Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#277148 12/30/14 06:32 AM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 84
S
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
S
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 84
Is it just me, or is there a lack of 6/8 pop styles? (Or maybe there isn't much demand; I'm not sure.)

I have BIAB 2015 with all the styles, and I'd like to put together a nice 6/8 pop ballad using RealTracks, if possible.

If I use the filter and select the 6/8 time signature, I get a whole mess of 4/4 styles with either 1/8 or 1/16 note resolution. Not sure what that's about.

If I add in the text 6/8 to the filter, I get a good handful of Midi-based styles, mostly Bossa, country and "world" music.

Are there any 6/8 real styles that I'm missing? And has anyone else had a string of "false positives" from the filter?

Merci.

John

SmoothJohn #277161 12/30/14 07:10 AM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,097
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,097
Hi John,

Styles meant to be in any time signature except for 4/4 or 3/4 seem to be oddball and not handled in a consistent manner. I think the inconsistency may be due to multiple factors such as increasing program capability, who programmed the style, what set was the style packaged with originally and so on.

Read the long description for some of the other styles you mentioned and you will likely see the word "feel" in the description to indicate the style is an attempt to achieve a feel different than the settings imply.


Jim Fogle - 2026 BiaB (Build 1249) RB (Build 10) - Ultra+ PAK
DAWs: Cakewalk Sonar - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8
Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD
Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
SmoothJohn #277171 12/30/14 08:02 AM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7,258
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7,258
6/8 in any genre would be welcome. Yeah we have a Cape Breton style but the piano is way too busy to be able to use it. The Bodran is ok but personally I don't like them, and far prefer a good snare drum.
I've been screaming for a good 6/8 for years. Maybe one day.....

furry #277181 12/30/14 08:58 AM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 8
J
Newbie
Offline
Newbie
J
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 8
It is hard to knock BIAB 'cos it does so many wonderful things, but I have always thought that it would be great, if when you chose a 3/4 style the Chord Window broke into 3 (6 with Chord Settings.

You can't use the 6/8 notation in the Lead Sheet for someone to learn a tune. 4/4 with 4 x 1/8 triplets is confusing (never mind 9/8) - especially as Celtic is read as normal but played in cut-time, e.g. twice the speed for the lead but as read for the backing.

SmoothJohn #277182 12/30/14 09:00 AM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,683
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,683
John, perhaps this will help. As I understand it, BIAB directly supports only time signatures of 4/4 or 3/4. You can also use either of these but have fewer beats in the measure, to get 2/4 for example by ignoring anything in the right-hand half of the 4/4 cell. Anything else requires some adaptation. 6/8 may have a 3/4 feel to it (two bars of 3/4), or a 12/8 more even feel (which could be written as 4 eighth-note triplets in 4/4 time, making one measure feel like two bars of 6/8). That's why the filter gives results that you may think make no sense.

Of course, from the Wishlist, it would be nice to have BIAB support other time signatures directly.



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; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
SmoothJohn #277183 12/30/14 09:03 AM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,335
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,335
Originally Posted By: SmoothJohn
Is it just me, or is there a lack of 6/8 pop styles?


When I received 2012.5 as a gift I was also looking deeply for a simple 6/8 time signature for a friend of mine's tune.
I had no luck either and also posted a similar thread some time ago.
I also tried putzing with a few 3/4 time sigs with tempo manipulation and still didn't come up with what I wanted.

I'm on 2015 UltrPak now (as of 3 weeks ago) so I may revisit another search.

As a side note: I sure like the upgrade to the UltrPak and I can have some cool sax tracks on my song writing drivel even though I'm still getting familiar with the depth of the program.

Carry on....

Last edited by chulaivet1966; 12/30/14 09:22 AM.
SmoothJohn #277200 12/30/14 11:50 AM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,677
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,677
John,

To find what is available in 6/8, there is a special category listed in the "Category" window (within Style Picker).



Regards,
Noel


MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2026
SmoothJohn #277250 12/30/14 06:04 PM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 84
S
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
S
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 84
Thank you for the comments and suggestions. Thanks, Noel for the note on the quicker search. I don't think it turned up anything new, though frown

I see no 6/8 styles that are all realtracks, but 3 12/8 tracks that are.

Maybe pure realtracks in 6/8 are worthy of some community wishing.

John

SmoothJohn #277252 12/30/14 06:32 PM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,726
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,726
John,

I have been trying to put together an arrangement for Still Got The Blues and with each new release I keep fingers crossed for a good 6/8, but we are not there yet.

But we are also loaded with other great styles and Real tracks, so I just wait until the next year.

If you find a work around that "really" works please advise.

Later,

SmoothJohn #277258 12/30/14 07:15 PM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,683
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,683
Originally Posted By: SmoothJohn
Maybe pure realtracks in 6/8 are worthy of some community wishing.

John

John, if I could have one -just one - new style, it would be African.sty in RealTracks.

[Yes, I've been putting it in the Styles Wishlist Forum for years.]


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; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Matt Finley #277273 12/30/14 09:43 PM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,610
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,610
Matt, is that in the wish forum already? I like the African style a lot also. Ray

Last edited by raymb1; 12/30/14 09:44 PM.

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.
raymb1 #277277 12/30/14 10:41 PM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 32
Y
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
Y
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 32
With Linux, I use a drum machine called Hydrogen.Is there a way to do such things with Band in a Box ?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_%28software%29

It is for me the easyest way to cope with rythms, but, doing so, I loose the harmonic part of the music I try to play...

Very far from a computer hero, more a plug and play user, I use your program for learning purpose as a woodwind player.
I apologise for this poor english.

Yves

SmoothJohn #277280 12/30/14 11:57 PM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,677
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,677
Hi Yves,

Under the "Beginner" section of the videos at the link below, have a look at "Making a Song in Band In A Box". It will give you some idea on what BIAB can do.

http://www.pgmusic.com/videos.bbwin.htm

I think you'll find BIAB perfect for your needs.

Also, if you click on the links in my signature below, you'll be able to hear some of the songs I've composed. What you hear is all Band In A Box. I sing along with the accompaniment.

Regards,
Noel

Last edited by Noel96; 12/30/14 11:58 PM.

MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2026
SmoothJohn #277282 12/31/14 12:07 AM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7,258
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7,258
Users have been asking for a 6/8 for years.
I DO wish that biab would support this timing as us Scottish players LOVE 6/8s for various types of tunes. What I would use it for is basically to have a copy of my own tunes in sheet music form. I CAN'T write music so biab has been a major asset to me. For recording Scottish music I now use my Limex V3 expander which CAN'T be beaten for Scottish rhythm, but it is pretty crap for country & middle of the road stuff which is where biab comes into its own.

SmoothJohn #277287 12/31/14 01:54 AM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 148
Mus Offline
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 148
Back in the days of the Atari, BIAB could handle odd time-sigs. I did a 5/4 version of a drum style which it handled very well.

Time does not always bring progress in all areas... ;-)

SmoothJohn #277323 12/31/14 05:55 AM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,976
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,976
BiaB doesn't support notation display for 6/8, but it has many styles for 6/8 that play well. The key is that you need to think of the style as 4/4 with each beat having three triplets.

6/8 and 12/8 are both 4/4 time signatures with a triplet feel. Two musicians in the same live band might be thinking different time signatures, it's just counting the beats differently, not how the music is played.

Think of a song like House of the rising sun. Some people would call that 6/8 time sig. Others (and BiaB) would call it 4/4.

Search the stylepickerfor the text 6/8 and you will see lots of styles, including some real styles (Celtic jig) that work well in 6/8.

9/8 is the same idea, except that's a 3/4 style with a triplet feel.



Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
SmoothJohn #277324 12/31/14 06:00 AM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 32
Y
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
Y
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 32
Thank You all, and Happy New Year.
Yves

SmoothJohn #277333 12/31/14 06:56 AM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,683
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,683
Good explanation from Dr. Gannon here. Yes, there are often several ways to count depending on the feel you want.


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; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
SmoothJohn #277347 12/31/14 07:57 AM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,853
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,853
4/4 works great for many faster 6/8 or 12/8 songs; however, on slower songs, the chords often change more frequently than every triplet. In that case, you have to switch to a waltz style, usually set pretty fast (the irony being it's a slower 6/8 song), so you can account for changing chords more often than every triplet.

I've generally been able to work around it, but the waltz styles generally lose that "6/8" or "12/8" feel that you can get with a tripletized swing "4/4"


John

Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD
Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA

BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK

http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
SmoothJohn #277377 12/31/14 10:18 AM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 84
S
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
S
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 84
Thank you Peter. I agree that 12/8 is fairly straightforward to get out of 4/4 with a triplet feel. 6/8 doesn't feel the same way to me. If I could get a proper 2/4, the the triplet feel trick would be fine.

The problem I see with the 4/4 solution (for 6/8) is that the natural 1 and 3 beats are not equally strong. This gives the feeling of 12/8 rather than 6/8. This is especially noticeable in some country and rock songs, where the rhythms are deliberately "square".

Thanks to all who have contributed. I will explore further.

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
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!

XPro Styles PAK 11 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!

Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!

All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 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 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!

No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!

In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!

Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 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 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!

XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!

Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!

All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 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 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!

No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!

In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!

Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 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.

Peter Gannon Talks Band-in-a-Box with zplane

zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!

Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.

Check out the full interview here: https://products.zplane.de/blog/peter-gannon-interview-pg-music

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.

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,636
Posts807,799
Members40,179
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
Newest Members
maiyagg, RAYPA, Neveralull, alebasa, Shegzy Empire
40,179 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 88
rsdean 76
WaoBand 48
vicarn 39
Today's Birthdays
pochofenix, sslechta
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5