Is there a difference between ‘resting’ an instrument (in the chord settings) vs muting it (in the bar settings)? I’m not really sure what the difference is between the two…
Is there a difference between ‘resting’ an instrument (in the chord settings) vs muting it (in the bar settings)? I’m not really sure what the difference is between the two…
Firstly, welcome to the forum pages.
Generally, muting the instrument is used to dynamically listen the the song without that particular track playing.
On the other hand, resting (following the chord with a period character) allows a specific instrument (or all tracks) to be rested usually only for that particular bar.
Muting (from bar settings) removes the track for (usually) a specific number of bars. As examples, this might be to bring in an instrument after an introduction, or to remove an instrument from playing during a specific chorus etc.
Last edited by AudioTrack; 10/03/2410:36 PM. Reason: Clarified the differences more accurately (I hope).
BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
Just so I’m clear in my mind then, is there a reason I would pick one over the other? At first glance, it seems the mute is the better option as the tracks stay silent until brought back in. I wouldn’t have thought there’d be that many situations where I’d want stuff to stop just for a single bar…
Just so I’m clear in my mind then, is there a reason I would pick one over the other? At first glance, it seems the mute is the better option as the tracks stay silent until brought back in. I wouldn’t have thought there’d be that many situations where I’d want stuff to stop just for a single bar…
Personally I would use rests to stop an instrument for just one or two bars, I would use mute to stop a block of bars, e.g., a whole chorus, multiple choruses, trading-eights or similar.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2024 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
In addition to the what others have said, with Chord Settings, they only last until the chord changes. This means that if you have (say) six chord changes through which you want to rest an instrument, you will need to add that rest to those six chords using chord settings. On the other hand, 'mute' in Bar Settings works independently of chord changes.
I also encourage you to have a look at using the volume envelope in Audio Edit. This gives a more professional sound when regions of tracks are silenced as it is possible to fade out or fade in using volume envelopes. If you are interested in finding out about volume envelopes and using volume notes, I encourage you to have a look at the video below. The relevant section begins at 51:18.
And, rests can be added within a measure. Muting only is possible at the beginning of a measure.
As I do not do a lot of work in BiaB I didn't know that so thanx for this info.
Although the topic is rest vs. muting may I add why not try volume automation? That is all I use in my DAW and I can raise or lower, sometimes to zero volume, anyplace in a track. I can also slowly increase or decrease volume. Are those options available in BiaB?
Unclear if the pianist is a total beginner or a professional jazz player?
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
... volume automation? That is all I use in my DAW and I can raise or lower, sometimes to zero volume, anyplace in a track. I can also slowly increase or decrease volume. Are those options available in BiaB?
Mario, no. This is a request I've been making for two decades. I would like to see control over the faders in the mixer by a MIDI Control Surface using the Mackie protocol. It's the next logical step to the improvements in audio editing that have recently been made.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 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
Regarding Volume Automation, many may be unaware that although Volume Automation is located in the Audio Edit Window, automation also works for midi tracks. There's no waveform so automation is done by ear rather than site. As Mario pointed out, it is a very accurate method.
An example to test is to load the demo for the default Midi Style ZZJazz and using Master Track from the Audio Edit Window and activate the Automation and do a fade-in at the beginning and then fade-out to end the song. The Master Track affects the Stereo Mix of the song.
Just so I’m clear in my mind then, is there a reason I would pick one over the other? At first glance, it seems the mute is the better option as the tracks stay silent until brought back in. I wouldn’t have thought there’d be that many situations where I’d want stuff to stop just for a single bar…
Noel's recommendation to explore using the volume envelope is also another great suggestion.
BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
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