I have a 4/4 song I imported as a Music XML file with a two beat pick up measure. BiaB rendered it as a 4 beat bar (measure).
I want to change this 1st measure to a two beat 1st measure instead of 4 beats so I used the Bar Settings to make that 1st measure 2 beats and set measure 2 to 4 beats.
When I play it, the melody starts in the first measure on beat 1 however, it continues on beat 3 of the 2nd measure (set to 4/4), not beat 1 as expected or as the music reads. In other words, the melody is shifted forward by the number of beats I deleted from measure 1.
The chord symbol in measure 2 is also on beat 1 and it sounds on the proper beat so it is just the melody that is getting shifted. (I think)
I tried the “Nudge Chord/Melody” thing (plus & minus values) but no matter what I’ve tried so far, if the first measure is 4 beats, the 1st measure plays as if it was written as two quarter notes followed by a half rest with the melody resuming on the first beat of measure 2…
OR
If I set the first measure as a two beat measure, it plays as if it was 2 quarter notes in a 2 beat measure 1, followed by a half rest in measure 2 for the first two beats with the melody resuming on beat three.
I even tried using the Chord Settings to make the chord in measure 1 sound on beat 3, but nothing I've tried gets the melody on beat for measure 2 to the end of the song.
I think the problem is when I make a 4 beat measure a two beat measure, BiaB gets rid of beats 3 & 4 instead of 1 & 2 which makes the count for the first two measures 1-2-(3)-(4), 1-2-3-4 instead of (1)-(2)-3-4, 1-2-3-4, if you understand what I mean.
What am I doing wrong???
Thanks in advance for any insight or help you can offer!!
...I think the problem is when I make a 4 beat measure a two beat measure, BiaB gets rid of beats 3 & 4 instead of 1 & 2 which makes the count for the first two measures 1-2-(3)-(4), 1-2-3-4 instead of (1)-(2)-3-4, 1-2-3-4, if you understand what I mean.
What am I doing wrong???
Thanks in advance for any insight or help you can offer!!
I have some projects that start with pickup notes before the first measure. Horace Silver's Lonely Woman is my latest example. So how do I handle that?
I know that every BIAB song can have a two bar count-in from the drums. Yet all other instruments don't start playing until beat one of measure one. To get around this fact I change the song length and arrangement to treat measure 2 as the first measure/bar of the song, and use the actual first measure together with the chord settings dialog to have my melody instrument only (the other instruments rest in measure 1) play the pickup notes on say beats 3 and four as in your situation.
A rule of thumb for me is to avoid changing the number of beats in the early measures of a tune. While the software allows it and that capability helps users in projects with odd time signatures, it's too complex a manipulation for this user and hard for me to predict and control the results.
Alternatively: If my melody track is midi-based, I pull that into my DAW and add edit the midi track to add the pickup notes in the correct beats before the first measure.
This is what I do when I have pick-up notes to deal with, yet there other approaches no doubt and the experts here will chime in here soon I suspect. They always do. :-)
It's not just pick-up notes that are affected. If you create a song in BIAB with a melody then decide that a certain bar needs to be 2/4 instead of 4/4, the regeneration of chords will be correct but the melody will be displaced by 2 beats from that point. As Rocket.123 suggests, my workaround for this is to export the melody into RealBand for editing, the import back into BIAB.
First, why doesn't Band in a Box import the Music XML file correctly in the first place, meaning with a properly notated pick-up measure?
Second, why doesn't the "Nudge Chord/Melody" work as described?
Comment 1: I can't get RealBand to do anything but crash whenever I attempt to import any file into it so that option is out, at least for me.
Comment 2: With all of the "can't do this, can't do that, use a DAW, try this convoluted work around..." issues I have experienced with BiaB in the short time I have used it, I am SO delighted I only bought the Pro Version...
< First, why doesn't Band in a Box import the Music XML file correctly in the first place, meaning with a properly notated pick-up measure? > Your first post comments indicate that BIAB is configured normally in 4/4, 6 note count-in, song begins at bar 1 beat one configuration. BIAB reads whatever data that's included with the Music XML imported file for any re-configuration instructions. It appears to me that while the XML file displays properly in the Music XML program, that program is not exporting the proper data for BIAB to change its configuration to recognize and expect data that BIAB is not configured to see in its current configuration.
< Second, why doesn't the "Nudge Chord/Melody" work as described? > It's not the proper tool for this task. This seems like a edit copy/paste task.
< Comment 1: I can't get RealBand to do anything but crash whenever I attempt to import any file into it so that option is out, at least for me. > This also sounds like a configuration issue. Likely between the program and OS. Properly configured, RealBand is stable. Second, RealBand nor another DAW is necessary to edit a file.
< Comment 2: With all of the "can't do this, can't do that, use a DAW, try this convoluted work around..." issues I have experienced with BiaB in the short time I have used it, I am SO delighted I only bought the Pro Version... > Valid point. Users are sharing their personal workflow and giving helpful advice from what they've developed to be the easiest and most efficient editing method in regard to their personal knowledge of audio editing. Most have years, if not decades, of use and experience and a highly developed work flow in a DAW environment. It's always good and sufficient advice and instructions in that environment. It also seems a majority of active forum users use a BIAB/DAW combination workflow. While such advice implies BIAB either isn't capable of doing the edit or it's too complex and convoluted to edit in BIAB, that's not the case.
BIAB is a powerful digital Multi Track recorder with a robust Audio Editor and mix capabilities. BIAB can produce a song with dozens of instruments and dozens of tracks in a single song render, just like a DAW. BIAB can effectively bus 4 acoustic guitars, volume leveled and panned on the same track and all getting the same effects on them, just like a DAW. Editing in BIAB is fast, easy, familiar processes that because they're done in BIAB, require no exporting and importing files back and forth between another software program. Editing in BIAB also provides instant review of an edit with all of the other tracks and production of the current BIAB project. Editing in BIAB retains access and availability to all of BIAB's full range of features, tools, techniques and content. No DAW in existence, including RB, can do that.
Your Pro Version purchase delight is misplaced. The core program of BIAB is the same across every version and the 'pro' limitations are in content and accessories only. Your version has all of the powerful recording, editing and mixing capabilities of any level or version of BIAB program. They are all the same.
If you get a nice pick up measure, simply freeze that track so you don't lose it.
Personally, I like to work in a DAW when it comes to mixing and production. In the DAW, it's easy to copy and paste to create the pickup notes, record it live, or use midi and a synth to get the proper pickup notes to start the song.
That's just my preferred way to do it.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
In all honesty, I purchased BiaB to one simple thing and it can't do that at present without a time consuming workaround resulting in an audio file that still isn't satisfactory for my needs.
My delight in having spent the minimal amount of $$$ on a Pro Edition comes from my frustration and the realization upgrading or initially purchasing a more robust version would have been a colossal waste of money.
I'll find a use for BiaB, however it will just end up as another piece of music software on my PC that get utilized occasionally versus a valuable tool in my kit.
As I have already wasted a tremendous amount of time getting headaches trying to do what I need to do in BiaB, can anyone recommend a good Windows based DAW?
It seems like that may be simpler than endlessly perusing the user's guide or viewing outdated PGM videos for an answer that isn't out there.
As I have already wasted a tremendous amount of time getting headaches trying to do what I need to do in BiaB, can anyone recommend a good Windows based DAW?
..........
Asking for a good Windows based DAW is like asking what is the best car to purchase. You will get a number of different answers, including mine. I suggest you try demos of the various DAWs and select the one that is best for your workflow.
I use Presonus Studio One Pro 5.5. It does everything that I need in a DAW, is very easy to use, and fits my workflow perfectly.
What I do for pickup notes in BiaB I do the entire song in 4/4. I then bring the BiaB file into Studio One and work on the entire song. When I am happy with it I delete the first two beats of the first measure as well as any instruments I do not want to sound in the pickup measure. Thus I have the pickup bar as I want. Note this is only my workflow and others may/will have different workflows.
Good luck in finding a DAW and I hope this helps.
{edit} I forgot to add that it is very easy to move individual tracks and/or notes in Studio One. In BiaB's first measure let BiaB play the first two beats and start you pickup notes on beat 3 and 4, then use the procedure I mentioned above.
Last edited by MarioD; 09/21/2205:36 AM.
Me, it's not about how many times you fail, it's about how many times you get back up. Cop, that's not how field sobriety tests work.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
I have a 4/4 song I imported as a Music XML file with a two beat pick up measure. BiaB rendered it as a 4 beat bar (measure).
I want to change this 1st measure to a two beat 1st measure instead of 4 beats so I used the Bar Settings to make that 1st measure 2 beats and set measure 2 to 4 beats.
When I play it, the melody starts in the first measure on beat 1 however, it continues on beat 3 of the 2nd measure (set to 4/4), not beat 1 as expected or as the music reads. In other words, the melody is shifted forward by the number of beats I deleted from measure 1.
The chord symbol in measure 2 is also on beat 1 and it sounds on the proper beat so it is just the melody that is getting shifted. (I think)
I tried the “Nudge Chord/Melody” thing (plus & minus values) but no matter what I’ve tried so far, if the first measure is 4 beats, the 1st measure plays as if it was written as two quarter notes followed by a half rest with the melody resuming on the first beat of measure 2…
OR
If I set the first measure as a two beat measure, it plays as if it was 2 quarter notes in a 2 beat measure 1, followed by a half rest in measure 2 for the first two beats with the melody resuming on beat three.
I even tried using the Chord Settings to make the chord in measure 1 sound on beat 3, but nothing I've tried gets the melody on beat for measure 2 to the end of the song.
I think the problem is when I make a 4 beat measure a two beat measure, BiaB gets rid of beats 3 & 4 instead of 1 & 2 which makes the count for the first two measures 1-2-(3)-(4), 1-2-3-4 instead of (1)-(2)-3-4, 1-2-3-4, if you understand what I mean.
What am I doing wrong???
Thanks in advance for any insight or help you can offer!!
Your first post details your attempts properly place 'pick up notes' in a measure. Every posted reply indicates the solution to capturing and placing 'pick up notes' have assumed the notes either exist in their DAW project as audio or midi. Assume the same for BIAB and the solution is the same - Copy the desired phrase and paste it in the -1 bar as the 'pick up notes' for your song. It doesn't appear from your post that you've tried to edit and copy/paste the phrase in either BIAB or a DAW.
There's no need to change the first measure in your BIAB project from four beats to two beats. There's no need to nudge/chord melody of an entire track. Try the copy/paste phrase method using the BIAB Audio Editor or if it's MIDI, the Piano Roll or Notation Window. Assuming the phrase exists in the BIAB project, from the Audio Editor or either MIDI editor - to copy the phrase from any measure in the same track or if the phrase resides on another track, wherever it resides, use your curser to highlight the phrase, Copy it - you can use the Windows shortcut - Ctrl-C then move to the track and location you want to paste the phrase and use the Windows shortcut Ctrl-V to paste it.
The whole process shouldn't take longer than 10-15 seconds on your first try.
When I copy the two notes from the Piano Roll and TRY and paste them into the second half of measure 1a where they belong, they paste into the first two beats of measure 2.
If I paste them into measure -1 they don't play and the other tracks paste as well.
Bottom line, I am either still doing it wrong or for some reason it isn't working.
Asking for a good Windows based DAW is like asking what is the best car to purchase. You will get a number of different answers, including mine...
Good luck in finding a DAW and I hope this helps.
MarioD:
There MAY be a fix for this issue NOT requiring a DAW, in the meantime the other issue I have with BiaB (detailed in another topic), I resolved with a few clicks in Audacity.
While it is NOT like the powerful DAW you mentioned, it did the trick and I didn't have to spend a dime.
It MAY work for me for this issue as well if the fix is a flop.
When I copy the two notes from the Piano Roll and TRY and paste them into the second half of measure 1a where they belong, they paste into the first two beats of measure 2.
If I paste them into measure -1 they don't play and the other tracks paste as well.
Bottom line, I am either still doing it wrong or for some reason it isn't working.
I believe something's incorrect on your system or settings. I've attached two screenshots testing two notes from the Piano Roll pasting them at various spots in the 0 measure of my song and I can put them anywhere. I've marked where the indicator for my curser for my last paste.
Well I tried with two different files and get the same result so it must be on my end...
I really don't have the energy to go through another complete BiaB uninstall and reinstall for the FORTH time to see if that resolves my problem(s). I have already wasted several days trying to do a few simple things with BiaB and getting nowhere.
I'll just chalk it up to another thing I cannot do, see if a fix for the inaccurate rendering of MusicXML files ever comes down the pike before the next version is released. In the meantime, I'll use other software to resolve the problem if it ever needs to be resolved in the future.
Asking for a good Windows based DAW is like asking what is the best car to purchase. You will get a number of different answers, including mine...
Good luck in finding a DAW and I hope this helps.
MarioD:
There MAY be a fix for this issue NOT requiring a DAW, in the meantime the other issue I have with BiaB (detailed in another topic), I resolved with a few clicks in Audacity.
While it is NOT like the powerful DAW you mentioned, it did the trick and I didn't have to spend a dime.
It MAY work for me for this issue as well if the fix is a flop.
Thanks again for your suggestions & help!!
I also use Audacity! It is the best free software in my arsenal!
Me, it's not about how many times you fail, it's about how many times you get back up. Cop, that's not how field sobriety tests work.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Hi, Anybody know why pick up notes in the lead in bar inserted in piano roll won’t save? Already check preferences. Same with real tracks in notation. Pedal steel only wants to play legato and I see no option in the notation for detached notes? Furthermore, they will not save as soon as the piano roll or notation windows are closed they all disappear grrrrr Thank you
Hi, Anybody know why pick up notes in the lead in bar inserted in piano roll won’t save? Already check preferences. Same with real tracks in notation. Pedal steel only wants to play legato and I see no option in the notation for detached notes? Furthermore, they will not save as soon as the piano roll or notation windows are closed they all disappear grrrrr Thank you
Welcome to the forum. I think you will get more answers if you start a new thread and do so for each different question. We do know about saving notes, AudioTrack gave you the answer, and there is more to it. For more help, you could start a new question.
BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
I have a 4/4 song I imported as a Music XML file with a two beat pick up measure. BiaB rendered it as a 4 beat bar (measure).
I want to change this 1st measure to a two beat 1st measure instead of 4 beats so I used the Bar Settings to make that 1st measure 2 beats and set measure 2 to 4 beats. ............ Thanks in advance for any insight or help you can offer!!
This is one highly capable piece of software. As such, it is not something that you can open and suddenly you're doing the advanced stuff. Sure, it gets you into the music and creating new songs really quickly, but the deeper you want to go below the surface, you quickly realize just how much there is to learn.
So my advice is to take the time to learn what it CAN do and then start building on that foundation and learn the unique things you want it to do. Sometimes, yep, it's going to take a bit of out of the box thinking to get things done exactly like you want. But that's what you need to do. Don't throw in the towel before you even get below the surface on this. If you do, that's your loss and you'll likely spend a lot more time looking for the answer elsewhere verses the time it would take you to learn to do what you need to do here with BB.
When you have issues and problems, ask here. THere's a good chance you're not the first to encounter it.
Any way...... hope this helps....
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
I have a 4/4 song I imported as a Music XML file with a two beat pick up measure. BiaB rendered it as a 4 beat bar (measure).
I want to change this 1st measure to a two beat 1st measure instead of 4 beats so I used the Bar Settings to make that 1st measure 2 beats and set measure 2 to 4 beats. ............ Thanks in advance for any insight or help you can offer!!
This is one highly capable piece of software. As such, it is not something that you can open and suddenly you're doing the advanced stuff. Sure, it gets you into the music and creating new songs really quickly, but the deeper you want to go below the surface, you quickly realize just how much there is to learn.
So my advice is to take the time to learn what it CAN do and then start building on that foundation and learn the unique things you want it to do. Sometimes, yep, it's going to take a bit of out of the box thinking to get things done exactly like you want. But that's what you need to do. Don't throw in the towel before you even get below the surface on this. If you do, that's your loss and you'll likely spend a lot more time looking for the answer elsewhere verses the time it would take you to learn to do what you need to do here with BB.
When you have issues and problems, ask here. THere's a good chance you're not the first to encounter it.
User Video: Next-Level AI Music Editing with ACE Studio and Band-in-a-Box®
The Bob Doyle Media YouTube channel is known for demonstrating how you can creatively incorporate AI into your projects - from your song projects to avatar building to face swapping, and more!
His latest video, Next-Level AI Music Editing with ACE Studio and Band-in-a-Box, he explains in detail how you can use the Melodist feature in Band-in-a-Box with ACE Studio. Follow along as he goes from "nothing" to "something" with his Band-in-a-Box MIDI Melodist track, using ACE Studio to turn it into a vocal track (or tracks, you'll see) by adding lyrics for those notes that will trigger some amazing AI vocals!
Wir waren fleißig und haben über 50 neue Funktionen und eine erstaunliche Sammlung neuer Inhalte hinzugefügt, darunter 222 RealTracks, neue RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, "Songs with Vocals" Artist Performance Sets, abspielbare RealTracks Set 3, abspielbare RealDrums Set 2, zwei neue Sets von "RealDrums Stems", XPro Styles PAK 6, Xtra Styles PAK 17 und mehr!
Add updated printing options, enhanced tracks settings, smoother use of MGU and SGU (BB files) within PowerTracks, and more with the latest PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 update!
Download and install this to your RealBand 2024 for updated print options, streamlined loading and saving of .SGU & MGU (BB) files, and to add a number of program adjustments that address user-reported bugs and concerns.
Did you know... not only can you download your Band-in-a-Box® Pro, MegaPAK, or PlusPAK purchase - you can also choose to add a flash drive backup copy with the installation files for only $15? It even comes with a Band-in-a-Box® keychain!
For the larger Band-in-a-Box® packages (UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition), the hard drive backup copy is available for only $25. This will include a preinstalled and ready to use program, along with your installation files.
Backup copies are offered during the checkout process on our website.
Already purchased your e-delivery version, and now you wish you had a backup copy? It's not too late! If your purchase was for the current version of Band-in-a-Box®, you can still reach out to our team directly to place your backup copy order!
Note: the Band-in-a-Box® keychain is only included with flash drive backup copies, and cannot be purchased separately.
Handy flash drive tip: Always try plugging in a USB device the wrong way first? If your flash drive (or other USB plug) doesn't have a symbol to indicate which way is up, look for the side with a seam on the metal connector (it only has a line across one side) - that's the side that either faces down or to the left, depending on your port placement.
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows® Today!
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows for free with build 1111!
With this update, there's more control when saving images from the Print Preview window, we've added defaults to the MultiPicker for sorting and font size, updated printing options, updated RealTracks and other content, and addressed user-reported issues with the StylePicker, MIDI Soloists, key signature changes, and more!
A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."
"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."
"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."
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