|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,867
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,867 |
Yep... I've seen folks ask this question several times and there's never been a good answer other than, you can put 4 chords into a bar as long as you separate them with a comma.
So... here's a thought.... FYI.... I have not tried this because this idea just occurred to me. And I've never really had the need to put more than 4 into a bar.
So.... feel free to try this and see if it works.
Essentially, lets say the song is at 120 BPM... and you need, for some bizarre reason to have 8 chords in quick succession all played on the beat and all being 8th note chords.
Where you want the 8 chords to be... in the space of one measure/bar.... add a measure. Now, you edit the bar settings for both bars so that the tempo is 240bpm. Now, simply add the 8 chords... 4 to a bar delineated with commas as is normally the case. Just be sure to edit the 3rd bar to return the tempo back to 120.
I'm thinking this might work. Although, there might be chord voicing issues playing them that fast. I've seen BB do some strange things in situations like this. Also, the effect of the tempo change WILL affect the other instruments. So, doing this and having it sound good might require the editing abilities of a good DAW...or.... silence/mute the drums and anything else that makes it sound "off kilter".
But hey... give it a try if you're wanting to squeeze in a butt load of chords into the space of 4 beats.
Waddaya think? Ever try this? Did it work or not?
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,569
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,569 |
Oh yes, this is a long-time workaround. I just mentioned it this morning to a beginner who wondered at first how to get more than two chords per bar. It's even more likely to work now in BIAB 2017 because you can set RealDrums to half-time.
By the way, assuming we are talking about doing this for an entire song, this is the basis under which Notes Norton's expanded syles have worked since the early 90s.
The drawback is the notation won't be right, but you can often get the sound to be right.
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; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,844
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,844 |
The other drawback is because you are doubling the tempo, styles may or may not work well with it, and the drums are usually way too fast. Norton's expanded styles take this into account.
Here's hoping that at some point in the near future we get native 8th note chord support. I know there will be those that will then clamor for 16th note resolution, but 8th note gets us much closer to properly capturing most music (and with pushes, you can still get on the 16th note divisions).
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)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,569
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,569 |
John, about the drums being too fast, I agree. That was the main reason (along with 100 bpm sambas) that I requested the ability to do half or double-time RealDrums. Try it!
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; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 716
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 716 |
Another way might be to write two sets of changes at the same tempo.
The first set lets say will be the chords you will place on the 'and' of each beat. Yet just write them as if they were normal 4 to the bar.
You then copy/move tracks bouncing this chord part over to a spare melody or soloist channel.
Then erase the chord sheet and write the second set of changes; the ones that'll sound 'on' the beat.
Go back to the first set on the other channel then time shift them ahead by 55/60 ticks or whatever works best for the feel and style you're working in.
They should now fit exactly in between the on the beat changes.
Can sound a bit stiff if you don't push them ahead by the right number of ticks so experiment. It can useful for short riff phrasing you can't find in the style you're using but which you need for the song.
HTH
Alan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139 |
"Here's hoping that at some point in the near future we get native 8th note chord support."
Yes....Please!!!!! I believe this one change would open a million possibilities.
Regards,
Bob
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3
Newbie
|
|
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3 |
[quote=Guitarhacker]Yep... I've seen folks ask this question several times and there's never been a good answer other than, you can put 4 chords into a bar as long as you separate them with a comma.
Guitarhacker, You said the above, I have just been trying to simply get 4 chords in a bar, which I have done visually using the "Chord Settings". The chords appear where I want them but BB doesn't play the chords I put on the 2nd, and 3rd beats. I havent found any instruction in the help files to tell me how. I tried what you mentioned, typing commas in between but the commas disappeared as soon as I hit enter. Please help I have 2 songs now that need to have different chords played on the 3 beat.
Thanks,
Ken.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3
Newbie
|
|
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3 |
I seem to have it working now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: 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.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,205
Posts801,934
Members40,068
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean