|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1
Newbie
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1 |
Okay I used BIAB in early versions to write 2 school musicals. Worked for me. As a classicist I entered notation for the midi parts, assigned instruments and then mixed the results. I was able to add chords and dynamics.
Move on to the 2020 version - and I'm out to lunch here. I downloaded the manual [even made cheat sheets]
1. When I called up previous midi sequence files I found that sometimes they didn't include all the instruments, were without dynamics and even changed tempo. Worse still the instruments weren't on their own staves. No matter what instrument I called up the music was all clumped together.
2. Tried to write melody and lyrics. No way could I get the bar lines out of the lyrics. No info about how to do it.
3. Setting key signature does nothing. It reverts to C no matter how many times saved.
I think this program has advanced too far for me. I use Musescore for notation needs and perhaps should move to its mixer section [although I don't feel it's as good as PGM.
I'm spending way too long trying to relearn this program and not writing music.
Is there a comprehensible manual? The video tutorials don't do the trick for me.
Contacting PGM receives no reply.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 723
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 723 |
BIAB has lots and lots of videos to learn how to use it, they are listed on the home page of BIAB, maybe under support. Also a very nice lady Joanne Cooper who lives in South Africa has an ebook on learning BIAB. I started off with Joanne and have just learned the basics enough to do some songs and will build on that as I go along. There are several musicians here that know the program well as far as midi and all that and if you post a question they should answer it. Noel, Herb Hartley, Matt Finley, etc. I wouldn't give up, it's really worth learning.
Last edited by Belladonna; 04/07/20 05:58 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,867
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,867 |
Welcome to the forum, aneighth.
I’m disappointed you are having this much trouble. I’ll start with your #1.
The single thing in BIAB that has changed the LEAST in decades is MIDI. Whatever your earlier version was, the MIDI files you created then should load and play correctly now. I would need some specific details to proceed further. Perhaps you could upload a file to Dropbox (get a free account) and post a link to it here, along with a description of what it is supposed to be.
About #3, the key signature makes a great difference when entering a melody, and it affects the program’s choices during playback. It should of course preserve any change you make. The only thing I can guess here is that you are working with an imported MIDI file and somehow the key signature is included. There is a way to edit that out.
Finally, it’s good you like MuseScore. This is still the only non-PG Music program that reads BIAB song files directly. In other words, you can open a BIAB MGU or SGU file.
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 6,974
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 6,974 |
Hi,
#1. If you are opening MIDI files (*.mid) into Band-in-a-Box, then the entire MIDI file will be imported to the Melody track, and so like you say all the instruments/channels will be clumped together onto the one track. There are two tracks in Band-in-a-Box that are user editable. These are the Melody and Soloist track, so technically you could import some channels to the Melody track and some to the Soloist track (e.g. Melody menu | Edit melody | Import melody from MIDI file). If you do want to have multiple channels on the Melody and/or Soloist track, make sure that the track types are set to Multi-channel, otherwise you'll be hearing everything played as a single instrument. The point is that Band-in-a-Box isn't intended to be a multitrack MIDI file editor. The remaining Band-in-a-Box tracks - Bass, Piano, etc. are used by Band-in-a-Box to generate parts based on the Style that you selected. This may be MIDI tracks, or RealTracks (audio) in the case of RealStyles.
My question would be, the previous MIDI files that you are opening into Band-in-a-Box - what are you wanting to accomplish with these files, and where did they come from? Typically if you had used Band-in-a-Box in the past you would have saved Band-in-a-Box song files - these have files extensions like .mgu and .sgu. Perhaps you exported your songs as MIDI files, but even so you should still have the .MGU's kicking around.
#2 I'm not sure what you mean when you say you couldn't get the barlines out. Use the Notation window and switch to the Melody track. Start by entering your melody using editable notation mode, assuming you are entering it manually rather than recording it. My favorite way to enter notation is to use the keyboard (no mouse), left and right cursor keys, then press N to enter the note, and cursor up/down to adjust the pitch. Once you've entering the melody, go back to the start, press the L button to toggle into Lyrics mode. This is how to enter "Note-based lyrics", since the words you type are positioned according to the currently highlighted note. You can press enter to advance to the next note, and you can use Tab and Shift-Tab to go back and forth.
#3 I don't know why setting the key signature wouldn't have any effect. Perhaps you are going to File | Save, and expecting this to affect your original MIDI file. It won't, it will be saving your song as a Band-in-a-Box song file. If you want to export your song as a MIDI file you can do that as well, but you won't be editing your original MIDI file directly.
Andrew
PG Music Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 87
Enthusiast
|
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 87 |
Hi there!
Welcome to the forums!
Just a tip from an insider on getting a hold of support these days:
Support emails are taking us a lot longer than normal to respond to and our tech support phone line was down for a while because of measures in our office being taken for COVID-19. The tech support phone lines are back up now, so you can try calling again if you did before and got no answer. Emailing support@pgmusic.com will get you in touch with the most knowledgeable folks, but often if what you need help with is simple, chat will be quicker. The staff working the live chat can usually help sort out whatever issue you have, and right on the spot.
I hope this helps, don't give up!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,988
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,988 |
from the way you describe how you worked originally are you sure you used BIAB for your original tracks? i first got BIAB on floppies and with it got PowerTracks (PT) free so i created a rough song in BIAB, exported to a midi file then did the editing of midi in PowerTracks - changing notes, time values etc.
these days you get RealBand (RB) free with BIAB which will open midi files on separate tracks, allow you to edit midi easily. it's the descendant of PowerTracks and is much easier to use working with midi.
you already have RB so why not open your old midi files in RB and see if you can do what you want.
the phenomenal power of BIAB comes at a cost - you have to work in a BIAB way. RB is so much easier although it still has some of the power of BIAB.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!
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."
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!
Congratulations to the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
We've just announced the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
There are 45 winners, each receiving a Band-in-a-Box 2024 UltraPAK! Read the official announcement to see if you've won.
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.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums66
Topics81,612
Posts735,097
Members38,515
| |
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean