I have host midi lead to Tyros 4 from PC windows 7.
I am attempting to get my Tyros 4 yamaha to start BIAB play back when I place my left hand to keyboard and not using the green play button, I have investigated the Tyros midi function button at External Clock and fiddled with the buttons but no luck. Can someone please help and oldie (80years)with an idiot type sheet instruction on how to proceed. (I play on top of the Biab program for enjoyment only)
Assume Charlie is a piano player who uses his MIDI keyboard with Band-in-a-Box, and would like to play his keyboard, but also use it to control Band-in-a-Box.
He sets the conductor to allow his MIDI keyboard lowest notes A/Bb/B to turn the Conductor mode OFF/ON/Toggled-when held.
When he turns it off (low A note), he can play his keyboard normally.
If he wants to pause the song, he holds down the low B3 note as he presses the MIDI key for pause, which is G4. The song will pause, and the conductor mode turns off as he lets go of the B3 key, and he can resume his piano playing. If Charlie didn’t plan on using the MIDI keyboard for piano playing, he could leave it in conductor mode by turning it on with the A3 key.
Click to reveal..
Conductor Functions with MIDI Keys and QWERTY Hot Keys
Here are the various functions available using the Conductor. The MIDI key and QWERTY hot key are shown.
C3 Normal Tempo Ctrl =
C# Half Speed Tempo Ctrl -
D3 Quarter Speed Tempo
Eb3 Eighth Speed Tempo
E3 Loop Section Enabled NUMPAD 1
F3 Play with last chorus looped Ctrl-NUMPAD 1
F#3 Play with middle choruses looped Ctrl-NUMPAD 2
G3 Play with middle and last choruses looped Ctrl-NUMPAD 3
G#3 Jump to last chorus (no loop) Ctrl-NUMPAD 4
A3 Jump to ending (no loop) Ctrl-NUMPAD 5
Bb3 Loop notation screen
B3 Decrease Tempo by 1 Shift [
C4(48) Increase Tempo by 1 Shift ]
Db4 Decrease Tempo by 5 [
D4 Increase Tempo by 5 ]
Eb4 Tap tempo - (press 4 times)
E4 Tap Tempo and play = (press 4 times)
F4 Play F4
F#4 Stop Escape
G4 Pause Backspace (or Ctrl H)
G#4 Replay Ctrl A
A4 MIDI Panic F12
Bb4 Previous Song Ctrl-Shift-F8
B4 Next Song Shift-F8
C5(60) This is a control character for THRU patches. When C5 is held down, pressing MIDI notes 61/62 decrease/increase the THRU patch by one, and 63-72 change THRU patches to Favorite patches.
Db5 Open Notation Window Ctrl-W
D5 Lead sheet Window Alt-W
Eb5 Reduce All Volumes by 5 Ctrl-Alt-Shift-Q
E5 Increase all Volumes by 5 Ctrl-Alt-Shift-W
F5 ALL Mute/Unmute Alt-2
F#5 Bass Mute/Unmute Alt-3
G5 Piano Mute/Unmute Alt-4
G#5 Drums/Unmute Alt-5
A5 Guitar Mute/Unmute Alt-6
Bb5 Strings Mute/Unmute Alt-7
B5 Melody/Unmute Alt-9
C6 Soloist Mute/Unmute Alt-8
Db6 THRU Mute/Unmute Alt 0
F6 to D7 Jump to Sections 1-10 of the song 1-9 and 0
D6 Audio Mute
Eb7 Loop Current Chorus a
E7 Loop Current Section s
F7 Loop Current Bar z
F#7 Loop Current 4 Bars x
G7 Loop current Part c
Ab7 Looping ON, previous setting v
A7 Looping OFF b
Bb7 Go Back 1 Chorus Ctrl a
B7 Go Back 1 Section Ctrl s
C8 Go Back 1 Screen Ctrl d
Db8 Go Back 1 Bar Ctrl z
D8 Go Back 4 Bars Ctrl x
Eb8 Go Back 1 Part marker Ctrl c
E8 Go Ahead 1 Chorus Shift A
F8 Go Ahead 1 Section Shift S
F#8 Go Ahead 1 Screen Shift D
G8 Go Ahead 1 Bar Shift Z
Ab8 Go Ahead 4 Bars Shift X
A8 Go Ahead 1 Part marker Shift C
In addition, using the MIDI keyboard, you can also use the Conductor to:
A1 (note#21)Turn MIDI Conductor OFF
Bb1 Turn MIDI Conductor ON
B1 Turn MIDI Conductor ON only as note is held down
Have you tried the "Options | Preferences" setting that I've highlighted on the image below?
While this setting doesn't offer the versatility that comes with Pipeline's suggestions, it might do the job for you.
The option is found on the first screen that appears once Preferences is opened.
My understanding of this feature, and I could be wrong because I haven't tried it, is that you press the "Generate" button first. Playback won't start immediately, though, because BIAB is waiting for a signal from either the MIDI keyboard or the QWERTY keyboard. Once that signal is received, playback begins.
Thanks guys for all that information, (its 7am here in UK and the boss will not let me switch on BIAB/Tyros) But those instructions must work. I can now understand why I was getting those queer deviations at speed etc. Those pedals might be a step too far, there are already two and volume pedals going to Tyros. My little old brain might not cope with 6 of them.
OK guys, some success but inconsistancies, perfect operation sometimes and then corruptions take place. Even the Tyros midi function page gets changed and BIAB takes a resetting like going back to Prefs switching off those new instructions to get any normal BIAB function like having to go back to the green arrow again.
AND when working how do you get the automatic start to stop at the end of the play without using the stop button at BIAB.
Perhaps I need to come back in a few days when the old grey matter as solved these problems for me.
Will be in touch and thanks all for your guidance. Devonplayer
Right click > Properties > Compatibility > XP > Run as Admin you can set it to the high C or low C to send the spacebar keystroke. Set other keys to any other keystroke or hotkeys.
Converts signals from midi devices (e.g. epiano) to keystrokes
MIDI Hotkey Portable is a handy and reliable utility designed to enable you to control your computer using a midi device like a piano. Not only can you configure the notes you can also configure the sustain pedal, play, stop, record buttons.
There are many ways to use MIDI Hotkey Portable: You can use this software to make recording easier (e.g. control cubase, samplitude, using your electric piano). But also you are able to launch programs like firefox or even control the mouse.
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.
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.
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!
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.