|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,312
PG Music Staff
|
OP
PG Music Staff
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,312 |
Within the Chord Sheet of Band-in-a-Box®, Part Markers are placed to indicate a new part of the song (they typically occur every 8 bars, but you can place them at the beginning of any bar).
But what else to Part Markers do?
Change the substyle: each original Band-in-a-Box® Style includes 2 substyles: "a" and "b" - there are also MultiStyles available, typically with 4 substyles - but there can be up to 24 ("a" through "x")!
From the Band-in-a-Box® Help file:
Each style has "a" and "b" substyles. Band-in-a-Box® Multistyles also have "c" and "d" substyles, and could have from "a" to "x" for a total of up to twenty-four.
Most of these MultiStyles that we’ve made have 4 substyles, conforming to the following pop song format:
Substyle "a" is usually used for the verse of a song.
Substyle "b" is usually used for the "b-section" or the chorus, and for soloing in the middle choruses.
Substyle "c" is usually used for the intro or for an opening verse or pre-verse.
Substyle "d" is usually used for a break or interlude.
There is always a part marker at bar 1 so that Band-in-a-Box® knows which substyle to begin with. The song continues to play in one substyle until it encounters a new part marker. The substyle will change automatically on second choruses when the "Vary Style in Middle Choruses" song setting is selected.
Drum Fills: a 1-bar drum fill will occur on the bar preceeding the part marker: if you add a part marker to bar 8, the drum fill will occur within bar 7.
Section Paragraphs: adding a part marker to your Band-in-a-Box® song will move that section to a new line within the lead sheet, making it easlier to see - this is optional, and can be adjusted within the Display Options window.
How many part markers do you typically add to your Band-in-a-Box® songs?
Callie
Marketing Representative
PG Music Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,473
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,473 |
This is very educational.
With newer versions of BIAB, it is possible to turn off the drum fill at a part marker. This increases the versatility.
Also, it’s good you mention that a few styles have more two sub styles. This may not be well known, and it’s a great tool.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,323
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,323 |
Multistyles are really effective to build pro arrangements.
But be aware that they are not interpreted in RealBand as multistyles, what a pity.
It has been requested to add this feature in RealBand for several years now.
Reach for excellence
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,786
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,786 |
I honestly had no idea you could set a whooping 24 different types of part markers (if my understanding of the above is accurate)  I've only seen a handful of styles with more than the standard a & b markers, with 4 being the highest number and nearly all being midi-only styles at that, for some reason  And I've never seen my part markings cycle between anything above the standard a & b, so a "how to" video that shows how to do more on any given style would be quite useful. p.s. This rather begs the question, why are there still so few styles on offer that utilise this to conform to the common forenamed convention of four substyles? This should be the standard by now (I'm aware of the 'BBox got started by jazzists'), not the rarest of exceptions!
Last edited by Icelander; 02/11/18 04:23 AM. Reason: afterthought
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,473
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,473 |
Icelander, this was ‘a thing’ quite a few years ago. I think there was an initial push of multistyles.
Although I’ve never done it, I believe you can roll your own. If I’m remembering this correctly, one could create different sub styles with different sound-compatible RealTracks or even just different choices of drum kit in a single RealDrum. Then you save your style under a new name.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,786
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,786 |
Icelander, this was ‘a thing’ quite a few years ago. I think there was an initial push of multistyles. About 2010-11, according to the creation date of the Multistyles folder within the RT Demos. Sounds about right, now that you mention it, but my ponder was rather why it seems to have stopped there Although I’ve never done it, I believe you can roll your own. If I’m remembering this correctly, one could create different sub styles with different sound-compatible RealTracks or even just different choices of drum kit in a single RealDrum. Then you save your style under a new name. Ah, that whole "not working on Mac" rears its ugly head yet again. We still can't rework styles and save as another. No wonder then that I never tried pursue this any further at the time.. But then again, 2011 was also well before I became an active forum member to speak of (if at all), let alone a regular tester for the program. This may well be worth revisiting now 
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,733
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,733 |
Yep... part markers are very cool indeed.
As far as how many I use..... only the amount I need to use.
And they are really handy for visually marking parts of the song and adding extra measures.
I generally only use styles that have 2 styles.... the normal blue and green ones. For my style of writing they are normally sufficient and with my DAW, I can make edits as needed to add interesting things.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,473
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,473 |
A simple function of part markers is to place a double bar line in the printed song. That alone makes BIAB part markers useful.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 877
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 877 |
A simple function of part markers is to place a double bar line in the printed song. That alone makes BIAB part markers useful. Could you please expand on this? I'm not quite sure what you mean by "double bar line," but it sounds intriguing!
Band-in-a-Box 2024. Custom Build Desktop PC W/ Windows 10 Home 64-bit. CPU: Intel Core i5-9600k @ 3.7GHz (6 core x 6 threads) RAM: 16GB DDR4. Storage 238GB SSD + 2.7 TB HDD. GPU: ZOTAC NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,473
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,473 |
You can google ‘double bar line’ to see how this looks in printed music notation. Standard stuff, to have a double bar line at the start of sections of a song. You don’t see it in BIAB on the Chordsheet View (you see the blue and green markers). Make sense?
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,312
PG Music Staff
|
|
OP
PG Music Staff
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,312 |
A simple function of part markers is to place a double bar line in the printed song. That alone makes BIAB part markers useful. Thanks for pointing this out - you're absolutely right! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 52
Enthusiast
|
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 52 |
I have BIAB Ultrapak 2018 for Windows.
With regard to the part maker, twice recently i have been able to get parts C and D to appear with consecutive mouse clicks, but when I finish the song and generate the tracks, parts C and D disappear and things revert to A and B as the norm.
I have been unsuccessful in finding any written help in the manual to describe how to set and maintain parts C and D.
Can anyone point me in the right direction?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,036
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,036 |
Bunyip, what Style are you using in your song?
Someone here might be able to verify / check.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 824
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 824 |
Thanks to Callie for the educational reminder about Part Markers. Certainly I use them for all the purposes outlined. I believe one of the most important features outlined by Callie is Section Paragraphs: adding a part marker to your Band-in-a-Box® song will move that section to a new line within the lead sheet, making it easier to see - this is optional, and can be adjusted within the Display Options window. This feature is extremely useful for creating readable leadsheets, a subject I am a bit passionate about, as you can tell from my recent post on 'Notation Problems'. These days you often come across tunes where the sections are not necessarily of 8 bars length. I often encounter AABA tunes where the 'A' section is 10 bars. Thus, you want one line on a leadsheet which only contains 2 bars. This is handled well by the part market when using the 'Print' Notation button. However the part market does not do the same thing when using the Leadsheet Window (AltW) green button. Here, you have to fill in the Lead Sheet Options box saying exactly how many bars you want on every line.  This is extremely time consuming and you have to know about this quirk. I simply do not understand why the part marker method would not be a better! Also it is very difficult to get a Tag ending to go down onto a separate line. In answer to Callie's question "How many part markers do you typically add to your Band-in-a-Box® songs?": The most common song form is a thirty two bar AABA tune with each of the 'Section Paragraphs' being 8 bars. Add an extra part marker for a four-bar Intro, and one for the Tag Ending. So, most often one uses 6 part markers. Unfortunately, many modern pop tunes do not follow this 'section paragraph' convention and you often need part markers to create 4, 3, 2 and 1 bars on a line. Of course, many published sheet music copies do not bother with the starting a new 'section paragraph' on a new line but I much prefer the common Fake Sheet method of producing leadsheets, as outlined in my previous post: http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=457880#Post457880Callie, I put your 'section paragraph' description in inverted commas because I have not previously heard it called that. I think it is a good description but BIAB normally calls simply a 'Section', as in 'Bar-Based Section Letters'.
Grah Jive Talk
"Don't worry baby, they'll swing their arses off."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,814
Posts796,518
Members39,964
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean