I'm making a backing track for Will You Go Lassie Go which is in 6/8 time and when I look at Style Time Signature it says that for 12/8 or 6/8 use 4/4 with a style using a triple feel. If I do use 4/4 then the notation for the song doesn't fit in 4/4 time so I'm using 3/4. Will this work or am I getting something wrong? I'm also not sure about finding styles with a triple feel.
Most of our 6/8 styles are achieved by actually playing in 4/4 with a triplet feel, and if you change the time signature to 3/4, they won't play correctly.
If you're using Band-in-a-Box 2018, then you can use those styles in 4/4 but see correct 6/8 notation for entering melodies. In the Notation Window, you should see a small drop-down menu to the right of the Mono and Clean checkboxes, which shows the current time signature. Selecting 6/8 in that drop-down menu will give you 6/8 notation without affecting playback.
I am using BIAB 2018 MegaPak. I click on 6/8 on the drop down menu and I then get the bar spread over two bars and in each one there are two vertical slashes and two sets of six vertical lines where I enter the notes but I can't relate this to the 6/8 time. Sorry to be slow about this, I have watched a number of videos but can't fine the answer.
What we need is real 6/8 time signatures as well as other non 3/4 and 4/4 time signatures. That is have 6, 7, 5, etc beats per measure on the tracks, in the exports and in the notation. BiaB is way ahead of the competition in many aspects but far behind in time signatures. YMMV.
I'm in a fitness protection program. I'm been hiding from exercise.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
The screen that I get on 6/8 time on each bar shows 2 x 6 dotted lines instead of the 3 dotted lines shown in your image. And the box showing the time signature shows 6/8x2. If I can get those 3 dotted lines then it makes a lot of sense.
Not sure how to attach an image of that to be more clear.
One bar of 6/8 is equivalent to 2 beats of 4/4 in a triplet feel, so when you select 6/8 in the Notation Window, it displays each bar (as counted on the chord sheet) as two bars with two beats each, and six divisions in each beat that you can enter notes on.
The reason there are 6 lines per beat instead of 3 is that Band-in-a-Box's Notation Window always displays 16th note divisions, not 8ths. If you want to enter 8th notes, you just need to enter a note on every second line instead of every line.
I did try attaching the image but without success - I followed instructions but the image didn't appear on Paint. The next post from Kent seems to make sense so I shall give that a try and get back if I still have problems.
Hi I found a way to be able to use 6/8 time signature midi imports with 4/4 styles, the approach is that the midi have to be edited in 4/4 time signature with sextuplets arrangement, see image below/attached for an example of a normal 6/8 arrangement, and the required translation into sextuplets arrangement. It works fine in BIAB with 4/4 styles...
It needs some additional editing to get the sextuplets arrangement but in does the trick to be able to use 4/4 styles normally. Allows to place chords at beats 1 and 3, I guess that to be able to add chord on each beat, then a more elaborate tuplets arrangement should work too, e.i. twelve tuplets to allow for chords into beat 1, 2, 3, 4, ...
Addition, depending on the arrangement 2 triplets per bar could be used, and the style 4/4 style should fit the melody feel.
In any case, agree with comments above, a flexible chord sheet to be able to set up any time signature would be a great step forward, as the style picker could provide feedback on suitable styles to apply (limitations on available styles should be understood). For example, there are styles with 6/8 ts, but the style time signature tool does not allow to pick 6/8 for the song; time signature flexible management seems to be an item that needs to happen...user tracks could feed those ts beyond 4/4 & 3/4...
Example with triplets. The way to get the triplets is done by engraving the melody per 6/8, exporting xml to DAW, changing to 4/4, stretching the midi to fit the bars to 4/4, exporting to engraving program as 4/4 to ensure triplets are right, and exporting resulting midi to be imported to BIAB. This way the chords can be added to the bars at beats 1,3, and they will be in sync. Not all arrangements might work at beats 2, 4, but simple ones can be OK...
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.
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.
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.
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)
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean