If required.... in preparation for changing a chordsheet from 1 x cell is equal to 1 x bar of music, select "Edit | Song form | Expand" and this will double the length of each chord from a chordsheet perspective.
NOTE ***To appreciate the below process, it's useful to think of a cell on BIAB's chordsheet as a holder of chords rather than one bar of music.
One cell on BIAB's chordsheet only holds a maximum of four chords. Thus if the song is laid out so that a single cell represents 4 beats, then this means that only chords on 1/4 note beats are possible unless pushes are used. (Pushes still have limitations and do not have the ability to create 8 x chords per bar.)
If however, the song is laid out so that 2 x BIAB chordsheet cells represent 4 beats, then it's possible to have 8 x chords per one bar of 4/4 music and so chords can be entered on 1/8th notes.
That is each cell can hold 4 x chords and it takes 2 x cells to cover the 4 x music beats.
To accomplish this, one needs to double the song's tempo.
In other words, if the song has a tempo of 80 bpm when a single cell is used to represent one bar, then it will need to have a tempo of 160 if two cells are used to represent one bar.
To get this to work with Realtracks and Realdrums means either
using those designed for use around 160 bpm
or using the same original Realtracks and Realdrums but setting their timebases to "half-time" to compensate for doubling the tempo.
Time-base settings for Realtracks are obtained by right-clicking on the track in the mixer and then selecting "Track Settings | Timebase".
Below are two simple songfiles that I've created so that it's possible to compare them and to see how to do it.
The first example one is one cell on the chordsheet represents one bar. (Standard BIAB use.)
The second example has the same Realtrack set to half-time so that two cells on the chordsheet represent one bar. Regarding the second example, notice that...
the tempo is doubled
the length of the song now appears twice as long since each one-bar chord is now covering two cells
It's from me, Jim! LOL! I've simply used the 'quote' mechanism in these forums as a way of highlighting a comment and also to create a friendlier visual impact for the readers (if any).
It's from me, Jim! LOL! I've simply used the 'quote' mechanism in these forums as a way of highlighting a comment and also to create a friendlier visual impact for the readers (if any).
Example #2 at the link in my ORIGINAL post, only had a single instrument.
If you have more than one instrument as well as drums, then each of those instruments and the drums needs to be set to a time-base setting of 'halftime'.
NOTE: Make sure that you save your file with a NEW NAME. It's always best to keep the original so that it's possible to return to it.
1. Firstly set the tempo to double (say from 65 to 130).
2. IMAGE 1 below shows how to set the time-base for Realtrack #2452 String Quartet in the style I'm using.
3. Do this for all the Realtracks and Realdrums in your style.
4. If you are using an existing song, it's necessary to expand the chords so that one bar of chords covers two cells on the chords sheets.
5. To do this, use "Edit | Song form | Expand chords by 2" as shown on IMAGE 2.
This expands the duration of the chords so that, at the new double-tempo speed, two chordsheet cells at 130 bpm (for example) play in the same time as one chordsheet cell at 65 bpm (for example).
Once the above steps are done, it will play properly and two chordsheet cells will represt one bar of music.
It's now possible to add 8 chords across those two cells.
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.
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.
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)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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