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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I'm having fun with BiaB, especially trying out patterns through various style, just to see what turns up. Mostly jazz and smooth jazz styles, but a bit of everything. And listening to several RealTracks playbacks it occurred to me this IS very much like a real band - the drummer is too $%@* busy (just like 80% of the (purportedly) LIVE drummers I've worked with over the years. Worked great with B3 duo; piano bar dinner jazz - not so much...)  And yes, I have tried the dumb-down options. But one of the things I have LOVED about working single with iPod tracks of my own is - I get to keep all the tips! er, I mean - no overplaying drummers! Check my website, especially the Zytron pages from the seventies. Mahavishnu meets Big Sur...
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Try using some different drum tracks. Perhaps something not even in the genre. The tracks are set up by genre....so if you're working in the jazz genre.... try some country brushes or some rock tracks and see if they give you what you are looking. Don't get boxed in to thinking you have to use jazz drums on jazz tunes.
It might work and then again, it might be a dismal failure, but it only takes a few seconds to generate the tracks to try it.
I use this all the time in the work I do.... but of course, the lines between country and rock are becoming blurred these days anyway.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Try using some different drum tracks. Perhaps something not even in the genre. The tracks are set up by genre....so if you're working in the jazz genre.... try some country brushes or some rock tracks and see if they give you what you are looking. Don't get boxed in to thinking you have to use jazz drums on jazz tunes.
It might work and then again, it might be a dismal failure, but it only takes a few seconds to generate the tracks to try it.
I use this all the time in the work I do.... but of course, the lines between country and rock are becoming blurred these days anyway. To add to Herb's excellent advice don't forget MIDI. With a little work you can make MIDI drums as busy or plain as you want. A good sounding drum source works helps also.
I got banned from Weight Watchers for dropping a bag of M&Ms on the floor.
It was the best game of Hungry Hippos I've ever seen!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 175
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OP
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I more or less know all that, thanks, This is more of a sardonic observation than a complaint. It just cracked me up that I was responding to BiaB like I do with so many live drummers - cool it, Krupa...
Just proves drummers really DO overplay... :-)
If this were really a problem, I'd export to MIDI and go into Stylus RMX with about 10 gigs of REX loops. I've almost always got a work-around, and the rest of the time I just need to read the manual again...
I actually do the same, use rock tracks in jazz tunes, especially Latin - rock drums against Latin boleros can work quite well
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Let's see. By "dumb down", you mean you tried the "simpler" option, yes?
Also, when you choose a RealDrum part, you often have options such as Classic or Contemporary, and/or different kits (type of cymbals, conga, full etc.). Experiment. If you chose a RealStyle and think you are locked in, you aren't; just override the Drum part with your own choice.
Another thing: it is possible to edit the .TXT files that control RealDrums and eliminate certain phrases that could simplify the sound. I know there is a tutorial for this; if you are interested, we'll find it.
ps This kind of control is not yet possible with RealTracks.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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One other basic thing you might want to check is the location of part markers in the chord sheet. The drums get busier the bar before a part marker occurs as a lead-in to the next section. Removing them is another way to "dumb-down" the drums.
HTH,
Ed
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Good idea from Ed.
To elaborate, don't forget you can enter a song with few part markers, freeze just the Drums, then add the part markers that will affect other instruments. Pretty nifty workaround.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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There are quite a few styles that are not "busy". The big problem is having too many styles to try out. Some of the older jazz styles are very calm. Ray
Asus Q500A i7 Win 10 64 bit 8GB ram 750 HD 15.5" touch screen, BIAB 2017, Casio PX 5s, Xw P1, Center Point Stereo SS V3 and EWI 4000s.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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No, I do not feel the RealTracks are "a bit TOO real". I would say they are in some instances they are marginally not real enough but the instances are decreasing. When the RealTracks first came out there were a number of us who complained that the jazz Bass was TOO busy. As a result of that, I believe, we got bass styles in '2' Only, '4' Only, Simple and Very Simple. If you do not believe that the base was too busy, just check the original jazz bass styles that are not qualified as above. BTW, my assessment of 'too busy', although I think we said too many embellishments and inappropriate lines, was that the Neil Swainson in BB did not sound anything like he did on recordings. I always assumed that this resulted from the programming applying the wrong lines and embellishments in the wrong places of a progression. Whatever, we have plenty to choose from these days and the new RealTracks and SuperMidis are even better. As far as drummers are concerned, I do sympathise with your viewpoint on LIVE drummers, but I have not really found that the normal swing drum RealTracks are a lot too busy, PROVIDING you take note of the above comments on part markers and you remove the cymbal crash. In fact, I think some drum elements are still missing, in particular the hi-hat foot operated offbeat. Maybe they forgot to mike it, or perhaps my hearing is not so good these days. I cannot believe that it has been eliminated from modern drummers' playing technique. Incidentally, although I still can't hear his hi-hat chatting on the offbeat, give Lewis Nash a gig because you might find him less busy.  All in all, the RealTracks have definitely improved my enjoyment of playing along with Band-in-a-Box. And as I have said many times, BB swings a lot more than some of the real musicians I play with. Swing is a thing that has always been difficult to define and not many people talk about it these days, even on this forum. But it is still the most important element in jazz as far as I am concerned!
Grah Jive Talk
"Don't worry baby, they'll swing their arses off."
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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In light of my comments above, I do not find that the drums are "too busy" because in many cases they are perhaps not busy enough in places. But then again, I don't want busy drum parts in my songs.... give me a solid beat, throw in some tasty fills and I'm happy.
I'm listening to my song Come & Go as I write this because I know it's a typical song for me. The drums are rock steady as they should be and have some decent fills leading into the the various phrases in the music..... verse to chorus, and where you expect them to fill.
This song, while it is solidly country, does in fact have rock drums in it. So it's a prime example of crossing the genre line.
I know that jazz, by it's very nature, has drum lines that are normally busier than other styles. The "pocket" as they call it, is important, but jamming around the pocket is equally as important and having played with some jazz aficionado's a time or two, I can tell you a true jazz drummer is all over the place and tends to be much busier and into places a good rock or country drummer seldom ventures.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Don't forget that each Real Drum style has a number of variations. Click on the drum icon, then on the style you want and in the right column will be the different variations. Later, Ray
Asus Q500A i7 Win 10 64 bit 8GB ram 750 HD 15.5" touch screen, BIAB 2017, Casio PX 5s, Xw P1, Center Point Stereo SS V3 and EWI 4000s.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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the RealTracks have definitely improved my enjoyment of playing along with Band-in-a-Box. And as I have said many times, BB swings a lot more than some of the real musicians I play with. You and me both! When presented in rehearsal with new songs, being the demos made with BIAB, more times than I care to remember I had to tell my playmates to play more like the demo and less like themselves! 
Last edited by LtKojak; 09/03/14 11:03 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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[quote=The Soundsmith]I'm having fun with BiaB, especially trying out patterns through various style, just to see what turns up. Mostly jazz and smooth jazz styles, but a bit of everything. And listening to several RealTracks playbacks it occurred to me this IS very much like a real band - the drummer is too $%@* busy (just like 80% of the (purportedly) LIVE drummers I've worked with over the years. Worked great with B3 duo; piano bar dinner jazz - not so much...) This is what I started with - a lighthearted, presumably humorous comment on the Real Drummers (and midi drummers that composed the style patterns. No harm intended, and I certainly did not inted to spark a tempest in a time warp. It really WAS meant to be fun, sorry if I stepped on any toes... 
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Don't forget that each Real Drum style has a number of variations. Click on the drum icon, then on the style you want and in the right column will be the different variations. Later, Ray I was very happen when i discovered that. It' adds a lot of potential for altering dynamics and such between sections. I believe you can also right click in the chord entry area to change up the style for various sections "change style/ substyle" or some such thing...
Last edited by nobilis; 09/12/14 10:24 PM.
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New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!
Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 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 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
- Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
- Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
- Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
- Playable RealTracks Set 4
- RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
- SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
- 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
- Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
- Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
- RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 9 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.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 9 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.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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