Hello, I use BIAB 2007.I know, it is old, but it is enough for me. When I use the user style 54_swing (5/4 meter swing - About time) I hear a nice 5/4 Count-in (two bars 12345-12345). When I edit the current style and save it, then immediately the count-in is gone and is replaced by the normal BIAB Count-in (1 3, 1234). But I want to keep the 5/4 Count-in. What have I to do? I look forward to your answers.
I used to have 2007 but I'm afraid that it's too long ago for me to remember anything about it. The program has changed significantly since then. Version 2007 was before PG Music released Realtracks.
I may be wrong here but I was under the impression that BIAB only counts-in with 4 beat or 3 beats. I have BIAB 2017 and I just tried '54_Swing.sty'. It counted in with 4 beats for me.
I don't remember anything about 2007 except 5/4 count ins are not possible using the usual count in. What I do is to make the first two measures the count in by muting everything except the drums using the 5/4/ style. The song would start on measure #3. If you can't mute everything but the drums just make a 4 or 8 bar intro and then start your song.
Good luck.
My wife had her driving test today. She got 8 out of 10. The other 2 jumped out of the way!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Thanks for your answers. The solution is: you have to load the whole song "Jive at five-54swing.sty demo", then you can edit the style (then rename and save the song)and the 5/4 count-in is preserved. If you load only the style 54_swing.sty, the 5/4 count-in is lost, when you edit it. I don't know why that is so, but for me the problem is solved.
On odd time styles, BB seems to load the '5/4' time into the 4/4 tempo; in other words 5 beats happen in the time span (in ms) that 4 beats would occur normally. It's a faux (fake) 5/4 time to me. You can only generate new tracks using a matching 5/4 style.
This is a big reason why I prefer Realband; it seems to use the real time signature and tempo much more accurately. 5/4 actually generates in 5/4 .. however then your BB '5/4' styles may become weird. You need to let RB handle the time sig change.
I prefer to generate a 5/4 time sig and have it line up with the tempo map. RB does this much better than BiaB.
I can generate a '4/4 style in RB' while using a 5/4 time sig (or 7/4 for that matter) and it makes sense. There are 5/7 beats per measure, and I can edit as expected, etc.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
On odd time styles, BB seems to load the '5/4' time into the 4/4 tempo; in other words 5 beats happen in the time span (in ms) that 4 beats would occur normally. It's a faux (fake) 5/4 time to me. You can only generate new tracks using a matching 5/4 style. [/quote]
I agree. I wish they would incorporate more time signatures than 3/4 and 4/4.
Originally Posted By: rharv
This is a big reason why I prefer Realband; it seems to use the real time signature and tempo much more accurately. 5/4 actually generates in 5/4 .. however then your BB '5/4' styles may become weird. You need to let RB handle the time sig change.
I prefer to generate a 5/4 time sig and have it line up with the tempo map. RB does this much better than BiaB.
I can generate a '4/4 style in RB' while using a 5/4 time sig (or 7/4 for that matter) and it makes sense. There are 5/7 beats per measure, and I can edit as expected, etc.
A question for you my friend is does RB export a 5/4, well actually any non 3/4, 4/4, song in 5/4 or whatever time signature you are using?
I am not a user of RB but IIRC it use to export everything in 3/4 or 4/4 time.
My wife had her driving test today. She got 8 out of 10. The other 2 jumped out of the way!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
A question for you my friend is does RB export a 5/4, well actually any non 3/4, 4/4, song in 5/4 or whatever time signature you are using?
I am not a user of RB but IIRC it use to export everything in 3/4 or 4/4 time.
Export to where?
In my experience yes, but you may have a specific example that shows otherwise (?).
TommyC and I have traded RB files in 7/4 multiple times with no issue. One of my favorite things about RB is it's odd-time abilities. Are you remembering BB or RB? Come to think of it, 11/4 and other time sigs have worked also. I don't attempt this in BiaB, as RB handles it so much better to me, so that be a huge difference in the results.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
A question for you my friend is does RB export a 5/4, well actually any non 3/4, 4/4, song in 5/4 or whatever time signature you are using?
I am not a user of RB but IIRC it use to export everything in 3/4 or 4/4 time.
Export to where?
In my experience yes, but you may have a specific example that shows otherwise (?).
TommyC and I have traded RB files in 7/4 multiple times with no issue. One of my favorite things about RB is it's odd-time abilities. Are you remembering BB or RB? Come to think of it, 11/4 and other time sigs have worked also. I don't attempt this in BiaB, as RB handles it so much better to me, so that be a huge difference in the results.
Good point. I meant to export to any other DAW. In my case that would be Sonar.
My wife had her driving test today. She got 8 out of 10. The other 2 jumped out of the way!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Bob, I think my problem is that the 5/4 MIDI styles that I was working with only are available as 4/4. In RB I set the tempo to the style tempo and the time signature to 5/4 but the 5/4 MIDI style still comes up in at 4/4. Even the shown time signature changes from 5/4 to 4/4 and changing it back to 5/4 only moves the measure markers and does nothing to the style.
My wife had her driving test today. She got 8 out of 10. The other 2 jumped out of the way!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Yes, I thought I mentioned that; PGMusic 5/4 styles are actually done in 4/4 and simply fit 5 beats in the span of 4 .. not really done in 5/4 time sig. I think this is because BiaB can't handle odd times like RB can.
However if you DO create a song in real 5/4 time it should work fine. You just can't use those faux 5/4 styles. What impressed me most was how RB can take 4/4 RT's and generate them as 5/4, 7/4 etc.
Last edited by rharv; 03/14/1704:25 AM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
Mario: Bob, I think my problem is that the 5/4 MIDI styles that I was working with only are available as 4/4. In RB I set the tempo to the style tempo and the time signature to 5/4 but the 5/4 MIDI style still comes up in at 4/4
Hi Mario, You've come to the right place. We have exactly that, a set of MIDI styles in odd time signatures that fill up a bar of 4/4 as the odd time singnature. This includes time signs like 5/4 7/4 but also esoteric ones like 11/8 etc. use the time sig filter in the stylepicker to find them.
Yes Peter I have that style set and in fact that was the one that I was testing. I just misunderstood Bob. I thought he said that those 5/4 time signatures would come up as 5/4 in RB but as I discovered just like in BiaB those 5 beats are within a 4/4 measure.
Thanx for looking in to this for me. I appreciate it.
My wife had her driving test today. She got 8 out of 10. The other 2 jumped out of the way!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
I remember when the "About Time" style set came out. Even though it was emulating those time signatures within a 4/4 or 3/4 structure, it sounded pretty great (didn't display properly, so don't look for proper notation). Soundwise, however, it was spot-on.
I remember several people posted some songs using those styles to show how it worked.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA
John, I have also used BiaB's 5/4 as well as other non 3/4-4/4 time signatures. I have to play by ear to match everything up. It just makes it a little tougher to correct subtle timing problems when what you see doesn't match what you hear if you know what I mean.
I really like that 38 MIDI style set and I use them quite often. I just wish that it had true notation and MIDI time matching in DAWs.
My wife had her driving test today. She got 8 out of 10. The other 2 jumped out of the way!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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.
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!
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.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean