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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 824
Expert
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OP
Expert
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 824 |
I have previously posted some of the matters raised here in the previous topic www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=457611#Post457611 but I think they deserve a topic of their own, particularly because of that previous topic heading, which was a bit unspecific. Each year I have to learn new things about using Band-in-a-Box, but I think the present problems I am experiencing may be a bit of a bug, or possibly wrong assumptions in setting the objectives for programming. It could also be that my learning curve has not caught up and there are some solutions of which I am unaware. If so, I would be very pleased to hear these. First, I should explain that I use Band-in-a-Box for accompaniment when practicing, which as I understand was the main original use for the program. But of equal importance these days is the task of producing leadsheets for the musicians in my small jazz bands, and for producing the parts for small band arrangements. Traditionally Band-in-a-Box has been an excellent tool for these purposes and most of the users that I know use it for the same thing. In fact, you cannot be in our bands if you do not have a copy of Band-in-a-Box for swapping files and rehearsing parts with the great backing bands. Marketing please note, because these days most small jazz and dance bands use some kind of software for their band members to use for practicing their parts. I also know several arrangers who use Band-in-a-Box to work up the initial pro-formers for big band arrangements – me included. Aside from what Matt recently described as 'clunky', when referring to Band-in-a-Box notation, my observation is that some of the problems with notation seem to have been caused by the programming for Bar-Based Lyrics, starting with the 2017 version and now continuing with 2018. I appreciate that Bar-Based Lyrics are important for some users. I do notice that 2018 has cleared up a bit of a problem with the old Line-Based lyrics. I have hundreds of tune files with this type of lyric formatting, and previously there was no way of completely deleting them. But once they have been Automatically converted to Bar-Based Lyrics, the “Erase Bar-Bar Lyrics” will now do this. It would not last year, despite my complaints, so thank you for this! However, I have to say that it is a shame that Line-Based Lyrics were abandoned. There were definitely some advantages over Note-Based Lyrics that have been lost in the change that was made back in 2017. I wish they were still in existence because they may help to eliminate the problem that Trygve "Leo" Larsen is presently experiencing. For me there have been many faults in the all Band-in-a-Box versions, particularly for Note-Based lyrics, ever since bar-based lyrics were introduced. These days I have to get the white-out and ink pen working before I can produce a clean leadsheet to distribute to band members. Thus, I need heaps of extra filing space on my computer for the PDFs of the corrected versions I have scanned. The problem of the last words of a stave being carried down to the bar starting the next stave below for me is extreme. I am not entirely sure my problem is exactly the same as Leo’s. In my occurrence it does of course depend on how many words of the lyric are in the last bar that was carried down. It also depends on the type and size of the font you use for your lyrics. I normally want more than a 100% for the lyrics font. I find I have to use mostly PG Text at 120% to make it readable on the music stand. It was much better when we had line-based lyrics because you could space the lyrics along the line to suit. I was very encouraged when Oliver Gannon started to clean up the whole of the notation area the year before bar-based lyrics were introduced. Unfortunately the process did not continue. I believe some considerable programming effort needs to be put into the whole area of notation and creating proper readable lead sheets that have chords and lyrics shown. The ideal situation, which is used by most fake books, is four bars per line, and nine lines on a page. Of course the chords have to be accommodated as well as the lyrics, along with any Section Text, Section Letters and Notation Symbols also. And please have a thought for us trombone types who need their lead sheets in Bass Clef, where we commonly need at least four ledger lines for the trombone upper range. There are more problems with the notation in Bass Clef than in Treble Clef and I think this is due to this unawareness of the range. And please make the basics in the lead sheets produced using the 'Print' button the same as those using the Green button for 'LeadSheet Window'. There are several annoying differences at present that are not related to the purpose of each method. Please also give some thought to properly showing triplets for Even time, without having to tick the 'Triplet Resolution (Swing)' box. The ability to produce really good Leadsheets with Band-in-a-Box used to be one of its best features. And it was getting better every year, until you know what. As I previously mentioned, this is ultra-important for those using Band-in-a-Box leadsheets for band practice purposes. And I am also told bY some teachers I know, the idiosyncrasies are even more of a problem for those in the education world, particularly for the kids!
Grah Jive Talk
"Don't worry baby, they'll swing their arses off."
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,603
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,603 |
Very thorough report, Graham.
I said clunky? While I don’t dispute I said that, I have been working the other side of this: exporting BIAB files by MIDI or now Music XML to dedicated notation programs. I don’t use BIAB for notation, so don’t take anything I may have said about it seriously.
You have told us for many years how useful BIAB is for you to produce parts for your band, and I defer to your experience pursuing worthwhile improvements.
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.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
Notation, notation, notation. I've been commenting on the need for what seems to be fairly small enhancements for at least 10 years. I finally gave up a few years ago.
To me, Biab/RB notation is sooo close to being good for live band charting but not quite. I too make good use of whiteout or hand markings. Most of the time my issue is with repeats and 1st/2nd endings. I gave up making them readable within Biab, what I do now is simply lay out a tune based on how the chart should look but without any of those things. That means it will not play correctly. Then I print it and hand draw them in. To help visualize this just take any typical fake book chart and remove everything but the bars and chords. No repeat signs, no section letters, no 2nd ending, no tag or coda sign, nothing. That's what I load into Biab, just the chords in the order they show on the chart.
And yes, maybe Matt didn't say it but clunky is the word.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,603
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,603 |
Bob, you will enjoy the irony here: Dorico, the new notation software that is among the most expensive, has deficiencies in endings and codas. I waited to try it because the first release didn’t even have chord symbols.
Still, at their pace, fairly soon it may be the best choice out there.
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.
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Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
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- 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)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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- 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
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Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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