Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#473810 05/21/18 01:23 PM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 333
B
BIABman Offline OP
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
B
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 333
The chords are:
/C, , Em,Dm/F /

BIAB bass is playing
C, DOWN to low E, UP an octave to D, then DOWN to F !!!

How can I tell BIAB which bass octave to play?
IOW play logically/musically?

C, UP to E, DOWN to D, UP to F (then maybe octave down on F).


Last edited by BIABman; 05/21/18 01:25 PM.

A BIAB user for more than 30 years (if you can believe it) !
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,457
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,457
Quote:
C, DOWN to low E, UP an octave to D, then DOWN to F !!!


On a fretted instrument these are your basic/simple choices due to the instrument itself.
Once you hit low E on a bass the only way to get to a D is to go up (almost) an octave .. I would 'expect' these intervals on a real bass.
If the bass is played on a keyboard it may be different, but played on an actual bass, it makes sense to me for RT's.

To over-ride the bass selection you can sometimes try something like using Cmaj7/E for chord entry (instead of Em) for the second chord, which may force the bass to go more where you were hoping, but in your example chord structure it sounds to me like a pretty expected result.
RT's only have so many options to choose from.
Unless you 'revoice' the chords .. and try to force something else




I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 333
B
BIABman Offline OP
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
B
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 333
Thanks for your reply.

It just seems to me that after all these years (decades really)
BIAB does not look ahead and analyze a chord progression, but rather simply looks ahead chord by chord.

Why jump up and down octaves for three consecutive notes when it is not necessary?

C, DOWN to low E, UP an octave to D, then DOWN to F !!!

If BIAB looked ahead and saw the D and F, surely it would have realized that going UP to the E instead of DOWN would have made a much smoother bass line?


A BIAB user for more than 30 years (if you can believe it) !
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,971
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,971
Try using a different, but similar Bass RealTrack. A different Bass RealTrack might have a different run for the same chord progression built into it.

Look in the RealTracks picker to see what the suggested tempo range is for the Bass RealTrack you're using. If the Bass RealTracks that you're using is close to the edge of the tempo range, freeze the rest of the tracks then change the tempo. BiaB may select something different at the different tempo.


Jim Fogle - 2026 BiaB (Build 1224) RB (Build 7) - 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
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,457
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,457
I was just explaining how I (with bass in hand) might have 'seen' it and played it with the described chords.
I would think in my head the sequence would be C (second string) then E (open low E) then closest D is up a string .. etc.

It may also depend on the style chosen as they all are different, like mentioned above by Jim ..
My next go-to attempt would be to redefine the chords to see if an alternate voicing can get my 'desired' result as opposed to the 'expected' result using the added options in RB.

The cool thing in RB is the ability to make these kind of changes, generate a given track and then revert back to a different RT/chord progression later for other tracks. In BiaB you are asking all tracks to abide by the new chords, which may affect some tracks inadvertently.
In RB the new chords can apply to only a given track when generating a new option ..


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 333
B
BIABman Offline OP
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
B
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 333
Thanks guys for your suggestions.

A little too complicated for me though (I also don't use RealBand.)

I transposed the tune from C to G and that has helped quite a bit.

However there are still a couple of undesirable bass lines.
Here are the slash chords:

//C/E, Bm/D, Am/C, G/B // D7sus...

Naturally you would want a descending bass starting on E.
But BIAB has a mind all its own and starts with the low E, then jumps up to start the descending line after that!

Is there some way to indicate to BIAB (here and in another instance) which octave you want for that note?

Well lucky me!
I discovered that the bass line IS MIDI!

So now I am in the piano roll and don't know how to move notes?
Any tips?
The intuitive way of grabbing the note and moving it up or down is not working...




Last edited by BIABman; 05/21/18 03:19 PM.

A BIAB user for more than 30 years (if you can believe it) !
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,608
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,608
Keep re-generating Playback until you find one you like, then save/freeze it.


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: Mar 2018
Posts: 333
B
BIABman Offline OP
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
B
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 333
OK well I opened the Help file and learned that you move the note by clicking the Middle of the note bar...

Now the problem I have is when I re-generate the song, the notes go right back to what they were originally. frown

How do I FREEZE just the notes I changed?

Last edited by BIABman; 05/21/18 03:28 PM.

A BIAB user for more than 30 years (if you can believe it) !
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 333
B
BIABman Offline OP
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
B
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 333
You've just frozen the track.
Now you want to make more changes to it.
Do you unfreeze, change and then re-freeze?

And how about changing an F note to an F# in Notation mode?
I don't see how?
When I drag the note it never wants to put a sharp.
If I just click a note it asks if I want to add another note over the existing note!

One more question.
You are in Notation mode.
How do you start playing the song from a particular note?

Last edited by BIABman; 05/21/18 03:53 PM. Reason: One more question..

A BIAB user for more than 30 years (if you can believe it) !
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,270
L
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
L
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,270
BIABman:

You said: "You've just frozen the track.
Now you want to make more changes to it.
Do you unfreeze, change and then re-freeze?"

The answer is YES.

For changing your F note to an F#, it may be easier to go back to Piano Roll mode, then (as you've discovered), just grab the middle of the note bar and move it up.

Good luck!
LLOYD S

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,360
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,360
Originally Posted By: BIABman
OK well I opened the Help file and learned that you move the note by clicking the Middle of the note bar...

Now the problem I have is when I re-generate the song, the notes go right back to what they were originally. frown

How do I FREEZE just the notes I changed?


BIABman,

While you're doing all this experimenting, I suspect that it would help if you turned off the automatic track naming feature. This feature names tracks according to the instrument that is placed on them. While this naming has advantages, it also has disadvantages (I'll explain a bit more below).

To disable auto-naming, the options shown on the image below are found on the opening screen of "Options | Preferences" (in BIAB 2018).

When disabled, the tracks are always called Bass, Piano, Drums, Guitar, Strings, Melody, Soloist. These legacy names do not change when instruments change.

Once legacy names are on display, it becomes easier to identify which tracks will regenerate and which will not. If you make changes to notes on the Melody or the Soloist tracks, these changes are unaffected by regeneration. Any changes on the other five tracks though will get over-written by regeneration unless the track is frozen.

Also... to answer you question about freezing a few notes... it's not possible. The freeze process applies to the whole track.

Lastly, at the URL below, you'll find some video clips. While most of these use older versions of BIAB, the principles outlined still apply today. These clips might be useful for you.

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

Hope this helps,
Noel

Attached Files (Click to download or enlarge) (Only available when you are logged in)
autoname track labels preferences.JPG (51.28 KB, 140 downloads)

MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2026
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 333
B
BIABman Offline OP
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
B
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 333
Originally Posted By: Lloyd S

For changing your F note to an F#, it may be easier to go back to Piano Roll mode, then (as you've discovered), just grab the middle of the note bar and move it up.

Good luck!
LLOYD S


Thanks Lloyd.
That's what I ended up doing, falling back to
something I know will work. smile


A BIAB user for more than 30 years (if you can believe it) !
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 333
B
BIABman Offline OP
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
B
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 333
Originally Posted By: Noel96


Also... to answer you question about freezing a few notes... it's not possible. The freeze process applies to the whole track.


OK.


Quote:
Lastly, at the URL below, you'll find some video clips. While most of these use older versions of BIAB, the principles outlined still apply today. These clips might be useful for you.

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

Hope this helps,
Noel


Thanks Noel!


A BIAB user for more than 30 years (if you can believe it) !
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 311
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 311
Personally I think you are better writing your own bass lines using a DAW. Bass is such an important part of the song and the bass line should be logical and rhythmic. The bass RealTracks will often jump about in an unmusical fashion which is a shame. As a result I normally play my parts in using a midi keyboard and a vst like Trilian. After that I edit the timing so it sits well with the drums. I actually enjoy producing the bass line and think it is essential to the success of a track.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,806
C
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
C
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,806
"Well lucky me!
I discovered that the bass line IS MIDI!"


Originally Posted By: BIABman
OK well I opened the Help file and learned that you move the note by clicking the Middle of the note bar...

Now the problem I have is when I re-generate the song, the notes go right back to what they were originally. frown

How do I FREEZE just the notes I changed?


Funkycornwall has given you the best suggestion in my opinion.

I think what you've run into is a RealTrack with a Real Chart. If that is indeed the case, anytime you re-generate the track, the RealTrack will regenerate and so will will the Real Chart. It will change to conform to the RealTrack.

To have your bass play the Real Chart, you will have to change to a midi bass instrument. That's not a bad thing because you can then notate the bass to play whatever notes you choose and desire.


BIAB 2025:RB 2025, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,806
C
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
C
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,806
This older tutorial video may be useful to your situation and allow you to continue to use RealTracks in your project.

Replace RealTrack parts with song specific riffs


BIAB 2025:RB 2025, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 333
B
BIABman Offline OP
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
B
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 333
Thanks Funky and Charlie.

I will rant some more now, because I get so frustrated with this program!

I look to BIAB as a point and shoot program.
Up until now I have never messed with playing out the bass parts or any other parts.

For 99% of the time I use BIAB to lay down bass and drums, that's all.
I don't use any of the other bells and whistles the program offers.

So I learned (or thought I learned about Freeze mode).

I went back to the beginning of the song.
Played through the first verse to check chords and bass line (and changes from 4/4 to 2/4 and back to 4/4).

Then I went into Notation mode to change the bass line to my liking.

When in N-mode I noticed that Spacebar will Stop and Play from current bar.

I continued to edit the bass line and finished the first verse.

Before Freezing it I wanted to save time and copy it to the second verse.

So I copied bars 1-20 to 21..
Then I put the cursor at bar one and pressed Space bar.

All my bass line work was lost!!!

What am I doing wrong? ARghhhhh!!!!

P.S. I have been using BIAB off and on for 25+ years!










Last edited by BIABman; 05/23/18 04:28 PM. Reason: Experience...

A BIAB user for more than 30 years (if you can believe it) !
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,360
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,360
There are a few ways to copy things in BIAB. You haven't told us which one you used.

From the sounds of things, you've employed a process that also copied and pasted part markers. That would cause BIAB to re-generate the next time the song started.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, the Melody track and the Soloist track don't regenerate (unless you have a Realtrack or MIDI Supertrack loaded on them).

With this in mind, and if you have a recent version of BIAB...

I encourage you to follow the sequence of numbers on the image below and...

1. copy your MIDI bass track to the Melody

2. work on the notation on the Melody track

3. When you get it how you want, move the track back to the Bass track.

BEFORE DOING THE ABOVE, though.... make sure that you save a backup copy of your song. Then, if something goes wrong, you can get back to where you were. Also save a backup with another name before you send the bass back to the Bass track.

Regards,
Noel

Attached Files (Click to download or enlarge) (Only available when you are logged in)
copy special copy move tracks.JPG (76.11 KB, 90 downloads)

MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2026
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 333
B
BIABman Offline OP
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
B
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 333
Thanks for helping out Noel.
I don't have much hair left on my head (for pulling out)
and my time is limited on this planet now (for song tinkering).

I followed your instructions but they didn't work!

1, 2, 3.

Bass line went right back to the way it was originally (before all my edits).

ARGHHHHHH!!!!!!!


A BIAB user for more than 30 years (if you can believe it) !
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,806
C
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
C
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,806
If you use a Supermidi Bass, you can edit and save the notation changes you make. I recommend using Supermidi because it will generate a part the same as a RealTrack but because it is midi, you can edit it the same as you would a regular midi track. You can then use Sforzando VST to get the right bass sound you want.


BIAB 2025:RB 2025, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2

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 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!

Season's Greetings!

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!

The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.

Team PG

Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window

In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

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®!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics85,738
Posts795,599
Members39,946
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
LaneWright55, Diddlysquat, pun61, smitoz, Jonnyfartpants
39,945 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 193
DC Ron 117
Noel96 114
DrDan 106
rsdean 102
dcuny 93
Today's Birthdays
Ariloum, colly, dedou83, jlewis67, matzemu, Mike Levin, zakbosco
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5