Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 90
W
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
W
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 90
I am trying to put in a tune that has a coda. I have tried putting it in as an 1st ending. I realize that BIAB (2008.5) automatically makes two bar endings. I however habve gone into Options, Preference, Arrange and checked "allow any endings". I'd like my ending to be 8 bars so i set the Edit Repeats and Endings dialog from 2 to 8 but it always goes back to 2. Perhaps I need to use a coda instead. Is there any tuturial on how to use a coda?

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Band in a Box calls it a "Tag" -- BB often uses pro session terminology that once may have been slang, but has become part of the compendium through usage. "Coda" is from classical musics, and means the same thing.

From the BB FAQs page for BB 2008:

Quote:

30. How do I use tag endings? Why does the 'tag exists' box sometimes become unchecked automatically?

In Band-in-a-Box, a tag is a group of bars played after the final chorus of a song. You can find tag settings under Edit | Settings (for this song). Set the 'Tag exists' field to Yes and then choose the tag starting and ending bars. If you have "Generate 2 bar ending" selected, the ending will play automatically after the tag.

Note that the tag will only work if there is more than one chorus. If you placed a checkmark in the 'tag exists' box in the song settings dialog, and it became unchecked, this means that your song is set to have only one chorus. In this case a tag is irrelevant because it would simply be the last bars in your chorus.


Rightclick on the bar where you want to jump to the Coda or Tag, then select Song Settings.

Note the Tag Exists area near the bottom of the Song Settings window, fill it out to suit.


--Mac

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,664
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,664
While I do understand that this can be done in the software, I, on the other hand prefer to unfold the chorus into one big chorus as BB calls it....

I simply copy the ending measures in a chorus and paste it on the end making any needed edits to make it work.

That's how I do tags. I can opt for one, two, or more tags into the ending.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 90
W
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
W
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 90
Thanks guys. But how do I get rid of the coda that I added already? I don't see a remove coda button?

Here is what I am seeing:

http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r676/richb201/endingissue_zpsded7d3ae.jpg

How do I get rid of the red bars, the red 1's, the red word end?

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 794
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 794
Originally Posted By: Guitarhacker
While I do understand that this can be done in the software, I, on the other hand prefer to unfold the chorus into one big chorus as BB calls it....

I simply copy the ending measures in a chorus and paste it on the end making any needed edits to make it work.

That's how I do tags. I can opt for one, two, or more tags into the ending.


+1 for this method. For any songs with anything more than a simple tag end, one big chorus is the way to go. Far more flexible when it comes to parts and variations also.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 463
P
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
P
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 463
WW,

If you right-click the bar in question, in the drop-down list is Repeats/Codas etc.

Left-click and this brings up all your options and a Help button.


HTH.

Percy

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,664
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,664
Try my method to "clean up" the song.

Unfold the chorus and it will display exactly like it plays.... then edit it accordingly.

All that stuff about tags and repeats and such was too complicated to deal with for me when I first started using BB to write my tunes..... to simplify the process, I started unfolding everything and that is one of the first things I do now on a new song.

When writing, I need the muse to flow and trying to figure out how to do this or that was blocking that muse......

Unfold.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,780
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,780
I'm not sure that I agree that unfolding is the correct answer. I rarely unfold.

It seems that multiple choruses, tags, intro's etc are there for a reason and ought to be able to be used properly and effectively. If there is a problem with those functions, then they need to be sorted out, rather than just making a song that is supposed to have multiple repeat choruses not actually using those repeats to make it play correctly.

Unfolding it not how I would approach resolving it. To each their own, though.

Just sayin'

Regards

VideoTrack


BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,664
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,664
Sometimes, it's just too complicated for me to even try to use the musical "road maps" to notate where a song is to go next.

V V C V C B C TT.... to me that is easier done unfolded. It's a simple matter of copying and pasting the parts and I know it goes where it's supposed to go.


I'm not knocking or putting down those who do use the "proper road maps" in their music. Heck, as a music student learning piano, I certainly learned to read the signs.... ||:repeat:||, DC al Coda, coda, etc....

Now days, I take the path of least resistance.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,780
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,780
Originally Posted By: Guitarhacker
Sometimes, it's just too complicated for me to even try to use the musical "road maps" to notate where a song is to go next.

V V C V C B C TT.... to me that is easier done unfolded. It's a simple matter of copying and pasting the parts and I know it goes where it's supposed to go.


I'm not knocking or putting down those who do use the "proper road maps" in their music. Heck, as a music student learning piano, I certainly learned to read the signs.... ||:repeat:||, DC al Coda, coda, etc....

Now days, I take the path of least resistance.


Good comment Herb, yep, I can see your point. I too trained classically, music theory, scales, exams, Dal Segno's, DemiSemiQuavers, Arpeggios, Appoggiatura's (I hope I can remember the spelling), the lot. Yes, the full-blown way perhaps wasn't nearly as much fun...

Cheers

VideoTrack


BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Depends on what I need to accomplish here.

It is good to have options.

Whether using the "Unfold to one long song" (;durchkompniert)or the choruses, it is the end performance that really counts.

For those who must have a printed LeadSheet that makes sense, though, it is best to learn how to properly use the Choruses, Tag, etc. in order to be able to print a LeadSheet that the other musicians won't balk about (and understandably so).

In the real world of Music Theory, there is no such thing as a "Verse and a Chorus" as being separate. Those are terms used to describe Lyrics, not music. In actuality, the Verse AND the Chorus represents only a Chorus, musically speaking.


--Mac

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 647
D
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
D
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 647
I find that it is best to build the song "unfolded". This means setting the number of choruses to 1, and intially seeting the number of bars to 200 or so. The actual number isn't important as you can fix it later.

The next thing is to determine where the song starts - this is often bar 5, but not always. Then where does the first ending start, and how long is it. This information all goes into the drop-down list is Repeats/Codas etc.

You might also find that you can use repeats, rather than endings.

The thing to remember is that this as a PRINT function and does not affect the flow of the song. BIAB plays the unfolded song, whether you have the repeats or endings correct or not.

The DS-Coda works if you want to jump from somewhere in the song to get to a specific set of bars at the end. (remember in the unfolded song, the coda will always be at the end)

If the coda is really just a different ending, you don't need a DS-Coda at all. I also often have the song just drop through the last ending (or repeat) to add the final bars that I need.

For the most part, it does work if you remember all of the fake book stuff is just a print function. BIAB plays the bars in a linear manner, and not based on your 'printed' presentation.


BIAB for Windows Version 2019 (643)
Windows 10 (1909)
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 392
A
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
A
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 392
@MAC..."In the real world of Music Theory, there is no such thing as a "Verse and a Chorus" as being separate. Those are terms used to describe Lyrics, not music. In actuality, the Verse AND the Chorus represents only a Chorus, musically speaking."

With great respect Mac, I can't agree with you on the above.

"Verses" and/or "Choruses" may or may not have lyrics. Instrumentals of course, have no lyrics at all so if those sections only related to lyrics, there would be no such thing as instrumental music.

And learned musicians in the jazz and "pop" worlds use "verse" "chorus" terms differently and yet quite correctly for their respective versions of music.

So, there really isn't ONE correct definition of those terms in theory. It depends on the genre.

I also hold that versus and choruses of the MUSIC have, by definition, a quite different character musically and to the ear...are quite distinguishable...as would be the "bridge" or "middle 8" as bridges are sometimes called.

Just to go one step further to say that "lyrics"...which aren't "music"...but rather are poetic...have stanzas not versus or choruses.

All the above is why single composers are properly cited as "Words and Music by...." While co-composers are "Words by X and Music by Y".

Having said all THAT...it is nevertheless true that co-authors of a composition have an undivided interest in the copyright to BOTH the words and music regardless.

Best,
Jim

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Well, Jim, we have and use as living language and as such, these types of definitions are subject to the changes that become inevitable. Nothing wrong with that.

The point I waa trying to get across, however, is that still today in Universities and other Music Schools, for the most part, the old nomenclature that came out of Germany some two or more centuries ago, is the terminology taught.

And there is likely very good reason for that, but as you say, those who view it differently are able to perceive - and use - terminologies that they like better.

Consider the word, "verse" - which connotes the written word and not a musical passage that has no lyrics or words to it.

I have yet to run across a musical composition form that defies being laid out in the Classical Chorus method or the Durchkomponeirt (One Long Song) method.

But sometimes it takes a bit of study of the particular song in order to figure out exactly what constitutes the repeated Chorus, musically, not lyrically, speaking.

Nuthin' wrong with either method.

After all, it is what it sounds like when its done that is the goal, not the methodology.

"Git-R-Done!"


--Mac

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 392
A
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
A
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 392
Agreed!

Best,

Jim

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
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe

This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®

With your version 2026 for Windows 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)
  • Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)

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 PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Video: New User Interface (GUI)

Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!

Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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 10 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.

Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!

Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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.

Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!

Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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 10 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.

Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!

Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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.

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics85,301
Posts790,748
Members39,855
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
gim77, StratMan1965, CPIA2002, janhardo, Minstrel
39,855 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
jpettit 322
MarioD 222
DrDan 211
Noel96 161
DC Ron 146
Rob Helms 127
Today's Birthdays
Country Fever, EddieP.Morrison, Mariothegreat
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5