Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 803
B
bowlesj Offline OP
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
B
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 803
Hi,

I did a lot of searches and could not find this. Is there a way to play a melody only once. In other words, if I have the song set up with the "loop entire song" checked and I have the chorus repeating 3 times I want the melody to only play during 1 chorus.

Thanks,
John

Last edited by bowlesj; 04/13/13 06:58 AM.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,509
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,509
You could try pressing F5 on the last measure and Mute the Melody track.


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: Jul 2012
Posts: 803
B
bowlesj Offline OP
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
B
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 803
Hi Matt,

I will give it a try now.

Thanks
John


John Bowles
My playing in my 20s:
https://www.reverbnation.com/johnbowles
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,509
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,509
If the melody has to sound until the very end of the song, add a one beat measure and do as above.


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: Jul 2012
Posts: 803
B
bowlesj Offline OP
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
B
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 803
Thanks Matt,

It is interesting. I have a BIAB song I added a melody to after I put the chords in and it does this (melody only the first time through) automatically. When I press F5 I get a page that has a lot of properties but nothing I can see to restrict it to once through. It also has "play it on all choruses" set. The other thing is to mute the melody I usually right click on the melody menu item that shows all the time then click mute at the very top. F5 gives me a totally different menu than this right click. Neither menu has any mention of playing the melody one time (the closest is that "chorus" drop down I mentioned. In total I have 2 songs that play the melody only once and one song that plays the melody all the time. It seems like a mystery.

I the end I think I should just forget it and mute the melody all the time and use the printout of the melody (the one created by BIAB) to play it. I am finding it better anyway since I find trying to read the melody and listen to it at the same time screws up my sight reading anyway (very recent realization).

So I guess I solved it by changing strategy. Still it is an interesting issue.

I wish there was a way to default this forum to always send an email when someone replies. I almost forget to check back and I would not have seen your second response. I am in the habit of going to email but not to all the forums I at times go to.

John


John Bowles
My playing in my 20s:
https://www.reverbnation.com/johnbowles
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 53
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 53
John, try, clicking on 'melody', top line of your screen. from the menu select 'edit menu 'from the list select 'kill melody chorus' option are 1st, middle and last. You might have to do this twice, Once for each chorus..

Chris..


Dell Optiplex i3 quad core,8gb mem,500gb
nvidia gtx750graphics,
Win10
ESI studio monitors
Presonus AudioBox iOne interface
Presonus Studio One 3
BiaB2014
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,897
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,897
John,

Matt was absolutely correct in referring you to F5. This is the solution to your issue. Go back and look at the options in the menu again. The asnwer is there. F5 tells who to play, what to play and when to play for each instrument track throughout the entire song.

There are videos available in the Help section on how to use F5. It is one of the most powerful features of BIAB for arranging.


BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,509
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,509
For the F5 Mute options, I'm assuming a fairly recent version of BIAB here, since we don't know what version you have, John.

As far as the melody competing with you, just lower its volume substantially. Then you can use it as a prompt, not competition. I do this when I prepare play-along backing for performance. I can hear an entrance, even if the audience cannot quite pick it up, and then my playing covers it.


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: Jul 2012
Posts: 803
B
bowlesj Offline OP
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
B
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 803
Hi guys,

I got it to mute on the 2nd and 3rd chorus using both methods actually. For the F5 method I went to Instrument changes and went down to the Melody and selected Mute (while it said 2nd chorus at the top). Of interest I tried resetting it to normal after the F5 method and it does not come back properly. I reset it and it lost the first two bars of melody so maybe that is a bug. I had not saved the song so it is not a problem.

In the songs I mentioned above in the first post, I was wrong about the melody playing only on the first chorus of the first repeat. I went back and checked and it turns out that it plays on the first chorus of all repeats exactly matching what you guys have indicated.

So I guess it is solved.

As far as my finally realizing I prefer to play the melody from the printed lead sheet without the melody playing it BIAB at the same time, there are two reasons. 1/ I find it plays it a bit different in a few spots and 2/ I will be live jamming soon (using BIAB to prepare) so I may as well get use to reading the printed sheet now rather than having to deal with that when we jam. I have decided I am better off not memorizing the songs. I seem to be pretty good at keeping my eyes on the sheet and doing all the parts (melody, comping, rhythm and improvising). Maybe that is because I have been using lead sheets since age 13 when I first started playing the guitar and it seems much like walking to me.

Thanks again,
John


John Bowles
My playing in my 20s:
https://www.reverbnation.com/johnbowles
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
Topics86,076
Posts799,791
Members40,028
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
Newest Members
AurealiusB, sam31985, jyotish karan, bububz, Ramon C.
40,028 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 142
DC Ron 101
rsdean 95
WaoBand 76
DrDan 69
Today's Birthdays
CloClo, Richcloud
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5