Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 46
H
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
H
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 46
I'm having trouble understanding the timebase functions. I've entered a tune. The style is too fast for the tune but would work at half time. The metronome is at 200, I would like the rhythm to play at 100. But there's no change if I change normal time to half time.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,928
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,928
Good question which does not come up too often. Here is what the manual says about "timebase".

"With the "Timebase" option you can play any RealTracks at normal, half time, double time or triple time. Half time is used for fast tempo songs when a much slower tempo RealTrack has been chosen. Double time is used for slow tempo songs (e.g. ballads) when a much faster tempo RealTrack is chosen. This allows you, for example, in a ballad at a tempo of 70, to add a RealTracks Sax solo with a tempo of 140, and play it as a double time, which will match the ballad tempo of 70. All of your existing RealTracks can be used at three different tempos (normal, half-time, double time)."

As you see, this does not necessarily change the "feel" as one might expect with the term "half time". This is more a BIAB term for stretching or compressing the available audio real tracks to cover broader tempos.

Perhaps you need to extend the bars 2x e.g., instead of \c,c,d,f\ change to \c c\ d f\. This is another feature in BIAB .


BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,534
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,534
One thing to keep in mind is that the RealDrums do not give you these timebase options that you have in the RealTracks. I generally decide on the drum beat and tempo I want, then make the other instruments fit that.


BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,543
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,543
To elaborate a little more on what Dan has said... this is how I understand the Timebase feature (rightly or wrongly!)...

From a BIAB's perspective, 'Doubletime' means that the length of time it takes for a measure to play is double the length of time that the Realtrack would normally take to play a measure. From a tempo setting perspective, this means that the tempo must be halved (i.e. it is set to 65 bpm) if the notes are going take twice as long to play.

As a result of the above, using the 'Doubletime' setting will mean that 4 beats of Realtrack will now be played every two beats of the song given the bar setting of 65 bpm.

In the same way as the above, the timebase setting of 'Halftime' is an indicator for the Realtrack that says that 4 beats of the present song will play in 'half the length of time' that 4 beats of the Realtrack will play. That is, the song's tempo must be 260 bpm. As a consequence, the Realtrack now play its 4 beats over 2 bars of the song.

One particularly useful consequence of using the 'Halftime' setting is that the Realtrack is essentially playing in cut time (i.e. with a 2-beat feel in a 4/4 tempo). This can be quite effective in a backing.

Regards,
Noel

Last edited by Noel96; 06/12/16 03:56 PM.

MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2026
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
Holiday Weekend Hours

As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:

April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours

Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!

— Team PG

Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!

If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!

If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!

Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.

PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!

PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.

The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.

The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.

Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!

Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.

Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!

Order now!

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.

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,149
Posts800,849
Members40,043
Most Online64,515
12:56 AM
Newest Members
Tomas Buron, Fasteddy87, Risi, HenryHPH, Baldeagle13
40,043 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 135
DC Ron 108
rsdean 97
WaoBand 71
Noel96 62
Today's Birthdays
Briand Morrison, Easy Car Removal, Peters Garage, skyduster
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5