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; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, 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 & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
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 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB 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; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, 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!
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
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!
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
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!
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!
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!
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!
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
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