Well I decided to extend one of my BIAB MGU Songs with some extra tracks as I had used up the melody and soloist track. I thought I would use Real Band to copy the melody track a couple of times and re voice and edit notes as required done this many times in Sona no probs.
So first mistake I saved the BIAB file as a midi I thought well that’s what I will be working on, and may want to take it to another daw at some time so lets get into midi.
Although this worked fine when opened in Real band I soon learnt that it would have been better to open the original MGU this would then automatically make a SEQ file. As saving a midi file as a midi file, in RealBand did not save things like track names patch names and ch Numbers and mixer changes, where as a SEQ file did, on my extra tracks . Found a post from John that helped with this, and his advice was to work as SEQ then save as seq and midi.
However it still did not save the CH number until I found this tip in QA section Quote “21. When I save my files, the MIDI patch/channel information in the tracks window is not saved properly. In the Options | Preferences | Files dialog, look for the setting "Don't save forced Ch META event in .MID files". When checked (enabled), this setting overrides the forced MIDI channel settings in the Tracks Window, and the forced channels won't be recalled the next time the file is loaded. This prevents RealBand from saving the forced MIDI channels in the Tracks Window into .MID files. This META event is only recognized by PG Music programs. If you want the forced channels to be recalled when you open the file with RealBand, disable this setting. If you are saving to a MIDI file and the patch info isn't saving properly, enable this setting, and use the Edit | Rechannel All Tracks command to convert the actual MIDI data in the tracks to the forced channel so that a forced channel isn't needed.” Hmm one more step on the road I might add here that if you say copy the melody track to another midi track it inherits the channel number of the melody or parent track that it was copied from so you must change this to an unused CH No on the new track.
I found the Classic track view most helpful to see exactly what was going on in a track at a glance
Still at least it saves the CH No now, But it still wont save more importantly, CHANGES I MAKE IN THE MIXER to my new tracks or any other tracks if I save as midi only gets saved in SEQ save. Any thoughts on this one would be appreciated. Mike
A. I try to remember to use Edit-MIDI-Rechannel Track (or close) The Classic window is handy, but it's still possible to not get the MIDI channel saved for a track if you 'force' it in RB. Best to manually write the data to the new channel so all other software sees it that way. You'll see it in the Event List this way.
B. Mixer moves: I often use the Edit-MIDI-Fill command to move a volume from one setting to another. This makes a smooth change and again hard writes it in a standard format most other software will be respond to. Again you'll see it in the Event List for the track, so it's rght there. If I recall, mixer moves may be written to different tracks than the track you are moving the slider for in real-time. This has benefits and drawbacks.
I really don't save as MIDI format very much anymore, so these are just things I remember, more than use daily.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
Yes thanks for the tips on all of that appreciate you time.
It a shame that silly things like this save as midi don’t work smoothly in RB . The very essence of a daw in my opinion is to save good midi.
I can see no good reason why the Realband midi track volumes do not get saved in a midi file. The mixer works and you can see the midi values change in track view as well as hear them SO WHY not, they save ok in a seq file
This sort of quirky behaviour will stop me using RB!!
I really should not have to go from BIAB TO RB then to Sona to do the mix. I might as well save my BIAB file as midi and gone to Sona in the first place.. This is a shame as I quite like the feel and operation of a lot of Realband
Hi again Bit of extra info not that it helps much The Real band mixer volume setting do not get written into the midi events list . This is true even in a seq file The difference is when recalled as a seq file they are effective. so they must be being written somewhere as the mixer jumps strait to the right settings on loading the file. One thing is for sure they wont save as a midi file if not inserted into the events list. Very strange behaviour Such a basic thing I cant believe its gone unnoticed all this time Maybe the programmer needs to have a look. Mike
Well at last I have cracked it::: I found the insert button at the bottom of the mixer. This inserts a snapshot of the mixer settings pan vol etc into the events list at the current cursor track time position. So be careful to rewind to the start if you are setting your overall starting mix. After that you can insert new snapshots for other parts of the song later in time.
I can see why it was done this way to prevent you inserting volume changes made while playing by saving and forgetting to rewind the file to start.
Even so a warning would have been nice to say mixer values not saved as midi events unless you take a snapshot.. Hope this helps someone in the future
Well another brick in the wall today . In my bid to use Realband as a normal midi DAW.
I discovered two check boxes in the Options / Preferences / File
Don’t save forced mid ch meta event in midi file
Automatically re channel track data when saving to midi
That makes things behave much better.
Midi guitar users probably will not want to do this as specific tracks / channels are saved for each string. So channels would need stay the same. Also if you intend taking the file back to BIAB it would expect to see the normal channels used in a BIAB song .
But for working with normal midi that you may want to move on to another DAW They are useful options. My practise with midi has always been as far as possible to match the track number with the channel number so one of the first things I do when getting a BIAB file into RB or any other DAW is to move the Drums from track 2 ch10 to track 10 ch 10 Just my way!
I'm pretty sure Band-in-a-Box styles uses midi channels 11 to 16 for the individual guitar string input / outputs when the "Write guitar part in six channels" option is selected in the Midi File Options screen.
Thanks for that info . Well that would be as per normal midi guitar parts recorded live from a midi guitar .
This is why I said that allowing re channel and not forced channels in Real Band may cause problems for midi guitar users , I am sure I read a post from Peter G. once on this and believe he said that is why it was made an option in Realband and not the default midi save behaviour.
Still it good for me trying to save standard midi files the way I like them. Getting there slowly, having sorted that and saving the Realband mixer settings with snapshot. Mike
I don't remember where the option is at but there is another option someplace in BiaB to change the guitar channels from 11 - 16 to 1 - 6 for times when there is a channel conflict.
It must be a nightmare to write a programme that is all things to all people. So I guess it down to the user to check Especially if trying to maintain compatibility between to progs .
BIAB uses certain channels for certain jobs. and those channels are maintained if you say open a MGU in Real band, as by default Realband will reserve the first tracks with the right channels as used in BIAB.and designate these as BIAB tracks.. Ch 2-3-10 -7-6-4-8-5
The tricky bit comes when you start adding more midi tracks as you have to find unused channel. Assuming no midi guitar this leaves you with a bit of a hotch potch selection Ch 1 -9 -11-12-13-14-15-16.
This is why if I don’t intend to go back to BIAB I make all tracks normal tracks and re Channel my way.. It was then a case of finding a way of saving those changes when saving as a midi file. Still all sorted now. And thank you for your interest, Mike
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
Playable RealTracks Set 5
RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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