My apologies. When I read your opening post where you said...
Originally Posted by Rob Helms
Being able to tap out the tempo was super effective. Oh where is the question. Here is it. Is there still a way to do this or can it be brought back somehow as a button in the new ACW.
...I took it at face value and in my mind, I heard your post as a genuine request for help. Then in your most recent post, you said...
Originally Posted by Rob Helms
So thanks again for trying to help, but it is not help I am looking for.
From this, I can only guess that there were some other reasons behind your initial post that I was unaware of, and you weren’t really seeking help. Rest assured that I'll keep this mind next time I read a post of yours and interpret it as seeking assistance.
With the added benefit of hindsight, I now see that I misread the signs throughout your comments in this thread. When I read what I thought was your lack of knowledge about “L” to tap out timing when in manual mode, and then later when I read about an apparent confusion between ‘importing’ something into BIAB and ‘opening’ it, I thought I would find something to help clarify those aspects of the program and ACW. I found myself wondering if maybe your knowledge needed a refresher in the same way that I need to refresh my own understanding of BIAB from time to time.
Now when I read...
Originally Posted by Rob Helms
Jim, Noel, Charlie, while I appreciate where you are coming from, pointing out the very videos we have all watched and the manual re have all read does not help with the issues here.
...I see that I was wrong, and I am sorry for stating the obvious. Maybe some others who read this thread will find my post useful.
I didn’t mention it before, but your comment about only being able to tap out around 20 bars before the program returned you to the start made me wonder if maybe you were running automatic marking (adding bars) as well as automatic analysis (adding chords) while you were setting things manually. I’ve never done this because working manually and automatically simultaneously seemed like a recipe for disaster to me.
For anyone reading this post who might find it useful information, the way I use ACW is given below. This a straightforward process that works easily and flawlessly for me in BIAB 2024 (1112).
1) I load the audio using “File | Open Special | Open Audio” and solo the track that contains the audio. (I don’t use ‘Open audio with chords.)
2) I select the view that allows me to see both the audio waveform and the chordsheet.
3) Next, I double-check that ‘Auto marking’ and ‘Auto analysis’ are not selected.
4) I set the first bar by positioning the cursor and tapping “L”.
5) I then start playback and tap L to set the first 10 or so bars to create a solid foundation for BIAB to interpret the average tempo information. (In the documentation and the videos, PG Music usually set 4 bars. I like to be a little more thorough because the way I see it, the better I prepare audio for BIAB, the better my ultimate results.)
6) I manually adjust the barlines that I’ve tapped in so that they are as accurate as possible.
7) After that, I activate “Auto marking” and let BIAB do it’s work.
8) Then I play through the song to check that the bars are reasonably well aligned. I adjust any that are not. I’ve found that if the first 10 bars are well-timed, I only have to make an adjustment here and there for most audio unless there are areas of free/ad-lib tempo in the audio file.
9) When I’m satisfied with the barlines, I activate “Analyze” to determine the chords. I usually have the chord-type set to “No preset” but occasionally I use ‘Diatonic Triads’.
EDIT I have just tried the above process using the audio for the opening theme from the Chinese drama, "The Untamed" (see the video clip below). This sounds like it's mostly based around a pentatonic scale to me. There was a 2/4 bar (bar 5) and a 1/4 bar (bar 32) in amongst the 4/4 bars, some ad-lib regions, and a couple of key changes. Everything went well for me. An image of the chordsheet (including tempo map) I created is attached. Even though they are analysed for chords on the chordsheet, bars 18 – 25 are an orchestral interlude for which I did not bother creating an accurate section. (This is the first attached file below.)
You'll probably notice that I settled on a tempo of 45 bpm. This happened because I mistakenly ended up counting "4" and tapping the barlines in across what was really two bars. The tempo should be 90 bpm. Fortunately, that problem is easily solved in BIAB simply by: (a) deleting the tempo map; (b) using "Edit | Song Form | Expand duration of chords by 2"; (c) setting the tempo to 90 bpm. (This is the second attached file below.)
Regards, --Noel
P.S. As others have already pointed out, there are issues with some aspects of ACW in builds 1111 and 1112 of BIAB 2024. PG Music are aware of these.
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!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
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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.
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)
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
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Note: 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.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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