I like using the melodist to change up my practice routine. But there are things that I want to edit in the random selection process of the software that I currently have to do each time I load a new style. I always want to keep my chord progression settings everytime I load a new style in the melodist, I always want the tempo to be set at a certain rate, and I want to expand the range of keys that the "any key" function decides to choose. How do I do these things?
The Melodist is a very powerful tool. I often use it to give me ideas for melodies and styles/genres when I'm writing a song.
Before attempting to answer some of your questions, please have a look through the tutorials for the Melodist found under the Help menu (Image 1 below).
Also...
....if you look in the \bb folder, you'll find five Melodists folders (4 - 8) that contain demos of many different Melodist ST2 files (Image 2).
Lastly (I'm assuming you have BIAB for Windows)...
...if you go to the following link, in the "Archive" section you can find a 15 minute video on the Melodist and the Soloist (Image 3).
Even though the video was created with an earlier version of BIAB, the principles behind using the feature remain unchanged (hence why the video remains available).
If any questions remain unanswered after investigating the above, please ask and I (and others) will do our best to answer.
Because the Melodist is midi-based, it was originally designed to be used with midi styles. For this reason, it might be worthwhile disabling the automatic substitution of midi styles with Realstyles. (The option is found under Realtrack preferences.)
What happens if you click on Save As and then use that item for future editing?
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.
Thank you for the video. It adds heaps of clarity to understanding your problem. The time you took to put it together was well worth it.
1. The reason the settings reverted at 1:36 is because #236 was first loaded and then it was changed to 'Pop 16ths Pad-Bell' and so loaded a whole new set of settings.
2. I noticed on the video that when you were talking about generating chords, you mentioned that they are always pretty much in the area of Db. While you were talking about this, I noticed that the key was set to Db rather than All (#1 on the Image 1 below).
3. As far as I'm aware, styles #218 onwards are user styles. If you have a look at the "Database" (#2 on Image 1) when these styles are clicked, they all default to MEL1.ST2.
Also as far as I'm aware, and I could be wrong because you've ventured into areas of the Melodist about which I know little, there is no way of over-riding the settings from style to style.
What it is possible to do, though, is to use #218 onwards and...
Copy settings from those Melodists that you regularly use, paste them into these user Melodists, and then save and create a new Melodist file (Image 2). It would also be possible to use 'import and export' to do this.
This way you would be able to have the Melodists you want with the settings you want.
What I meant about "same kinds of chords" I didn't say anything about them being in Db, I meant that they were usually diatonic with sometimes a modulation thrown in there.
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!
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean