User Guide

Chapter 4: The Main Screen
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The [Rec.] button is to record a song from the beginning. The music that you play in to the computer
will then be stored on the Melody track. The “R” key is the keyboard equivalent.
The [R. Aud] button launches the Record Audio dialog for live audio recording.
You can make yourself sound like a 5 piece vocal group or a 16-voice choir! Record a vocal part,
and add a 4 part audio harmony. Press the audio harmony button on screen to do this.
Band-in-a-Box supports DirectX and VST audio plug-ins – you can apply them directly to the digital
audio track. Use the cool PG Music plug-ins provided, or any other DirectX and VST plug-ins that
you have.
This allows you to select and configure DXi (DirectX instruments) or VSTi software synthesizers.
The “Use DXi Synth” checkbox must be selected in the MIDI Driver Setup dialog.
Sends out an “all notes off” message to your MIDI or software synthesizer, so it can function as a
“panic” button to stop a hung or stuck note.
This button resets General MIDI devices by sending a GM mode On message and then setting up the
Band-in-a-Box patches.
Opens the PG Music Reverb window where the type of audio reverb is selected. Preset reverb
settings are available, or custom settings can be applied and saved.
This opens a list of tracks with the option to freeze or unfreeze all tracks or just freeze individual
tracks. Frozen tracks play without regenerating for faster playback.
Floating Toolbars
These are Copy and Paste buttons for chords or notes. They copy to the Windows
clipboard, and paste from the clipboard.
The Folder button allows you to change song and style folders or directories from within the
program.
Use the Favorite Folders button to select a folder from previously used folders. Shift-click on this
button to choose any folder.
Open an audio file (WAV, WMA, MP3) and the Audio Chord Wizard will automatically figure out
the chords.
The Practice Window is where many of the features and add-on programs useful for learning can
be launched.
This opens a menu with selections for the RealDrums Picker and RealDrums Preferences
(settings).
This opens a menu with selections for the RealTracks Picker, RealTracks Preferences (settings),
and a command to ‘Select better RealTracks” for the song tempo.
The Medley Maker allows you to quickly make a medley out of existing Band-in-a-Box songs.
The guitar button launches a guitar fretboard window that displays guitar notes as music is playing.