PG Music Home Forums PG Music Product Forums Band-in-a-Box for Windows Regenerating and Identifying realdrum fills

Is there a way to tell which realdrum fills are being used in my project?

I understand about the part markers, etc. And also about regenerating to get a different drum pattern. But, how do I tell which fills are being used? Is there a name for each realdrum fill? if so how do I identify them?

I've spent a few hours searching the forums, but I can't find the answer I'm looking for.

Also, is regenerating the drum track for the entire song the only way to get different realdrum fills? Is there a way to have more control over which realdrum fills are used?
When I have a drum fill I like for one part of the song, and drum fills I don't want for other parts of the song, I regenerate, and the fills I wanted to keep are replaced. Freezing the drum track freezes the entire track, I'm guessing it isn't possible to freeze only sections of the drum track.

I read from a Google search something about editing a text file in the drum folder to be able to choose which realdrum fills are being used in a project, but it didn't go into much detail about it. Is this true?

Trying to get the right realdrum fills is like playing 'wack a mole' and seems counterproductive at the moment
I'd appreciate any helpful info regarding this topic.

If this has already been answered elsewhere, can you please post a link? Thank You.

< I read from a Google search something about editing a text file in the drum folder to be able to choose which realdrum fills are being used in a project, but it didn't go into much detail about it. Is this true? >

Apparently it is true. I posed the following question to Chatgpt and received this reply:

Question to Chatgpt: I'm working on a project in Band-in-a-Box for Windows 2025. Tell me about editing a text file in the drum folder to be able to choose which RealDrums fills are being used in a project.

Chatgpt Reply:

In Band-in-a-Box (BIAB) for Windows 2025, if you want to customize which RealDrums fills are used in your project, you can edit the RealDrums text definition files located in the Drums folder. These files let you control the behavior and variation of drum parts, including intros, fills, endings, and grooves.

Here’s how to do it:

🔍 1. Locate the RealDrums folder
Navigate to your BIAB installation directory, usually something like:

makefile
Copy
Edit
C:\bb\Drums\
Inside, you'll see folders for each RealDrums style, e.g., JazzBrushes, RockHardEv8, etc.

Each folder typically contains:

.wma or .wav audio files

A RealDrums.txt or similarly named text file (like JazzBrushes_RealDrums.txt)

✏️ 2. Open the RealDrums text file
Use a plain text editor (e.g., Notepad++).

This file contains parameters and mappings that determine which audio files are used for:

Main grooves (^_)

Fills (_F)

Endings (_E)

Variations (a, b, etc.)

Example snippet from a RealDrums definition file:

txt
Copy
Edit
StyleName=JazzBrushes
Variation=^_a
AudioFile=JazzBrushes_a_01.wma
Variation=_F
AudioFile=JazzBrushes_fill_01.wma
Variation=_E
AudioFile=JazzBrushes_end_01.wma
🎯 3. Edit or customize fills
To choose which fills are used, locate the lines that start with:

txt
Copy
Edit
Variation=_F
You can change the AudioFile entry to point to a different fill recording:

txt
Copy
Edit
Variation=_F
AudioFile=JazzBrushes_fill_03.wma
Some RealDrums sets have multiple fills recorded. You can test which one you prefer and point the Variation=_F entry to it.

📝 Optional: Add multiple fill variations
If the RealDrums style supports multiple fills, you can define multiple _F entries like this:

txt
Copy
Edit
Variation=_F
AudioFile=JazzBrushes_fill_01.wma

Variation=_F
AudioFile=JazzBrushes_fill_02.wma
BIAB will randomly or intelligently rotate between them, depending on your RealDrums settings.

💾 4. Save and reload
After editing the text file, save it.

You may need to restart Band-in-a-Box or rebuild the RealDrums list:

Go to RealDrums Picker → click [Rebuild] or [Refresh].

⚠️ Tips & Warnings
Backup the original text file before editing.

Don’t rename or move associated .wma or .wav files unless you're also updating the text file paths.

BIAB will ignore improperly formatted entries, so be careful with syntax.

You can create a custom RealDrums style by copying an existing one into a new folder, renaming it, and editing the text and audio files accordingly.

< Is there a way to tell which realdrum fills are being used in my project? >

View and audition the audio data file in the RealDrum folder for any particular RealDrum in a project.

< I understand about the part markers, etc. And also about regenerating to get a different drum pattern. But, how do I tell which fills are being used? Is there a name for each realdrum fill? if so how do I identify them? >

I'm unaware of any names for fills. As you see in the Chatgpt reply, this information is in the text files and on some if not all RealDrums, there are fills after the RealDrum audio data in WAV, wma, m4a files. Opening the audio data file in any audio editor will display these fills.

< Also, is regenerating the drum track for the entire song the only way to get different realdrum fills? Is there a way to have more control over which realdrum fills are used? >

No. There are multiple ways to get different RealDrum fills and have much more control over when, where and how they are used. Some methods are programable and others are manual. Ask if you want to know more detail and explain what you are wanting to accomplish to a drum track.

< When I have a drum fill I like for one part of the song, and drum fills I don't want for other parts of the song, I regenerate, and the fills I wanted to keep are replaced. Freezing the drum track freezes the entire track, I'm guessing it isn't possible to freeze only sections of the drum track. >

I think in newer BIAB program versions, RealDrums now have partial regeneration the same as how RealTracks have the feature. If so, partial regeneration also will do partial freezing of any of the track that's not included in the partial regeneration. preserving the fills you want to keep and not be regenerated. If not, there are multiple ways to get different RealDrum fills and have much more control over when, where and how they are used.

< Trying to get the right realdrum fills is like playing 'wack a mole' and seems counterproductive at the moment
I'd appreciate any helpful info regarding this topic. >

Lol, the same can be said for the bass player and lead guitarist in most bands. BIAB is your band so be prepared for those 'wack a mole' moments.

No.

No, however you can regenerate parts of a track by pressing F8 to open the Multiriff window. Using this window will freeze the track, and you can regenerate sections as you desire.

Editing text files in the Drums folder will permanently alter that Realdrum for any past, present, and future song. We recommend not editing any files.

Virtually none of ChatGPT's reply is correct in any way.

As a drummer, I resemble that remark!

< As a drummer, I resemble that remark! >
Drummers are exempt. They can hit you with drumsticks or throw their drumsticks at you and toss a cymbal like a frissbee !!!

RE: Chatgpt's text editing Drums files



I'm sure you're correct about that. I didn't verify any of it nor have I ever had the need to attempt the procedure.

My workflow is to add drum fills beyond the end of my song project and select, place and use copy/paste to place them throughout the song if needed. I also will copy/paste to eliminate unwanted fills after a Part Marker. Though very seldom do I edit the drums track.

drone.

in pg tips forum is a tricks thread re doing drum solos and fills.
its a method to create solos and fills etc for drums you might find very usefull.

as rb has so many tracks the skys the limit.
Lots of tricks....very flexible.
please consult it to save me lots of typing.

big note...the KEY is to create a seperate song project just to
generate drum fills etc which you can then import into rb and then you decide where you want them in a song.

hth.
happiness.

om

Better watch out for guitarists too, they've got plenty of effect pedals they can yeet! Anything larger than that though and they wouldn't be able to manage it, on account of a lack of muscle mass due to having the drummer carry their gear

Absolutely none of the example snippets contained actual content from a Realdrums txt file. Sure it's possible to edit those files, and not really that hard once you figure it out, but doing so won't solve the problem of identifying and choosing drum fills and will very likely just end up causing that Realdrum to stop working properly if at all.

Charlie Fogle +1
Simon - PG Music +1
justanoldmuso +1

Thanks for replying, guys. You've given me plenty of info to get my teeth into.

Happy to help!

Simon,
'Editing text files in the Drums folder will permanently alter that Realdrum for any past, present, and future song. We recommend not editing any files'

I think the idea would be to copy the folder and rename it to something similar so the original folder so is protected.

< I think the idea would be to copy the folder and rename it to something similar so the original folder so is protected. >

Renaming the edited file overlooks Simon's remark that editing text files in the drums folder will permanently alter the RealDrums and PG Music recommends not editing any file regardless if it overwrites the file and is saved as edited or Saved As a new file.

It will still be a permanently altered RealDrums file and PG Music recommends not editing any files. In either case, it is still an unrecommended, edited file that may cause issues with the program.