Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#795716 01/15/24 01:30 AM
Beginners Forum
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 37
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 37
Hey y'all!

I'm messing around with Bluegrass in the Backw00ds and having trouble getting the five Dm Shots.

Using style: _BLUGRM8.STYBluegrss 8ths-260 Mando

I currently have this song set up at 260 BPM 4/4 time Sig (have also tried it in 2/4). I've configured the five shots as two bars of 4/4 and one bar of 1/4. My song repeats three times and the first and third time through BAIB plays five shots but there is still an extra beat in the bar of 1/4 so there is an unwanted gap in the song. Strangely, in only the second repeat BAIB plays only 4 shots and omits the bar of 1/4 entirely.

In order to get the bar of 1/4 I am using this path: Right click on the bar/Bar Settings/# of beats this bar = 1/OK.

Also finding that the black cursor gets out of sync as soon as the bar of 1/4 is played the first time and then gets more out of sync with each repeat.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

Stefan


MacBook Pro M3 Max Sonoma 14.1.2, BIAB Audiophile Edition 2023, Logic ProX 10.8.1, Focusrite 8PreX Interface.
Beginners Forum
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,121
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,121
Stefan, good detail, thanks.

I would consider freezing all tracks on your song and sending it to support@pgmusic.com, and definitely reference this thread in your email. Also, give them as much detail as possible about your setup, configuration, version, build, updates, computer spec's etc

It may be a cut common time issue, and it might be related to how BiaB handles 'B' substyles in the second chorus.

Please report back on your findings from PG Music.


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.
Beginners Forum
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 37
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 37
Thanks!


MacBook Pro M3 Max Sonoma 14.1.2, BIAB Audiophile Edition 2023, Logic ProX 10.8.1, Focusrite 8PreX Interface.
Beginners Forum
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 9
S
Newbie
Offline
Newbie
S
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 9
Sounds like you're looking for 5/4 time signature.

Beginners Forum
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 37
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 37
Might work for that one bar: thanks Ill try it smile


MacBook Pro M3 Max Sonoma 14.1.2, BIAB Audiophile Edition 2023, Logic ProX 10.8.1, Focusrite 8PreX Interface.
Beginners Forum
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,869
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,869
Stefan, you want one quarter note per shot, i.e. 5 beats, right?
Or are you trying to play quintuplets, 5 quarter notes in the space of 4 beats.
If it is for 5 beats you might want to try a 3/4 followed by a 2/4 time signature in place of the 4/4 - 1/4.

Although it probably is available but I have never heard a 5/4 measure in bluegrass. But then again I don't listen to a lot of bluegrass.


Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Beginners Forum
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 37
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 37
Hi & Thanks! Ive tried a few variations of that but for some reason the machine seems to have trouble repeating the shots consistently. If you check out the song “Bluegrass in the BackW00ds youll hear hear that its basically that 5th extra shot that I'm trying to make happen. Actually, it’s not even that fifth shot as much as it is getting the band to come back in on what would be the sixth shot and that has to be the one


MacBook Pro M3 Max Sonoma 14.1.2, BIAB Audiophile Edition 2023, Logic ProX 10.8.1, Focusrite 8PreX Interface.
Beginners Forum
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,605
Veteran
Online Happy
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,605
If I were ripping along at 260 and had an extra beat thrown in, I wouldn’t be happy. crazy But I take it this is not 5 notes over 4 beats as Mario asked. I never attempted what you are doing so I agree with Audiotrack: freeze the song and send it to Support. But can you post the song MGU so we can try it (a link to the song on Dropbox for example).


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.
Beginners Forum
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,121
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,121
Quote
If I were ripping along at 260 and had an extra beat thrown in, I wouldn’t be happy.
You and me both. We're definitely working from the same page cry


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.
Beginners Forum
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 37
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 37
No its five notes over five beats smile then your back into beat 1 of the head of the tune. Fiddle players love this kind of thing! Theres a whole genre of fiddle
Tunes out there that add and subtract a beat in seemingly random places!

As their bass player it MAKES MY HEAD EXPLODE!!!! Lol! I just ask WHY!?!?? WHY!?!? Do we really need to do this!!??? Unfortunately they are in charge of the melody!


MacBook Pro M3 Max Sonoma 14.1.2, BIAB Audiophile Edition 2023, Logic ProX 10.8.1, Focusrite 8PreX Interface.
Beginners Forum
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,605
Veteran
Online Happy
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,605
OK, that part is settled. Thanks.

Just curious, is the tempo really 260 bpm? In bluegrass, I would have expected it to be cut time and half that tempo. Your version of BIAB supports that feature which was added (I think) two years ago. Is there sheet music for this song?


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.
Beginners Forum
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,066
Expert
Online Content
Expert
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,066
Originally Posted by Matt Finley
OK, that part is settled. Thanks.

Just curious, is the tempo really 260 bpm? In bluegrass, I would have expected it to be cut time and half that tempo. Your version of BIAB supports that feature which was added (I think) two years ago. Is there sheet music for this song?

Matt: It's the same BIAB problem we (Bluegrassers) have been having for a number of years. The is a thread about this problem back in November 2020 brought up by bobcflatpicker. Even you chimed in on this.

Can't find the message number but you can search the forum for " Peter Gannon, Will the problem with 8th notes being treated as 16th notes in BIAB in bluegrass style"

Bluegrass players play 8th notes, usually 8 to a measure. Most of the Bluegrass styles sounded 16 8th notes per measure and that threw most of us off. Peter finally came up with 8th note based bluegrass styles.

Mr. Gannon's response at the end:

We have about 15 Even 8 based styles in the bluegrass category, and over 100 even 16ths. Converting an ev 16 to ev 8 is easy (just set the tracks to half time), likely takes 10 minutes per style. Including picking the styles and adding memos names etc. probably 30 minutes per style. So it would take someone a few days.

We will do that! Thanks for the ideas, and the enjoyable discussion.

=====================================================

Matt: Try this.

Make up a simple song of
G - C 1st measure
G - D 2nd measure
G - C 3rd measure
G, D, - G 4th measure

Use style _BG_BAND.STY. That is a typical bluegrass style. song using a 1-4-5 progression.

Play it at 130 bpm and now you have a typical bluegrass song at 130 BPM. You will see it plays 2 chords per cell in Chord Sheet view.

Now pick _BG_BAN8.STY. That is one of the 8th note based styles the Peter made for us.

Notice it sounds like crap.

Now go into Edit-Songform-Expand (durations of chords by 2) and you will see the chords lay nicely in the Chord Sheet. It now plays exactly like the song made using _BG_BAND.STY ------ BUT it now plays 1 chord per cell and the tempo is indeed up at 260.

Banj O’Lover has it set to 260 because of the 8th note based style.

The existing song at 260 BPM also be played using any one of the 16th note based bluegrass styles as long as the Song Form was reduced back the was it was with the first style we used.

You could do this all day, going back and forth between 16th and 8th note versions and never see any difference in the way the song was being played.

To answer your question on speed, in the real world, no the would not and could not be played at 260 BPM in a bluegrass jam session.

Here is the sheet music for the song.



Banj O’Lover - If it were me doing the song, I would try using style _BLUGRSM

I've had trouble making these 8th note based styles work when trying to modify measures. In the sheet music, the timing is changed to 2/4 time for the last shot and then goes back to 4/4 time.

Aubry Haynie did this version which is the way Kenny Baker plays.

Attached Files (Click to download or enlarge) (Only available when you are logged in)
Bluegrass in the Backwoods_1.jpg (218.04 KB, 47 downloads)
Bluegrass in the Backwoods_2.jpg (162.64 KB, 46 downloads)
Last edited by Joseph Land; 07/03/24 01:52 PM.

BIAB2026
Windows 10 Pro (Never Windows 11!)
WA6NCB

Beginners Forum
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,605
Veteran
Online Happy
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,605
Thanks Joseph Land. Of course I remember this, because it may be the only thing I share musically with friend Bob Flatpicker. Samba also has the same issue. Bob and I convinced PG Music to accommodate cut time for these songs. I provided some original Brazilian composer's versions showing how samba should be notated around quarter = 100, not 200. Things are good for me after the change. I have pretty good technique and I am reassured that bluegrass players are not quite playing at twice my speed. laugh

So if I understand your point now, PG Music promised to update those 115 or so styles, and you are saying it did not get done for the style Banj O Lover is using?


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.
Beginners Forum
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,073
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,073
+++ HERE +++ is a link to bobflatpicker's 2020 thread. The linked thread includes a link to bobflatpicker's original request in 2010.

As the two links explain, the change request has more to do with how a song file looks when it is printed than how the song plays.


Jim Fogle - 2026 BiaB (Build 1224) RB (Build 8) - Ultra+ PAK
DAWs: Cakewalk Sonar - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8
Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD
Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
Beginners Forum
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,605
Veteran
Online Happy
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,605
Originally Posted by Jim Fogle
As the two links explain, the change request has more to do with how a song file looks when it is printed than how the song plays.
That's a good point. I was always able to get what I wanted to sound, but it looked wrong. No one wants to read a blinding stream of sixteenth notes when eighth notes at the right tempo is what the original composers wrote.


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.
Beginners Forum
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 37
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 37
Yeah regarding the 260bpm again: this is all semantics really if I’m playing at 130 bpm a series of “notes” should be played half as fast as if I were playing at 260bpm. Im finding that some of the solo or backup track options for Bluegrass or anything with a “2 feel” for that matter are basically cut in half time wise and some are not. So It’s hit and miss as to whether they will play at “normal”, “double” or “half” speed. So yeah it would be nice if that was made more clear and I could choose ANY track for the tempo I’m working on and have it fit properly.


MacBook Pro M3 Max Sonoma 14.1.2, BIAB Audiophile Edition 2023, Logic ProX 10.8.1, Focusrite 8PreX Interface.
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Moderated by  Andrew - PG Music, PeterGannon 

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
Topics86,413
Posts804,609
Members40,120
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
Newest Members
asanford576, King Terry, Jt54, John Steer, therichestplat
40,119 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 128
rsdean 99
DC Ron 97
WaoBand 81
dcuny 73
vicarn 71
Today's Birthdays
Ingar R Henden, isidro1
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5