Yes, I write melodies using the piano roll window. Will often create a melody in Band in a box, port it over to my DAW (Logic Pro 11). After so many years, I find it faster to rewrite/spruce up the BIAB melody on a piano roll.. You can copy melody phrases to a different section and make subtle changes to accommodate the current chords. Now I can do it without any assistance. Years ago, I would do a BIAB version of the song with the 'hymn' style. and export that MIDI into Logic. The notes in this MIDI file are blocked out for the full chord length. I copy the chords and paste them several octaves higher and lower than the original position. I mute and shorten them. and display these and the current BIAB melody. This makes it easier to know which important notes to put on one current chord note.
You can add passing tones, I often do them on the 'ands' of notes in 8ths or 16ths. Make them shorter and lower the velocity so they don't get so much attention. You can also move the melody notes to 6th, 7th, 9ths, 13, diminished for extra spice occasionally.. After a while, it becomes 2nd nature. After many years of playing, I don't bother with the guide reference notes. My ear/hand puts the note in the right place. The vast majority of the time I get it right. Sometimes I have to slide the note around.
Now also it is a good time to fool around with syncopation. Slide some notes forward backward to make the melody more interesting.
A great tip I discovered, was an old John Lennon work cassette. He woujld take the powerpoint or important notes in a 6 or 8 note melody, and sing that note in all musically available intervals.. Some of the examples he worked on, ending up in some of this best hits. Sometimes you want to move the important melody note higher. There are 'power positions' for certain notes, you want to experiment where you place them on the scale. Hope this helps
Thanks Mark! There’s some interesting ideas in your post. I am a guitarist teaching myself keys so I can add a riff or lick here or there in my songs. I usually have a go at playing a section on keys, then I go to the piano roll in my DAW to tidy it up, which usually involves time-shifting the odd note or removing errant key touches, then as you say, copying the section to other parts.
I hadn’t heard the Lennon PowerPoint story before, but sounds like a useful tool to look for a nice touch to a melody. It fits with advice I’ve read elsewhere about distinctive melodies containing more interval jumps/drops - a distinction between McCartney and Lennon - the former’s melodies using more interval jumps while the latter tended to use melodies with minimal interval movement underpinned by harmonic development with chord progressions (generalisations but some truth to it).
< "Playable Real Tracks" can be used for segments within the RealTrack, but that's really intended for small treaks ... >
I've found these small tweaks to be as authentic as editing with Melodyne and much faster. In the mix, Playable Real Tracks, done correctly, could be used in a commercial recording. In many cases, the edited notes are sampled during the original session RealTracks recordings by the actual session musician with the actual session instruments in the same recording environment with the same instrument settings. For the RealTracks that haven't yet had the actual instrument sampled, PG staff have researched and selected the best match sample for that track instrument.
Also note that PRT sound plug-ins can be changed from the PRT assigned sound. RealCharts can be edited, overwritten with any midi data transcription and played with the PRT samples or changed to another VST.
Playable RealTracks are more powerful and versatile than seems to be recognized in recent discussions here in the forum.
Attached screenshot shows the Playable RealTrack guitar data using CoyoteWT organ sound.
Here's a link showing PG Music staff demonstrating the Playable RealTrack concept back on 05/11/2011.
The update in 2022 to Playable RealTracks allows the editing to be on a single track in the Mixer. While this doesn't completely allow total editing of RealTracks creating custom phrasing of a RealTrack, there are many, many instances amazing results can be obtained for those that understand audio and midi programming and editing.
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.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
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