Hope I explain this correctly. BIAB allows 4 beats to the line which corresponds to one line of a song. Sometimes I find a song which has a 5th beat at the end of a chorus before it goes into the second verse. It is sort of a little vocal pause between sections of the song. How do I handle this outside of using a 4 beat instrumental break to separate the sections? Does this thing have a name in music? Thanks Bill
That 5th beat sounds like it might be a pick-up note and not really a 5th beat. It's also possible that it could be a pause (also called a fermata) where one holds the note longer than written.
Can you give me the name of the song you mean and I'll have a listen on Youtube to see if I can isolate the issue.
Welcome to the forum and to Band-in-a-Box. One way to add a pause is to use the tempo settings available at any bar by pressing the F5 key on your computer keyboard.
I've had more success using the "% Change in Tempo" setting than the "Tempo Change To " setting but everybody works differently. I'll start with a change like change the tempo by -5% first (- is slower), regenerate then back up a few bars, hit play and listen. If it doesn't work then change the percentage to -10% and try again.
I should point out when you make a tempo change that is the new tempo until you use the F5 setting again to negate the new tempo. So if you change the tempo by -20% the tempo stays 20% slower until you use F5 and enter a 20.
Here is the song. I have run across it before but I cant find them offhand. California Earthquake by the Seldom Scene. First verse is 4 lines. The 4th line has beats on rum, dis, way, and drea and then another beat before starting on the chorus for beat 1 on Sher. I happens at the end of the second verse with the 4th beat on gain and then the 5th beat before starting the next chorus with the 1st beat on came.
1. To my ears, the song is written with a slow 6/8 feel.
2. While this could also be interpreted as 12/8, the 6/8 lilt stands out for me.
3. An interesting phenomenon with both 6/8 and 12/8 times is that it's also possible to hear them as either 3/4 or 4/4 depending on how the ear hears the rhythm pattern of the strong and weak beats. What identifies the 6/8 is the Sww Mww pattern of beats. (S = strong, w = weak, M = medium)
4. From what you've written, you're hearing the song in 4/4. That is, your ear has focused on the strong and medium strength beats. When I do this, what you describe as an 'extra beat' before the chorus, is actually an extra two beats. (What feels like two beats is actually a single bar of 6/8.)
5. To set this up in BIAB, simply insert a bar before the chorus.... press F5 to enter bar settings.... and set the number of beats for the inserted bar to "2" -- see the image below.
6. After performing step 5, it's necessary to set the bar that follows the 2-beat bar to 4 beats. So, for example, if you've set bar 8 as the 2-beat bar, click on bar 9.... press F5 again to enter bar settings.... set bar 9 to 4 beats.
Thanks Noel96 for your time. Your explanation is a bit above my musical knowledge, but I will listen to the video again and try your instructions in BIAB to see how it works out. I guess I have always looked at things in 4/4 time and in the vast majority of times it works out. Guess I am going to learn something new! Bill
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