When you say “import”, you’re referring to BiaB interpreting the chords from a MIDI file correct? There weren’t chord symbols in it already somehow.
Yes, that is correct. BIAB is interpreting the chords from the midi. So I don't expect the exact same naming. At this time I don't think there is a problem with the interpretation of the chords.
My problem is the number of Bars. Which I think is due to the fact that BIAB has 12 beats/bar (2x 123,456) while everything else is 6 beats per bar (123,456).
Dan, Biab is correctly reading and interpreting the .mid file. For example look at the first 4 bars in Biab and can we at least agree that these are correct? | C | G7sus | C | G7sus |
But then you say “the problem is that (in biab) I only have 49 bars, I should have 70”.
But the chart you sent me (see below) representing the midi file has 93 bars of 6/8 which is 47 bars of 4/4. That matches what BiaB has determined (48 bars+appended ending , likely one extra due to a held note)
Here is the chart. Do you see that there are 93 bars of 6/8, which is 47 bars of 4/4? Not 70? Where are you getting 70 from?
> I found this enjoyable and enlightening on this topic.
There’s an interesting RealTracks tip about the relationship between 3/4 and 12/8 (or 6/8) styles.
If you have a 4/4 style, and you want to add some 12/8 feel RealTracks or RealDrums to it: You can pick any relatively fast 3/4 (waltz) RT or RD, and set it to triple time. This will then play a bar of the rt waltz for every beat of the 6/8, 9/8 or 12/8 style, and play in sync with the other 4/4 instruments.
‘This is a practical example of using the relationship between 3/4 and 6/8, 9/8 or 12/8 styles.
If you stay in Biab and don't venture out into the real world you should be fine. If you want Biab to gen up tracks to fit with existing DAW time signature tracks, forget it.
Originally Posted by musocity
The BBPlugin is playing back 12/8 and syncing with the 12/8 notation, the audio is coming from the BBPlugin you can see as it's muted:
Here's a 12-8 that will match the DAW. The DAW is set to 12/8 84bpm and the VSTPlugin is set to 4/4 56bpm. These tracks were recorded in actual 12/8 84bpm so 4/4 56bpm will give original tempo, the bar display in the VSTPlugin will sync. You can try it with chord changes using Micro Chords. Watch Video: House-Style-Blues-12-8.mp4 Download: House_Style_Blues_12-8_84bpm_4-4_56bpm.rar unzip with WinRar or free https://www.7-zip.org/download.html The Rhythm track has all Major minor 7 9 dim There are only a few keys just to let you try it out B Bb A
The OP (Paul335smith) originally asked if “Has anyone ever been successful in adding 4/4 tracks to a 6/8 recording? If so, please let me know how to do it.” This question was timely for me since I had just started a project specifically to build a song in 6/8 in Reaper. I initially had no intention to use BIAB since I did not feel this would be successful. But Paul’s question caused me to take a turn in my project to add his “ask” to my “learning objectives”.
Paul has gotten a lot of feedback specific to 6/8 work arounds in BIAB which have been historical here in the forum. So I attempted to do exactly what Paul had asked “Has anyone ever been successful in adding 4/4 tracks to a 6/8 recording? If so, please let me know how to do it.” So far I have not been able to do this (see below).
Folks have indicated tempo changes are needed while others have said they are not! But no one could fully answer his question. Until now!
“If you stay in Biab and don't venture out into the real world you should be fine. If you want Biab to gen up tracks to fit with existing DAW time signature tracks, forget it.” Musocity
This is a concise statement and conclusion to what I felt Paul was asking for and I am trying to do. I felt I got close to showing how this can be done, but I hit a wall. I hope I have been clear in explaining where I am stuck in the process and that Peter is on board and looking into a solution or clarification. So perhaps, the jury is still out for me.
But if Musocity is correct in his conclusion, this is a huge opportunity for PGM to remedy this situation. Bring BIAB out of the box and open it up for integration with other music apps which would allow exactly what Paul was asking for to be doable.
If you stay in Biab and don't venture out into the real world you should be fine. If you want Biab to gen up tracks to fit with existing DAW time signature tracks, forget it.
I have been saying that for years!
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
So if you create up a UserTrack in the real time signature and tempo you need, import it into Biab and set the master tempo for it so 1 bar of the time signature fits 1 bar of Biab, this will then generate up in Biab @ the pseudo tempo giving the actual tempo of the DAW with no stretching. If the UserTrack could have the actual real time signature rather than 3/4 4/4 ThisIsWaltz=False then Biab could show the actual tempo 12/8 84bpm rather than the pseudo tempo 4/4 56bpm
> Folks have indicated tempo changes are needed while others have said they are not! But no one could fully answer his question. Until now!
No, it is trivial to line up 4/4 and 12/8. Tempo changes are not required. A tempo 80 piece in 4/4 will line perfectly with a tempo 80 piece in 12/8 (compound time signature) A song at a tempo of 80 is the same exactly whether it is 4/4 or 12/8. Bach;s Jesu Joy of man’s desiring is the same tempo in 3/4 of or 9/8. In fact I posted a score of it higher in this thread where both time signatures are used interchangeably.for different voices of the same chart,
The people who say differently haven’t correctly set their DAW to 12/8 (compound time signature), and have mistakenly set it to two 8th notes per beat instead of 3. So they get a wacky tempo for the 12/8 because they aren’t in 12/8 triplet (compound).
Dan. My advice to you, is to render the files to audio, then you can make sure they don’t get messed with when you drag them from program to program. You will find that 32 bars of 4/4 at tempo 60 is a wave file of 128 seconds. And 32 bars of 12/8 at same tempo of 60 is a WAV file of 128 seconds. And then you need to ask yourself if you’re going to be able to line up two WAV files , both of 128 seconds.
Might I suggest creating a table of time signature options for each signature supported in you BIAB help file, if not already there.
Studio One (latest version), Win 11 23H2 , i9 -10940X 3.3 GHz, 32GB Mem, a 4K 40" monitor, PreSonus Studio Live III Console as interface/controller. secondarily test on Reaper, Cakewalk, and S1 on Surface Pro 3 Win 10 (latest versions).
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.
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!
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.
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.