what's your one thing you do with biab\rb that keeps your creativity flowing
Lenovo YOGA 900 Window s 10 Home 64bit M4 pro Mac mini 1tb HD 24GB mem casio wk7500 presonus audiobox i2 usb interface casio wk-7500 biab & realband 2025 everything pk both with Current builds
I guess the one thing I do with biab/rb to keep the juices going is I experiment. I'll try all sorts of different styles with a piece I might be working on, or I'll plug in different chords -- often just for the heck of it -- just to see how they sound. I usually have a guitar close by to double check whether it's even an idea worth considering. But in some of the styles I mess around with (jazz mostly), the style will be playing all sorts of altered chords based on what I inputted and they may end up sounding completely differently. So it often pays just to play around with stuff.
The piece I'm working on right now, that's how I arrived at probably close to half of the chord progression I have laid down right now -- just experimentation. If I like the sound of it, I'll stick with it until maybe something better comes along.
Oh, also something else I do religiously -- it's not so much about keeping creativity flowing as it is about preserving continuity, which can be just as important -- especially if my creative flow has led me into a dead end. Every time I make a change to a piece of music I'm working on, I save the changed tune to a new file name. It doesn't have to be totally new. Often I'll just add a digit to the end, like a 1 or 2 or a or b. Just enough where I know this is a change to the one before it. This often results in a long string of versions of the same piece of music, but what its done is catalog all the changes I made to it. And if for some reason I decide I don't like something I've done, I can always go back to that earlier version. Having lost a piece of music that one's working on does major damage to one's creative flow, and I'm speaking from experience here.
Something else I like to do with biab especially is, if I've gotten to the point where I've actually put together a working progression, I'll choose a style I like, and just let it run. I find that the repetition helps me, the way my brain is wired. I'll often get ideas later on, even after I've shut down the music, which often lead to something that later gets added into it.
"Every time I make a change to a piece of music I'm working on, I save the changed tune to a new file name."
For me, it's absolutely indispensable in maintaining continuity of creative inspiration.
In other words, I think of BIAB files saved sequentially as building blocks upon which my original idea is developed.
Of course, "guitarhacker" made it plain: "turn it (BIAB) on". With all of the assistive compositional tools BIAB virtually throws in my face upon booting-up, I always end up making inspired progress on a song before I exit the program.
Last, but on a personal level, I get plenty of sleep, am physically active, and avoid controlled substances and alcohol -- the "muse" doesn't appreciate "squatters"!
LOREN (a.k.a. "bluage")
"Music is what feelings sound like."-- borrowed from a Cakewalk Music Creator forum member, "Mamabear".
1.) I listen to other people's music all the time. Especially the forum, there is some fresh stuff on here. Lots of cool ideas. I like wandering through the weird stuff and alternative on Spotify for ideas but I stay away from mainstream. It gives me a pounding headache.
2.) I open up BIAB (turn it on like Herb says) and study those demos like crazy. There are thousands of wicked chord progressions in there.
3.) I tune my guitar to really weird tunings so I don't get stuck in a rut--and I search for new progressions.
4.) I write a lot on the piano so I don't get stuck in a guitar rut either.
5.) I collaborate with other people and ask them to throw me ideas and snippets. Sometimes all it takes is a phrase to get you going. Herb and I are doing that on a new one right now.
6.) I keep a small hand held digital tape recorder by my bed. The best lyrics always come to me just as I am about to fall asleep or when I am waking up and if I didn't record them immediately they would be lost.
7. Last but not least, I play for fun all the time. I never stop playing. I am always plugging something in somewhere.
I guess that's what Herb means by turn it on. My version was a little longer I know.
David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers
1. Go to live music in my genre. Often, it is hard for me to remain at small venues or house concerts where someone is performing their original songs. Even when I think they kinda suck, ideas begin coming, and not about their songs, not their hooks, completely different melodies, maybe a kernel of a feel of their song that subliminally stirs something in me. I often write snips and lyrics on my phone, but 90% of the time I can't stand it, I do the Irish exit, come home and write and start it before I sleep and lose it.
2. Play a guitar that I have never played before (yours), or play one of mine I rarely play. Songs hide in them. I have a "Writing Guitar" in a closet I only play for that purpose. I can't really "play" piano, but I can goof around on someone else's. Same deal.
3. Experiment with new chords, or chord progressions and just let things flow. Sometimes, if I find a little progression, a bit of lyrics come. Paul McCartney wrote "Yesterday" that way. The progression came...then "Scrambled eggs...how I like your long and silky legs...", and he filled in the gaps later.
4. Write. Write. Just wright what comes out. Gibberish is fine. Something may all of a sudden connect from free flow thought.
5. Go to the library. Book titles are often well crafted, well thought out, and inspirational without touching the cover. "The Bleeding Hearts of San Francisco," "The Day I Ate Your Shoe."
6. Keep all your song ideas and little phrases, forever. I have a running Word document that I just add stuff to. I read it occasionally. It's 20 pages long by now. "Maybe write a waltz with an acapella chorus or bridge...," "Crusty memories of rusty hinges...," "Why Can't I Pee?"
But, I know that "You (I)...cannot win, if you (I) do not play...." Steve Forbert.
IMHO.
Andy
BIAB 2017 Ultra Windows 8 and 10 Scarlet 18i8 Reaper and Mixpad
For me (and also Barry) creativity gets a big boost when we simply get together and plug something in.
Neither of us has a problem coming up with ideas on our own, but when we are both slinging mud at the wall some really cool things tend to happen.
I also like collaborating with others, as mentioned above, especially with people I'd likely never have met otherwise (Limey, Jazzmandan or MusicStudent, TommyC etc) That is gold to me.
And again, as mentioned above by others a couple times; just start playing with various styles, use the Multiriff function and start slicing/dicing, do a bluegrass tune and use grunge drums, or go the other way and try a fiddle in a rock tune .. just 'have fun'
I have to say though, getting 4 or 5 people together and just jamming is the most fun and inspiration for me. That feeling where everybody is looking at each other and 'dialed in' is pretty awesome. Look at how focused the band is on Barry in the picture below (he was giving the clues).
We're still 'in-process' here at the new location, the drums only have 2 mics on them in this picture! That won't last. We've had some weird weather here recently, and this week electricity in the area was actually pretty scarce, but we'll do it again next week.
Someone also mentioned above about McCartney just making up lyrics in the beginning stages. That's common here. Build the groove first and fill in the lyrics after. Just how we roll. The audio sample below shows just how that works here. This was our first hour into the song and nobody cares what the song is about yet; we're just getting a structure together. /warning it's pretty much raw audio tracks from that night, nothing rerecorded yet, a work-in-progress very early on so you'll hear mistakes. We're still formulating the song after all. We're old but still having fun.
Since when should being older stop anyone having fun? It sure doesn't seem to be impeding you any!
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Get on my mountain bike, ride a beautiful trail, get the heart rate up to about 90% max, enter the State of Anaerobia and hopefully await the appearance of the Muse.
J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
Get on my mountain bike, ride a beautiful trail, get the heart rate up to about 90% max, enter the State of Anaerobia and hopefully await the appearance of the Muse.
.....or blackout and crash the bike and talk to the muse while you're in a coma.
Definitely not a scenario us mountain bikers like to contemplate...harsh man, harsh.
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
In a nutshell - experimenting with things that don't appear compatible on first look. You never know. Take any of the tracks included with the BIAB product and click onto "styles". Pick a style at random and then apply it to the BIAB track you selected. It doesn't always work out well, but more than half the time I get something interesting or that can be reworked into a pretty decent song. I posted half a dozen, or so, songs on the showcase forum that started out that way. One of them (Dead End Rendezvous) has become one of my favorite originals.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
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!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
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.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
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!
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)
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)
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
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 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available 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 Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
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.
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 as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
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