this is my fault for not keeping up with changes but i have 2024 latest patch and want to audition styles. the old style picker used to have two options - use the chords of the song or load the demo. the new stylepicker only seems to allow me to use the chirds of the song. i want to play demos how do i do it? wading through the manual i now have more sympathy with new users
If you go into Stylepicker, you'll find a "Demo" button above the list of styles (#1 on the image below). Also, by clicking on the "+" (#2) that's on the right side of the Demo button, you can access a setting (#3) that will allow you to set BIAB so that double-clicking on the style will play the demo.
thanks Noel - trial and error is getting me ther after your advice but i must sya this is a bit clunkier than the old system - is the old stylepicker still available?
Trial and error will always get you there in the end! It's what I use, too. The old Stylepicker is no longer an option. If you have any other issues, please don't hesitate to ask! --Noel
"clunkier than the old system" I am sorry Bob, but I disagree with you 100%. People fail to learn and adopt to more efficient ways, instead asking to keep obsolete methods, which makes program bloated with with unneeded complexity and redundancy, scaring new comers...and then complain about bugs.
Instead of bashing fantastic new feature, I recommended spending 20-40 minutes with it. Here are three items of new way that I am aware of that makes new method not whole: An option to "ghost" play, meaning without affecting original. Option to preserve original tempo. Undo coupled with Undo history. You can easily overcome all these by making a copy of original project and working with a copy. I do hope PGM will address these.
New method benefits: No mousing or scrolling through different menus & jailed pop up dialogs, waiting for memory generations that will not place the style unless you exit and repeat. With new method, unlike old picker you can navigate through the whole project and hear exactly what and how it will sound at a particular place, with your chording , preserving settings and VST instruments you have in your project. You are free to edit project while MTP (Multi Picker Library) is open and switch between the two. You can swap out RT's and other content on the fly without closing MTP. You can quicky audition dozens of styles on the fly with your chordsheet which took 10 times longer with previous way.
I think humans can't keep track of 5000 of anything. Marbles, Kittens, or even BIAB styles. Just too many things.
Perhaps PG Music can switch the approach on styles . Instead of the ever increasing number of a particular style (lets say samba), try the following Offer a single samba style then afford users some control how each musician in the "band" plays that particular stye. There may be some need for a couple more but perhaps less than the 187 that currently exist in biab. (Disclaimer - i have no idea how many samba styles there but there are many)
There are examples of this approach to software based session players. I've used a couple of them. They are quite powerful.
biab2026(Mac) Latest Build Mac OS (Latest) Apple Mac Mini M2 pro 32GB Ram Logic Pro (latest or pretty close) Blue and White Sea Star
mrgeeze, That would be a candidate for wishlist. For what it worth, I don't believe I ever used full set of musicians that was offered in a premade style. I would always swap out at least half or more. Styles are just a starting point. With new MTPL (Multipicker Library) and near instant generation it became extremely easy to swap or add tracks on the fly and hear how they sound in context. I made a video few weeks back to show how I use new tools. I will add it here, since it in many ways relates to OP and your posts. I hope it gives you and others some ideas of possibilities new workflow has to offer.
i take youur point Rusty but then you and i differ quite a lot in what we want. i've been using BIAB since the 90s to create backing tracks and as i've said in the past the idea is to replicate the kind of small electric and acoustic bands i used to play with.
BIAB does that admirably almost straight out of the box, and like real life if i want to fire the bass player a replacement is easy enough to find.
Hence what i need is really quite simple. In the old days of midi only i found that moving to PowerTracks made editing and replacing parts easy although that really was clunky. It involved generating a standard midi file as the base track and any extras or replacements meant revisitng BIAB, generating another standard midi file, opening PT and copying the new part to the clipboard to paste into the base track. So much easier now but as my needs are quite simple the amount of editing and changing i neeed to do is quite limited. For my purposes the new stylepicker is more complex than the old one and that results in the extra functionality you find so effective.
Power users such as yourself will find it useful. However, as i've said in the past trying to graft DAW functionality onto BIAB has created a powerful but complicated piece of software. Starting off in BIAB and then doing the heavy lifting in RB or another DAW is the way many of us go and it means that we don't need the grafted on functions that complicate BIAB.
The new functions aren't ones I actually need - BIAB and RB are the ideal solution for my music needs and i haven't yet found anything I need that i can't do. Extra functionality in BIAB does mean a lot to Power Users but makes the program a little more complicated for base users like me but i realise 'clunky' sounds pejorative and my approach to PG Music products is anything but.
I just bought a new car and whereas in the old days i had volume and tuning knobs and push button presets for the four stations I listen to on AM/FM, i now have fifty or so digital stations and a menu that's quite complicated to tune in and save the stations I want. My grandchildren treat that as normal and a breeze and while in the past they've come to me for advice on PCs and software I'm getting increasingly out of date. Compared to pressing a button and turning a knob to get what i want the digital radio is 'clunky' as far as i'm concerned!
.................................................. However, as i've said in the past trying to graft DAW functionality onto BIAB has created a powerful but complicated piece of software. Starting off in BIAB and then doing the heavy lifting in RB or another DAW is the way many of us go and it means that we don't need the grafted on functions that complicate BIAB. .................................
I agree with Bob on this point.
I believe that the answer for both camps is to leave BiaB as a backing track generator for those whom transfer the tracks to a DAW and for PGM to incorporate all of the BiaB functions into RB for those whom want the all in one package. YMMV
PS - I do like the new Multipicker Library.
Dad, how will I know when I've become an adult.
When your day is ruined because they rearranged the grocery store.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Bob, I can understand that people get used to certain methods, I do. I just don't agree with the "clunky" part about MTP. You have to spend some time with it to realize that it has a much smoother & faster workflow getting from A>B than previous methods.
Mario: "I believe that the answer for both camps is to leave BiaB as a backing track generator" In a way I agree. With exception that existing features that are still a bit raw should be finished and known issues addressed.
I'd like to watch your video, but I get an error message when I click on it.
Me too:
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Working now. It might have been a temporary problem with YouTube.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
If I'm not mistaken, the Style Picker can be launched by two different methods:
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
David, You are welcome. I am glad at least you are willing to give it a shot
P.S. It seems most (music) software developers stride to ease workflow with each release. PGM did just that with non modal MTP and several other improvements in 2024. So people have more time to make music instead of poking in hidden menus. I hope more people will try new method(s) to see the potential & benefits it has to offer.
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac 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)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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)
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!
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.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
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One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
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