Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#511287 12/20/18 06:55 AM
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 5
F
Newbie
OP Offline
Newbie
F
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 5
My use would be
Bring in BB VST plug in.
Select some metronome/tempo synced tracks and contiguous bars of audio.
Have ACW figure out the chords for these bars.
ACW has the metro/tempo/bar/note data of the whole track and should not need any manual juggling

From there I can generate realtracks, and/or solos

I stay in the DAW and not have to write out tracks to run the ACW externally.

Just an Idea smile

12/22 Edit - in italics

Last edited by FreshStart; 12/22/18 01:30 AM.
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,077
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,077
+1

FreshStart,

Welcome to the forum and to Band-in-a-Box! Very nice idea. Thank for making the suggestion.


Jim Fogle - 2026 BiaB (Build 1237) 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
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954
P
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
P
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954
Great Idea !!
If BBvst could call on bbw4.exe to bring up AudioChordWizard_BB.exe and you could choose the source audio file (as I don't know if it would parse the audio in the DAW ?) then just send the chords to the BBvst.

Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Originally Posted By: FreshStart
My use would be
Bring in BB VST plug in.
Select some tracks and contiguous bars of audio.
Have ACW figure out the chords for these bars.

From there I can generate realtracks, and/or solos

I stay in the DAW and not have to write out tracks to run the ACW externally.

Just an Idea smile


I don't quite understand what you're saying especially your last line "not have to write out tracks to run ACW externally."

You don't write out tracks for the ACW, you import a prerecorded audio file like something you downloaded from iTunes or whatever and the ACW gives you the chords for it. After the ACW gives you a chord grid and you've corrected it then you select a style and start generating tracks.

As for adding the ACW to the plugin, Peter wrote his answer to my thread asking what are some benefits of using the VST. One of those benefits is it's a simple version of Biab which helps folks who have asked for that. That's why the VST can now run standalone. Apparently things like the ACW were left out on purpose.

Just from my pov, not anybody's else's I still don't get the value of the VST yet. It may turn out to be valuable but for now you can do anything you want in the regular Biab and just D&D your tracks over to your DAW. Everybody is saying it takes a very long time to generate tracks inside the VST which to me negates any benefit of it until they can speed that up.

There are so many different problems, glitches and confusion about the VST I'm not messing with it until it's all working great and everybody's happy. And, most importantly there are clear instruction about how to set it up and use it in different DAW's.

Bob


Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,962
J
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
J
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,962
Originally Posted By: jazzmammal

As for adding the ACW to the plugin, Peter wrote his answer to my thread asking what are some benefits of using the VST. One of those benefits is it's a simple version of Biab

I agree 100%! We should NOT start adding BIAB features into the VST as that defeats the purpose. BUT, there are still critical features missing from the VST. So I give this idea a minus vote!

Quote:
I still don't get the value of the VST yet. It may turn out to be valuable but for now you can do anything you want in the regular Biab and just D&D your tracks over to your DAW.

With all of the problems including what you cited, there is no reason to use the VST that I can see either. And, if the plan was to use the VST to attract new users, well, I'd say that is a dangerous gambit until they actually get it working! New users, especially young computer-savvy ones, are likely to see this VST and conclude the whole program is rubbish. And nothing could be further from the truth.

Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 5
F
Newbie
OP Offline
Newbie
F
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 5
Thanks folks
This BB VST shows a lot of potential. A lot of Potentail!
It can open the user base to a whole next level of Musicians. Ones who are DAW centric which as far as I see the vast the majority of the market.

I think one turn off for people who aren't use to BB is that they'll have to enter the chords.
If you're in a DAW, and have a piano, guitar, bass track, and PGMusic already has an ACW Then why not have it read the tracks and do a once over to get the chords?
It can be a separate ACW VST but I don't think ACW would be useful to other use in a DAW, unless it first went through BB to generate midi or realtracks.

BB VST already has the tempo, and where the chord changes happen, and most daws let you set the key on the song. It has more information than the raw ACW has.

It's just an idea.
If it does't get implemented I'll wait for a Pipeline workaround. wink

Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954
P
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
P
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954
Exactly !! thanks for posting, if you have any more suggest please don't hesitate to suggest them.
A lot of long term users are always looking for new ideas and better ways of doing things and are very welcoming especially to new users with new ideas, that's why it has advanced so quickly into the modern age smile .
I posted this yesterday in the pre-release forum:

Originally Posted By: Pipeline
The ACW would help if you have a live session in the DAW that needs extra session players, the DAW will get the chord progression and tempo map then send it to the plugin (If it has ARA2 in the future all the better as the user said you would not have to write the tracks out, the info is instant you don't have to play it through for Melodyne to get the info, it will get the tempo map, time sig changes and chords instantly).
This is not something that is added to the vst, bbw4.exe contain it and calls on
C:\bb\AudioChordWizard\AudioChordWizard_BB.exe or the RB version that will do decimal point tempos.
If the standalone AudioChordWizard_BB.exe had "Open wav" and "Save SGU" you could just use that as it's simple.
So as you click ACW in the VST menu it will open Explorer prompting for a wav file then open the AudioChordWizard_BB.exe it will chord and tempo map then send it to the plugin.
See in the Preferences you would have an option for Simple or Advanced menu like other apps do, they default to simple for a new user but allows extra features for the seasoned user.
If you have a recorded DAW session you get single instruments to get the chords from if you don't have a good ear.

Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,598
C
Expert
Offline
Expert
C
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,598
Working with ACW will introduce tempo changes in a lot of bars. Take a look here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENaN1cFu-9Q#t=3m25s

(Small red lines on each bars mens tempo changes in that example)

I can't see how this method could work with any VST host.

If ACW would use some kind of elastic audio algorithm (like Reaper, for example) instead of this method, things would be different (and better).

On the other hand, there's still a lot of work to do in the new ACW, so in my opinion a VST would be, in my opinion, premature.


Latest BIAB version, latest build.
Cerio #511767 12/21/18 06:16 PM
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954
P
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
P
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954
I use the ACW in RealBand to tempo map live drums
you then write the metronome to a midi track
drag the mid into Reaper import the tempo map
drag the drum wav file in and you have it
to go one step further
insert stretch markers at each beat
remove the tempo map from the master track
and snap stretch markers to grid
this will give you quantized drumming.

The vst will have an export midi chords tempo map midi drag export to give the DAW a tempo map and midi chords for virtual instruments.
It will also have in import midi tempo map from the DAW.
The midi will also give the time signature changes.

The old ACW will be easy as it's there now and will popup with one command to bbw4.exe

Biab box don't have decimal point tempos so it's always changing
see first pic import tempo from RealBand, the second pic is manually inserting changes into the plug:

Attached Files (Click to download or enlarge) (Only available when you are logged in)
BiabVST-Import-RB-SGU.png (158.04 KB, 99 downloads)
BiabVST-Save-Decimal-Tempo.png (161.63 KB, 100 downloads)
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Yes I can see that but that's only if you have an instrument like your drums that didn't record to a click. That was the primary reason the ACW was developed in the first place. It's to be able to add Biab tracks to old recording you made 30 years ago. Those old recordings were in most cases just live, no click so yes the tempo was all over the place. We're talking now about using it in a modern studio setting. There are so many different ways people record but I would guess 80-90% of the time modern studio sessions are using a click. Unless all the players are bozo's there's no need for a tempo map.

FreshStart, you're talking about existing DAW tracks. Where did they come from? Didn't you or other session players you know do them? In that case you know the chords already, no? JJJ's point is also very good. Unless you're talking about a two chord modern pop song, the ACW isn't all that accurate. You have to make so many corrections it's hardly worth it. But of course if you really don't know music that well, I guess you wouldn't know how to make the corrections anyway. But even then your ears would tell you something doesn't sound right.

Bob


Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954
P
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
P
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954

Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,598
C
Expert
Offline
Expert
C
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,598
Originally Posted By: jazzmammal
Yes I can see that but that's only if you have an instrument like your drums that didn't record to a click. That was the primary reason the ACW was developed in the first place. It's to be able to add Biab tracks to old recording you made 30 years ago. Those old recordings were in most cases just live, no click so yes the tempo was all over the place. We're talking now about using it in a modern studio setting. There are so many different ways people record but I would guess 80-90% of the time modern studio sessions are using a click. Unless all the players are bozo's there's no need for a tempo map.



ACW will write tempo changes on nearly each bar no matter if the original audio was recorded with a metronome or not.

Try it and you will see.


Latest BIAB version, latest build.
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 5
F
Newbie
OP Offline
Newbie
F
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 5
I edited the original case above.

Pipeline is Spot On! He has some good enhancements! Hope he gets them done soon smile

On another case...
I can imagine that someone who knows nothing about music notation but can play along to a metronome could fire up a daw and record a track. Just strumming chords, not knowing what the chords are because some extra fingers were push down or some strings muted.

Then they think they would like to bring up the BB VST and add some real tracks, a solo, and develop a melody.

They don't know what the chords are so now their stuck with BB VST
The ACW should Really generate the chords based on the track they recorded and it should be tight with the tempo of the recorded track.

The ACW should have an easy time here. As Pipeline mentions other VST use ARA and get all the time sync data from the daw, They can read the whole track to do the full analysis, etc.

I don't know, it probably won't happen, it's just an idea smile

Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Good example. If ACW is not in the VST, just render to wav and open in Biab and use ACW there or even easier, Biab has an audio track so just record the track there. Usually a player like that only needs a few new tracks so Biab can easily handle the project by itself.

Bob


Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
Cerio #517722 01/14/19 07:49 AM
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954
P
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
P
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954
Originally Posted By: Cerio
Working with ACW will introduce tempo changes in a lot of bars. ....
(Small red lines on each bars mens tempo changes in that example)
.....
On the other hand, there's still a lot of work to do in the new ACW, ....


Yes new ACW in BB needs more options, the old ACW gave an option of writing the tempo map or not, and the ACW in RealBand asks if you want to keep existing bar lines and just get the chords.

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
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.

Holiday Weekend Hours

It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:

Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm

Regular hours
resume Tuesday, May 19th!

Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!

Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!

Don't wait - order today!

Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!

Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!

Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.

Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.

If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!

202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!

With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!

Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!

Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.

Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.

Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!

And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.

The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!

2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

With your version 2026 for Mac 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)
  • iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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 PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,479
Posts805,521
Members40,126
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
Newest Members
Gomez, Zoltan Bekesi, kmmkelsns874, Goodmanje, AlfredoR616
40,126 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 127
rsdean 87
DC Ron 76
WaoBand 64
Today's Birthdays
adaguerre@live.c, Guitarzan, ovation99, rmreport
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5