|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 236
Apprentice
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 236 |
Is it possible for BIAB to drift away from A440?
My guitar is set to an electronic tuner and its sounding
out of tune with my biab progression.
thanks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,632
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,632 |
What version of BIAB are you using?
Also, are you using Realtrack backings or is it a MIDI backing that's playing?
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 236
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 236 |
Hi,
that was weird! I decided to change strings waiting
, hopefully, for replies.
Strings changed. Tuning back up.
I now noticed - for the first time- under the main TUNER note in small letters: A 430. HUH?
This is a cheap headstock tuner which works great
for relative tuning. but there are zero controls on it.
Anyway, I pulled the battery, reinserted. SMALL
letters now say A440. Phew.
So all seems well.
[I originally though biab could possible be set to
alternated A pitches and that was my problem?]
thanks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,607
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,607 |
I can’t count how many times guitarists have lost correct calibration on guitar tuners. Can really cause arguments until you figure it out. A=430 is really low, however. 432 is used on occasion.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 189
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 189 |
Sometimes when using BIAB and a DAW and audio interface and I leave the room long enough for the computer to go into sleep mode, something goes wrong with the clock-synch. BIAB and the DAW playback faster and the pitch raises. Reboot clears it all up.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,607
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,607 |
Sometimes when using BIAB and a DAW and audio interface and I leave the room long enough for the computer to go into sleep mode, something goes wrong with the clock-synch. BIAB and the DAW playback faster and the pitch raises. Reboot clears it all up. I'm thinking that could more likely be your sound card, jumping to 48 KHz from 44.1. If the pitch went up a little under a minor third, that's probably what happened.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 189
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 189 |
Matt, you are probably right about 44.1 going to 48 causing my occasional speed up and pitch change after sleep mode.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,607
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,607 |
John, if so, there are a few precautions you could take.
1) especially if this is a desktop, change your Windows / Control Panel / power settings so everything is always on, particularly the settings for USB if your sound card is a USB device
2) check the Windows sound mixer advanced settings and make sure it is set at 44.1, not 48; it should say 2-channel, 16-bit, 44.100 Hz CD Quality
3) consider disabling any sleep mode / hibernate settings (especially on a desktop) because device drivers don't always get correctly reset after a PC wakes up
If you need better instructions on how to do these things, let us know and we can provide better detail.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,508
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,508 |
I have an old synth that is tuned to A=442. I don't know why, and I have to calibrate it every time I use it. No biggie, a couple of unison button pushes and a knob twist.
I have read that some orchestras, NY Phil and many of the European symphonies tune to A=442, so perhaps that's it.
Now my saxophone, like all woodwinds, is not in tune with itself. I have to 'lip' each note to play it in tune. So when I get a new sax, I play all the notes in front of a tuner to see which ones are out and by how much. This gives my mind a ball park of which direction to lip each note.
Then when I tune, I tune the sax to the note that registers the flattest while "lipping" the sax up as high as possible. That way I know when I play I can play in tune
Then while playing, I use my ears and my lip. It's done automatically, it's just part of playing the horn.
Often I'll play a note out of tune intentionally, a little flat to add tension and gradually pulling up to pitch, a little sharp to add brightness, or whatever. It's like bending a guitar string or using the whammy.
Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,607
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,607 |
Bob, you're a far better woodwind player than I will ever be, so you probably know most modern flutes are cut to be able to tune as far up as A=442. Comes in handy when the guitarist tunes by ear on the high side. My Powell is great but my Emerson alto flute topped out at 440, so I (gasp!) used a pipe cutter and shortened the lead pipe. You do what you have to do.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,508
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,508 |
I have a Selmer flute and I have no idea if it will tune to A=442. I'll have to try it.
My Selmer saxophones (Modele 26, Mark VI and Mark VII) have always played sharp so that my mouthpiece is at the very end of the cork. I've had other saxophones from Conn, Couf, King, Grassi, MacSax (boutique custom job), and Yamaha that tune with the mouthpiece in the middle of the cork or pushed in further. On the Sax On The Web Forum I found others have this Selmer 'problem' and people who don't have this problem can't understand it. And yes, I tried different mouthpieces.
Playing with guitarists keeps my ears in practice. As the guitar cools off it goes sharp, as the sax cools off it goes flat. So when I was in a guitar band, and we played where the temperature varied, I had to constantly adjust to be able to play in tune with them. After all they tune 6 strings and I have only one adjustment so that's the way it should be.
This confused me for a long time. Why? I can see the guitars because metal contracts when it's cold. Just look at the amount of sag on power or telephone lines between a summer and winter day to illustrate that. So cold weather makes the string tighter, and conversely warm makes it looser.
But the sax?
After much googling I found that the speed of sound is slower when the air is cold. This makes the horn seem longer to the sound waves, and thus it is lower in pitch. The opposite is true for warm air.
Another thing about intonation. Synths use equal temperament and our ears like just intonation. There is a difference in the blending of notes. Also a good piano uses 'stretch tuning' making the high notes a little sharper and the low ones flatter.
When doing backing tracks for my duo, I often separate the notes in say a horn section and de-tune them from equal temperament to make them sound more like just intonation. I figure horn players like myself do this automatically, so if I do this, it will sound better. Since I don't have a formula, it takes a lot of tweaking, listening, tweaking and listening but it's worth it. After all if I'm lucky I'll play that song a zillion times.
I hope I haven't drifted off thread too much.
Insights and incites by Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,607
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,607 |
Love it. Thanks for the trip, Bob. I can’t hold my Mark VI tenor without aches anymore but I still play soprano, which I describe to others as like trying to herd cats.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,508
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,508 |
I never bonded to soprano. Alto, Tenor and Bari I do fine with, and although I of course can play Soprano, I just don't like what I play on it. Perhaps the sound is too nasal or edgy -- I'm not sure.
When doing just intonation on MIDI ensembles, it's best to just do the long notes, it takes too much time for not so noticeable results on the shorter ones. Sometime I just do a version of 'stretch tuning' on horn/string parts, and that gives pleasing results.
Insights and incites by Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 17
Enthusiast
|
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 17 |
I installed the 2019 update and started playing along with my guitar, had a moment of "whaaa???" as it seemed BIAB was playing 1/2 tone sharp.
Read the posts and saw the comment about "cheap headstock tuner," which I use. Got out my old tuning fork (remember those?) and it agreed with BIAB, not my guitar or its tuner.
Lesson learned - tuner battery gets weak, it tunes flat. Blame the battery (or cheap headstock tuner), not BIAB!!
Now I won't wonder why on earth I tuned to Eb!!
Happy new year, BIAB fans!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,976
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,976 |
Glad to hear that’s resolved via your guitar tuner.
Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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 amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac 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 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed 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 transcribe 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, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
Holiday Weekend Hours
It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:
Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Don't wait - order today!
Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
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.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac 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)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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 PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,433
Posts805,040
Members40,123
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean