I'm struggling to find styles that support what I'd call half-time standards. I've got a lead sheet for a cut-time piece, with 1/2 note = 66 BPM. The feel of the piece is definitely half-time in feel, kind of loping along. How do I use any of the styles that are meant for 4/4? It seems when I just think of the piece in 4/4 at 132 BPM the feel is too quick. I could use 4/4 at 66 BPM and compress the measures, such that two cut-time measures in my lead sheet merge into one 4/4 measure. It might feel OK, but it seems like a kluge. I suspect I'm missing something pretty basic as a relatively new user.
What genre is your song? That might help. For example, I write Brazilian jazz so I often encounter a samba written in cut time (2/2), but the samba styles in BIAB are designed for 4/4 time at twice the tempo.
In general, BIAB has had the ability for the last several years to adjust what is called the timebase of RealTracks. When you select a RealTrack, or a RealDrum, most will let you select half-time or double-time.
Also, when you look at the list of styles, it's good to notice if the style is eighth-note based, or sixteenth-note based. A sixteenth-note based style will sound twice as busy.
There is more, but give us some feedback if this is helping (or causing more questions!).
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.
Yes, that's the sort of info I'm looking for! The song is a standard, Irving Berlin's I Got Lost in His Arms. Stacey Kent has done a version that is sort of my model. The lead sheet I bought is in 2/2, & I'm thinking 1/2 note at 66 bpm is about where I'd want it. It could work with an even feel. So I've been looking at even 8ths for styles, but it still feels too busy. So I need to check out the timebase option. Thank you for the hint, & if there are other related hints, I'm all ears.
One feature of the Band-in-a-Box StylePicker is you can enter the name of a song and the program will suggest compatible styles. I Got Lost In His Arms is not in the database so I put in a request for it to be added to the database +++ HERE +++
Thanks! Yes, I had checked the song picker feature to no avail. Now as I listen to the Kent/Tomlinson version again, it's in a moderate 4, about 82 bpm. My lead sheet is in 2/2, but Kent/Tomlinson is quite endearing. That modification & working with the timebase option should give me some more choices. And thanks for the info on suggesting songs for the song picker; I like working with both standards & contemporary praise songs, & do run into ones that I wish were in the data base.
My understanding is that it adds the song to the database, but that doesn't necessarily mean there is an available style that properly suits the song. Others may know more.
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.
Edit: Update, I looked for Horst Jankowski's tune: "A Walk In Th Black Forest" which was not in the list. I play it using _JAZBPBR.STY Critically, this song needs a two-beat walking bass line (my opinion only).
I suggested that the song got added, which it did, but it appears someone recommended several Gypsy styles should be used including: _STDENIS, _OLDBOP, _WARTIME Gypsy styles
None of them are really suitable for this song (again my opinion only).
So I don't think the 'add song request' adds the style.
Last edited by VideoTrack; 10/12/2005:43 PM.
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.
Thanks, Trevor. So that account suggests PG Music determined the appropriate styles?
That's my understanding. PG Music staff might be able to clarify how this is done.
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.
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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!
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