.
I'd contact support with an example you can email back and forth.
John Conley
Musica est vita
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259 |
As you may know, the answers to your questions can be found in Help in fairly good detail. Here's what I do:
If I have trouble with repeats, I just use unfold to one big chorus. It's a choice in the Edit menu.
There's a box right on the main screen where it shows the key. Let's say the concert key is in C and you want a Bb part. Just change the key to D, go to the Notation screen, and click print. You can make some changes in appearance there. I usually put in which part it is in the composer block. When you are done printing, go back to the chords screen and click undo transpose in the edit menu. Just repeat the process for whatever key you need.
I've never tried to print just part of a song, but maybe you could do that by using the Soloist track. Maybe someone else will jump in here for that.
Remember that you are not locked into just one file. You can change the melody and/or soloist and save the song each time you make changes. When you are satisfied that you have what you need, you can go back and delete any extra files.
Stan
Cornet Curmudgeon
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
I have never really looked at this feature so I know nothing about it, but is this a way to play notes in from a keyboard and it will print sheet music??
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Quote:
I have tried to use the file > print feature - but it does not allow me to print a single chorus AND the coda (Tag). Biab also wont let me set only 1 chorus (it switches off the Tag if I do that). I also notice that it does not seem to show repeat marks where the chorus wraps around.
Hi Chris,
I think you need to quit trying to outthink BiaB and just leave the choruses alone. Print Preview is our friend here, I use it all the time to make good and sure I'll print what I want to see before wasting ink and paper.
But at least on my setup, the one Chorus, repeat signs and Tag ending will print if I don't tell the Options to go to 1 chorus or anything like that. It will indeed print as one chorus with repeat signs and Tag.
If it is not, try the Options - Return to Factory Settings as something may have gotten corrupted in the program and is stuck.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 15
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 15 |
Hi Mac,
Thanks - I was using print preview - and 'print to PDF'.
The best that I have managed to do here is set biab to 2 chorus for the piece - and then print leaving the default 'whole song' option set.
This prints out the whole piece - with the melody line shown on the first chorus and the chords only over the second chorus. I didnt see the traditional 'thick bar, thin bar, two dots' repeat marks - just double bar lines and the bar count switching to (2)..... but at least it is all there.
If I select the '1st chorus' option on the print dialog - I dont get the Tag - so that does not help.
Not perfect - but a whole lot quicker & neater than doing it all by hand.
Regards
Chris
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 15
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 15 |
Hi Eddie,
I play Saxophone - so cannot get biab to 'capture' what I play - Have to enter notation manually. However, I have seen a friend do just that - play the piece on a midi connected keyboard, capture it in biab - tweek a few notes around to fix the mistakes - play it to check and then print it out.
Any number that you have captured in biab can be printed out (you only get the notes if you have a melody line).
Regards
Chris
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 175
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 175 |
Chris,
I use BIAB to create leadsheets a lot, but had a lot of frustration early on because there are several variables that have to be set correctly to get the result you need, and the settings are not always where you expect them to be.
My standard layout is:
4 bar introduction
32 bar chorus, played four times
a tag ending
From the Lead Sheet Window I hit the Opt. button, and make sure that "Fadesheet include ending bars" is ticked.
Back at the Lead Sheet Window I hit the Print button, and chose the "Whole Song" radio-button.
I now hit the "OK -Preview/Graphics" button to check how my leadsheet looks, and I tweak the number of staves per page to get if necessary. Sometimes there's a single orphaned stave on a second page, and it's possible to squeeze it all into one page.
I'm not sure how many of these settings are saved with the individual MGU file, and how many with the BIAB settings which persist when BIAB is shut down and re-started.
What would be handy when compiling a library of leadsheets for a band would be a way of automating the production of Concert, Bb and Eb copies (for example), but I haven't worked out a way of doing this (yet?).
If this doesn't work for you, get back to me - I may have missed out an essential step somewhere.
Michael
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 15
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 15 |
Hi Michael,
Thanks for the response,
The problem I have with 'whole song' is that it will print every chorus - which amounts to lots of paper (both to be printed & to be shuffled around stands / lost / mixed up, etc. Many of my pieces are like yours - effectively 'Jazz standards' - 4 bar intro, 32 to 36 bar chorus - where I have the melody over the 1st chorus and then leave all the repeats for solos and a 4 to 8 bar coda / tag at the end (usually coming 2 bars before the end of the chorus. (I just 'processed 4 of these from a real book' - I cannot have been the only person to do this on biab!)
What I would really like to do is
1)Capture my (concert) transposition
2)Print that with the intro, 1st chorus & tag - with repeat marks showing around each chorus and a nice 'coda mark' referencing out to the tag. ... all on one single page
3)Change the option setting to transpose for Tenor and repeat 2 (having made a note that this is Bb)
4)Repeat for Alto Sax
A 'one shot' transpose & print for all would be nice - but I doubt that many would use it & it is useful to be able to enter different text to appear in each print (Bb transposition - for example). I sometimes also need Bass versions for when I get a Bari sax player or Trombone.
As it is - I currently define 2 chorus - and get a 2 page leadsheet (first chorus with melody, second without leading sraight into the coda. I print that out, mark in the correct repeats & coda marks & then scan it to provide me with a 'usable master'
I cant find 'Fadesheet to include ending bars' in any of the options - but have found that unchecking 'Staves per page auto-set' does preserve the number of stages per page between prints & biab sessions (to avoid 1 bar on a second page as you mention). The settings do NOT appear to save with the MGU.
I do realise that biab is essentially an accompaniment / backing system - not a notation system - hence the limit of 255 bars & lack of articulation, etc but I cant justify buying Sibelius or Finale too (let alone have time to learn how to use them).
Regards
Chris
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
Chris, lots of us make typos. It's "Fakesheet" and it will print as Michael described.
But even when you print that correctly it still looks bad in most cases. There's several little tricks some of us use for this. For me the biggest problem with Biab Fakecharts is the 1st/2nd ending lines and numbers and the DS/Coda signs. They are way too small and many times overwrite the chord symbols and therefore look like crap. After spending a lot of time trying to massage the system to fix that it occurred to me I was trying too hard. All we're talking about visually is staff lines with chords on a page. What I came up with is enter the chords not as the song actually is supposed to play but simply how they appear on the page, period. Just look at any one page chart and what do you see visually? 7 or 9 staff lines with chords above them. Just enter those chords in that order and ignore any repeats, symbols or words. Then I print it and simply write in the lines for the 1st/2nd endings, the DS and Coda symbols. With most songs that takes what, 1-2 minutes to enter the chords like that? Then it might take you another 2 minutes to write in those endings and symbols. Stop busting our heads about "fixing" Biab's more complex print functions. Yes, it's clunky and funky looking in many cases but it prints the basic staff lines with the melody and chord symbols great. Time to move on and just get our work done.
This of course requires a separate Biab file just for the chart because the song certainly won't play correctly. It doesn't see a 1st ending or a repeat, it just blows through those changes to the end.
Hope this make sense.
Bob
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 392
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 392 |
Quote:
Chris, lots of us make typos. It's "Fakesheet" and it will print as Michael described.
But even when you print that correctly it still looks bad in most cases. There's several little tricks some of us use for this. For me the biggest problem with Biab Fakecharts is the 1st/2nd ending lines and numbers and the DS/Coda signs. They are way too small and many times overwrite the chord symbols and therefore look like crap. After spending a lot of time trying to massage the system to fix that it occurred to me I was trying too hard. All we're talking about visually is staff lines with chords on a page. What I came up with is enter the chords not as the song actually is supposed to play but simply how they appear on the page, period. Just look at any one page chart and what do you see visually? 7 or 9 staff lines with chords above them. Just enter those chords in that order and ignore any repeats, symbols or words. Then I print it and simply write in the lines for the 1st/2nd endings, the DS and Coda symbols. With most songs that takes what, 1-2 minutes to enter the chords like that? Then it might take you another 2 minutes to write in those endings and symbols. Stop busting our heads about "fixing" Biab's more complex print functions. Yes, it's clunky and funky looking in many cases but it prints the basic staff lines with the melody and chord symbols great. Time to move on and just get our work done.
This of course requires a separate Biab file just for the chart because the song certainly won't play correctly. It doesn't see a 1st ending or a repeat, it just blows through those changes to the end.
Hope this make sense.
Bob
Bob...you make excellent sense. Recently...long after you figured it out...I began to do the exact same thing. Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness and quite obviously BIAB is not intended to be...and clearly isn't...a high end music notation package.
And hey...we all grew up on Real Books and Fake books which are all HAND written anyway so adding hand written elements to what BIAB prints out would only make them look more "familiar."
And yes...I too create "chart versions" of songs which I label as such in the Title. But I delete the "chart version" portion of the title in the printing options before printing them out.
Best,
Jim
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
Here's something else I just learned a couple days ago, I wrote about it here: http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=378322&an=0&page=0#Post378322Look at my post near the end talking about using the Snip tool and a graphics pen to edit a PDF file. Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 15
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 15 |
Bob & Jim,
Yes - many thanks ... I think that I came to the same conclusion overnight.
- Get biab to do the 'hard work' (transposing & printing all the chords / notes legibly) and then add the annotations by hand.
My previous plan of printing 2 chorus didnt work anyway as I was still getting 2 pages when I really only needed 1 & it jumped to the Coda part way through the 2nd chorus.
The most obvious workaround is exactly what you both suggest - now that I have the number captured, make a copy and just have 1 chorus + the coda for printing & annotation purposes
Thanks Again
Chris
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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 amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac 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 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed 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 transcribe 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, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
Holiday Weekend Hours
It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:
Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Don't wait - order today!
Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 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 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,488
Posts805,658
Members40,132
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean