PG Music Band in a Box - Melodist User Guide
PG Music Inc.
Phone. 250-475-2874 or 1-888-PGMUSIC
Fax. 250-475-2937 or 1-877-475-1444
Internet: www.pgmusic.com
Email: info@pgmusic.com
Tech Support: 1-250-475-2708 or e-mail support@pgmusic.com
Welcome to the Band-in-a-Box Melodist™
Feel like composing a brand new song? Using the “Melodist” feature in Band-in-a-Box, you can compose a new song in the
style of your choice - complete with intro, chords, melody, arrangement, and an original title. All you have to do is pick from
one of the many “Melodists” available and press the [OK] button. The Melodist will automatically generate a completely new
song and arrangement in any given style.
The Melodist will also generate a melody over an existing chord progression, including ones you type in yourself. Once the
song is generated, the chords and melody are part of the regular Band-in-a-Box tracks. They can be edited, printed, saved as
MIDI file, etc. You can also auto-regenerate any part/section of a song to further refine your compositions.
Installation
Note: since this installation changes some program files, close down all programs (e.g., Band-in-a-Box) before installing. If you have
modified or created your own Melodists, you should also back up the Default.MEL file found in the program folder (e.g., C:\bb).
Installing the Melodist Sets on Windows XP:
1. Insert the Band-in-a-Box Melodist Disc Set CD-ROM into the CD-ROM Drive. The contents of the CD-ROM should
display on your screen.
2. Double click on the Melodist.exe or the Setup.exe icon within the window displaying the contents of the CD-ROM.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions which will guide you through the rest of the installation process. This will copy all
of the Melodist files to your Band-in-a-Box directory/folder (e.g., usually C:\BB).
Installing the Melodist Sets in Windows 9x:
1. Insert the Band-in-a-Box Melodist Disc Set CD-ROM into the CD-ROM Drive. The contents of the CD-ROM should
display on your screen.
(Note: If the CD-ROM’s contents window fails to appear, double click on My Computer on your desktop and then
select the appropriate drive icon to display the CD-ROM’s contents.)
2. Double click on the Melodist.exe or the Setup.exe icon within the window displaying the contents of the CD-ROM.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions which will guide you through the rest of the installation process. This will copy all
of the Melodist files to your Band-in-a-Box directory/folder (e.g., usually C:\BB).
Automatic Songs in Hundreds of Styles
Band-in-a-Box includes Melodist Set #1 with a large variety of Melodists in many styles, and we are continually adding new
ones. These specialty add-on Melodists are available for purchase separately. Visit our web site at www.pgmusic.com
news about the latest additions.
- Melodist Set #2 – Country, Pop and EZ Listening
- Melodist Set #3 – Bluegrass
- Melodist Set #4 – Jazz
- Melodist Set #5 – Bluegrass 3/4 and Irish 12/8
for
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Tutorial: Making Automatic Songs with the Melodist
In addition to creating original new songs and melodies, this feature can be a powerful practicing aid for sight
reading and improving your ear.
Press the on-screen [Melodist] button to launch the Melodist.
The left side of this screen displays the list of the Melodists available, including Pop, Swing, Bossa, Waltz, Rock, Bebop, and
Jazz Ballads. The Melodist will generate Intro, Chords, Melody Harmony, Style, and Solos using the group of settings preset
with the selected Melodist. Scroll down the list, and pick a Melodist that you'd like to use.
Generate Chords / Generate Melody / Generate Intros / Auto-Titles
The items that are selected will be generated. The convenient preset buttons will automatically set the appropriate settings to
popular presets.
The [Chords & Mel.] button will set the checkboxes to Generate Chords & Melody (but not Solos).
The [All] button will generate Chords, Melody, and Solos.
The [Chords] button sets the options to generate Chords only (no Melody).
The [Melody] button will set the options to generate only a Melody (no chords) over an existing chord
progression.
Insert Bass Pedals
When selected Pedal Bass figure will be inserted during the intro and at the end of sections.
Solo in Middle Choruses
This will generate an improvisation in the middle choruses of the song.
Allow Style Changes
When selected, this option allows a Melodist to load in the style associated with it. If you don't want Melodists to change the
current style that you have loaded, then deselect this option.
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