one of the most common pop song formats is AABA. i.e verse chorus, verse chorus, middle 8, verse chorus. So how do I do this in BIAB? I'm fairly up to speed with the repeats, intro, tag and endings menu box but I don't see a straightforward way of starting with an AABA setup. I must be missing something. Please enlighten me.
Most of what I do is AABA, (sometimes AABACA). Over time I've found the easiest way (for me anyway) is to simply unfold the song linear - set number of choruses to 1 and type the lot in. Easier than you might think if you use copy and paste to add A section en masse. I find I have more control over endings and because its linear, if I fancy a different chord in, say, the middle of the second A section, it affects nothing else. HTH Ian
Old Guys Rule.The older I get,the better I was! BB2023 ULTRA, 1013, Win 7 and 10
Does this form assist you to setup the preferred layout?
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Yes, the form box does appear to do what I want, but it is in linear form as per sixchannel's answer. The resulting leadsheet seems to be linear too, which is not very convenient if you want to produce something on one sheet for display on a tablet. What I was looking for is a repeat of A with 2 endings followed by the B (middle 8) then a d.c. to the A part again with a coda sign to avoid the 1st and 2nd repeats but going to an ending instead. That's how I'd write it, old school style. Is possible in BIAB?
I suggest you write it as 3 endings. Build it as a linear song and then add the repeats.
The common section is "A" as you describe. The first ending is simple - let's call it "E", the second ending is E plus B, and the third ending is probably a modified E to include any special finish.
Then build the 1st, 2nd and 3rd endings in the dialogue, recognizing that the second ending is longer than the first.
I build almost all my songs this way, and can generally print them on two pages by carefully managing the bars per line on the fake sheet.
One tip - don't make the first ending too short. I usually make mine 4 bars, and print it on its own line, it will make lining up the print so much easier. I rarely use DS as it often is just as easy to make a third ending. I reserve DS for breaking out of the "A" section early if the third pass does not need a full "A" section.
BIAB for Windows Version 2019 (643) Windows 10 (1909)
one of the most common pop song formats is AABA. i.e verse chorus, verse chorus, middle 8, verse chorus. So how do I do this in BIAB? I'm fairly up to speed with the repeats, intro, tag and endings menu box but I don't see a straightforward way of starting with an AABA setup. I must be missing something. Please enlighten me.
AABA is Verse verse chorus verse
What you then indicated is ABABCAB. That is a song form that can be fairly long when it's done.
So.... no matter. Just details.
I find the best thing to do is to immediately UNFOLD to ONE CHORUS as BB likes to call it. That takes the song out of the 3x repeat and puts it into a linear form... One time through, start to finish. This lets you use your edit function to add the part markers you need to create the verses and the chorus as well as any middle 8 or bridge sections. It also lets you work out the intro and endings according to your vision for the song.
I tend to ALWAYS unfold the song form as it's also much easier to see what you're doing and more importantly, where you are at, in the song.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
I always build "unfolded" then add the repeats/ endings afterwards. since the repeats, at this point, are print functions, you can create some pretty complex fake sheets. They work because the underlying song hasn't changed. I like my fake sheets, with multiple lines of lyrics to fit on two pages. Never had a problem
BIAB for Windows Version 2019 (643) Windows 10 (1909)
In case it wasn't clear from Herb's post, BIAB defines "one chorus" as jazz players do: once through the tune's whole form. This is because BIAB was originally designed to play jazz fakebook tunes. So in BIAB, one chorus could be AABA or ABABCAB etc.
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.
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: 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.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean