I'm struggling to find styles that support what I'd call half-time standards. I've got a lead sheet for a cut-time piece, with 1/2 note = 66 BPM. The feel of the piece is definitely half-time in feel, kind of loping along. How do I use any of the styles that are meant for 4/4? It seems when I just think of the piece in 4/4 at 132 BPM the feel is too quick. I could use 4/4 at 66 BPM and compress the measures, such that two cut-time measures in my lead sheet merge into one 4/4 measure. It might feel OK, but it seems like a kluge. I suspect I'm missing something pretty basic as a relatively new user.
What genre is your song? That might help. For example, I write Brazilian jazz so I often encounter a samba written in cut time (2/2), but the samba styles in BIAB are designed for 4/4 time at twice the tempo.
In general, BIAB has had the ability for the last several years to adjust what is called the timebase of RealTracks. When you select a RealTrack, or a RealDrum, most will let you select half-time or double-time.
Also, when you look at the list of styles, it's good to notice if the style is eighth-note based, or sixteenth-note based. A sixteenth-note based style will sound twice as busy.
There is more, but give us some feedback if this is helping (or causing more questions!).
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
Yes, that's the sort of info I'm looking for! The song is a standard, Irving Berlin's I Got Lost in His Arms. Stacey Kent has done a version that is sort of my model. The lead sheet I bought is in 2/2, & I'm thinking 1/2 note at 66 bpm is about where I'd want it. It could work with an even feel. So I've been looking at even 8ths for styles, but it still feels too busy. So I need to check out the timebase option. Thank you for the hint, & if there are other related hints, I'm all ears.
One feature of the Band-in-a-Box StylePicker is you can enter the name of a song and the program will suggest compatible styles. I Got Lost In His Arms is not in the database so I put in a request for it to be added to the database +++ HERE +++
Thanks! Yes, I had checked the song picker feature to no avail. Now as I listen to the Kent/Tomlinson version again, it's in a moderate 4, about 82 bpm. My lead sheet is in 2/2, but Kent/Tomlinson is quite endearing. That modification & working with the timebase option should give me some more choices. And thanks for the info on suggesting songs for the song picker; I like working with both standards & contemporary praise songs, & do run into ones that I wish were in the data base.
My understanding is that it adds the song to the database, but that doesn't necessarily mean there is an available style that properly suits the song. Others may know more.
BIAB & RB2024 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
Edit: Update, I looked for Horst Jankowski's tune: "A Walk In Th Black Forest" which was not in the list. I play it using _JAZBPBR.STY Critically, this song needs a two-beat walking bass line (my opinion only).
I suggested that the song got added, which it did, but it appears someone recommended several Gypsy styles should be used including: _STDENIS, _OLDBOP, _WARTIME Gypsy styles
None of them are really suitable for this song (again my opinion only).
So I don't think the 'add song request' adds the style.
Last edited by VideoTrack; 10/12/2005:43 PM.
BIAB & RB2024 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
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."
Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!
The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!
There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.
If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.
We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!
Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.
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