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.
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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!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
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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!
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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)
Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
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FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
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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)
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