Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 551
N
nonchai Offline OP
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
N
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 551
there are a gazillion YouTube jazz "music-playalong" channels which are little more than jazz standards rendered in BIAB - often with a video of the song chart chords as in BB,. But even if it was just the audio it's super easy to tell when a YouTube content creator has created their jazz backing tracks in BIAB instead ofby themselves using real double bassists - WHY? because the way BIAB stitches to gather real tracks MIDI bass parts fails to replicate how a real pro does it.

here is Woody


PG - plea finally fix this, maybe doable via neural nets LLMs etc now ?

Last edited by nonchai; 06/25/24 09:30 AM.

MacOS Sequoia, M4 Pro Mac Mini , 64GB RAM 512GB SSD ,
BIAB, Cubase, Ableton, Logic Pro, SCALER 3, GigLad, AnyTune, Synthesizer V Pro,Vienna Ensemble Pro, Audiofuse, Fractal FM3, KOMPLETE 15, StreamDeck, iReal Pro
White beard, beer belly, bald patch
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,662
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,662
My suspicion about why arranger keyboards don't do it well even when pre-programmed with the changes, is that the sequencer just sends each chord into the arranger engine at the right time ... the arranger engine remains without the "coming up next" cue.

It's harder to understand/appreciate why BIAB may not do well as it might, because it does know what and when the next chord will be wanted. Maybe it's just an expectation thing. Possibly even knowing the chords remains limiting because the chords don't say where the melody will go, though contra-motion is common enough. There are supposedly walking bass styles and "Chord Options" which specify walking bass. I have to say that I personally haven't thought very much about how well the bass behaves/responds.

I really think this doesn't need neural-networks, LLMs or any AI-type tools as the sequences are generally pretty logical.


Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
.
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,566
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,566
I think register jumping is the primary reason someone might complain about the bass line constructed by BIAB.

When you stitch together snippets of audio of varying lengths, how can the program know that the bass line ended on a low pitch, but the next snippet has the bass in a higher register?

Although I cannot play bass, I have played the bass book in a show using my wind controller. Ironically, if I hit the wrong octave button, all too easy to do on my old Yamaha wind controller, I get the same problem I described above. The note choice is right, but the pitch is not, because I'm in the wrong octave.

User Dzjang (spelling?) has made some technical posts here about what the bass chooses to play on complex jazz tunes, based on some careful testing. I think there is an issue there as well.


BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,758
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,758
I'm actually impressed by what today's arranger keyboards can do. But I can also understand that accomplished musicians want even more. And in the coming years they will get more.

Composing on an arranger keyboard and seamlessly transferring an arrangement to your DAW for further production is likely coming soon. It’s not hard to imagine a keyboard that would allow the musician to compose a complete song by typing-in or voice activating a chord progression. He would then choose from a variety of AI-assisted styles and genres.


https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677
BiaB 2026 Windows
For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,044
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,044
This is one area where AI is likely to improve performance.

Straight “if this, then that” machine programming cannot know what experienced bassists will choose otherwise.

Although I’ll have a bass track when I export my BIAB projects, it’s never the one that the final version will have—ever. I’ve been playing since 1966, professionally since 1969. If I insert a little of, say… the Prometheus Overture or Sousa into a country or metal track, I know why it sounds good but there’s no machine or AI that could anticipate that.


BIAB 2026 Audiophile Mac
24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia/Tahoe, M1 & M5 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer11, Logic, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScore/Notion/Overture
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,699
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,699
That was a really enjoyable video. Like Woody's approach and way of communicating his analysis. Agree that AI can/will improve performance in this area, and no doubt quite a few more. In the meantime, since I've been meandering with BiaB faking it for the last 30 years, think I'm good until those changes come. Ha!


DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 551
N
nonchai Offline OP
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
N
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 551
Originally Posted by Matt Finley
I think register jumping is the primary reason someone might complain about the bass line constructed by BIAB.
When you stitch together snippets of audio of varying lengths, how can the program know that the bass line ended on a low pitch, but the next snippet has the bass in a higher register?

Agreed!


MacOS Sequoia, M4 Pro Mac Mini , 64GB RAM 512GB SSD ,
BIAB, Cubase, Ableton, Logic Pro, SCALER 3, GigLad, AnyTune, Synthesizer V Pro,Vienna Ensemble Pro, Audiofuse, Fractal FM3, KOMPLETE 15, StreamDeck, iReal Pro
White beard, beer belly, bald patch
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 551
N
nonchai Offline OP
Journeyman
OP Offline
Journeyman
N
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 551
Originally Posted by Mike Halloran
This is one area where AI is likely to improve performance.

Straight “if this, then that” machine programming cannot know what experienced bassists will choose otherwise.

Although I’ll have a bass track when I export my BIAB projects, it’s never the one that the final version will have—ever. I’ve been playing since 1966, professionally since 1969. If I insert a little of, say… the Prometheus Overture or Sousa into a country or metal track, I know why it sounds good but there’s no machine or AI that could anticipate that.

For sure AI might help - but it's also something that could be done via conventional well programmed algorithms - ie code!
Why? because the "rules" needed for this - in music - and taught in music - especially jazz schools - are very clear and understandable,. Just like voice leading, closures and the rest.

the link between music and "maths" has been known and discussed for many centuries!

Last edited by nonchai; 07/30/24 03:34 AM.

MacOS Sequoia, M4 Pro Mac Mini , 64GB RAM 512GB SSD ,
BIAB, Cubase, Ableton, Logic Pro, SCALER 3, GigLad, AnyTune, Synthesizer V Pro,Vienna Ensemble Pro, Audiofuse, Fractal FM3, KOMPLETE 15, StreamDeck, iReal Pro
White beard, beer belly, bald patch
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!

All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!

It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.

What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?

XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!

Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!

The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.

The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.

The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.

Note: 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.

The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos

With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.

Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.

Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.

Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.

2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.

Holiday Weekend Hours

As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:

April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours

Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!

— Team PG

Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!

If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!

If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!

Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,199
Posts801,860
Members40,065
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
Newest Members
Mando Kat, GlennMans, François Sohm, Armando D'Errico, PhilinPhil
40,064 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 129
zedd 109
DC Ron 101
rsdean 93
Noel96 87
vicarn 64
Today's Birthdays
abril1947, KeithS
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5