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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 549
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So I decided to try my hand with StyleMaker. I've been wanting to do this for along time because I am intrigued about BiaB works behind the scene an I how might use it myself. The tutorial was pretty clear but I found I was unable to use it as published.
I am told that when I have the StyleMaker open (I am editing ZZLITROK) I can select a pattern and play it by pressing F4.
Well, when I do this it does play the pattern, but dies not stop after the two bars, it seems to go on, silently, and then the lead-in starts again but then their is silence as it goes through the pattern.
I've tried to look at YouTube tutorials but there is virtually nothing on StyleMaker except for an ancient 1997 clip which is useless.
Any help would be appreciated
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2000
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I suspect this is probably a long-time bug, as I don't believe StyleMaker has been significantly worked on in a long time.
I've used it a few times, but for most users, I suspect it could use somewhat of an overhaul to make it much more user friendly. Not a dig; just an observation. Obviously, Notes Norton has used it to great effect (and probably why I have purchased pretty much all his styles). But it definitely can be daunting for the average user (and it doesn't need to be).
One thing I would love to see is if BIAB could import Yamaha styles to create a BIAB style. I know it wouldn't be perfect, but it would go a long way to increasing the library of MIDI styles.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
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jonel,
In addition to John's thoughts, I suggest you use a MIDI style that does not begin with ZZ. Styles that begin with ZZ are BIAB's built-in styles (rather that on-disk styles) and these may not work the same in the Stylemaker.
--Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 608
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Sep 2013
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One thing I would love to see is if BIAB could import Yamaha styles to create a BIAB style. I know it wouldn't be perfect, but it would go a long way to increasing the library of MIDI styles. +1. (maybe it will be a surprice in the december release)
BIAB 2026, Studio Pro 8, Song Master Pro, Win11 Home. i7-9700K CPU, 32GB, ESI MAYA44eX, ZOOM UAC-2, Guitar Pro 8, Transcribe, (EZKeys2, EZD3, SD3, EZBass, EZMix3)
Amateur: fiddle, guitar, vocal, beginner on bass.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2016
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Although that is precisely the style used in the PG tutorial.
However, it has the same problem in in other styles because that is where I started and finally went to go exactly by the tutorial.
It seems to work OK other than the critical problem I reported. Jford is correct, PG Music would seems to have abandoned it. The manual is clearly not up to date on this issue because, somewhere along the line, the software has changed and it no longer works with regard to the tutorial.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Which tutorial are you following? I'm curious and would love to have a look. I know of Tutorials #5 and #6, but it's been a while since I last worked through them. Also, have you seen the video made with BIAB 1997? This also offers useful information.
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2001
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many moons ago - in the days of floppy discs - i created a style based on ZZLITROK which has an added midi hammond organ. that style - and the original - was incredibly useful for lots of 60s covers. all i did was import rthe organ from another style and save the result.
Last edited by Bob Calver; 09/29/25 06:47 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 549
Journeyman
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OP
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Joined: Nov 2016
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I have had trouble with StyleMaker from the minute I started to work with it.
I thought this would give me a better idea of how BB works behind the scenes because creating patterns that BB would generate would be something I could use in my own work.
So … I read the 2025 manual from Page 280. This was a great help and I felt I was in a position to start working with this feature. My first stop was to use StyleMaker to create a pattern, but this turned out to be a disaster. I was able to create a pattern for each of the instruments but the real problem came when I tried to audition my patterns. I could start the pattern by pressing Play on the StyleMaker button. Two bars were played and then, in silence it carried on for many more bars, pressing Stop in StyleMaker did stop the silent play. However, when I subsequently pressed Play again from StyleMaker, there was complete silence, even though I could see from the mixer that audio was playing. I then I discovered a workaround; I could press Play in StyleMaker and then press Stop on the main screen. That way I could at least audition my patterns, although I couldn’t seem to solo them. I thought perhaps that my style was to blame for the issue, so I went back to the manual to do the same with the tutorial using ZZLITROK.STY but this gave me the same results.
Next, I tried the StyleWizard to create a style from a Midi file. I found this process a real mess. I tried loading my own midi. This sounded good as a Midi song when it was played in its entirety from the Melody part but after that it went downhill. It loaded the Midi, correctly detected the chords. It didn’t, couldn’t or wouldn’t recognise the time signature of the midi which was 3-4. BB wouldn’t even allow me to change this manually. When I generated and enabled the style I only got the Melody part playing, seemingly out of sync. I think this might have been combination of 4-4 and 3-4 perhaps, but it wasn’t good. When I muted the Melody part I got nothing from the other parts.
In frustration I thought I might try the tutorial in the 2025 manual. I managed to create the Violet.STY style. I tried to find the example song V_TEST.MGU without success. I loaded an MGU of my own but then couldn’t find Violet.STY that I had just created and again, no success.
I’m always ready to blame myself because I have made many mistakes in the past.
All I ask is, can anybody demonstrate that these two tutorials, those that I have mentioned above, actually work! I would be really grateful.
Noel, you said you have worked through these before. Could you try it with 2025 and embarrass me by showing that it all works. Oh, by the way, I did look at that ancient video on StyleMaker. It might have been presentable at that time but it uses a completely different interface. The main screen has evolved every year since then (and no sound). I won’t say any more because I might be the one wearing egg on my face. Sorry if this looks a rant, it isn’t, I just wanted to explain so that somebody might put me right.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Hi Jonel.
I'll have a play around with stylemaker over the next few days and see if I can shed any extra light on it.
--Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Thanks Noel. You've helped me in the past and I'm hoping it might be something I'm doing wrong.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Jonel,
My apologies. I have been pulled in other directions at the moment that take precedence over creating a tutorial for Stylemaker. I'll get back to this as soon as possible.
--Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
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Holiday Weekend Hours
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Saturday, May 16: Closed
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Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
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Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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!
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Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
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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!
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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.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
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-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)
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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)!
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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.
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Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
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