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To my ear, and granted I don't typically type in my own chord progressions, everything that comes out of Band in a Box sounds excellent.

But MusicVillain recently write a post that made me realize I don't really understand what impacts how what effects how good the RealTracks styles will sound over a given chord progression. She wrote

Quote
I recently found this Soloist RealTrack #3198 very good, and I want to listen to the track and learn about the guitar arrangement.

However, I can't. If I load this track to BiaB, BiaB will chop the track into pieces, then re-assemble the pieces into a new track, which sounds very inconsistent and unpleasant.

I was wondering:
1.) Are the Realtrack soloists recorded against particular chord progressions that are guaranteed to sound stylistically "good" because they capture the expertise of the original recording artist's choices for that particular sequence of chords ?

2.) If that is the case, will choosing certain chord sequences possibly sound less tasteful (or possibly srendipitously even 'better') when a user enters a new, different chord progression.

3.) Does a similar concept hold for RealTracks styles that are purely accompaniment, and don't have a soloist ?

If you choose to share an answer, please if possible include some specific examples.

TIA


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This is a bit off topic but my 12 years of working with RT has led me FWIW to the conclusion that RTs soloists and often RT rhythm tracks sound better with more complex progressions. I don’t mean jazz complex 😀 just more than a simple 3-4 chord structure. The solos when played over such progression seem more melodic. But I always cut/paste solos to some degree and typically pitch shift segue notes. YMMV!

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Another very powerful tool that is not often discussed and overlooked is Partial Regeneration. Especially efficient in Track View. You can get different variations of the segment if they were recorded to see if one fits better than the other. Often default generation might not be the best one. What year is your BIAB software?

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Short answer: we users don’t know how it works. It’s proprietary knowledge.

Medium length answer: I wouldn’t worry about what user MusicVillisn was saying; I’m not even sure I follow it, but I’m pretty sure it does not relate directly to what you are asking.

Longer attempt: we users know that RealTracks are recorded by pros over chord changes. We do not have those chord changes. We know RealTracks when played back may use 1, 2, 4, or 8 measures of a phrase selected by the program and pieced together to fit your chord progression. It would make sense that the more conventional the progression the less chopping and stitching would be done. It would also make sense that if you took some beautiful lyrical playing and forced it to fit a jarring chord progression, you might not like the result. However, it seems enough phrases are recorded that something will usually play, and if as Rustyspoon said if you have BIAB 2024 or later, you can regenerate particular sections until you get some playing you like better.

Styles are just a curated collection of RealTracks that PG Music thinks work well in a particular genre and tempo. I often just build my own set of ReslTracks then save the custom style.

I’ll let someone else comment on Soloists( I don’t need to use them.

Was that any help? I don’t think we are at the level yet where examples are needed.


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What year is your BIAB software?
I have 2016 - which I don't really don't actively use that much - life has always seem to have gotten in the way of my perfectionist musical visions. I have had a tendency to buy based on who I want to be than who I am lol...lots of musical instruments and software I always planned "to get to" - finally retired and am able to actually spend some real time with my toys, which have gathered so much dust over the years.

I am not interested in understanding "proprietary" anything - just how to solo better. Often just talking about what the programs do open my eyes to new musical insights - listening to the new features tutorials, studying the features, and listening to the arrangements in BB has enormously improved my understanding of how instruments work together in a band setting.


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"I have 2016" - I am sure someone will help you here, but it's 8 year old software.... Many things changed.

P.S. PGM has a promotion now, it's not too expensive to upgrade the core program.

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Solo riff phrasing will likely depend on a combination of the instrument, the player, key signature and chord progression. Some simple examples: A George Benson guitar riff will likely be different than a Jimi Hendrix riff. Does the riff follow melody or chord progression?


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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.

Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows 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!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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 Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows 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!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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.

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XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!

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