|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 647
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 647 |
I can't tell from the announcemnt if PG Music has made any changes to the notation portion of BIAB.
There have been many posts about this outdated part of the program, which essentially hasn't had any changes since Fake Book was introduced which was probably 10 years ago.
I am not talking about colour coding bar changes, or adding '/'. I am talking about things like the length of a printed bar being dependent on the number of notes, or the number and length of the lyrics. Or perhaps an interface to a piece of notation software (Music XML).
It's nice to see more Real Tracks, Real Drums and other stuff. And I am happy to see a new GUI, but it looks like, for another year, the notation has been left behind again.
Please tell me I am wrong
BIAB for Windows Version 2019 (643)
Windows 10 (1909)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,839
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,839 |
Dave,
As far as I can see, there are no noticeable changes to the notation side of things. Because of the introduction of the vocaloid, Sinsy, there has been a limited introduction of XML. (Matt Finley mentioned this in another thread.) That bodes well for the future.
When I need to have more sophisticated scores than BIAB can produce, I use MuseScore (freeware). It's excellent! Have you ever tried it?
Regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 479
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 479 |
The upper half of the main screen and the chord sheet has been given a face lift and reorganized - much for the better. Beyond that it appears there are no changes in the menu system or any other windows or dialogs - except to accommodate 2014 changes.
kelso
Dell Desktop XPS 8100 W10 HomePrem/64 / Core i5 760 (quad, 2.8GHz) / 8GB DDR3 / 1 TB SATA / ViewSonic VG2428wm / EMU1616 PCI / Event ASP6 Active Monitors / BIAB 2019 64 bit (609) / Cakewalk
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 647
Journeyman
|
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 647 |
I tried MuseScore but wasn't too impressed - i guess you get what you pay for.
I was kinda hoping PG Music would provide an interface to Printmusic (from Finale, I think) since they mention it in their 3rd party software. I would gladly pay the $100 for a full notation product if the interface was clean and transparent.
It needs to carry over chord letters, melody (or soloist),lyrics, and hopefully the structure of the notation, such as repeats, DSalCoda, etc. There is no need to transfer any of the generated music.
ah well, maybe next time
BIAB for Windows Version 2019 (643)
Windows 10 (1909)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058 |
Yes, we can continue to encourage development in this area. As Noel mentioned, BIAB does now have a limited Music XML output, to the Sinsy online vocal synth. Surprisingly, MuseScore did a better job interpreting the XML from BIAB than did Sibelius. My experiments in several other programs have shown that Music XML files are not always generated nor interpreted correctly, so implementing this is more difficult than first appears.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,624
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,624 |
I think there are two main questions when implementing MusicXML output: layout and playback. When creating MusicXML, you can specify exact details of music layout, or leave that up to the rendering program to determine. The results will depend on how well the rendering program renders by default, or how much it honors the layout. The downside is that how well the rendering program interprets "raw" MusicXML is a crapshoot, which is what Matt is probably seeing. Hey, they can't all be Lilypond. And although BiaB does a pretty good job "humanizing" the playback, not including that information wouldn't be a great loss for me, either. It would certainly be nice to have, but for playback - that's what MIDI is for.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
I tried MuseScore but wasn't too impressed - i guess you get what you pay for.
That may have been some time ago. If it was, I recommend downloading the latest version of MuseScore and trying it out again. While BB doesn't send Music XML, MuseScore can open any BB file complete with the chords. I also use Sibelius for notation, but keep MuseScore handy as well, just for that purpose and a few other things from time to time. Band in a Box file, open in MuseScore, export as XML. Click here to see how easy it is. And Git-R-Done. --Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058 |
David, thanks for the link to Lilypond.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
What a Music Sheet looks like and actual playback of music are actually two entirely different things.
It is the Human Abilities Factor. coupled firmly with the rulesets of written note interpretation, which can take years to learn, actually, that enables us to see a string of 8th notes and interpret how they really should be played, nuanced, timing, feel, etc.
Music Notation by itself simply does not contain that kind of information.
Which is why the computer, when handed the same data, will often play back something that sounds, well, not human.
I use the MIDI playback capabilities inside my Notation Softwares simply for doublechecking that there aren't any clams or other mistakes. Saves ink and paper.
Its not there to entertain me.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 647
Journeyman
|
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 647 |
I agree. However, I need a good quality fakebook representation. I only use the base and drums under normal conditions to play against, but sometimes it's nice to audition a new style against one of your favourite song. This is the strength of BIAB. You provide a melody and a set of chords and you get MUSIC. Change the style and things change, usually for the better.
However, the same music notation is the basis for all of the versions.
BIAB's notation provides a workable notation. It is pretty simple compared to other software packages, which is why, I am sure that you use Sibelius. It simply provides a better representation of the notes.
I really don't want to invest in another piece of software, and I certainly don't want to keep multiple copies of a piece of music. I would like to have BIAB either print the music, or be able to transfer it seamlessly to a product that can do a better job.
BIAB for Windows Version 2019 (643)
Windows 10 (1909)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,839
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,839 |
Hi Dave, I really like MuseScore. It just takes a little getting used to because it's different. If you're curious, below is a leadsheet for a song I wrote. link to "Dancing And Dreaming" leadsheetAlso, there are some great tutorials on Youtube to show you how it works. The one below is the first of "MuseScore in 10 easy steps" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEbs0cii4VYAll the best, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,624
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,624 |
What a Music Sheet looks like and actual playback of music are actually two entirely different things. I guess I wasn't being clear - I was referring to MusicXML, and how completely BiaB may (or may not) implement it. MusicXML supports multiple levels of information. At the basic level, you've got something resembling an event list of notes. This can also include very detailed layout information, such as page layout, element positioning, and so on. The rendering program doesn't have to honor that information, but it should. Additionally, there's an optional playback information - essentially MIDI information. So visual representation and playback don't have to match, which is exactly the point you were making. This is a capability built into MusicXML. So what I was trying to get to was that while it would be great if BiaB were to implement as much of the MusicXML standard as possible, even a minimal implementation of MusicXML (without layout and playback information) would be great. Having said that, I think you'll grant that other people might find value in having their notation programs play back music notation accurately as possible. While this will always be less optimal than a good human performance, the sad reality is that not all of us are good performers. For some of us, a performance by the computer is going to be the only one we'll get for our compositions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,624
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,624 |
David, thanks for the link to Lilypond. Matt, you're welcome. Lilypond is a very interesting bit of software. The Lilypond coders don't just want to get it right, they want it to be beautiful as well. And they do an amazingly good job. You might have a look at Frescobaldi, which is probably the best of the Lilypond editors (for those mere mortals who prefer not to use vi  ).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,330
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,330 |
You might have a look at Frescobaldi, which is probably the best of the Lilypond editors (for those mere mortals who prefer not to use vi ). eh? If I remember correctly, that stands for Virtually Impossible. Don't remind me...
BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,607
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,607 |
Asus Q500A i7 Win 10 64 bit 8GB ram 750 HD 15.5" touch screen, BIAB 2017, Casio PX 5s, Xw P1, Center Point Stereo SS V3 and EWI 4000s.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058 |
If anyone wants to see what BIAB does do with Music XML, follow these steps:
1. Have a song with a melody.
2. Go to Notation Mode
3. Click on the button, Vocal Synth
4. Look in the folder indicated in the message for:
X:/bb/Data/SRequest/Sound.XML
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!
Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 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 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
- Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
- Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
- Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
- Playable RealTracks Set 4
- RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
- SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
- 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
- Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
- Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
- RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
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!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
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.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
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!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
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.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
Join the conversation on our forum.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums58
Topics84,392
Posts778,625
Members39,644
| |
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