If a song has a mix of 3/4 and 4/4 time signatures, and needs to start in 3/4, it needs to use a 4/4 style and use F5 to set the first bar to 3/4. However, this means that the count-in will be in 4/4 when the song then actually starts in 3/4.
It seems to me that it would be a whole lot more practical if Band In A Box just produced the count-in using the same time-signature as the first bar of the song. If the first bar plays in 3/4, the count in should automatically be in 3/4. This would be a great improvement.
Hope others approve.
Regards Trevor
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I remember the first time, after learning that I must use a 4/4 style if I wanted to have both 4/4 and 3/4, setting the first bar to 3/4 and getting a 4/4 count-in. Whoa.
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I remember the first time, after learning that I must use a 4/4 style if I wanted to have both 4/4 and 3/4, setting the first bar to 3/4 and getting a 4/4 count-in. Whoa.
Yes, totally agree Matt. Expecting a 3/4 count-in, but getting a 4 beat count-in and then immediately launching into a 3/4 song is very distracting. I got used to it but nevertheless there has to be a much nicer way.
Frankly, I don't think it would be incredibly difficult for the program to determine the time signature at the first bar and apply a count-in to suit. (2013.5 !!??)
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Thinking further upon this, I can make a case for BIAB looking at the first several bars to determine the count-off, if the number of beats per bar varies and that variation repeats. And you should be able to override the program's choice.
For Take Five, where you might write repeating measures of 3 beats then 2 beats, it would be nice to get a count-in of 3, 2.
For another example, let's say we are writing out Blue Rondo a la Turk as measures with beats as follows: 2, 2, 2, 3. You might want to reproduce all four measures as the count-in. Or, perhaps you would be comfortable with a 4/4 count-in because of the transition from the bridge.
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Thinking further upon this, I can make a case for BIAB looking at the first several bars to determine the count-off, if the number of beats per bar varies and that variation repeats. And you should be able to override the program's choice.
For Take Five, where you might write repeating measures of 3 beats then 2 beats, it would be nice to get a count-in of 3, 2. (etc...)
Thanks Matt. Of course you are exactly correct, but I hope these additional technicalities don't get PG to put this in the too hard basket. I understand that the program works with limitations for songs containing bars with different time signatures, slicing off beats to get the correct value.
However, for these occassions, maybe a much easier way is to just provide an override option checkbox in the Song Settings dialog:
Any takers?
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If I could expand on it why not make any number of beats available for a count-in? This would satisfy any time signature from 2/4 to 12/8 including 5/4 and such. This goes along with what Matt had said earlier.
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Thanks Guys for your endorsement. Yes, the mock-up is only a concept, and could definitely be improved on.
The key point is that the count-in could be tailored to suit each specific song, rather than relying on Global Settings. As mentioned, this would be great for songs in different time signatures (5/4 etc)
It might be something like:
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Count-In based on actual time-signature of first bar
BUMP !!!! There has been absolute forum members agreement, not one objection, but nothing happened in about 3 years.
This is a really important issue. If the song starts in 3/4, please just provide a 3/4 count in. Just like every musician in the real world does.
(Instead of looking at the time-signature of the song to decide the count-in, just look at the time-signature of the first bar. C'mon team, not hard, surely?)
Please support this PGM. This is a Wishlist for Product Improvements, not a lucky-dip wishing well. There is a difference. Please support this pragmatic request.
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This is a Wishlist for Product Improvements, not a lucky-dip wishing well.
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Just because you can, doesn't mean you should! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
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Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
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We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
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XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
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Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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