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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3 |
I am a loyal BIAB user, dating back a decade or more to early versions. I use BIAB to create great backing tracks but not an expert on music Notation. The learning curve has been frustrating to say the least. The automation algorithm is intended to save note entry time but it backfires. I waste a lot of time undoing its forecasted note durations.
The algorithm does rarely produces the right result first time, compared to other products that require the user to explicitly pre-select a note duration (i.e., quarter, eighth note).
I am starting to appreciate the rationale for BIAB's notation approach but shortening the user's learning curve and reducing early user frustation should be a PG (Pretty Good) goal:
1. If the user enters a downstream note before earlier notes, the algorithm produces a confused sequence of notes and rests. These automated notes then require time-consuming replacement. In the user’s manual and tutorial video, state the obvious importance of entering notes from left-to-right.
e.g.,
“The algorithm automatically sets the duration of each note and works best if these notes are entered sequentially from left to right.”
2. Add a simple way to delete rests (like notes). Perhaps this is disabled because the algorithm often places these rests and won’t let the user delete them!
3. An “undo” single-click button in the Notation window would very helpful.
4. A “Zoom” button in the Notation window would also be helpful. I found the scaling option (%) after a lengthy search. It’s helpful to turn off the right-hand views (e.g. Mixer) when using the Notation view. Double views take up too much useful screen space for placing notes more accurately. View-switching could be automated, at least set as initial default.
5. There are countless warnings when placing notes “almost” on a 16th-note grid lines. I eventually found the “lock to grid option” and that might help ease the frequency of these warnings? Why not make grid-locking a default?
Overall the BIAB options and user interface continues to become over-crowded. I realize that software developers have to make some hard choices. Perhaps more extensive customer beta testing is in order before release?
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,545
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,545 |
Thanks for the suggestions. There’s a YouTube user, call Doug Mackenzie, that uses our notation, and get great results for his (amazing and beautiful) jazz piano recordings. So I don’t agree with the idea that the automatic notation always “backfires”.
https://www.youtube.com/@jazz2511
Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,871
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,871 |
Over many decades, I've noticed that BIAB users tend to be split in their opinion of the notation function. For many. it's fine, and they use the lead sheets.
I'm a composer and I am, or have been, a beta tester for two other major music notation companies. I have at some point used almost every music notation program, and I hate most parts of all of them. The perfect program does not exist. However, when I have a new project, I always start it in BIAB because I have never found anything nearly as easy and effective for initial note entry as BIAB. Then I can export it as Music XML to wherever it needs to be for the next step. I hope PG Music keeps the basic approach.
I do support your suggestions for minor tweaks, like the Zoom button and single-click Undo. And I don't see any harm in making Lock to Grid the default; I thought it already was.
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
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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.
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User Video: 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!
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."
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