|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 69
Enthusiast
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 69 |
I'm trying to enter a custom chord into BIAB. Here are the notes:
G F Bb C A
I think the chord may be a Gm9/11, but BIAB doesn't recognize that chord name.
I tried exporting the chord as a MIDI file from my DAW (Reaper) hoping that I could then import it into BIAB, but I can't figure out where the chord has gone once I import it.
I tried the built-in chord builder, that that appears to be more a music theory tool than chord builder.
Is there a way I can build a chord in BIAB note-by-note? Thanks.
****** Song Summary *************
Title: Silhouette Portrait
File:Silhouette Portrait BUILD 14.MGU
Key=C , Tempo 100, Length (m:s)=4:50
4 bar intro, 38 bar chorus, from bar 5 to bar 42. Repeat x3 choruses
Melody has 426 notes, Melody harmony is < no harmony >(0)
Soloist track has 891 notes, Soloist harmony is < no harmony >(0)
Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0,
Soloist is saved with the song : Pop Piano -16ths- (121)
Style is ANSWERS.STY (Answers - New Age - Smooth Jazz)
Style MIDI Instruments are : Strings (49), Pad-New Age (89), 26/1 12-Strings Guitar, GM2 Bank 1, Pad-Bowed (93),
MIDI Drums :9 Room Drum Kit (9)
*******************
Windows 10 Home v2004
MOTU M2 USB Audio Interface firmware v1.02
MOTU M Series ASIO Driver v4.0.8.4479
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 836
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 836 |
In Band-in-a-Box you can do a Gm9 and a GMajor9#11, but not a Gm911. A full list of recognized chords are here: https://www.pgmusic.com/tutorial_chordlist.htm You can write in your own custom chords either in the Piano Roll view or the Notation window. But when you write these in, it needs to be on a MIDI track (yellow or blue in the mixer). After making your own edits, you'll need to freeze the track so it does not re-generate. The freeze button looks like a snowflake (*) in the mixer. This video goes over how to use the Piano Roll in Band-in-a-Box: https://youtu.be/7VnIIx3V4QY
Best,
Chantelle
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 69
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 69 |
Thank you for the prompt reply. While it would be helpful if I could create a library of custom chords for re-use, the piano roll should do the trick. By the way, I initially thought the Mixer Settings icon was a snowflake, but then figured it out with the help of this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTccQDqgiPAThanks again!
Windows 10 Home v2004
MOTU M2 USB Audio Interface firmware v1.02
MOTU M Series ASIO Driver v4.0.8.4479
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,276
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,276 |
I'm trying to enter a custom chord into BIAB. Here are the notes:
G F Bb C A
I think the chord may be a Gm9/11, but BIAB doesn't recognize that chord name.
******************* The only way to enter this chord is Gm9/C. However it may not give you the inversion you want as the C is in the bass line. Also some RTs do not work with this chord.
I got banned from Weight Watchers for dropping a bag of M&Ms on the floor.
It was the best game of Hungry Hippos I've ever seen!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 69
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 69 |
Thank you, MarioD. Much appreciated!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058 |
BIAB supports Gm11. Just write it that way.
The ninth is implied, although BIAB can sometimes take liberties with what flavor of 5, 7, or 9 you might hear. MIDI instruments will be correct. For RealTrack instruments, you may want to experiment turning off Natural Arrangement.
But I would first like to know from the OP, what is the order of those notes? Did you spell the chord from lowest to highest note? And to be really sure, what are the chords preceding and following?
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 69
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 69 |
But I would first like to know from the OP, what is the order of those notes? Did you spell the chord from lowest to highest note? And to be really sure, what are the chords preceding and following?
The song is in C and the verse chords are: C C Gm13 Gm13 Gm9/11 Gm9/11 A7sus C9sus The order of the notes is: G1 F2 Bb2 C3 A3 I'm composing this song on guitar with an open C tuning: CGCGCE. The open tuning helps me find some interesting and delightfully dissonant chords. BIAB is a brilliant composition tool, but I realize that trying get BIAB to faithfully recreate these strange chords and associated inversions might be pushing the envelope, nevertheless I'm constantly trying to get BIAB to do more of the heavy lifting prior to my exporting the composition to MIDI, where I then import it into Reaper for further editing and mixing.
Windows 10 Home v2004
MOTU M2 USB Audio Interface firmware v1.02
MOTU M Series ASIO Driver v4.0.8.4479
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 2,697
Product Manager
|
|
Product Manager
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 2,697 |
The only way to enter this chord is Gm9/C. However it may not give you the inversion you want as the C is in the bass line. Also some RTs do not work with this chord. In cases where the RT doesn't work with the chord and plays a slightly different chord, you can always use the "Auto-Fix Sour Notes" feature in BIAB 2021. From the manual: Right-click on the track radio button on the main screen, and go to Track Settings | Auto Fix “Sour” Notes. You can then select one of the rules for the auto-fix.
I work here
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058 |
The order of the notes is:
G1 F2 Bb2 C3 A3
Pretty open voicing. And G1 is really low... Thanks for the answer. Interesting progression. Using Gm11 sounds pretty good to me; nice contrast with Gm13. BIAB is building the chord up from G3. It's basically playing a BbMaj7 over G. It adds the D and doesn't have the C. To get the C, you could use BbMaj9/G. But again, the D is in there giving it a rather tame sound. Of these choices, Gm11 sounds best to me in your progression. Back to your original question, I am not aware how you can specify the exact voicing you want in BIAB.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 69
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 69 |
Pretty open voicing. And G1 is really low... Low indeed, but those values are from the MIDI guitar track exported from BIAB. On a related note, nearly always when I export a song from BIAB to MIDI for use in Reaper, the bass track is so low that I have to raise it an octave in order to make it playable on a VST bass emulation (Waves Bass Fingers, SONiVOX Classic Bass, Cakewalk SI-Bass). I don't know if that is a BIAB thing, or Reaper. Now that I mention it, I recall there's a General MIDI spec thing where Yamaha(?) offsets middle C an octave from the standard, so maybe that's what's going on? I think I've discussed this here before; so many moving parts! 
Windows 10 Home v2004
MOTU M2 USB Audio Interface firmware v1.02
MOTU M Series ASIO Driver v4.0.8.4479
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058 |
The lack of standardization of Middle C is indeed a separate and annoying topic.
Can you post the song here? Use the File Manager in the Reply.
If you look in Options, Preferences, Channels, you will see a -1 in the column for the octave setting of the bass track. You could make that zero, do your export, then reset it as -1. Might work; haven't tried it.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,276
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,276 |
Low indeed, but those values are from the MIDI guitar track exported from BIAB. On a related note, nearly always when I export a song from BIAB to MIDI for use in Reaper, the bass track is so low that I have to raise it an octave in order to make it playable on a VST bass emulation (Waves Bass Fingers, SONiVOX Classic Bass, Cakewalk SI-Bass). I don't know if that is a BIAB thing, or Reaper. Now that I mention it, I recall there's a General MIDI spec thing where Yamaha(?) offsets middle C an octave from the standard, so maybe that's what's going on? I think I've discussed this here before; so many moving parts! This problem has been discussed before. Both guitar and bass are written an octave higher than they sound. This is so the notations can be on one staff, treble for the guitar and fewer ledger lines for the bass. BiaB's output is the actual octave the instrument uses. How this is utilized is based on your VSTi. If the VSTi uses the actual octave then all is fine, however if the VSTi expects the notation octave then you must raise the track one octave to get the proper sounding note. This explains both of your issues. Your bass VSTis expect the notation octave, most all of my bass VSTis' expect the notation octave also, thus you must raise the track an octave. You didn't mention the guitar VSTi so that VSTi is using the actual octave. The lowest guitar note using standard tuning is E2 so a G1 is impossible, unless you are using some nonstandard tuning, however I have never heard of a tuning going as low as G1. Note that most all guitar VSTis utilize the notation octave and only most if not all GM sounds ignore them; this also applies to other instruments playing out of their normal range. I hope this helps. Note the middle C assignment, either C3,C4, or C5, is an arbitrary labeling. All middle Cs are MIDI note 60 regardless of what C number it is called. So if all possible go by the MIDI note number. I know this is very confusing at times.
Last edited by MarioD; 05/05/21 08:29 AM.
I got banned from Weight Watchers for dropping a bag of M&Ms on the floor.
It was the best game of Hungry Hippos I've ever seen!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 69
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 69 |
You didn't mention the guitar VSTi so that VSTi is using the actual octave. The lowest guitar note using standard tuning is E2 so a G1 is impossible, unless you are using some nonstandard tuning, however I have never heard of a tuning going as low as G1. That G1 is what Reaper's MIDI editor told me that BIAB's guitar output delivered, but as you alluded to before it's likely an octave thing. I'm a long-time amateur guitar player and only started (amateur) song-writing about three years ago. To accommodate my voice I tuned my guitar down a whole step so in standard tuning the lowest string is now D2 instead of E2. Works for me, and I've grown to appreciate the booming result on my acoustic dreadnaught. Open D and open C are even lower, and as I recall B1 or Bb1 is as low as light gauge strings can go before they start rattling like a loose rubber band.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!
Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 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 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
- Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
- Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
- Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
- Playable RealTracks Set 4
- RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
- SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
- 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
- Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
- Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
- RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
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.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
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.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
Join the conversation on our forum.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums58
Topics84,397
Posts778,652
Members39,646
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean