I want to input a song from a lead sheet that is in 6/8 time.
In BB I click on time sig, The dialog says for 12/8 or 6/8, use 4/4 with a triplet feel.
Can some one explain how to do that please.
I think largely that they are referring to use a style that has a swing / shuffle feel. I agree, it's not explained very well. IIRC, BIAB internally only fully supports 3/4 and 4/4 time signatures.
I experimented and only got reasonable results with 6/8 styles with a much lower tempo.
Search your Style Picker for 6/8 styles and demo ones with a slow tempo. Hope this helps.
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Hello Danna, Here is how I attempt this in BIAB 12/8 meaning there are four primary pulses (beats) per bar, and each pulse is naturally divided into three eighth notes. So enter 4 chords per bar and count: To count it : Count: "1 and a 2 and a 3 and a 4 and a". or Alternative: "1 2 3, 2 2 3, 3 2 3, 4 2 3," Or my favorit Count: 123, 456, 123, 456, .... (regardless, of count always emphasizing the first number of each group).
Now to get that " triplet pulse" you need a swing style. Trev is correct, it is not easy to find the groove but don't limit youself to searching for 6/8 or 12/8. You can find something in 4/4 which fits as long as it is designated "SWING" and you can count as I showed above.
Historically in BIAB there has been a lot of discussion on this. At the end of the day you just have to find the style that fits. Good Luck
I'm just adding to Audiotrack's and DrDan's excellent explanations.
While there are many different times signatures in everyday music, these can all be grouped into basically two main pulse beats. These are called "Simple" and "Compound" time signatures.
Simple time signatures are based on a pulse a note's beat (e.g. 2/4, 4/4, 3/2, etc). Compound time signatures are based on a pulse of a dotted-note's beat (6/8, 12/8, 6/4, etc). The dot after the note means that the note's total length is 1½ the time of note's value.
I tend to think of each numbered place in the matrix as a cell, not as a bar or measure. This gives you a lot of freedom you don't have if you think of them as bars.
For example, if your song is in 5/4 time, make the first cell 3 beats the second 2 beats, and the two cells combined make one 5/4 bar or measure.
6/8? Pick the right swing style, and the 4 beats of the first cell can be two 6/8 measures (or one 12/8 bar).
I tend to think of each numbered place in the matrix as a cell, not as a bar or measure. This gives you a lot of freedom you don't have if you think of them as bars.
For example, if your song is in 5/4 time, make the first cell 3 beats the second 2 beats, and the two cells combined make one 5/4 bar or measure.
6/8? Pick the right swing style, and the 4 beats of the first cell can be two 6/8 measures (or one 12/8 bar).
On some songs, I've found that using a waltz style (PGMusic calls all their 3/4 styles a waltz style, it doesn't necessarily mean it's a waltz) and using 2 bars to make the 6/8 works well. You generally have to use a faster tempo, since the waltz style is quarter note based, rather than an 8th note based 6/8 time. The first bar will give you the 1-2-3 and the second bar will give you the 4-5-6.
It won't look right on a printout, but it can sound right. I usually do my sheet music in a dedicated notation program anyway, so it's not a problem for me.
John
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If you open the Multipicker Library, select the "Titles" tab, and then enter O HOLY NIGHT, you find the song appears.
Select an option and then select "Apply - Find matching styles" and BIAB will filter styles in Stylepicker that will work with this song. (The image below is from BIAB 2026.)
This is what was filtered in Stylepicker for me...
Using Stylepicker Filter: Ballad, 4/4, Sw8, 55. I get 124 Items. Noel shows 131 items and you show 26 Items. I suspect you have the Pro Pack of BIAB which is very limited in number of Styles versus our Ultra Paks. . Is that what you are referring to?
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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