The intended standard for this is Music XML. I say ‘intended’ because it can often be wonderful but some software doesn’t implement it as well as it might. BIAB can import (and export) music notation in Music XML.

Next, the trick is to get the Music XML to start with. Some publishers sell it in this form. Some public domain scores are widely available.

My notation software exports Music XML.

I use several programs that can scan a PDF and convert it (with varying success) to Music XML.

Moving further backwards, most scanners can output to PDF.

So, while it might be a nice feature, I don’t think BIAB needs this one more function when other software specializes in it, and the results don’t always work anyway.


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.