Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,516
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,516
After I've saved a song, if I open it in the Fake Sheet Mode it goes right to Bar 1. If I open the same saved song in the Lead Sheet mode, it opens up half way through the song. Seems to be at a different place depending on the song.

Wouldn't it make sense that the Lead Sheet would also open to Bar 1? For those of us that are sight readers and playing BIAB live this would be a great help.

I guess I don't understand the logic of this. Certainly if the Fake Sheet can open at Bar 1, I wouldn't think that it would be that difficult of a programming change to get the Lead sheet to also open at Bar 1.

Am I missing something here that would require one to open differently than the other?

What are your thoughts?

Jeff


Win11, Intel i7 7700K 4.2Ghz, 32Gb RAM, 2x1Tb HD, 500Gb NVMe, BIAB/RB 2026, MOTU 828MK3 audio, MOTU Midi Express, Yamaha Montage 7, DX7II, TX802, Motif XS Rack, Roland Fantom XR Rack, Oberheim Matrix 1000, VoiceLive3 Extreme, Kontakt 6, SampleTank 4.3
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,047
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,047
Originally Posted By: MountainSide
Certainly if the Fake Sheet can open at Bar 1, I wouldn't think that it would be that difficult of a programming change to get the Lead sheet to also open at Bar 1.

Am I missing something here that would require one to open differently than the other?


Jeff, Yes to your question. Classically trained musicians prefer to have their sheet music presented to them in a random fashion with no prior preparation. That allows them to physically adjust to the beginning of the section they play in. That way the responsibility for the correct placement is up to the musician and not some stage hand. Just like paratroopers always pack their own parachutes. It has been that way in the orchestra since the early days.

There is a story that Mozart once was presented with the sheet turned to the middle section and he was playing the first section. He stormed off the stage and never again played that venue again.

So I hope this helps you better understand the logic in the BIAB programing.


Retired to Make Music - No Plan B
My SoundCloud
View Current Projects
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,275
L
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
L
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,275
Jeff:

I don't do much with Lead Sheet / Fake Sheet modes but I think if you put your cursor in the grid at Bar 1,
both will open up at the beginning of the song.

Are you running BIAB Windows 2021 (build 81?)?

Good luck!
LLOYD S

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,647
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,647
Hi Jeff,

Fake Sheet Mode (in Lead Sheet view) works hand in hand with Fake Sheet in Chordsheet view. It's a way of contracting the song display when repeats, etc., are used. So when it's activated, the display would return to the beginning as selected bars could potentially be "hidden" bars.

Lead Sheet mode, on the other hand, aligns with where the cursor is on the chordsheet. For example, if the cursor is on bar 50 on the chord sheet, bar 50 will be the starting point when switching to Lead Sheet mode.


In case it's useful information for some who might read this thread....

To see how the different modes operate, open the tutorial file called "Repeats Tutorial example 2 with 1st-2nd and DC al Fine.MGU". It's in the folder...

"\bb\Documentation\Tutorials\Tutorial - Repeats and Endings"

This songfile has first/second endings.

If you now go to LeadSheet view and toggle the Fake Sheet Mode, you'll see how the display changes as it changes from linear view to condensed view.


Now...

Go back to the chordsheet.

1) You'll probably notice that there are bar numbers missing. The song jumps from bar 8 to bar 15 and bars 9 to 14 seem to have disappeared. While the song is 32 bars long, not all 32 bars are showing.

2) Locate the "Fake Sheet" toggle (top image, below) and click on it. The missing bars will now be exposed and grayed out. This is linear mode. The grayed out regions are because sections have been defined as repeated sections.

The Fake Sheet Mode is the equivalent of what a great deal of print music uses. In BIAB, most of us work in linear mode so Fake Sheet Mode does nothing. If a user chooses to define repeats, DC al Coda, etc., then Fake Sheet Mode is important.

Regards,
Noel

Attached Files (Click to download or enlarge) (Only available when you are logged in)
fakesheet mode 2020.JPG (20.17 KB, 98 downloads)
fakesheet mode expanded view 2020.JPG (48.81 KB, 97 downloads)

MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2026
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,516
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,516
Thanks guys, I do appreciate your insight and helpful advice. I must admit though, the logic still escapes me.

While I'm far from being classically trained and see myself more as a technician than a musician, it may be just the way I use BIAB to play keys on my songs. I open up each song, it opens in the chord sheet...not a problem. I then click on the Lead Sheet to play the song.

This is where it gets weird. Some songs, on the Lead Sheet, will open to the beginning, at Bar 1. Others, will open to random places in the song....could be starting at Bar 26, Bar 63....it seems random. I would just like to have all songs to open at Bar 1 on the Lead sheet.

In trying to figure why some songs open at Bar 1 on the Lead Sheet and others open at random places, I have tried various methods of "Save", "Save As", saving with the chord chart open, saving with the Fake sheet open, saving with the Lead Sheet open. I've even tried to return to factory settings, both the "MOST" and "ALL' settings. Nothing seems to be consistent.

Yet about half of my songs do open the Lead Sheet at Bar 1. There's something going on here and I would just like to figure out what it is.

Jeff


Win11, Intel i7 7700K 4.2Ghz, 32Gb RAM, 2x1Tb HD, 500Gb NVMe, BIAB/RB 2026, MOTU 828MK3 audio, MOTU Midi Express, Yamaha Montage 7, DX7II, TX802, Motif XS Rack, Roland Fantom XR Rack, Oberheim Matrix 1000, VoiceLive3 Extreme, Kontakt 6, SampleTank 4.3
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,047
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,047
Jeff, I hope you realize I was just messin with ya. I have no idea what classically trained musicians do grin . However, when I read Noels answer I thought he was messin with ya also. Really, all that. to do what exactly? crazy

So I think the real answer here is exactly as you have determined - Some things just can't be figured out.


Retired to Make Music - No Plan B
My SoundCloud
View Current Projects
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,516
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,516
No harm, no foul guys. All insight into this is most appreciated. I'm just trying to understand why it works sometimes and doesn't other times.

I used to work for a German company, Bayer AG out of Leverkusen, Germany. I was once showing the VP of Manufacturing how consistent a certain plant's results were. He replied "Meine Herr, consistency ist goot, control is betta".

Ya, that's it! I just want to control BIAB!

Jeff


Win11, Intel i7 7700K 4.2Ghz, 32Gb RAM, 2x1Tb HD, 500Gb NVMe, BIAB/RB 2026, MOTU 828MK3 audio, MOTU Midi Express, Yamaha Montage 7, DX7II, TX802, Motif XS Rack, Roland Fantom XR Rack, Oberheim Matrix 1000, VoiceLive3 Extreme, Kontakt 6, SampleTank 4.3
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,647
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,647
Hi Jeff.

I apologise. In your initial post, you mentioned both Fake Sheet Mode and Lead Sheet mode and I misinterpreted what you were meaning. It seems I went off on a tangent. I'll leave the "off on a tangent" reply post there as others might find it useful.

I cannot reproduce your problem. All the songs that I open (via the "Open" icon have defaulted to bar 1. (I've only tried about ten, though, so that could be the problem.)

When you open each song is it via the "Open" icon or do you doubleclick in a folder?

Also... What happens when you click on bar 1 on the chordsheet before going to the leadsheet?

Lastly... Do you have multiple instances of BIAB open when the strange events occur?

Regards,
Noel.


MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2026
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,516
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,516
Hi Noel...interesting questions.

I open my songs using the upper half of the Song button. This is set to open the Song Picker. In the Song Picker, I've set the Home Folder to be the directory where I store all of my finished BIAB songs.

I single click the Song button and then double click the name of the song in my "home folder" of the Song Picker.

I have set the program to open the Lead sheet automatically. That is, when I double click on the name of the song in the Song Picker, the song opens with the Lead Sheet displayed.

If I close the previous auto-opened Leadsheet, that was displaying say measure 35, and click on Bar 1 of the chordsheet, the lead sheet will open at Bar 1 when I click on the Leadsheet.

Additionally, if I opened the song, as above, close the Leadshhet and then click on the Fakesheet check mark, the song will open the Fakesheet at Bar 1 and then if I open the Leadsheet, it will also be at Bar 1.

As I said in an earlier post, this is all very confusing. Some songs will automatically open to Bar 1 of the Leadsheet and others will not.

Oh your other question, I am running only one instance of BAIB at a time.

Never had this problem with earlier versions of BIAB.

Appreciated your continued advice and support,

Jeff

Last edited by MountainSide; 01/21/21 05:21 AM.

Win11, Intel i7 7700K 4.2Ghz, 32Gb RAM, 2x1Tb HD, 500Gb NVMe, BIAB/RB 2026, MOTU 828MK3 audio, MOTU Midi Express, Yamaha Montage 7, DX7II, TX802, Motif XS Rack, Roland Fantom XR Rack, Oberheim Matrix 1000, VoiceLive3 Extreme, Kontakt 6, SampleTank 4.3
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,516
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,516
Just found out something new about all of this....perhaps some insight.

When I open a song, as above, from the Song Picker, it opens the LeadSheet at some random bar measure. But If I click on the green Leadsheet icon, the Leadsheet will close. If I now single click on the green Leadsheet icon again, the Leadsheet will open correectly to Bar 1.

Unfortunately, as before, even with this change in opening the song and the Leadsheet, if I now go to save the song, the next time I open it it will open the Leadsheet at some random bar.

I'll keep plugging away..I like a challenge!

Jeff


Win11, Intel i7 7700K 4.2Ghz, 32Gb RAM, 2x1Tb HD, 500Gb NVMe, BIAB/RB 2026, MOTU 828MK3 audio, MOTU Midi Express, Yamaha Montage 7, DX7II, TX802, Motif XS Rack, Roland Fantom XR Rack, Oberheim Matrix 1000, VoiceLive3 Extreme, Kontakt 6, SampleTank 4.3
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,516
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,516
Here's some more insight into this behavior for those following along.

If you turn off the Leadsheet a in a song and then open another song...the Chordsheet will open and then you can click on the green Leadsheet icon and the Leadsheet will open to Bar 1.

After you've finished with the song, click on the green Leadsheet icon to close it and open you next song. This next song will open in the Chordsheet and if you click on the green Leadsheet icon, the Leadsheet will again open to Bar 1.

But....if you leave the Leadsheet open as you move from song to song, the Leadsheet will open to random measures as you open each song.

So the problem only seems to occur when you leave the Leadsheet open and you then open another song. For some reason, the Leadsheet does not seem to pick up Bar 1 from the Chordsheet of the new song.

This is where the problem seems to be.

Jeff


Win11, Intel i7 7700K 4.2Ghz, 32Gb RAM, 2x1Tb HD, 500Gb NVMe, BIAB/RB 2026, MOTU 828MK3 audio, MOTU Midi Express, Yamaha Montage 7, DX7II, TX802, Motif XS Rack, Roland Fantom XR Rack, Oberheim Matrix 1000, VoiceLive3 Extreme, Kontakt 6, SampleTank 4.3
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

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
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!

Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!

We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

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 amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.

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, and much more!

Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!

Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac 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 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!

Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed 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 transcribe 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, and much more!

There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.

When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.

Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.

Holiday Weekend Hours

It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:

Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm

Regular hours
resume Tuesday, May 19th!

Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!

Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!

Don't wait - order today!

Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!

Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!

Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.

Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.

If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!

202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!

With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!

Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!

Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.

Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.

Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!

And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.

The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!

2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

With your version 2026 for Mac 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)
  • iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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 PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,504
Posts805,788
Members40,138
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
Newest Members
JRF1952, ChrisWiseJazz, Jayden Lee, OldManKris, openhome001
40,137 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 126
rsdean 84
WaoBand 64
DC Ron 60
Today's Birthdays
Luvs3rds
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5