Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,796
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,796
Tried to construct an arrangement in 9/8 beat ..... just gets too confusing for me with BIAB's notation editor and the basic 4 to the floor matrix. Any tips from experienced arrangers? Guess i'll have to try some other software to get the beats right, but i would love to use some melodic and soloist experimenting with biab on this thing. - F

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,783
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,783
There are two ways (maybe more - others can chime in) to approach this.

1) Select a waltz swing style, which will give you a triplet per beat (so 3 triplets times 3 beats per bar gives you 9). If you use this method, you can only change chords every triplet In notation view, you'll have to select swing (versus straight) resolution to enter notes on the tripletized bar lines.

2) Select a straight waltz style and use 3 bars to represent the 9 beats in 9/8 time. Notation will look horrible and you'll probably have to set the tempo pretty fast. The advantage here is that chords can change on any note. It's a situation where it sounds good, but doesn't look good.

In either case, you won't get a proper time signature on the notation, since 9/8 is not a supported time signature in BIAB.

Attached Files (Click to download or enlarge) (Only available when you are logged in)
Time Signature.jpg (27.99 KB, 100 downloads)

John

Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD
Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA

BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK

http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,410
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,410
Being a supported time signature and a supported Notation time signature are two different things.

You can use 9/8, but you'll have to edit the old fashion way; either rerecord it or edit in the Event List, and not count on notation at all.

I do see John's Pic says BiaB supports 9/4 so maybe using that at 2X the tempo would work for you .. but again notation would not look right.


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,796
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,796
Thanks for the tips. Came across this style within BIAB: 98_4_5.STY. Says 9/8 meter grouped 4+5 in the info box. It sounds OK for experimenting, but notation indeed suck completely sort of, and only shows 4 beat measures there; can't make any sense out of that rhythmically. -F

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,457
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,457
The problem with many non 3/4, 4/4 styles is PG is still going to put 3 or 4 chords per measure. So for example, if you have a 5/4 style in a 4/4 measure, the first chord in the measure will be on the beat, but none of the others will be.

I tend to think of the spaces in the numbered matrix as cells instead of measures.

So if I want to make 5/4 I would make the first cell have three beats and the second cell 2 (or vice versa).

9/8? I could do 3 cells of 3 beats each.

7/4? One cell with 3 and another with 4 (or vice versa).

This doesn't work with notation, but I find the notation feature a convenience and not a full blown notation editor. However it works our musically.

There are a number of work-arounds to overcome some of the limitations of BiaB, and this is one of them.

BiaB is a great program, but it does have it's limitations. It gets better and better every year, and some of the past limitations have been solved. Until PG solves this one, this is the best solution I can think of.

Insights and incites by Notes


Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,123
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,123
Adding to Notes post not only doesn't this work with notation it also doesn't work of you bring the files into a DAW. Anything other than 3/4 or 4/4 is a problem with dropping and dragging into Sonar.

FWIW - I don't know about RB. Does RB allow different time signatures? If so can I drop and drag them into Sonar? Or does RB have the same limitations as BiaB? Thanx in advance for your time.


I'm in a fitness protection program. I'm been hiding from exercise.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,410
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,410
RB will allow the handling of odd times MUCH differently than BiaB (most of the time).

RB actually uses a more complex time sig algorithm and adjusts the RealTrack/MIDI generation instead of 'fitting it in'.
It takes a bit of experimenting, but RB will take a 4/4 Realtrack, and if used in a 7/8 song it will add/truncate the data as needed to fit into the actual TimeSig/Tempo map so it is written correctly to pull into other DAWS ..


/just my experience/observation
//The notation is still wrong in RB, but the raw MIDI/audio is more 'correct' for the Time Sig and Tempo, so it translates to other software/devices better

The 7/4 song below was done by myself and TommyC (another member here) where we actually sent 7/4 RB seq files back and forth and generated at both ends ..
http://masteringmatters.com/stuff/Count_Me_Out.mp3

Pretty much everything but lead guitar, tube bell and horns was generated in RB
Drums, keys, rhythm guitar, bass .. all generated
Another user here (Oren) has done this with me a few times also. I like Odd Time!
You gotta listen a few times to allow it to grab ya.. thanks again tommyc. I had ball.

Mario; I'll be happy to share the seq file with you and see if it goes into Sonar for you in an acceptable way.

Last edited by rharv; 05/27/15 02:35 PM.

I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,796
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,796
Interesting tips Rharv; i never used realband much sofar, will mess around some more soon ! ... just a thought: as BIAB seems to be very popular with Jazzers, why has the rhythmic measure counting and time sign system never expanded beyond 4/4 and 3/4 for so long by it's developers? Maybe it's too hard to rearrange the wagon sequence on a running train with too many clinging on to it:


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
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®!

Video: New User Interface (GUI)

Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics85,491
Posts792,610
Members39,900
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
odooexpress314, davyb, matteob, Rahul baghel, markfrancisco
39,900 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 190
DC Ron 122
jpettit 116
Noel96 104
Today's Birthdays
Del3535, Sfbowman
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5