As a long-term user and enthusiast of Band-in-a-Box, I would like to share some technical observations that I believe could help to further improve the software's user experience. I want to clarify that these points have already been communicated to the support team, who confirmed to me that they have been escalated to the development team. I am sharing this report here with the desire to collaborate and also to see if other users have had similar experiences.
1. Lyrics on the Melody track replicated on the Soloist track When lyrics are entered in the Melody track, they are automatically replicated in the Soloist track, even if that track is empty. This creates duplicate text on the printed lead sheet, which can complicate final editing. This behavior is not documented in the manual (at least according to my review), so I would appreciate knowing if other users have experienced this and if there is a recommended way to avoid it.
2. RealDrums notation depending on the track they're loaded into In tests with CongaEV8 (RealDrums), I noticed an inconsistency in how the percussion notation is displayed: [*] If loaded into the Drums track, the notation is displayed correctly in both the Notation and Lead Sheet windows. [*] If loaded into a Utility Track, the notation is only visible in the Notation window and disappears from the Lead Sheet window. I was wondering if users of the 2025 version could confirm if this display issue has already been resolved in the Utility Tracks.
3. Lead sheet printing limitations [*] When renaming tracks (for example, imported MIDI or Utility Tracks), these names are not always reflected on the printed lead sheet, which maintains the default RealTracks or RealDrums names. [*] Despite having 16 Utility Tracks, the printed lead sheet seems to be limited to 7 instruments per page, without extending to additional pages. This presents challenges for those who want to print complex arrangements or those with larger instrumentations.
4. Suggestions for future versions In a spirit of collaboration, I would like to share some ideas that, in my opinion, could add value to the product: [*] Lead sheet improvements: Advanced layout and editing functions, similar to those offered by software like MuseScore, Sibelius, or Finale. [*] Support for multiple lyric lines: Useful for songs with multiple verses or languages. [*] Greater AI integration: Leveraging the technologies already used by PG Music, extend them to generate new RealTracks, RealDrums, or other personalized resources.
I thank everyone for their attention. [b]I always seek to strengthen with practical suggestions a software that I consider an excellent tool for musical composition.
I believe that Marking the thread as Resolved is not what prevents you from editing your post. There is a time limit. I’m not sure how long you have, but I think it’s somewhere between one and two days.
You can send an email to support@pgmusic.com and reference this thread. Or, do the live chat with support during Pacific time business hours.
I won’t comment on your suggestions about lyrics because I don’t use them in my instrumental music.
About notation, I do a File, Save Special to export the song as Music XML, then open that file in my preferred notation program. It has some implementation problems like most programs have with Music XML but it’s better than starting from scratch.
I’ve noticed in discussions here that there are very few requests to improve notation, and indeed it has seen little improvement over many years. I don’t have a problem with that, because some of us feel it’s better to use whatever tool is best suited, and let BIAB concentrate on what it does uniquely.
But this is the Wishlist, and all suggestions are valid and will be noticed by PG Music. If a program offers a function, that function should work 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.
Hey, thanks so much for the welcome and for your detailed response. I really appreciate you clarifying the time limit and for the tip about contacting support directly—that's great to know.
Your point about using Music XML is a great workaround, and I'll definitely give that a try. I also completely agree with you that if a program offers a function, it should work well. It's that core principle that motivates me to post, not a desire to see BIAB become a full-fledged notation program.
Thanks again for the help and for your insight. It’s good to be part of the community.
Wow, thank you so much for the incredibly kind welcome and for your high praise. It means a lot coming from a long-time member like yourself. I'm honored!
I’m very glad to be part of this community, and I definitely look forward to contributing more.
Provisional Solution for RealDrums Notation in BIAB 2022 (Windows) Hello everyone,
I'd like to share a finding that could serve as a provisional solution and, at the same time, as a clue for the PG Music development team.
I've noticed that in my version of BIAB UltraPack 2022 (Build 927), the precise notation of the "CongaEV8" RealDrums does show up in both the notation and score windows if it's loaded into one of the five smart tracks (Bass, Piano, Drums, Guitar, or Strings), but it only shows up in the notation window and not in the score window when the RealDrums is loaded into the Utility Tracks.
This is helpful for two reasons:
Temporary Solution: For those who need to see the notation for this percussion in the score, you can load it into one of the smart tracks.
Clue for Developers: Hopefully, this information can help the team compare the functional structure of the five smart tracks with that of the Utility Tracks to find the root cause of the problem.
I would like to ask the community: Has anyone with the 2025 version noticed if this RealDrums no longer shows any notation, not even in the notation window, when loaded into a Utility Track?
I hope this information helps solve this limitation in the future. Thanks!
Just to clarify, the term many of us use to refer to the first tracks in the mixer is ‘legacy’ tracks. I actually like your more-descriptive term better. Somewhere around the updates near 2022 there was a goal ‘all tracks are equal’ and many improvements were made. I’ll try answering your test question when I get to my computer.
Suggestion: add a Signature to your posts with BIAB 2022 listed. It sometimes makes a difference in answers. See how I did mine, just below.
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.
Thanks for the clarification on the term "legacy tracks." I appreciate the tip, and I'll start using it.
And a huge thank you for your willingness to test the issue on your computer! That's incredibly helpful. It's great to be part of a community with such dedicated users.
Thanks for the tip about adding a signature, too. I'll make sure to get that set up.
I always offer to do it but 19 out of 20 times, someone else beats me to it. Usually the folks from Australia … 😎
Ha ha - It happens because we're 14 hours ahead. It's already tomorrow here
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.
I'm using the exact same RealDrums you mentioned: CongasEv8[single], with track number Ntn276, performed by Jim McGillveray. I'm not using the CongasEv8Med[single] variant (Ntn382).
I’d like to ask you something: Are you loading that RealDrums track into one of the five old tracks (Bass, Piano, Drums, Guitar, or Strings), or into a Utility Track?
I ask because I’ve noticed the following difference:
* When I load that RealDrums into an old track, I can see the percussion notes in both the notation window and the lead sheet window.
* However, if I load it into a Utility Track, I can only see the notes in the notation window, but not in the lead sheet window.
If you're using a Utility Track and you can also see the notes in the lead sheet window, then it means that PG Music has achieved parity between the old tracks and the Utility Tracks in version 2025.
Ah, ok. I loaded the Conga into the legacy drum track then copied that track into Utility #1.
I never tried to select and load a track directly into a utility track. Surprise for me.
Explanation: I think when the concept of a utility track was introduced, you used it the way I described. I just kept doing that; never thought to try it any other way. If that works, I just learned something that skips a step, and is progress toward “all tracks are equal”.
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.
My thoughts on your reply, plus a couple of related points:
Thank you for your reply! Yes, the idea is to load the CongasEv8[single] RealDrums (Ntn276), performed by Jim McGillveray, directly into a Utility Track—that is, to generate it there, not copy the notes from another track. The goal is to use the Play/Generate button so that BIAB 2025 creates the RealDrums content from scratch within the Utility Track.
I’m pointing this out because, when copying notes from a Drums track to a Utility Track, BIAB does not transfer proper drum notation (crash cymbals, kick, snare, toms, floor toms, etc.). Instead, it shows generic melodic notation, which is not useful for percussion reading.
What I’m trying to verify is whether BIAB 2025, when generating a RealDrums part directly in a Utility Track, now displays full drum notation correctly in both the Notation window and the Lead Sheet window. If this is now possible, it would be excellent news—it would mean PG Music has finally achieved parity between legacy tracks and Utility Tracks in terms of drum notation.
Also, on a different note, I’d like to ask:
In BIAB 2022 (UltraPAK, build 927), when I write lyrics in the Melody track via the Notation window, BIAB automatically duplicates those lyrics into the Soloist track, even if that track is empty. This happens without user action, and it’s problematic, especially if one wants to use different lyrics for each track.
Do you know if this behavior has been fixed in BIAB 2025? Ideally, lyrics should remain only on the track where the user places them.
Before posting my earlier question, I ran a few more tests and discovered something that shifts the focus of my inquiry.
In my current version—BIAB UltraPAK 2022 (build 927) for Windows—if I generate a RealDrums track with notation on a legacy (or “intelligent”) track, and then generate another RealDrums track (for example, CongasEv8[single], which also supports notation) on a Utility Track, then:
* Both RealDrums parts appear correctly and independently in the Notation window,
* BUT in the Lead Sheet (staff view), only the RealDrums on the legacy track is displayed. The Utility Track’s drum part does not show up in the staff view.
On the other hand, if both RealDrums are generated on legacy or intelligent tracks, the notation for both percussion parts is displayed correctly in both the Notation and Lead Sheet windows.
📷 I've attached a comparison image that clearly shows this behavior.
❓My question for BIAB 2025 users:
If one RealDrums (with notation) is loaded on a legacy/intelligent track, and another RealDrums such as CongasEv8[single] is loaded into a Utility Track, can the notation for both drum parts now be displayed simultaneously in the Lead Sheet window?
I’d really appreciate it if someone could test this on BIAB 2025 and confirm whether this limitation has been addressed.
I just loaded CongasEv8[single] directly into utility track #2 while using a notated drum track and yes both are in notation. The attached picture shows the CongasEv8[single] notation.
I hope others try this to see if it is a universal situation as sometimes it is not depending on hardware and/or other software.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
I wonder if this was an issue with earlier versions, and has been resolved in a later version?
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.
Hi Mario D., thank you very much for your response and for taking the time to test it and share the screenshot.
Indeed, as you clearly show, the notation for the RealDrums CongasEv8[single] does appear in the notation window when loaded onto a Utility Track. However, my question is focused on a slightly more specific detail:
Is it possible for both drum parts (one loaded on a legacy/smart track and the other on a utility track) to appear simultaneously in the staff view (main score window)?
In my tests using BIAB UltraPAK 2022 (build 927), when using this configuration (one RealDrums on a smart track and another on a utility track), only the smart track drum part is displayed in the staff view, even though both parts do appear in the individual notation windows.
That’s why I’m curious to know if this limitation has been resolved in BIAB 2025, allowing both percussion parts to appear together in the main score, regardless of whether they are on legacy/smart or utility tracks.
Thanks again for your input. I’d really appreciate it if others could test this as well.
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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.
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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
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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)
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