I am using biab 2017. I recently noticed that the piano track (channel)volume was lower that the others. To experiment, I loaded the same real track (fingerstyle guitar 822) on different channels. The volume on the piano channel is definitely lower even though they are all set at 90. Why would that be, and how can I fix it? Thanks.
Not sure why the track would be lower but an easy fix is to open Plugins, Select PGMusic Dynamics.
The default selection will raise the volume some and that may be enough. If it isn't, you can either increase the auto gain or the compression threshold.
Up-date. I tried my experiment again using a different style. Now the piano track is the same volume as the others. The problem must have been with the style I was using. Any other ideas?
Not sure why the track would be lower but an easy fix is to open Plugins, Select PGMusic Dynamics.
The default selection will raise the volume some and that may be enough. If it isn't, you can either increase the auto gain or the compression threshold.
There are occasional volume differences between RealTracks that we sometimes come across. If it's odd or objectionable, you should report it and PG Music will fix it for the next update. Send an email with the RealTrack number to support@pgmusic.com
But your report is weird and nothing I've seen mentioned here before, that the SAME RealTrack on different channels sounds different. The first thing to try is Options, Return to Factory Settings then reboot and restart BIAB. Let us know if it still has this problem after that.
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; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
There are occasional volume differences between RealTracks that we sometimes come across. If it's odd or objectionable, you should report it and PG Music will fix it for the next update. Send an email with the RealTrack number to support@pgmusic.com
But your report is weird and nothing I've seen mentioned here before, that the SAME RealTrack on different channels sounds different. The first thing to try is Options, Return to Factory Settings then reboot and restart BIAB. Let us know if it still has this problem after that.
Matt: I did as you suggested but the problem persists. The offending style is _SLBLGRW.STY. (slow bluegrass waltz w/banjo) Piano track has RealTrack 822 finger picking guitar. If I load this same RealTrack to another channel, I notice a volume difference between the two. The same problem exists with NEWLIFE.STY using RealTrack 1701 piano. I'm curious to know if anyone else has experienced this.
What you experienced is quite normal. There is no bug. No extra plugin required. Everything is fine !
Balance between the different parts of a style is made inside the Stylemaker. You are referring to volume set to 90 for all tracks. But these controls are for MIDI tracks only.
In your case of the _SLBLGRW.STY, you can see in the Stylemaker, that PG music decided to put the volume of the Piano track to -11. Try the value that is convenient for you and save the style. For example try value -6 or even 0. Think also to add some brillance with the tone control in the mixer, for ex. set to 10 value. Your guitar part will shine in the mix ! Go to StyleMaker/Misc/More to do that.
That's how the things work !
Please also refer to the BIAB manual, chapter 14 for more details.
Thank you John-Luke. I suspected it had something to do with the style but I don't know enough about the program to figure that out. I appreciate your input.
I find lots of RTs that are not at the same level at the default 90 setting. LOTS. I simply arrange in my BIAB then send all the wavs to my DAW and sort them out there. Is it me or shouldnt there be a set Standard in the PG studios for Final Level of any / all RTs before they are published? WendyM
BiaB2022PLUS,927. every extras pack I can find ;-),Sonar7XL,Win 10
Yes, it would be better if there was absolute consistency but I have to imagine this would be difficult to deliver, given the tonality and timbre of so many different instruments.
I agree that mixing to get the balance one desires is always the best way to put the polish that all songs require.
Trev
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
I think it also really depends on the listener. I did a song awhile back and got lots of positive feedback; however, several sax players said that the sax solo needed to come out even more than I had it (which I thought was pretty loud). It depends on what you are listening for.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 8TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 11TB SATA
For the most part, the volume adjustments are not major except for piano MIDI SuperTracks. Those seem to be pretty quiet. Don't forget, for 'regular' RealTrack piano tracks, to adjust the Tone and Reverb as well as the Volume.
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; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
One trick is if a track is too soft for your taste, simply insert the PGPeakLimit plugin in the next slot for that track's FX area. Then you have another slider that will boost it even more, and pretty intelligently.
If you then find that certain track becomes a little to 'squashed', move the PGPeakLimit to the main output FX and turn the other tracks down to let that track fit.. use PGPeakLimit to compensate for the overall gain.
If it still sounds too 'squashed' turn up the main physical monitor volume and re-adjust everything else down, working backwards in the chain.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
To get back to styles, this is another example that Biab is NOT a DAW, it's a styles based backing tracks program.
With Biab it begins and ends with the styles. John-Luke has the best answer imho. Don't like the balance of any particular style? Change it and save it.
John-Luke has the best answer imho. Don't like the balance of any particular style? Change it and save it.
Bob
Thanks Jazzmammal.
In fact, the message was this : Rather than opting for sophisticated approach, and speak about limiter and other plugin, let's privilegiate the basics of the things, I mean 'how does it work ?'.
The issue was style related, so I have checked the style in question.
I am using biab 2017. I recently noticed that the piano track (channel)volume was lower that the others. To experiment, I loaded the same real track (fingerstyle guitar 822) on different channels. The volume on the piano channel is definitely lower even though they are all set at 90. Why would that be, and how can I fix it? Thanks.
TL,
I've been playing around with styles since reading this email of yours because I've noticed the same as you. I haven't really paid all that much attention to it, though, because I eventually export all tracks to a DAW and mix there. This means that whatever volume the tracks leave BIAB is irrelevant because I adjust the volumes in my DAW.
Inspired by your post, here is what I have discovered...
From what I can deduce, PG Music approach the creation of styles by adjusting the volumes of individual tracks in Stylemaker. These internal adjustments are such that when the final, instrumentally balanced style is completed, the 'balanced' track volumes all show '90' on the Mixer volumes.
The image at the end of this post shows three such adjustments made in the the _ECLIPSE.STY style so that balanced track volumes translate to '90' on the mixer panel. As can be seen, the three volume offsets for the individual Realtracks (1595, 1676, 1539) are +1, -7 and -8 respectively.
Since the above settings are applied to the tracks that host the RTs, any RT that is used to substitute for the above will be affected by these volume settings. For example: if a piano RT is used to replace RT 1539 (where the dB offset is -8 db), then that piano RT will also be playing at -8 db quieter; if, however, were the piano RT added to the track that hosted guitar RT 1595 (where the db offset is +1), then it will sound louder.
While such an approach might seem unusual, it means that anyone who plays around with mixer volumes for any style can always return to the original volume settings for the style simply by adjusting the volumes back to 90. From a user's perspective, this is very valuable.
Regards, Noel
P.S. Apologies if this has already been discussed in detail. I didn't read through all the above posts. I just posted this on the off-chance that it added extra information.
Noel, that has been indeed mentionned. See my post #433939 - dated 10/17/17.
You got the same conclusions as me.
It is true that this feature is not very known. For all BIAB users, to help your memory , see below the description from the BIAB manual :
John-Luke,
Apologies for doubling up. You know about great deal more about Stylemaker than I do. I'm just in the process of learning about it. Hopefully I'll get there one day!
I encourage anyone who is keen to understand BIAB in a little more detail to investigate this aspect of the program. It's incredibly powerful!
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.
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)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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!
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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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!
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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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.
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