For example, if I write a few chords, such as C F G Am Dm, then it will tell me that I can try using C major?
Sort of. When you first save the song, it will analyze the chords and recommend a key-signature change if required. This is shown in a green box at the lower right-hand corner of your monitor.
However, I don't think it actually works. Well, it didn't work for me anyway when I just tested it. I created a small test song that should have ideally been in A minor. I clicked on the box as recommended and the song key-signature stayed in C Major.
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What's odd about that suggestion is that the key signature is the same.
Yes, totally agree, however upon clicking on the suggestion, I expected this value to change:
I tried your chords and found that you have to be careful with the green key suggestion box that pops up. Depending on where you position the mouse cursor when you click on it, it will either use the recommended key, or simply close the suggestion box.
If you position the cursor near the top of the box, you will see "Do it now!" in the box. That's when you have to click. If you position the cursor near the bottom of the suggestion box, you will see the "x" that simply closes the box and does nothing. And just to make it fun, the box only remains there for a few seconds (on mine at least).
Note that you can always change the key without transposing by clicking on the the key displayed at the top of the screen and selecting the new key from the drop down list.
For example, if I write a few chords, such as C F G Am Dm, then it will tell me that I can try using C major?
For those chords, BIAB will determine the key and key signature to be C. However it doesn't update the key automatically as you enter the chords. The current default key will be used unless you change it.
If you click on the key, you will see the current key and key signature checked in the drop down selections, and if there is a suggestion for a more likely key, there will be an additional selection for that key at the top right of the list.
Scaler only uses 3 chords to determine key, I believe. In that respect, BIAB may be more specific as it uses all the chords present.
Analysing the key by software will sometimes be imperfect unless the song is a fairly straightforward, e.g., 4-5-1 or 6-4-5-1. Jazz notably tends to shift key-centres throughout a song. Other music sometimes also does so that, though generally less often. If the key-centre keeps changing then some, possibly arbitrary, decision needs to be made about the choice of key.
Some people have a philosophy where everything is written with a C/Am key signature and all accidentals are applied to each note as needed.
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Also I have found out that if you change keys BiaB will determine the key signature at the end of the song. Thus if you start in the key of A, modulate to D, then to G, BiaB will call the key signature G. I believe that is the way it should be determined. YMMV
I want my last spoken words to be "I hid a million dollars under the........................"
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Also I have found out that if you change keys BiaB will determine the key signature at the end of the song. Thus if you start in the key of A, modulate to D, then to G, BiaB will call the key signature G. I believe that is the way it should be determined. YMMV
I'm not actually quite certain what BIAB does there. It seems to decide a key and use the root chord for that final bar, which seems sane enough, but it seems then to leave that chord there even if one changes key. I very often have to change it. I'm not complaining about that, I'm just observing,
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. Kawai MP6, Korg M50, Ui24R, Saffire Pro 40. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11; Win8.1: Scarletts BIAB2022 UltraPAK, Reaper, a bunch of stuff.
Here is my two cents. BIAB can intrepret the key when new midi is input. Otherwise, it is "set and forget". You can use F5 to change the key in the middle of you song, but that only effects the notation Key Signature. You can also manually change chords, but neither of those actions will change the selection of scales BIAB uses over the chords based on changing the key center. In orther words, the I chord is always what is set in Key entry section of the GUI.
And by the way, who ever mentioned Scaler - is correct.
Here is my two cents. BIAB can interpret the key when new midi is input. Otherwise, it is "set and forget". You can use F5 to change the key in the middle of you song, but that only effects the notation Key Signature. You can also manually change chords, but neither of those actions will change the selection of scales BIAB uses over the chords based on changing the key center. In other words, the I chord is always what is set in Key entry section of the GUI. ...
I would like to examine this a bit. We know that BIAB may make selection of chord sounds and notation enharmonic spelling based on the key signature. But if you change the key signature in the song, does it still follow the guidance of the original key signature, or might it adapt to the new one? I really don't know.
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[quote=DrDan] I would like to examine this a bit. We know that BIAB may make selection of chord sounds and notation enharmonic spelling based on the key signature. But if you change the key signature in the song, does it still follow the guidance of the original key signature, or might it adapt to the new one? I really don't know.
Matt, 1-if you have the original chords in the chord sheet and do a F5 key change the sound will still be the original chords and in the notation window it will show the chords but with # and b's. In other words a C chord to a D chord in the chord sheet both will sound a C chord but the notation would be D-F#-A. See pics 1-F5 and 1-keys
2-If in the chord sheet window you type in the new key chord changes and press F5 at the appropriate measure both the sound and notation will be correct. See pics 1-F5 part 2 and 1F5 chord notation.
I hope this makes sense.
I want my last spoken words to be "I hid a million dollars under the........................"
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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!
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!
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.
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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.
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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."
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