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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 16
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 16 |
I'm kind of a newbie here, and hope this is not too obvious a question.
When I bought BB, I had the impression that every time I hit the play button, BB would generate a new version of a song with different performances on the various instruments.
But with MIDI tracks -- and it seems even more with Real tracks--I very often get identical tracks, no matter how often I click the play button.
I looked a little at the "build your own style" windows and it does seem to allow the style-maker to add several variations to each instrument. I know I could dig into this complex feature, but the reason I bought the software was to get interesting variations on instruments I can't play and have the program do some of the work.
In Real Tracks, are there ANY variations to the performances? Seems like there are a few in the MIDI stuff, but I haven't found any with RT, often, even when I put a new section in a tune
I'm debating on upgrading to 2011.5, but I am concerned I won't get that many useful tracks.
Am I missing something?
Thanks for any help.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 349
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 349 |
Also a relative newbie but here's a couple of thoughts. First be sure your tracks aren't Frozen. Click on the blue circular snowflake to see if any are checked. Frozen tracks will stay the same each time you play them. Another idea is to extend your songs with several chorus's as you may find more variations pop up per generation. You could then Freeze the track and use the Drop feature to copy it to Realband or another DAW like Reaper or Audacity. If you run out of tracks in BIAB you could save the song as My SOng 01, then regenerate and save as My Song 02 etc. Then try continuing by using the DAW Drop to get each part you liked from each song into Realband where you can generate and create up to 48 separate tracks. A collection of these dropped tracks may be able to be stitched together to get what you want. Check out a great video tutorial series by Dan where he takes you through his process and does this, very informative: http://www.pgmusic.com/videos.user.htmI'm sure you'll get more and better ideas from the veterans here in the Forum. They've helped me a lot and your input and their's helps PG improve their already amazing product. Plus there's always the Wish List Forum where you can make suggestions. Good luck and have fun learning, Carl
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 16
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 16 |
Thank you for the reply.
The tracks are not frozen, and I do make the songs seveal chourses long. Some tracks seem to have variations and some literally play the same 2 or 4 bar figure all the way through. The Floyd Cramer piano track is a perfect example. Floyd created his signature piano style bu playing little upper-register tinkly fills. BB's floyd track generated exactly one version of that kind of fill. I took it into sonar and modified about 60% of them to get some sensible variations. Pretty tedious.
And regenerating the song did not improve things.
From the paucity of replies, I have to infer that this is in fact the way BB works, and my initial impression was wrong. Disappointing.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944 |
When I bought BB, I had the impression that every time I hit the play button, BB would generate a new version of a song with different performances on the various instruments.
But with MIDI tracks -- and it seems even more with Real tracks--I very often get identical tracks, no matter how often I click the play button.
==================
BB does generate different tracks each time you press play. If you are looking for completely new instruments, with a different stylistic interpretation, well no, it doesn't do that.
What it does is choose between many similar sounding patterns, or in the case of RealTracks soloists, thousands of different phrases. On a simple level, if there are 10 MIDI patterns available, the chances are 10% that one of them would get repeated at the same time. Keep in mind that some styles are made intentionally to have very similar sounding patterns (dance or techno styles for example). Wheareas jazz styles have lots of variations in the patterns.
Typically about 10-20% of the patterns would be the same pattern at the same time, the rest would be different patterns at different times. With version 2011.5, if you put 2 of the same RealTracks in an arrangement, you will get 0% overlap where they are playing the same pattern at the same time.
Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
Are use using the substyle part markers? If you don't know what that is, see the Help file about it.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 16
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 16 |
Bob:
I do us the "a" and "b" markers, but I guess the substyles are something more than that. I'll look into the it, thank you.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 16
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 16 |
Peter:
Thank you for the reply.
I'm not looking for a whole new instrument. I understand that the tracks in a given style will necessarily be similar. There are two things that don't seem to be working as they should:
1. Some of the tracks generated by BB consist of perhaps 2 or 4 bars that are repeated with no variation at all, for a full song--3 or 4 choruses of 32 bars each, e.g. If I would hear 10 different patterns in the rhythm guitar track of a 4-chorus song, that would be what I would expect, but not what I often (though not always) get.
2. Often, when I hit the play button and expect a different performance, some of the tracks do not change at all. I've brought them into Sonar, laid them up in adjacent tracks and played them, both serially and simultaneously. There are no differences.
As I said, neither 1. nor 2 are the case all the time, but often enough to be frustrating. Since I'm not a guitar player, one of the great benefits I expected from BB was a source of useable rhythm guitar tracks. While I've found a few--especially in RT--many times I can only get one, overly repetitive track.
I can't do this right now, but I will go to the program and try again. If I get more of the same, I'll send you the names of the styles, the changes, the MIDI or audio files, and anything else that might provide a clue.
Thank you again for your suggestions.
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows 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)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
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)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Video: New User Interface (GUI)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac 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 Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac 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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