Writing BIAB-generated Harmony to Individual Tracks

In the post immediately below this one, PhillyJazz gives an easier way to print the harmony.


The below example is based on using BIAB 2018 for Windows


Quote:
For this example, download the zip file AMAZING_GRACE.ZIP. This file contains the original MGU with just melody, an MGU with harmonised melody and the MIDI file with the harmonised melodies on separate MIDI channels.

Creating a lead sheet for a harmony line is an advanced aspect of BIAB. While the below instructions look complicated, many are simply about double-checking settings that should already be in place. These settings only need checking once.





1. Open Amazing Grace – original.MGU found in the zip file.

2. Generate the song.

3. Open Harmony | Melody Harmony (shortcut ALT+F10)



4. From the list that appears, scroll down to 189: AH - 3 part - 1dn 1up + Mel (#3).

DO NOT CLICK “WRITE HARMONY TO MELODY TRACK” (#4)



5. Select Edit (#5) on the image above.

6. When in Harmony Maker, make sure that Voices 2 and 3 are set to B and C respectively (see image below). Also make sure that Channels A, B, C have sounds assigned (#7). Exit with OK (#8).



7. After exiting Harmony Maker, if you are returned to BIAB proper, it may be necessary to repeat steps 3 and 4 above and re-select 189: AH - 3 part - 1dn 1up + Mel.

Press OK after re-selecting harmony #189 (there is no need to re-enter Harmony Maker).

8. In the Convert Track to Harmony window that now appears, select set options (#9) and (#10) as shown below and then click on OK (#11).



9. When the song is now played, the harmony will sound and it will play with the instruments chosen back in step 6, #7. If viewed in Notation Mode, however, there is only a single note for the melody that's visible. This is correct and is what's required for isolating the individual harmony tracks for printing.


Now to save the song to MIDI with harmony on different channels

10. Save the song with a new name to safeguard the original file.

I’ve used Amazing Grace – harmony.MGU in the zip file.

11. Select File | Save Special | Save as MIDI file

12. When the MIDI file dialogue window appears. Check that “Type 1” is selected (#12). Now click on Options (#13) and check that settings #14, #15, #16 are set as shown on the image below.

Select #17 to save to a MIDI disk file. (A MIDI drum track will also be saved on channel 10.)

In the zip file, the MIDI containing the harmony is Amazing Grace – harmony.MID



13. Now select File | Open in BIAB and navigate to the MIDI file. Select the file. It will be loaded onto the Melody track as a multichannel MIDI file.

14. Clicking on the green SEQ button will now make the various MIDI channels visible.




To Print The Harmonies

15. Select Lead Sheet Mode.

16. Now select Opt (#18) and check that the settings for #19 are the same as on the image below. Click on Set (#20), check that the settings for #21 are the same as below and then deselect everything in the right column at #22 except for flute (as shown on the image).

The flute harmony (MIDI channel 12) will now be shown on the lead sheet and can be printed.



Hope this is useful!
Noel Adams

MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2026