|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 647
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 647 |
I can't tell from the announcemnt if PG Music has made any changes to the notation portion of BIAB.
There have been many posts about this outdated part of the program, which essentially hasn't had any changes since Fake Book was introduced which was probably 10 years ago.
I am not talking about colour coding bar changes, or adding '/'. I am talking about things like the length of a printed bar being dependent on the number of notes, or the number and length of the lyrics. Or perhaps an interface to a piece of notation software (Music XML).
It's nice to see more Real Tracks, Real Drums and other stuff. And I am happy to see a new GUI, but it looks like, for another year, the notation has been left behind again.
Please tell me I am wrong
BIAB for Windows Version 2019 (643)
Windows 10 (1909)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,199
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,199 |
Dave,
As far as I can see, there are no noticeable changes to the notation side of things. Because of the introduction of the vocaloid, Sinsy, there has been a limited introduction of XML. (Matt Finley mentioned this in another thread.) That bodes well for the future.
When I need to have more sophisticated scores than BIAB can produce, I use MuseScore (freeware). It's excellent! Have you ever tried it?
Regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 479
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 479 |
The upper half of the main screen and the chord sheet has been given a face lift and reorganized - much for the better. Beyond that it appears there are no changes in the menu system or any other windows or dialogs - except to accommodate 2014 changes.
kelso
Dell Desktop XPS 8100 W10 HomePrem/64 / Core i5 760 (quad, 2.8GHz) / 8GB DDR3 / 1 TB SATA / ViewSonic VG2428wm / EMU1616 PCI / Event ASP6 Active Monitors / BIAB 2019 64 bit (609) / Cakewalk
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 647
Journeyman
|
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 647 |
I tried MuseScore but wasn't too impressed - i guess you get what you pay for.
I was kinda hoping PG Music would provide an interface to Printmusic (from Finale, I think) since they mention it in their 3rd party software. I would gladly pay the $100 for a full notation product if the interface was clean and transparent.
It needs to carry over chord letters, melody (or soloist),lyrics, and hopefully the structure of the notation, such as repeats, DSalCoda, etc. There is no need to transfer any of the generated music.
ah well, maybe next time
BIAB for Windows Version 2019 (643)
Windows 10 (1909)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,337
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,337 |
Yes, we can continue to encourage development in this area. As Noel mentioned, BIAB does now have a limited Music XML output, to the Sinsy online vocal synth. Surprisingly, MuseScore did a better job interpreting the XML from BIAB than did Sibelius. My experiments in several other programs have shown that Music XML files are not always generated nor interpreted correctly, so implementing this is more difficult than first appears.
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; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,015
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,015 |
I think there are two main questions when implementing MusicXML output: layout and playback. When creating MusicXML, you can specify exact details of music layout, or leave that up to the rendering program to determine. The results will depend on how well the rendering program renders by default, or how much it honors the layout. The downside is that how well the rendering program interprets "raw" MusicXML is a crapshoot, which is what Matt is probably seeing. Hey, they can't all be Lilypond. And although BiaB does a pretty good job "humanizing" the playback, not including that information wouldn't be a great loss for me, either. It would certainly be nice to have, but for playback - that's what MIDI is for.
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
I tried MuseScore but wasn't too impressed - i guess you get what you pay for.
That may have been some time ago. If it was, I recommend downloading the latest version of MuseScore and trying it out again. While BB doesn't send Music XML, MuseScore can open any BB file complete with the chords. I also use Sibelius for notation, but keep MuseScore handy as well, just for that purpose and a few other things from time to time. Band in a Box file, open in MuseScore, export as XML. Click here to see how easy it is. And Git-R-Done. --Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,337
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,337 |
David, thanks for the link to Lilypond.
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; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
What a Music Sheet looks like and actual playback of music are actually two entirely different things.
It is the Human Abilities Factor. coupled firmly with the rulesets of written note interpretation, which can take years to learn, actually, that enables us to see a string of 8th notes and interpret how they really should be played, nuanced, timing, feel, etc.
Music Notation by itself simply does not contain that kind of information.
Which is why the computer, when handed the same data, will often play back something that sounds, well, not human.
I use the MIDI playback capabilities inside my Notation Softwares simply for doublechecking that there aren't any clams or other mistakes. Saves ink and paper.
Its not there to entertain me.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 647
Journeyman
|
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 647 |
I agree. However, I need a good quality fakebook representation. I only use the base and drums under normal conditions to play against, but sometimes it's nice to audition a new style against one of your favourite song. This is the strength of BIAB. You provide a melody and a set of chords and you get MUSIC. Change the style and things change, usually for the better.
However, the same music notation is the basis for all of the versions.
BIAB's notation provides a workable notation. It is pretty simple compared to other software packages, which is why, I am sure that you use Sibelius. It simply provides a better representation of the notes.
I really don't want to invest in another piece of software, and I certainly don't want to keep multiple copies of a piece of music. I would like to have BIAB either print the music, or be able to transfer it seamlessly to a product that can do a better job.
BIAB for Windows Version 2019 (643)
Windows 10 (1909)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,199
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,199 |
Hi Dave, I really like MuseScore. It just takes a little getting used to because it's different. If you're curious, below is a leadsheet for a song I wrote. link to "Dancing And Dreaming" leadsheetAlso, there are some great tutorials on Youtube to show you how it works. The one below is the first of "MuseScore in 10 easy steps" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEbs0cii4VYAll the best, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,015
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,015 |
What a Music Sheet looks like and actual playback of music are actually two entirely different things. I guess I wasn't being clear - I was referring to MusicXML, and how completely BiaB may (or may not) implement it. MusicXML supports multiple levels of information. At the basic level, you've got something resembling an event list of notes. This can also include very detailed layout information, such as page layout, element positioning, and so on. The rendering program doesn't have to honor that information, but it should. Additionally, there's an optional playback information - essentially MIDI information. So visual representation and playback don't have to match, which is exactly the point you were making. This is a capability built into MusicXML. So what I was trying to get to was that while it would be great if BiaB were to implement as much of the MusicXML standard as possible, even a minimal implementation of MusicXML (without layout and playback information) would be great. Having said that, I think you'll grant that other people might find value in having their notation programs play back music notation accurately as possible. While this will always be less optimal than a good human performance, the sad reality is that not all of us are good performers. For some of us, a performance by the computer is going to be the only one we'll get for our compositions.
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,015
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,015 |
David, thanks for the link to Lilypond. Matt, you're welcome. Lilypond is a very interesting bit of software. The Lilypond coders don't just want to get it right, they want it to be beautiful as well. And they do an amazingly good job. You might have a look at Frescobaldi, which is probably the best of the Lilypond editors (for those mere mortals who prefer not to use vi  ).
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,770
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,770 |
You might have a look at Frescobaldi, which is probably the best of the Lilypond editors (for those mere mortals who prefer not to use vi ). eh? If I remember correctly, that stands for Virtually Impossible. Don't remind me...
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 2005
Posts: 2,608
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,608 |
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,337
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,337 |
If anyone wants to see what BIAB does do with Music XML, follow these steps:
1. Have a song with a melody.
2. Go to Notation Mode
3. Click on the button, Vocal Synth
4. Look in the folder indicated in the message for:
X:/bb/Data/SRequest/Sound.XML
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; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 60 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until December 31, 2025. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49. Browse the full contents of each package and listen to demos here.
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: 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.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 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.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,286
Posts790,580
Members39,854
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean