Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 213
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 213
Hi I am just familiarizing myself with BiaB. I am through the initial woods where you can't do one thing and it seems like it might be 6 months before anything is accomplished. But I am having a little fun with it already. I have no regrets at all on this purchase. And I have not even worked with my Real Tracks that will arrive in the mail maybe in a day or two.

Anyway I am learning about the markers. I just started a chorus. A beginning and end to it. But I think right after that all the bottom went dark gray. Not sure how to turn that white again.

Also so I put 3x on the chorus. I will have to see what maybe after I end a verse it will go back to that chorus again? And I don't have to copy and paste it down again? Then there is a bridge I may will be putting in my songs also. I will have to find out if there is a marker for that.

I still haven't found out what A and B is. When would I use B on a marker? I will keep reading in hope I will find this information out. Unless you can quickly let me know.

Now so far I did use my Chord Wizard on some of my favorite songs I sing. Send them over to BiaB and had a little fun trying out some midi styles. They have some real nice sounds on some of those styles. Trying a lot of Bossa Nova. Latin stuff. A couple styles trip up a bit. I won't be using those.

I was wondering though just putting one big chord progression in without any markers and you put a style on it. BiaB won't actually be creating you something with consistent musicality through would it? Say when it hits a second verse after a chorus without the markers telling it that this is another verse it may do something a little different than what it did on the first chorus right? And this is why we have the markers so it will intelligently apply the style to each verse and chorus in the same way?

Ok That is it for this post. I hope you can answer what you can. I should just keep it to one question I guess instead of adding too much.

Thanks,
Sly Ruby

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,607
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,607
All the questions you asked are in the manual. If you don't have a manual, you can call PG Music and order one. It would take a long post to explain all of your questions. Check out the help menu also. Later, Ray


Asus Q500A i7 Win 10 64 bit 8GB ram 750 HD 15.5" touch screen, BIAB 2017, Casio PX 5s, Xw P1, Center Point Stereo SS V3 and EWI 4000s.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 18,892
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 18,892
Ruby,

In BIAB talk, a 'chorus' means once through the song (it's the classical definition of the word). It's not a chorus in the sense of verse-chorus.

What you should do, is to have a look at some of the PG Music videos. If you go to Youtube and type in Band In A Box, heaps will appear!

Regards,
Noel


MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2024
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 213
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 213
There is a real manual on BiaB 2014? An actual soft cover book? This has more information in it than the help files? Sounds good if it is cheap enough. Too bad they don't send it with my 809 dollar order. It should come with the deal. Yeah well we will see if I get any replies to my question. Probably 100% of the question are in the manual. In that case we can just shut down this forum now and never ask a question again lol. But I will take your advice. I am looking at the help files now. This all takes time. I like to rattle off a question to read someone's occasional type happy answer. They may have a better perspective than the manual. Ok back to my research.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,848
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,848
Helllo Slyruby,

As regards the display and chorus when doing a song some people go into edit, and click to "unfold to one big chorus" then the whole song will be on just a large number of bars, no coming back to do second and third chorus.

As regards those grey little part makers lines on your chord sheet, some people love them, I find them them very off putting and a distraction, so if you go into preferences and click on display there is a box there to untick "new line for every section" But if you like them just let it be.

hope you enjoy your new toy.
Musiclover

Last edited by musiclover; 12/06/13 02:58 AM.

Musiclover

My music https://www.youtube.com/user/donegalprideofall

Windows 10 (64bit) M-Audio Fast Track Pro, Band in a Box 2024, Cubase 13, Cakewalk and far too many VST plugins that I probably don't need or will ever use smile
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 213
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 213
Thanks MusicLover, I think next time I see that I will uncheck that box for a new line. Seeing too much gray and wasted space might be annoying. I don't have that chord sheet with the bottom half all in dark gray anymore so I don't know how that would effect that or not. If it happens again I will see what it does.

I am checking into this Chorus definition. I was thrown because I thought they referred to a chorus as usual, Verse, Chorus. Maybe their has always been a couple meanings to that word and this is the other one I never heard about. Thanks for the reply. I thought there would be some answers instead of the classic go read reply lol. That is a good idea is to study but also to ask a question and get an answer from a real person is great. That is why there are forums. I am not going to let people slow me down on asking questions.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,848
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,848
As Noel says the videos are very good too.

As regards the manual it needs to be totally updated with a proper search facility, type something in that you want to know and a whole lot of stuff will properly come up that is totally unrelated.

I would think if someone bought a copy of biab that never had the program before, who doesn't really understand basic chords, and you gave them the manual and told them to read how to use it there, then both would be handed back to you with the response "That is far too complicated for me".

But on the other hand if they buy a copy of biab and you tell them to ask how to use it on the forum, within a very short time and without many questions asked they would be up and running.

Musiclover


Last edited by musiclover; 12/06/13 04:16 AM.

Musiclover

My music https://www.youtube.com/user/donegalprideofall

Windows 10 (64bit) M-Audio Fast Track Pro, Band in a Box 2024, Cubase 13, Cakewalk and far too many VST plugins that I probably don't need or will ever use smile
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
The Band in a Box program is a lot like picking up a new instrument and attempting to make music with it.

Like the Guitar, it can be remarkably easy to get something basic out of it, but all too soon it becomes apparent that the new owner has to spend some time daily with the new instrument, learning and practicing to get more out of it.

Band in a Box program is exactly like that in many ways.

BTW there *IS* a manual there, look in the bb folder for the .pdf manuals. Likely that you will have the full .pdf manual for an older version at this time, but there should also be the 2014 upgrade manual as well as the 2014 New Features manual. You can view these onscreen and also print out by page if necessary to have a hard cheat sheet while learning and working.

Forum member and longtime BiaB user, John Conally, now deceased, used to like to point this out from time to time to new users - He used to say something along the lines of, "If Band in a Box could be mastered in a few days' time, it wouldn't be worth it."

This program is Feature-Packed. There are a host of possible commands that simply cannot be learned in a few quick sessions. But it is possible to create songs from the beginning, but likely as you learn more and more, you would probably want to revisit those first songfile creations at a later date and do some editing on them using newfound features and skills.

I always recommend opening the Main Stylepicker window and highlighting any one of the Styles that may sound interesting to you, use the button at top right to Load Demo Song onto the main BB screen. Close the Stylepicker, hit the Play button, and watch the Chord Sheet as the song plays, noticing how the experts at PGMusic have invoked different things for different purposes. I still spend some pleasant time every year at every new release repeating that with the Demo songs that show off the new RealTracks, methods, etc. - and it is a fast way to find out some pleasant surprises without resorting to pouring over a hard copy manual.

Before too long, you should be able to use many of the controls located in the Band in a Box "cockpit" - and that analogy is very true. Even though we now enjoy the new GUI, which really helps to eliminate the notion that you are sitting in front of the controls of a 747 for the very first time, all those controls are still there somewhere (mostly in the menus across the top) - and every one of them is there for a reason.

Take your time, do a little each day, before too long you should be on here answering the questions of others rather than asking your own.

Have Fun,


--Mac

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 273
N
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
N
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 273
Regarding the manual, I was told by Customer Support that a printed manual can be purchased from PG Music for $10, and that the printed manual for BIAB2014 won't be ready until early in January.

I'm not sure how updated (from previous versions) the overall manual will be for BIAB2014 though.


Kawai VPC1 MIDI Controller; Asus A53E Laptop running Windows 7 - 64 bit; BIAB 2017 UltraPlusPak (upgraded from 2014 EverythingPak), running from Laptop's Hard Drive.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Originally Posted By: newbert

I'm not sure how updated (from previous versions) the overall manual will be for BIAB2014 though.


Well, since the GUI is completely new, I'm guessing that old screenshots will have to be replaced in order to show things as they now are done, as well as a lot of rewriting or editing of the text for the same reason.


--Mac

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1
P
Newbie
Offline
Newbie
P
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1
Originally Posted By: musiclover
Helllo Slyruby,

As regards the display and chorus when doing a song some people go into edit, and click to "unfold to one big chorus" then the whole song will be on just a large number of bars, no coming back to do second and third chorus.

As regards those grey little part makers lines on your chord sheet, some people love them, I find them them very off putting and a distraction, so if you go into preferences and click on display there is a box there to untick "new line for every section" But if you like them just let it be.

hope you enjoy your new toy.
Musiclover


Thank you musiclover! Those grey part markers were making me loony!

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 49
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 49
A quick question. Why are some of the bar numbers within a box with red bordering ? I am looking for an explanation, but no luck so far. Just some of the measures, and there isn't any pattern. I will keep looking.

Thank You

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,583
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,583
Also, note that you can change the width of the grey divider lines in the Display tab under Options. I have mine set for 2 pixels, so they are not so jarring.

Also, red boxes around a bar number indicates that a change has been made at that bar location using the F5 key. So just select the bar, hit F5, and you should be able to see what changes have been made.


John

Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD
Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA

BB2024/UMC404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/MixBus/Notion/Finale/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK

http://www.sus4chord.com
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
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!

Watch: Next-Level AI Music Editing with ACE Studio and Band-in-a-Box


Band-in-a-Box® 2024 German for Windows is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!

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!

Paket | Was ist Neu

Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!

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!

Learn more about this free update for PowerTracks Pro Audio & download it at www.pgmusic.com/support_windows_pt.htm#2024_5

The Newest RealBand 2024 Update is Here!

The newest RealBand 2024 Build 5 update is now available!

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.

This free update is available to all RealBand 2024 users. To learn more about this update and download it, head to www.pgmusic.com/support.realband.htm#20245

The Band-in-a-Box® Flash Drive Backup Option

Today (April 5) is National Flash Drive Day!

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!

Learn more about this free update for Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1111

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Review: 4.75 out of 5 Stars!

If you're looking for a in-depth review of the newest Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows version, you'll definitely find it with Sound-Guy's latest review, Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Review: Incredible new capabilities to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs.

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."

Forum Statistics
Forums66
Topics81,663
Posts735,564
Members38,532
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
Newest Members
Jeffrey thomas, skyanderson3, akbrpra, Benfil77, William L
38,532 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 163
DC Ron 103
dcuny 85
rsdean 77
WaoBand 74
Today's Birthdays
jazzkeith, Mavrick20002, Pain-Driven, rolfie, Roycol
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5