When I get more time. One point now is that even though I often continue in another software, if I have to just enter a melody quickly, BIAB is great. Some of the reason is familiarity: you use what you know best, and I’ve been using BIAB longer than most software. Another is the grid BIAB uses that I can click on to determine the rhythm because it ends the prior note. Most software takes two steps: select a note value, place the note. BIAB does this in one click. Another is to tap in the rhythm, then drag to the correct pitches later.

Also, I sometimes bring a MIDI file into BIAB just to expand or contract the duration so it matches the tempo of the project (for example, did they write the samba in 4/4 at 190 or in cut time at 95 for a half-note)? There may be other programs that will do this but I haven’t found one.

I think I can go on if I spend any time on the subject.

I have mentioned, I do all my score writing in Notion 6 now. Note entry is ok if you know the keyboard shortcuts. Notion takes the WAV file I produce in BIAB for a jazz rhythm section and then I build the orchestra or big band parts around it.


BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.