I can see UserTracks working really well for rhythmic material, such as acoustic guitar strums or accompaniment piano parts.
But melodic material is much more sensitive to leaps.
If BiaB automatically tagged the first and last pitch of a loop, and used that information when reconstructing monophonic material, what would be awesome. I suspect that it's probably a bit much to ask. At least, with version 1.0.
when you consider the fact that virtually ALL of PGmusic's real tracks are recorded by world-reknowned music pros, I'm thinking that hobbyist-created user tracks won't diminish the demand for the really good stuff.
thanks for the run down. if one were musically challenged, ah, can't play an instrument, I seen to think , from what you said that a recording of chords via loops or other mechanical means might work as well, right? Wyndham
As long as you can place your loops in the right key, tempo and match the chords on the BB chord grid, YES. Just import that wave file into the BB Audio track as if you had recorded it there and let the User Tracks algo rip.
I figure you'll be interested in this. I've already used UserTracks to create a user track of the Native Instruments Session Brass. Because it's so large, I can't use it in a 32-bit program, but was able to create the WAV file with 64-bit Sonar.
Now that I have the basic file created, all I have to do is change the song parameters in Session Brass, change the keyclick triggers, and render to a new WMA file.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA
I just picked up Session Brass, but haven't had much chance to play with it. (I'll skip my MIDI keyboard sob story, it's long and boring).
Some of these sample libraries have restrictions on what they can be used for, with the language primarily against repackaging as sample libraries, but broad enough to possibly cover something like RealTracks.
I assume that if you create unique musical material (say, a string trio) for a UserTrack it wouldn't matter, but distributing a UserTrack made up of one of the patterns from something like Session Strings looks like it would be forbidden by the EULA.
Well, I tried a little, recording some classical styles with SampleTank and Miroslav Philharmonik sounds. I did some UserTracks, wanted to do Strings and Brass Sections.
I generated the UserTrakcs, but I am not really happy with it. It is farly not satisfying by now. Because: If I use the UserTracks in a new composition, they never really fit, even if it is the same tempo and everything in the options.txt is right. Always not really on the beat and when harmony changes it makes ugly noises. At least with strings and brasses.
Are there any Options or further knowledge about doing UserTracks, because I did it like with the Template and everything...
Could you help me. I am a newbie and am trying to create a User Track for my Acoustic guitar in BIAB 2017. The help folder says that I can store multiple templates (endings, long chords etc) in a folder that I created. I did the first Song_1m_Pop-1 template and stored it and it worked find. But when I tried to add another template (PopSong_2_Endings) it showed up with the SGU and WAV files but either I get one or the other to play but not both. Can you explain to me how this is supposed to work? Here is what I have stored so far:
This is what I have in the pic below, it plays thru the song then plays an ending.
There were a lot in the UserTrack forum but are not hosted anymore, there are ready made usertracks here you can download to see how they are made, there are also tutorials http://www.realband.org/tutorials.html
You may want to try the Yahoo music group for UserTracks, go to the files section and download some of the information. The UserTracks music group is +++ HERE +++
UserTracks is folder based. ANY folder inside the bb/realtracks/usertracks folder IS a UserTracks. The name of the folder IS the UserTracks name. Everything INSIDE the folder is part of, and belongs to THAT UserTracks.
Music files must be paired by name. The files can have any name but one half of the pair must have the SGU file extension and the other half of the pair must have either the wma/MP4 or wav/aif file extension. As an example one pair could be called a.wma & a.sgu. In this example a.wma supplies UserTracks audio while a.sgu describes the audio content to the Band-in-a-Box and RealBand programs. If you decide to add more content to the UserTrack, create another pair of files and place them inside the UserTracks folder.
Additionally the UserTracks folder has two text files: Memo.txt and Options.txt. The contents of Memo is displayed while looking at the UserTracks. Options provides how to use information to the programs.
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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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!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
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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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2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac 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!
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This Free Bonus PAK includes:
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-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
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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
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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