If required.... in preparation for changing a chordsheet from 1 x cell is equal to 1 x bar of music, select "Edit | Song form | Expand" and this will double the length of each chord from a chordsheet perspective.
NOTE ***To appreciate the below process, it's useful to think of a cell on BIAB's chordsheet as a holder of chords rather than one bar of music.
One cell on BIAB's chordsheet only holds a maximum of four chords. Thus if the song is laid out so that a single cell represents 4 beats, then this means that only chords on 1/4 note beats are possible unless pushes are used. (Pushes still have limitations and do not have the ability to create 8 x chords per bar.)
If however, the song is laid out so that 2 x BIAB chordsheet cells represent 4 beats, then it's possible to have 8 x chords per one bar of 4/4 music and so chords can be entered on 1/8th notes.
That is each cell can hold 4 x chords and it takes 2 x cells to cover the 4 x music beats.
To accomplish this, one needs to double the song's tempo.
In other words, if the song has a tempo of 80 bpm when a single cell is used to represent one bar, then it will need to have a tempo of 160 if two cells are used to represent one bar.
To get this to work with Realtracks and Realdrums means either
using those designed for use around 160 bpm
or using the same original Realtracks and Realdrums but setting their timebases to "half-time" to compensate for doubling the tempo.
Time-base settings for Realtracks are obtained by right-clicking on the track in the mixer and then selecting "Track Settings | Timebase".
Below are two simple songfiles that I've created so that it's possible to compare them and to see how to do it.
The first example one is one cell on the chordsheet represents one bar. (Standard BIAB use.)
The second example has the same Realtrack set to half-time so that two cells on the chordsheet represent one bar. Regarding the second example, notice that...
the tempo is doubled
the length of the song now appears twice as long since each one-bar chord is now covering two cells
It's from me, Jim! LOL! I've simply used the 'quote' mechanism in these forums as a way of highlighting a comment and also to create a friendlier visual impact for the readers (if any).
It's from me, Jim! LOL! I've simply used the 'quote' mechanism in these forums as a way of highlighting a comment and also to create a friendlier visual impact for the readers (if any).
Example #2 at the link in my ORIGINAL post, only had a single instrument.
If you have more than one instrument as well as drums, then each of those instruments and the drums needs to be set to a time-base setting of 'halftime'.
NOTE: Make sure that you save your file with a NEW NAME. It's always best to keep the original so that it's possible to return to it.
1. Firstly set the tempo to double (say from 65 to 130).
2. IMAGE 1 below shows how to set the time-base for Realtrack #2452 String Quartet in the style I'm using.
3. Do this for all the Realtracks and Realdrums in your style.
4. If you are using an existing song, it's necessary to expand the chords so that one bar of chords covers two cells on the chords sheets.
5. To do this, use "Edit | Song form | Expand chords by 2" as shown on IMAGE 2.
This expands the duration of the chords so that, at the new double-tempo speed, two chordsheet cells at 130 bpm (for example) play in the same time as one chordsheet cell at 65 bpm (for example).
Once the above steps are done, it will play properly and two chordsheet cells will represt one bar of music.
It's now possible to add 8 chords across those two cells.
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.
Video: Enhanced Melodists in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®!
We've enhanced the Melodists feature included in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows!
Access the Melodist feature by pressing F7 in the program to open the new MultiPicker Library and locate the [Melodist] tab.
You can now generate a melody on any track in the program - very handy! Plus, you select how much of the melody you want generated - specify a range, or apply it to the whole track.
This new panel offers built-in specific support for the Reaper® DAW API allowing direct transfer of Band-in-a-Box® files to/from Reaper® tracks!
When you run the Plugin from Reaper®, there is a panel to set the following options:
-BB Track(s) to send: This allows you to select the Plugin tracks that will be sent Reaper.
-Destination Reaper Track: This lets you select the destination Reaper track to receive media content from the Plugin.
-At Bar: You can select a bar in Reaper where the Plugin tracks should be placed.
-Start Below Selected Track: This allows you to place the Plugin tracks below the destination Reaper track.
-Overwrite Reaper Track: You can overwrite previous content on the destination Reaper track.
-Move to Project Folder: With this option, you can move the Plugin tracks to the Reaper project folder.
-Send Reaper Instructions Enable this option to send the Reaper Instructions instead of rendering audio tracks, which is faster.
-Render Audio & Instructions: Enable this option to generate audio files and the Reaper instructions.
-Send Tracks After Generating: This allows the Plugin to automatically send tracks to Reaper after generating.
-Send Audio for MIDI Track: Enable this option to send rendered audio for MIDI tracks.
-Send RealCharts with Audio: If this option is enabled, Enable this option to send RealCharts with audio.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.