Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Beginners Forum
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 3
J
Newbie
OP Offline
Newbie
J
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 3
A new user, I am trying to import a 6-part MuseScore file (trumpet, alto, tenor, trombone, clarinet, bass), a version of Duke Pierson's "Big Bertha". Transcribed various horn and base lines into MuseScore from the Sher "Real Easy Book." Used the Open Special drop down, had to change the "musicxml" file ending to ".xml" and it opened. So far, so good. But when I look at it in notation or lead-sheet format, it's all in the treble clef line of a piano staff format. All parts are imported for each note as part of a six-note chord. And it sounds worse than the MuseScore 3 player when I play it. What I'm trying to do is generate a mirror version of the notation in BiaB that will play each transcribed part in a RealTrack instrument, maybe with a drum and piano part added to the song by a supplied or current RealTrack style. After looking through the forum, have messed with various choices, including trying to "assign" instruments with the Select Tracks option in Load XML File dialog, trying the SEQ button, etc., etc. Then drop a track and add myself in on alto or tenor horn, etc. Clearly I'm past my own headlights, but have I also gone completely off the road of what BiaB is designed for or capable of? Great forum comments from users, so I'm hopeful that this long posting will generate some help. Thanks in advance!


jonnyhubcap
Beginners Forum
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,975
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,975
Band-in-a-Box will play midi transcriptions note for note. You would achieve the best sound by installing a high quality soft synth sound module on each track. The audio would sound as good as the midi patches (instruments) you select. Kontakt, SampleTank and Halion are three well known proprietary soft synth systems but you can get sounds just as good from free soft synths like Sforzando and Synthfont.

However, RealTracks do not work that way since RealTracks are audio phrases, or riffs if you prefer that term, 1 to 8 bars in length. Prerecorded audio phrases will not play the note-by-note you desire.


Jim Fogle - 2026 BiaB (Build 1224) RB (Build 7) - Ultra+ PAK
DAWs: Cakewalk Sonar - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8
Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD
Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
Beginners Forum
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 3
J
Newbie
OP Offline
Newbie
J
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 3
Jim - I was afraid of that. Thank you for clearing up my confusion and for putting me on the track to a better solution. I’ll start with the Sforzando and Synth programs. Will need to figure out how to use them and do that. If I may, I’d like to leave a couple more questions. Does BiaB import the transcription from MuseScore note for note and part for part in the BiaB transcription, instead of leaving it as a 5 or 6-note chord on a single treble clef note stem? If so, is there a step by step set of import instructions that I can follow?

By the way, even without the full transcription, BiaB has been GREAT for transcribing/creating chord accompaniments by which to practice the Sher Real Easy tunes, and to set up repeats, solos and shout segments to solo against.

Jim, thanks again, for this and all the useful contributions I’ve seen throughout the forum.

Best, Jon (jonnyhubcap)


jonnyhubcap
Beginners Forum
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,374
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,374
Hi Jonny.

Welcome to the forums.

What you are aiming to do is much easier to accomplish in Realband. Since Realband does not load XML, though, it would be necessary to save your 6-part MuseScore score as MIDI.

Once that is done, start up Realband (it comes with BIAB for Windows) and then open the MuseScore-saved MIDI file. It should load each track of the score onto individual tracks in Realband.

By default, these tracks should use the general midi software synthesiser that ships with BIAB. This might be adequate for you use. If not, more sophisticated soft synths can be used but these will need to be set up for each track. First off, though, try the default soft synth and see if it does the job.

Regards,
Noel




MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2026
Beginners Forum
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 3
J
Newbie
OP Offline
Newbie
J
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 3
Noel - Thank you for this help. I will try this and will get back to you. I'm not sure how you guys juggle time to figure this stuff out, help other people, write music, and play an instrument, but I surely do appreciate the help. Fun stuff. Best, Jon


jonnyhubcap
Beginners Forum
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 48
J
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
J
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 48
I have a similar question. Mine involves a single instrument piano leadsheet with lyrics and chord symbols, and the first 8 bars are a piano intro with both treble and bass clef, the rest of the bars are treble clef only. This was created in Finale 25. I exported it to MusicXML and opened it in BIAB 2019. I tried numerous mappings of the two tracks that appeared (both to melody, then one at a time to melody.) Never could I get a melody or lyrics to show up in BIAB, only the chord symbols.

I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong here, but any advice would be appreciated.

UPDATE: contacted support, here is there fix:

there were some issues with MusicXML files in Band-in-a-Box 2019 in early builds. If you go to Help > About Band-in-a-Box what is the 3 digit number in brackets next to the year version?
608
Close out of Band-in-a-Box and then please download and install the latest 628 update at this link https://www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#628

Last edited by jazzi; 08/08/19 08:02 AM.

Janet Stevenson

BIAB 2023 Win/Finale/Audacity
Yamaha Tyros 4/Yamaha P-115/Pianodisc Player Piano

https://www.janetstevenson.com
https://www.reverbnation.com/janetstevenson
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Moderated by  Andrew - PG Music, PeterGannon 

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
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®!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics85,765
Posts795,963
Members39,955
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
hweiffen, NeedyJay, nncytrnod04, Tigerlily, BB Wilbur
39,954 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 172
DC Ron 110
Noel96 107
rsdean 100
dcuny 98
DrDan 86
Today's Birthdays
Daniel 34, jdgretz, Neil Brighton, nightjar, Vernon Neeley
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5