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Is there a way in BiaB to generate without playing?
I think the answer in "no", but...


Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
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The answer is "yes"
Input a some chords, pick a style, Don't hit play - or open an SGU file and export or render without first playing,
Rather,
select Export song as wav file,
Save song as wav file
Render song to audio track,

All methods work without first playing the file. All media formats will generate/render without first playing


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Hi Gordon,

In the Multiriff window (F8), there is a setting on the lower right to enable "Autoplay". From reading the help file, it seems that when the "Generate now" option is used, if Autoplay is unchecked then (presumably) the song should generate and not play. There is no "Generate now" button, though. Reading through this Help (accessed by clicking the Help button in Multifriff), there seems to be a mismatch in some terminology. The fact that this checkbox is grouped with the "Full Generation" button suggests that it should work. It doesn't. I'll pass it on to the developers.

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Hi Charlie, Noel,

I hadn't considered export, though that would do it. Possibly I could wrap something in an AutoHotKey toi make it a minimal action. I'll think about that.

I imagine that, if the F8 thing that worked, it would generate only the one track not all playable tracks. Again, though, it may be feasible to wrap somrthing in an AHK script.


Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
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The fastest ways I know of is to Save as a Performance File from the Track Actions menu for a single track and if you want to save without playing for an entire mix, use the Master Track use Render Song to Audio Track and the mix that's currently in the BIAB 24 channel mixer will render almost immediately to the Audio Track.

Saving as an Artist Performance File, saves the file, names the file, changes the label and color (orange), freezes the file and can be stretched, slower or faster tempo and can be undone. It's very fast and very powerful tool. One of my favorites. An Artist Performance File can save a single track, a mix of tracks or the entire song with the user choosing the settings. The Artist Performance File can save in any format BIAB recognizes and they can be combined into a single mix.

The Master Mix, Mix flat, dry, and Center, setting a SGU file as a mix template are available in all views from the Master Radio Button, Tracks, Chord View, Piano Roll, and Notation even if the Mixer is hidden.

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Gordon, why do you ask? What are you trying to do?


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.
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Originally Posted by Matt Finley
Gordon, why do you ask? What are you trying to do?
In honesty I'm not entirely sure. I think I just want to be sure it's generated without actually getting any sound yet. Next time I want to do it, I'll try to work out what's in my mind at the time. This may have come out of some testing. I've just become aware that, several times, I've wanted to.


Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
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My question is exactly the same as Matt's. I'm intrigued also. Do let us know if you figure out the 'why' part wink


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