Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 9
O
Oleg Offline OP
Newbie
OP Offline
Newbie
O
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 9
Hi, fellow BIAB fans,

Just bought the 2014 version and am very excited about the User Tracks option. I downloaded a few tracks made by others and they are very cool and useful.

I want to create some of my own user tracks but seem to be stuck: I realize that I cannot record audio in BIAB for Mac. So, I recorded the track in Logic, built a template with the chord sequence I need and... looking for a way to load the audio track into BIAB to then save as User Track.

Seems to be a basic procedure but I can't figure out how to add the audio file to the song. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Oleg.

Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 511
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 511
Yo can find an instruction video to use Garageband for this purpose here: http://www.pgmusic.com/videos.bbmac.htm
Scroll down to Advanced and there it is.

Success

Gerard


MacBook Pro 13 inch 2019 1 tB SSD, AirPods Pro and Max,
iPhone 16 Pro Max AppleTV 1 ,2,3 & 4 iPad Mini Retina 256 GB, Applewatch #7 generation. iMac 27 inch 1 tB Fusion Drive, 16 Gb memory, iPad Pro M1 12.9, Mac Mini M1
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,312
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,312
Hi Oleg - we also have a video called "Making UserTracks in Band-in-a-Box 2014 for Mac" that you may find helpful:

Last edited by Callie - PG Music; 06/10/14 10:51 AM.

Callie
Marketing Representative
PG Music Inc.
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 9
O
Oleg Offline OP
Newbie
OP Offline
Newbie
O
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 9
Thanks, Gerard and Callie,

This is exactly what I was looking for. A bit more of a manual process than the Windows version but works - and that's enough. Now I'll try to experiment with creating A & B parts and endings.

Regards,
Oleg.

Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944
Yes, a simple answer (other than watching the video is:)

Summary: You will be creating a BB song (called anything like Song1.sgu), and then creating an audio file (with a name matching the song, so it is song1.aiff), and then creating a folder name for your UserTracks to save to the UserTracks folder containing the song1 biab song and the audio.

1. Choose a name for your user Tracks: e.g. Banjo, Razzmatazz Peter Swing 140
2. Make a folder called /Applications/Band-in-a-Box/RealTracks/UserTracks/Banjo, Razzmatazz Peter Swing 140
3. Type in chords to a BB song, and save that to the Banjo folder you made above, Call that song anything you want, for example Song1 (BiaB adds the extension, so it is called Song1.SGU
4. In Logic (or any other DAW), create a audio file of you playing (in this case banjo) matching the chord progression to song1. Remember the 2 bar intro needs to be added.
5. From Logic, export that file as a aiff, m4a, mp3 or wav file, and save it beside the Song1.sgu with the same name, e.g. Song1.aiff

6. Now you are done, and ready to use your UserTracks! Press the UserTracks button (in 2014 on the Tools Toolbar), and choose the track (e.g. guitar track), and then choose the Banjo, Razzmatazz Peter Swing 140 UserTracks. It will work on whatever chords you type in to any song, any key!

Tip: If you save the song1.aiff as a song1.wav instead then your UserTracks will work for both Mac and Windows users!


Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 9
O
Oleg Offline OP
Newbie
OP Offline
Newbie
O
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 9
Peter,

Thanks a lot, good to see that you are as responsive as ever!

I presume that, if I create variations in playing for A & B sub styles in my recording and save the BIAB song with A & B style markings, I will have A & B parts to use in other songs? In other words:

1. My recording has 4-to-the-bar guitar strumming for the first 16 bars and a variation with a 3rd beat accented for the next 16 bars.
2. I save the song with the first 16 bars marked as A part and the next 16 bars marked as B part.
3. Loading the User Track into BIAB, will it recognize the A & B parts, or do I need to create 2 separate User Tracks and change the track at the 17th bar in bar settings?

Regards,
Oleg.

Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944
I presume that, if I create variations in playing for A & B sub styles in my recording and save the BIAB song with A & B style markings, I will have A & B parts to use in other songs? In other words:

Yes.

1. My recording has 4-to-the-bar guitar strumming for the first 16 bars and a variation with a 3rd beat accented for the next 16 bars.
2. I save the song with the first 16 bars marked as A part and the next 16 bars marked as B part.
3. Loading the User Track into BIAB, will it recognize the A & B parts, or do I need to create 2 separate User Tracks and change the track at the 17th bar in bar settings?

Yes, that is all correct.

Also, the example I listed above had song1.sgu. But you can add as many songs as you want, and they will all be included. For example, you could add My Other Song.sgu (and My Other Song.aiff)


Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 10
A
Newbie
Offline
Newbie
A
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 10
How do I create endings for user tracks?

Do I need to create many songs - e.g. 12 - one for each key?

Stops, holds ..?

Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944
Hi Armin,

>> How do I create endings for user tracks?

Just make the last 4 bars of the song the ending.

For example, if you record 64 bars of the song, that will consist of (in your audio file)

2 bars lead in
64 bars of the song
4 bar ending

If you just do a single song, and have a single ending, for example in the key of A, then that will get transposed to whatever chord you have.

For example.

Your song
ending C BB plays the A ending transposed up to C
ending Cm BB plays the A ending transposed up to C
ending D7 BB plays the A ending transposed up to D


If you record more songs, then BB will do a better job in the UserTracks. For example, if you record a D ending, and a Bm ending, and an A7 ending.
YOUR SONG YOUR BB USERTRACKS PLAYS THIS
ending C BB plays the D ending transposed down to C
ending Cm BB plays the Bm ending transposed up to Cm
ending D7 BB plays the A7 ending transposed up to D7

If you want to get "advanced" in making your UserTracks, you can record a bunch of endings within a single file. Use the F5 button, and "UserTracks development" button to mark which bars have your endings in them. Usually this isn't required, and a few songs will get you to have good major and minor endings.

Shots, holds: Not supported yet in UserTracks.


Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 10
A
Newbie
Offline
Newbie
A
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 10
Thank you Peter - but something is strange.

I created a song - containing 4 bars for each key (E,F,F#,..,D#) - since I played only Guitar-Power chords this should then work for all songs.

After this is a 4Bar ending in the last key (D#).

When I now use this usertrack in any song I get the correct ending for these keys:
C,C#,D,D#,E,F

For all other keys I get some 4 bars of the regular bars (not the ending).


Last edited by ArminH; 06/12/14 04:16 AM.
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944
Hi Armin,
You are correct, if you just put in one ending, it (Windows or Mac) will prefer to play regular playing instead of doing a big transposition (e.g. instead of transposing say 6 semitones). You can record a second file with a second ending. We might change it in future to play the ending in all cases, even it meant an extreme stretch.


Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944
Hi Armin,
You are correct, if you just put in one ending, it (Windows or Mac) will prefer to play regular playing instead of doing a big transposition (e.g. instead of transposing say 6 semitones). You can record a second file with a second ending. We might change it in future to play the ending in all cases, even it meant an extreme stretch.


Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 7
O
Newbie
Offline
Newbie
O
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 7
Hi I have BIAB 2014 For Mac And I made 2 User tracks In Same Folder As The Video Explained. First Track Succeeded And Doing The Job, But Second File Which Was Only Recorded The Shot Chords It Won;t Work ….The chords Does Not Shot ….Even I Have Tried The Sample Bundled With The BIAB 2014 User Tracks Called "Accordion, Rhythm Crossover Sw16 075" It Also Does not Follow Any Chords Settings …no Shot Hold Or Ending…. Is This An Issue In The Sysytem?

Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 7
O
Newbie
Offline
Newbie
O
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 7
I Tried Also To Put Pushes And Holds Into One SGU File Along With Normal Chords And Still No Effect At All, BTW I Have BIAB 2014 Build 80 For Mac …May Be This Fixed In The Update?

Last edited by ostoura; 01/14/15 03:17 AM.
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,827
S
Expert
Offline
Expert
S
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,827
Yes there will be a fix soon hopefully.
UserTracks Shots n Holds Workaround
you could use that in BB if you could change UT at any bar.

Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 7
O
Newbie
Offline
Newbie
O
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 7
Waiting For It

Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,786
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,786
Be advised that this 'workaround' presumes - if not requires! - that you have Realband, which unfortunately is WinSux only!


Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,827
S
Expert
Offline
Expert
S
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,827
Ice, you should try Wine on your Mac, as Mac now uses all the Windows Technology that was developed because of all the Windows uses buying Intel CPU's.
Realband runs great with Parallels Desktop.

Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,827
S
Expert
Offline
Expert
S
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,827
Also PlayOnMac.

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!

Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!

We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.

Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!

Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.

If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!

Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!

We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 process 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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.

Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.

Happy New Year!

Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.

Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!

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®!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics85,706
Posts795,123
Members39,937
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
lowihat223, Jwb2k, KJG, Peter_zzzz, johnmw
39,936 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 188
Noel96 110
DC Ron 100
DrDan 96
rsdean 96
dcuny 82
Today's Birthdays
Ivan Maldonado
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5