Hi, I did some entry of notes using Editable Notation Mode. Upon play back there is quite a delay from the normal time the note should occur. You can see if very clearly on the piano roll I attached. Sounds pretty bad. Is there a cause and solution to this. Its BIAB 2018.
In Options > MIDI/Audio Drivers setup, check the Latency value.
From the help: "Software synthesizers have some inherent latency, which is the delay between the time a note is played and it is processed by the computer. Older softsynths had noticeable latency, whereas a VSTi/DXi synth using ASIO drivers has very little. This setting is used to synchronize the visual display (notation, chords, virtual piano etc.) with the sound you hear.
Band-in-a-Box automatically sets the latency for VSTi/DXi and some other softsynths.
The [Latency Adjust…] button in the MIDI/Audio Drivers Setup dialog opens the SoftSynth Latency Adjust dialog where you can manually adjust the latency."
There's a video that might help, here:
Search help for 'Quantize', also.
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.
I watched the video. I suspect that is not the issue because my latency reading is 30 but it is a theory :-) I attached the "Midi/Audio Drivers Setup" screen.
I did the quantize at 100% and it fixed the piano roll. Now that is a huge time saver over what I have done with manual snapping. Thanks so much VideoTrack! It was the 100% that did it. I attached the screen. I am helping a vocalist in our jam group. Here are the instructions I gave him.
To quantize to 100%, Click Melody on the menu. Click Edit melody track, Quantize time adjust, choose Quantize Melody, then set the % strength to 100 so it forces perfect on the beat timing (choose quantize start times only because you need a bit of a gap between notes if they are the same note such as the "One Note Samba" Song). I also left the Resolution per bar at 16.
But ideally it would be better if the delay did not exist. Here is the interesting part. The lead in bar and the 1st bar were entered a long time ago and the delay was not noticeable with my ear. The 2nd and 3rd bar were entered recently and the delay is a lot larger as you can see on the Piano-roll. I am wondering if I may have been running another software at the time and if it is better to have nothing running but BIAB when entering notation. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
Regarding latency it would be nice to have a latency analysis software that can give a report. Does this exist? I tried google "computer latency analysis software". Its a deep dive :-)
John every time I work with BiaB or my DAW I always disable anything that can work in the background (anti-virus, anti-malware, ccleaner, etc) as well as disabling my Ethernet card.
Principal: Your child always causes trouble in school. Me: My child causes trouble at home, do I ever call you?
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Wow MarioD and thanks. I should try that. I need to be sure I get get all that back :-) Caution is the word :-) I guess the software would come back with a restart. Not sure about the card :-) I often have 2 computers running on my home network. Turning the other one off may help.
...I often have 2 computers running on my home network. Turning the other one off may help.
Probably not, but you can certainly try it.
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.
The way I see it latency should have zero impact on this issue because it is where we click on the screen that determines the time allocation for the note (not when we click and how much time it takes to get to the disk drive). Since PianoRoll mode has a snap mode this should have a snap mode (click behind the line - to the right - and it places it perfectly at the location the line suggests). It seems very strange to me that this idea could have been missed. So maybe there is a snap mode.
Hi Noel, great minds think alike :-) I actually did something similar (see prior post and picture).
I checked for a snap mode. Nothing found. I will probably create a feature request for it. I am not sure why anyone would not want this so it seems more like a bug fix to me.
... snip ... Regarding latency it would be nice to have a latency analysis software that can give a report. Does this exist? ... snip
John,
If you using a non DXi soft synth, try the Latency Test. It's a style that runs audio on one side of the stereo channel and the midi soft synth on the other side of the stereo channel
Thanks Jim. According to the video I watched my Synth is a DXi. The popup on my BIAB shows CoyoteWT. My understanding is this overrides the "MS GS Wavetable Synth". Is this not correct?
But again as per my last post the entry of notes should default to snap and not be effected by latency at all. The only latency should be on playback if any. Here is an analogy. Would you like going to a banking machine and finding you had less money deposited because the machine was slow one day. No. If it takes longer to get there you should still get the same deposit amount. I think like a programmer because am a programmer :-)
Wow MarioD and thanks. I should try that. I need to be sure I get get all that back :-) Caution is the word :-) I guess the software would come back with a restart. Not sure about the card :-) I often have 2 computers running on my home network. Turning the other one off may help.
You're right, every thing will come back except the Ethernet card. Disable the Ethernet card via the Device Manager then minimize the Device Manger window and it will place it on the taskbar. Prior to either powering down or doing something else other than music just click on the minimized window and activate the Ethernet card. Easy-prezzie!
Principal: Your child always causes trouble in school. Me: My child causes trouble at home, do I ever call you?
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Thanks MarioD. Maybe I will do some speed tests to see if I can actually cause a very large delay by running a boatload of software in loops. Fifteen MS-Access programs all in an infinite loop. This would be handy because it would prove that latency is in fact the problem.
Yes, I used the piano roll snap mode. So in total what I did was this. The song style is Latin giving 1/16ths in the editable notation mode. I entered the straight 1/8ths only for the first chorus using editable notation mode. I then quantized the melody in 1/16th at 100% to get those to perfectly line up. I tested this by listening and it worked. I then went back to editable notation mode and used this jump to video method to enter the first set of triplets. I then went to piano roll mode using the triplet snap to fix the triplets. I then copied the triplets out to other parts of the 1st chorus to complete the chorus. ----Again the editable notation mode needs a snap to fix to avoid the extra piano roll steps. ----It may have been too tricky for them to program the reading of the screen to do the snap to. ----At least the visual notation snaps to the vertical lines in editable notation mode. I then used the copy special process to copy the 1st chorus to the 2nd chorus then again to the 3rd chorus. (see the attached copy special dialog box settings I used).
In the copy special dialog box it shows something I can not figure out. The only other way I have figured out to copy to the other choruses is to set the choruses to one then set the choruses to a higher value and enter yes to copy the melody.
For swing tunes to quantize you need to humanize to swing feel. This fixes it except it is a tiny bit late. After you have fixed it this way, if you want to make the start times to start exactly on the triplet go to the Quantize melody dialog box, choose a Resolution of 12 to get you 4 beats of triplets per bar and choose 100% and only quantize the start times so that songs like "One Note Samba" do not get screwed up such that the rhythmic same notes do not sound like one long note. See the attached picture.
That's very impressive problem solving! As I read it through, I picked up a few things about BIAB that I didn't know. Thanks for taking the time to write it up so clearly.
Recently I have been reminding myself on a daily basis to see every frustration as not a challenge but rather a fun game. There are in fact no exceptions to this including both the game of trying to maximize the length of life and the game of minimizing or even eliminating the pain of death itself. This approach to thinking makes everything easier and more fun. I don't always play the game(s) well but it gets better with practice. Even loosing a game can be treated as a fun mental game it itself. This was just another fun game for me. It made finding the best solution I could find easier.
Interesting. I just entered the notes to another swing song using the editable notation mode. I checked the piano roll and it literally entered the start of every single one perfectly (just as if I was using snap mode). The end times could be better but they are often dead on and even when not dead on not a problem. I as usual have a lot of other programs running. Might this be a random bug? Did my quantize work on the prior song do something?
Like you, I get caught up in the problem solving because it's fun for me.
Over the years, I've noticed with BIAB that a couple of settings don't seem to kick in until the second use. I'm not sure why that is and I can never remember which ones are involved. I've come across this phenomenon with other programs too (not just PG Music ones).
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
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!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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 new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 process 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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
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)
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