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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 105
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 105 |
I know this is a pretty fundamental question but I'm pretty new to biab, so bear with me.
I've been trying to make a song so I can jam to the chords in Old Love by Eric Clapton, so I inputted the chords and chose real tracks from the list for piano and bass, but when I hit play the thing was a nightmare. The piano wasn't even close to being in time and the bass player was all over the place. But then when I chose a pre-selected style (slowbal) it was great. I'm not sure what I did wrong.
If I load a style then start selecting real tracks, my real tracks will replace the ones in the style, yes?
I'm going to have to watch the instructional videos again...
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,089
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,089 |
It does take some experimenting. That's part of the fun!
Yes, you can replace any track in a style with a RealTrack of your choosing. You can then save the new combination as a new style.
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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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,905
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,905 |
Hi again, Doug. When I read your post, I found myself wondering if maybe you'd mixed Realtracks that were different time signatures. I haven't tried it but this could potentially create some unusual results. There's a bit of a learning curve with BIAB/RB but, once you get to the other side (it seems to take about a week or two for most people to start feeling a little bit comfortable), the end result makes the journey very worthwhile. If you head over to the Users Showcase forum, you'll be able to hear what some users accomplish with BIAB. Here's a link to a song from a couple of experienced users. (The showcase forum can be found here.) Regards, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 105
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 105 |
Hmm. Maybe that's what I did. I'm not entirely sure. I'll keep at it, though, I'm amazed at the depth of this program.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,089
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,089 |
Different time signatures would make a mash-up for sure, but you can still produce plenty of weirdness just by mixing incongruous genres. On the other hand, be alert to the possibility something you think couldn't possibly work, might. You just have to put in the time and audition lots of RealTracks, RealDrums and styles. BIAB now makes that easier to do without having to load them into a song.
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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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,217
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Joined: Jun 2000
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.
This might help: go to the far upper left of the main screen and then click "choose from 24 built-in" styles."
Here you will see BiaB's most basic list of styles. Explore the list and see what happens when you try different styles.
The '24 styles' go back to when BiaB was first invented, and that was a long time ago. Since then thousands of styles and hundreds of Realtracks have been added. I think if you start by exploring these most basic styles you will be able to get a grip on where the other styles and real tracks come into the picture.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,824
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Hi dooglet,
If anyone hasn't said so yet, welcome to the forum and to Band-in-a-Box. BiaB is confusing and part of learning how to use it is to understand the terminology and tools that it offers.
A song is just that, a song. All the information BiaB needs to recreate a song is contained in a song file. Band-in-a-Box song files have the nickname SGU file because song files have the suffix SGU. Most DAWs call their default files, project files because the file may include information about a musical piece, a song or a compact disk project. Band-in-a-Box concentrates on making song accompaniment so the default name for a file is a song file.
A style contains information Band-in-a-Box will use to put chord progressions together. Styles define how to create midi notation that midi instruments can follow, what midi instruments or RealTracks are initially selected, starting tempo, time signature (3/4 or 4/4 time), key signature (typically middle "C") and if the feel is swing (SW) or even (EV). Band-in-a-Box initially opens the ZZJAZZ.STY by default. The ".STY" tells you ZZJAZZ.STY is the name of a style file. The "ZZ" in the name tells you ZZJAZZ.STY is one of the original Band-in-a-Box styles. PG Music has original (midi) styles, midi styles with only midi instrument selections, hybrid styles with both midi and RealTracks instrument selections and RealStyles which have only RealTracks instrument slelections.
RealTracks are audio instrument tracks created by PG Music. In Band-in-a-Box RealTracks replace midi instruments. RealTracks may have midi notation but the notation is for the onscreen piano keyboards, fretboards and printing lead sheets. RealTracks midi has nothing to do with the audio.
Jim Fogle - 2025 BiaB (Build 1128) RB (Build 5) - Ultra+ PAK DAWs: Cakewalk Sonar - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8 Laptop: i3 Win 10, 8GB ram 500GB HDD Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,217
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,217 |
Also look in the folder where BiaB is installed. Usually it is C:BB. There is a folder there caled "50 songs. It also goes back to the first version of BiaB.
The files there will make it clear what PG means when they call something a "Song."
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,675
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so I inputted the chords and chose real tracks from the list for piano and bass, but when I hit play the thing was a nightmare. In addition to selecting the proper RealTrack (3/4 versus 4/4), it also makes me wonder if you put the chords in the correct position for the song. Each bar in BIAB contains two cells and each cell can contain two chords. To enter the two chords in a cell, just separate them with a comma. Move on to the next cell and do the same thing. The first cell in each bar (in general) represents beats 1 and two; the second cell in each bar represents beats 3 and 4 (for a 4/4 song). To enter a chord in just the 2nd half of the cell, just type a comma followed by the chord. Also, there is always a default style loaded when you started BIAB (which you can change), which will play in addition to any instruments you substituted. So if you only substituted the bass and piano, whatever instruments defined in the underlying style for drums, guitar, and strings will also play. If the underlying style is a 4/4 straight feel and the piano and bass you selected were a swing feel, it just isn't going to sound very good. What BIAB plays is all based on styles, with substitutions allowed. Unless muted, however, all instruments defined in the style will play. My suggestion is to decide the feel of the song you want to use (4/4, straight or swing, 8th or 16th feel - you usually use 8th feel for faster tempos and 16th feel for slower tempos, but it depends on the song). Frame out your song using the three numbered boxed on the main screen. The first is the bar number the song starts on (to take into account an intro), the second number is the number of bars in the song, and the third number is the number of times to repeat the song (between the start number and the end based on number of bars). By default, BIAB will add a two-bar ending to the song after the last chorus plays. Once you have framed out your song, enter the chords in the appropriate bars (I'm not getting into advanced features here, so I'm just assuming each bar starts on a beat). Set an appropriate tempo, and then go to StylePicker to choose an appropriate style based on everything discussed above. Now hit play/generate to listen to the song. It won't sound like the original, because of the style you chose, but the chords should line up on the right beats and everything should play in the same feel. Once you're okay with this, now you can start looking at substituting styles and/or individual tracks. If you substitute tracks, make sure (at least while you are still learning) the style has the same attributes as the underlying style. RealTracks can be soloist tracks (like a guitar lead) or rhythm tracks, and will indicate that in their name. You'll also see if they are 4/4 or 3/4 (waltz styles as well). The RealTrack picker will also show appropriate tempos for the style. Hopefully this will get you closer to what you want to do. It takes longer to read this post than to actually do everything described.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA BB2025/UMC404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/MixBus/Notion/Finale/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com
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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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XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
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 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 Windows or for Mac.
Note: 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.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 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.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!
We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!
Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:
Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, 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, and more!
Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
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!
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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!
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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.
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