Came across this video posted to YouTube - it's a simple step-by-step tutorial using the "Pyctus Melody Sketch Pad" and Band-in-a-Box®.
The YouTube description for this video: Taking a melody based approach to composition. Nothing wrong with chord progression based but I always think that the melody is the centerpiece and should be the focus rather than trying to fit a melody into a progression.
The Pyctus Melody Sketch Pad is interesting but I can't find out anything about it. A search in Band-in-a-Box brings up "No Topic Found" while an internet search brings me back to the forum. Do you have a link you can share for the program?
I did find an interesting program called JamDeck though. Everyone can check out JamDeck ++ HERE ++
Last edited by Jim Fogle; 11/14/1607:44 AM. Reason: Added link
I did a ton of online searching for the Pyctus Melody Sketch Pad also, and wasn't able to find a thing online about it (it's not built in with Band-in-a-Box).
I'm going to get in touch with the OP of the video, and hopefully they can point us in the right direction!
I am not really sure what this is. That was not a "melody" he was generating--it was mostly a typical Mozart sounding arpeggio. Sort of.
BIAB has a gazillion midi "melodies" you can generate and tinker with (melodies as opposed to arpeggios) against a chord pattern you keep static, or a chord pattern you allow BIAB to "change." That is the whole midi composing side of BIAB that often gets forgotten when so much of the discussion is on Real Tracks. I love the melodic midi generation capabilities of BIAB too.
The description to the video from the OP really doesn't make sense to me but maybe I am just dense. No one I know would ever say you have to write a chord progression first and then find a melody that would "fit." You generally write a melody by humming a tune and then deciding whether you want a minor, major or jazz cadence to that. That just requires some knowledge of chords, which you then type into band in a box.
I watched this video and totally did not get it.
If you want write a melody why not just sit down at the piano and write one?
I often find a melody on the piano, capture it instantly in midi in Real Band or Sonar, export the midi, open it in BIAB and ask BIAB to tell me what chords I was playing. Even when BIAB is "off" I often prefer the chords it suggests and then we are off to the races. To me, that makes sense.
Again, I was somewhat lost on what this guy is trying to do. Maybe I need to watch it again!!!
David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers
Couldn't see any videos for JAMDECK, they make BeatCleaver that is good. I found HookPad https://www.hooktheory.com/hookpad there's lots of videos on that.
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows® Today!
If you’ve already purchased Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®, great news—a new update is now available! This update introduces a handy new feature: a vertical cursor in the Tracks window that shows the current location across all tracks, and more.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Boot Camp: The AI Lyrics Generator
With Band-in-a-Box 2025® for Windows®, we've introduced an exciting new feature: the AI Lyrics Generator! In this video, Tobin guides you step-by-step on how to make the most of this new tool.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Boot Camp: The AI Lyrics Generator video.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Using VST3 Plugins
Band-in-a-Box 2025® for Windows® now includes support for VST3 plugins, bringing even more creative possibilities to your music production. Join Simon as he guides you through the process in this easy-to-follow demonstration!
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Using VST3 Plugins
Video: Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows: Using The BB Stem Splitter!
In this video, Tobin provides a crash course on using the new BB Stem Splitter feature included in Band-in-a-Box 2025® for Windows®. During this process he also uses the Audio Chord Wizard (ACW) and the new Equalize Tempo feature.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Using the BB Stem Splitter
Check out the forum post for some optional Tips & Tricks!
Congrats to Misha (Rustyspoon)…downloaded/installed a full Audiophile 2025!
Breaking News!
We’re thrilled to announce that Rustyspoon has made PG history as the very first person to successfully complete the download and install of the full Band-in-a-Box 2025 Windows Audiophile Edition (with FLAC files)—a whopping 610GB of data!
A big shoutout to Rustyspoon for stepping up to be our test "elf!"
With the launch of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows, we're adding new videos to our YouTube channel. We'll also share them here once they are published so you can easily find all the Band-in-a-Box® 2025 and new Add-on videos in one place!
Whether it's a summary of the new features, demonstrations of the 202 new RealTracks, new XPro Styles PAK 8, or Xtra Styles PAKs 18, information on the 2025 49-PAK, or detailed tutorials for other Band-in-a-Box® 2025 features, we have you covered!
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows is here, packed with major new features and an incredible collection of available new content! This includes 202 RealTracks (in Sets 449-467), plus 20 bonus Unreleased RealTracks in the 2025 49-PAK. There are new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 4, two new sets of “RealDrums Stems,” XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAK 19, and more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 with savings of up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special—available until December 31, 2024! Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
2025 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
We've packed our Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK with some incredible Add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is automatically included with most Band-in-a-Box® for Windows 2025 packages, but for even more Add-ons (including 20 Unreleased RealTracks!) upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49. You can see the full lists of items in each package, and listen to demos here.
If you have any questions, feel free to connect with us directly—we’re here to help!
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.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean