|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,217
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,217 |
.
My friend has a teenage daughter who thinks Garageband is way cool. Actually I agree - it is certainly fun and pretty and easy to use. I am looking at vids about G'Band on Youtube and I dont see anything like a way to enter your own chords. There is no way to create songs of your own except via entering MIDI notation, or recording live instruments. Have I got that right?
Can G'Band create a song using chords entered by the user?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 393
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 393 |
flatfoot,
I've recently been somewhat forced into the Mac world, so have played around some with garageband. You cannot enter chords, but you can tranpose loops. To explain, lets take a rhythm guitar loop on a G chord. If I wanted to change chords to C, in Garageband I have to tell it to transpose this loop up 7 half-steps, and now it will sound on a C chord. Then, a couple of bars later, I can tell it to transpose up another 2 half steps, and it will sound on a D chord, and so on. Does that explanation make any sense?
So the answer to your question is "no", but you can accomplish chord changes in the above roundabout way.
Bruce
Last edited by babarton; 12/16/11 11:03 AM.
Macbook Pro 2018
2.6 GHz 6-core Intel Core i7, 16 GB RAM
OS Monterey
BIAB for Mac 2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
BIAB and RB are about the only game in town for accompaniment generating programs worth their salt for that purpose. There's a couple more much smaller players without the following of the PG stuff.
There's lots of DAW that allow the use of loops and transposition of them as barbarton describes. This is how Garageband, Tracktion, Ableton, ACID, FL Studio and perhaps more operate.
Garageband is a great DAW, with excellent included content (the included amp simulation is really quite good), but it's not an accompaniment generating tool.
-Scott
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,026
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,026 |
I have Logic Pro (GB's big bro) and I frequently use Biab tracks in it to access their loops. You can transpose their midi with great success , but audio loops only transposes so far before it sounds bad . Now that Biab has loop-ability in 2012 you may not need GB to get all loopie ! If I had to choose one it would be Biab as the hands down winner ,would not even be a contest for me!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 393
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 393 |
I'm completely with Scott and Tommy on this - there's no comparison for generating accompaniment, it's BIAB hands down. I also thank you guys for not pointing out the errors in my post G to C ... lets see, that would be FIVE half steps, wouldn't it?
Bruce
Macbook Pro 2018
2.6 GHz 6-core Intel Core i7, 16 GB RAM
OS Monterey
BIAB for Mac 2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109 |
Quote:
I've recently been somewhat forced into the Mac world, so have played around some with garageband. You cannot enter chords, but you can tranpose loops. To explain, lets take a rhythm guitar loop on a G chord. If I wanted to change chords to C, in Garageband I have to tell it to transpose this loop up 7 half-steps, and now it will sound on a C chord. Then, a couple of bars later, I can tell it to transpose up another 2 half steps, and it will sound on a D chord, and so on.
Although loops have been around a while, it has always been "clunky" to use them as other software companies implemented them. PGMusic's chord-based paradigm is by far the most intuitive way to make loops user friendly and useful. And, with the groundwork they put in place to make the real tracks stretch more fluently, adding loops was a the logical next step.
Now their implementation of loops has leapfrogged what everybody else is doing. How cool is that??
(VERY!)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 393
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 393 |
Pat,
I haven't upgraded to BIAB 2012 yet, so I haven't had the pleasure of playing with PG's implementation of loops. I'm getting a Mac for X-mas, so I'm sort of torn about this. I've thought long and hard about the whole Mac thing, and only thing I know I'm going to miss is BIAB for Windows (along with Real Band). In fact, I may end up doing the boot camp route just to allow this. I certainly haven't been very impressed with using loops in Garageband to make any music - the BIAB route just seems so much more intuitive to me. A lot of this probably just depends on what you "grew up with", so to speak.
Bruce
Macbook Pro 2018
2.6 GHz 6-core Intel Core i7, 16 GB RAM
OS Monterey
BIAB for Mac 2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109 |
Quote:
Pat,
I haven't upgraded to BIAB 2012 yet, so I haven't had the pleasure of playing with PG's implementation of loops. I'm getting a Mac for X-mas, so I'm sort of torn about this. I've thought long and hard about the whole Mac thing, and only thing I know I'm going to miss is BIAB for Windows (along with Real Band). In fact, I may end up doing the boot camp route just to allow this. I certainly haven't been very impressed with using loops in Garageband to make any music - the BIAB route just seems so much more intuitive to me. A lot of this probably just depends on what you "grew up with", so to speak.
Bruce
Computers are cheap these days. My solution to that same problem is to have a dedicated computer for music and another computer for everything else. No need to give up BIAB/ WIN just because you have a MAC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,026
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,026 |
Boot Camp works with Biab just fine ,have the best of both worlds on 1 machine !
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,570
Posts793,423
Members39,914
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean