Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21
U
usalabs Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
U
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21
OK, I don't know how to word it in the Subject box, but this is what I'm trying to do.

1st bar for 2 counts has Em... then for the rest of the 1st bar (IE, for the remaining 2 counts) it has Dm... meaning sustain the Em for 2 counts, the sustain the Dm for 2 counts, now the problem here is I have a 2 bar intro, the 1st bar has those sustained chords, but I want to be able to keep the Dm sustained throughout the 2nd bar but start the drum fill too, now, here's the dilemma on the 2nd bar:-

1.....Using Dm.d will silence the chord and play the drums.
2.....Using Dm..d Will stuccato the chord and play the drums.
3.....Using Dm...d will replay the sustained chord and play the drums.

I don't want Dm to repeat after the first bar, I just want the Dm to continue being sustained into the 2nd bar and the 2nd bar would trigger the drum fill for the start of the rest of the tune.

EG
Bar 1--------------Bar 2
1----2----3----4 - 1----2----3----4
Dm...-----Em...-----Drum Fill with Em still sustained without sounding again.

Text formatting is not very good in this box, for tabulation I have to replace spaces with -.

Last edited by usalabs; 09/28/23 11:41 PM.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,525
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,525
I’m not at a computer to give you exact steps, but there is something you can experiment with: freezing a track or tracks when you want shots, holds, or silence to affect some tracks but not others. For example, use the dots to get the drum track that you want, then freeze that track. Now alter the use of the dots to get the rest of the tracks to play what you want. Or reverse that - depends on what you want to do which way might be easier editing.


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; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21
U
usalabs Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
U
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21
Freezing only freezes the enter track, IE, if I hit the snowflake for that instrument track (no matter how many chorus or repeats there are), the entire song's instrument is frozen, freezing doesn't freeze bars.

Have a look at this screenshot, you'll notice the first 2 bars as the intro, the first bar's 4 count has 2 sustained chords, but the last sustained chord (Dm) I need to carry over to the 2nd bar but without playing that chord again, but the 2nd bar would trigger the drum fill, atm, the 2nd bar has a Dm.d which kills the chord and only playes the drums fill, which I don't want, just imagine on a guitar, hit an Em for 2 counts then a Dm for 2 counts for the first bar, but let the Dm sustain for 4 counts starting the second bar while the drummer would do a fill without the guitar hitting that same chord again, so in reality, the guitar is sustaining Dm for 6 counts.

Describing what I'm looking for is super hard when trying to explain in text. smile

Attached Files (Click to download or enlarge) (Only available when you are logged in)
BIAB Screenshot.png (92.62 KB, 161 downloads)
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,075
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,075
You might achieve what you want by using Utility Tracks and cutting/pasting audio into the relevant bars.

What version of BiaB are you running. Utility tracks became available a couple of years ago.


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.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,649
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,649
As ever I'm on the wrong platform to try this, but this looks like it may be worth experimentation...

From the manual page 112, near the bottom:
Quote:
Type a chord with a break followed by a number (N), and this will copy the break for the next N bars.
e.g. C7...4 will enter held chords for 4 bars.
Gm7...bd5 will enter held chords (bd=except bass and drums) for 5 bars


The usual function of BIAB is to end the hold when the next chord symbol appears, which is what's breaking your attempt. Hopefully what's shown above will honour the x-bars even with another chord.

Another possibility might be to mute or otherwise turn off the drum track in the first bar, but mute (e.g., via F5) can be a bit brutal.


Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,075
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,075
One thing of interest is exactly what instruments do you want to sustain?

Organ, Brass, Woodwind, and Bowed instruments lend themselves to this. Piano, Guitar and similar instruments - not so much. They have a natural decay.

Is a gradual decay allowable?


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.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,589
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,589
Assuming there is no natural decay here is what I would do.
1-mute the drum track
2-get the instruments to play like you want using the hold settings,that is
Bar 1--------------Bar 2--------------Bar 3
1----2----3----4 - 1----2----3----4 - 1...etc
Dm...-----Em...-----------------------C
3-freeze all tracks except the drum track
4-unmute the drum track
5-add your fills where you want them

That should work. Let us know how you make out.

Last edited by MarioD; 09/30/23 03:11 AM.

Back in my day the only time we started panic buying was when the bartender shouted "last call"!

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: Dec 2009
Posts: 21
U
usalabs Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
U
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21
Originally Posted By: AudioTrack
You might achieve what you want by using Utility Tracks and cutting/pasting audio into the relevant bars.

What version of BiaB are you running. Utility tracks became available a couple of years ago.


I'm using 2023 version, I opted to only show active tracks and hide inactive ones, when I click on the eyeball, I can see all the utility tracks.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,525
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,525
The method Mario detailed is what I had suggested. Have you tried it?


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; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,589
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,589
Originally Posted By: Matt Finley
The method Mario detailed is what I had suggested. Have you tried it?


I apologize Matt. I had forgotten that you suggested this.


Back in my day the only time we started panic buying was when the bartender shouted "last call"!

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: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,525
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,525
No, no - you gave the steps to try. I wasn't at a computer. Thank you!


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; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21
U
usalabs Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
U
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21
Originally Posted by Matt Finley
The method Mario detailed is what I had suggested. Have you tried it?

I did try it, but it didn't work, have a look at this screenshot, notice the 4 bars as the intro, the first bar has c... to sustain all instruments that are sustainable, (drums don't sustain as they are only a one shot), for the 4 bars (16 count at 4/4), but on the 4th bar during the sustain, I want to trigger the fill for the start of the 5th bar, I know BiaB stops any sustains after the 4th bar that's fine, but usually I use something like c.d to trigger the fill, but doing so will kill the sustain.

It's hard to explain in a post, try this, all sustained instruments from bar 1 would sustain for a count of 16, but stop after the 16th count, that's fine, but on the 12th count while the instruments are still being sustained, trigger the drum fill, without stopping the sustain until the end of the 4th bar.

Attached Files (Click to download or enlarge) (Only available when you are logged in)
BIAB-Drum-Fill.png (122.75 KB, 85 downloads)
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,145
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,145
if you can get the sutain you want, forget about the drums for a minute. open the file in RB and then cut and paste a drum fill where you want it on a spare audio track. erase any drums you don't want in early bars on the original drums track.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,589
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,589
It works here, see below.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/f24rlwkyfa8s2wljksefx/demo.SGU?rlkey=9v840a17ichnu11sv72ssusp2&dl=0

Try this:
Assuming there is no natural decay here is what I would do.

1-get the instruments to play like you want using the hold settings,that is
Bar 1--------------Bar 2--------------Bar 3
1----2----3----4 - 1----2----3----4 - 1...etc
Dm...-----Em...-----------------------C
2-generate the song.
3-freeze all tracks
4-unfreeze the drum track
5-add your fills where you want them
6-generated the song - note this will only generate the drum track and not the frozen tracks


Back in my day the only time we started panic buying was when the bartender shouted "last call"!

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: Dec 2009
Posts: 21
U
usalabs Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
U
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21
Originally Posted by MarioD
It works here, see below.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/f24rlwkyfa8s2wljksefx/demo.SGU?rlkey=9v840a17ichnu11sv72ssusp2&dl=0

Try this:
Assuming there is no natural decay here is what I would do.

1-get the instruments to play like you want using the hold settings,that is
Bar 1--------------Bar 2--------------Bar 3
1----2----3----4 - 1----2----3----4 - 1...etc
Dm...-----Em...-----------------------C
2-generate the song.
3-freeze all tracks
4-unfreeze the drum track
5-add your fills where you want them
6-generated the song - note this will only generate the drum track and not the frozen tracks

Yay, you hit that nail right on the head. I loaded your sgu file, and that's just what I was looking for, but to do that during the song creation won't work, but, I figured out that I would need to create a complete song first, generate the song for the first time, then freeze all tracks except drums, then add fills where I want them, then add the C.d on the 4th bar, re-generate, then freeze drums, so that all tracks are then frozen, I tried this with the song I was creating (the screenshots posted here), and it worked.

Thanks MarioD

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,589
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,589
I'm glad you got it working. Actually it was Matt's suggestion, all I did was give you the step by step method to accomplish it.

You should mark this thread as resolved.


Back in my day the only time we started panic buying was when the bartender shouted "last call"!

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: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,525
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,525
Thanks, Mario, for giving the details. I often answer questions when I'm not at a computer, and I hope that people like you will give the specifics if you see it before I can do so.

We have seen a lot of variations on this question. This would make a good topic for the Tips and Tricks Forum, don't you think? If you agree, could you post something there?


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; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21
U
usalabs Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
U
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21
Originally Posted by MarioD
I'm glad you got it working. Actually it was Matt's suggestion, all I did was give you the step by step method to accomplish it.

You should mark this thread as resolved.

I would mark it as solved, if there was an option to do so, I don't see any buttons or links that say 'Mark as solved' anywhere on this thread page. Usually on other support forums there's a button that says "Reply and mark as solved", but there isn't one.

Last edited by usalabs; 10/13/23 12:44 PM.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,525
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,525
It’s there. You have to go back to your first post at the top of this thread. That post has the option called Mark as Resolved.


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; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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
Holiday Weekend Hours

As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:

April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours

Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!

— Team PG

Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!

If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.

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.

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!

Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.

PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!

PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.

The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.

The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.

Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!

Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.

Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!

Order now!

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.

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,114
Posts800,387
Members40,036
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
Newest Members
Dewbert, shelipicia, Shakey2, Matt1575, Christian210
40,036 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 134
rsdean 101
DC Ron 93
WaoBand 63
Today's Birthdays
Nancy08
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5