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Songwriting
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I love Band-in-a-Box and use it a lot and use it to make backing tracks. However, I feel like the Real Tracks seem to be randomly generating the chord voicings based on the chords I choose and the background parts seem random. With that in mind I have this question: When do you feel it's ok to not use Band in a Box to create a song and when do you think it's ok?
Computer: Macbook Pro, 16 inch 2021
DAWs: Pro Tools, Logic, and Maschine
plays drums, percussion, bass, steel pan, keyboard,
music producer/engineer
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Songwriting
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Hi, Here's my take on your post in case it's useful  Realtracks do not specifically generate chord voicings. They are an audio file that are created by a musician who plays chordal accompaniments and/or melodic riffs. These audio recordings are then mapped to identify which chord occurs where within the track. When a chord progression is typed into BIAB, BIAB uses PG Music's chord mapping to isolate the region of Realtrack that contains the required chord and then copies, pastes and seamlessly stitches that chord as needed. In this way, fragments of Realtracks are used to create a backing track. If you go to \bb\Realtracks and open any of the audio files there, you will hear the original audio recording. Regarding using BIAB for songwriting, I use it all the time. In fact, I could not write the songs that I do without the software. The program gives me heaps of musical possibilities and drives me in very creative directions. Some users on these forums prefer to use a guitar or piano (for example) to create with and then use BIAB to build the backing. That works them. As I see it, at the end of the day, BIAB is a tool and how any of us use it depends on how we see it as being useful for our needs. All the best, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
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Songwriting
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Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,381
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Joined: Aug 2018
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If I was Sir Paul McCartney and could write, ARRANGE, play and record every instrument...I'd probably still use BIAB. Because I am not him, and I don't have his money or experience.
Noel explained what Real Tracks do. I'll give you a few suggestions that may or may not apply to your work with it on any particular piece.
1. Make sure that the KEY you have entered is actually the key for the melody those chords support. In addition, make sure every chord entered is either a) a chord without notes that don't belong in the key or b) there for a particular musical reason. Chording instruments will (more or less) play your chord, but soloing instruments taking advantage of BIAB's intelligent arranging will have an easier time creating coherent lines. Lastly, use slash chords. They may not give every instrument a new voicing, but will "force" the band as a whole to deliver a different feel. C/g will sound different than simply C, at least in many styles.
2. Use the shots, rests, holds, pushes, and a more frequent chord entry (even if you have multiple bars playing the same chord. These will nudge BIAB to select a new chord-related riff in nearly all instruments and will probably give more variety and melodic structure.
3. Use the multi-riff functions in RB to widen your choices of riffs in solo, background, and chording instruments.
4. Edit in DAW...this may include (if the interval is not too big) pitch-shifting notes here and there.
That's all I can think of at present.
Last edited by Tangmo; 04/18/19 04:46 PM.
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Songwriting
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Joined: Aug 2018
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One more.
5. Audition other tracks to add to or replace existing tracks in the style.
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Songwriting
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<<< When do you feel it's ok to not use Band in a Box to create a song and when do you think it's ok? >>
I think the correct answer to both the instances is always. It's always ok to not use BIAB and it's always ok to use BIAB to create a song. Maybe you're asking how to best choose when to use BIAB or not on a project. I thought of three circumstances to influence one's decision of the necessity of using BIAB or not.
1. You can't play the part. Either one can't play the instrument at the skill necessary or wants to use an instrument that he or she can't play at all or doesn't have access to an instrument.
2. You can play the part but a BIAB track played by a BIAB artist plays it better. This can be something other than skill. You may be a great bass player but you recently pawned your equipment or you cannot get a track recorded because of problems with getting your recording clear, without noise or eliminating room noise and so on.
3. You can play the part expertly but it's inconvenient or you just don't want to play the part. Time is the main constraint here as well as space. You may be working on a project that needs drums but it's two am and the project is due first thing in the morning. It may be more beneficial to use a BIAB drums render to add a drum track. It takes time to set up an instrument, mic's, tuning etc. and you don't feel like spending a lot of time on set up and tear down.
BIAB 2025:RB 2025, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
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Songwriting
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One of the reasons that I use mostly MIDI is that I can move BiaB generated chord voicings to chord voicings of my choosing. You might want to consider investing in a good MIDI sound source, either hard or software, and looking at the MIDI side of BiaB.
With the exception of some ambient, new age and cover songs most all of my songs start in BiaB. As been stated BiaB is a tool that you choose when to use. There is no law that states every song must use BiaB. The possible exception to that rule is the Showcase forum.
I'm in a fitness protection program. I'm been hiding from exercise.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Songwriting
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Joined: Dec 2013
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I don't write songs with BIAB. I produce songs with BIAB by using RT's to create an arrangement. There are instances where the availability of a RT (a studio musician as it were) gives me options in the arrangement I otherwise wouldn't have, such as inserting an instrumental break or solo part. One of the reasons that I use mostly MIDI is that I can move BiaB generated chord voicings to chord voicings of my choosing. You might want to consider investing in a good MIDI sound source, either hard or software, and looking at the MIDI side of BiaB. Hey, Mario. I wish I knew more about MIDI. I've tried a few times, unsuccessfully, to get into it and so I stick with RT's. As I see it, at the end of the day, BIAB is a tool and how any of us use it depends on how we see it as being useful for our needs.
All the best,
Noel Exactly. <<< When do you feel it's ok to not use Band in a Box to create a song and when do you think it's ok? >>
I think the correct answer to both the instances is always. It's always ok to not use BIAB and it's always ok to use BIAB to create a song. Maybe you're asking how to best choose when to use BIAB or not on a project. I thought of three circumstances to influence one's decision of the necessity of using BIAB or not.
1. You can't play the part.
2. You can play the part but a BIAB track played by a BIAB artist plays it better.
3. You can play the part expertly but it's inconvenient or you just don't want to play the part. Bingo!
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Songwriting
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Joined: Dec 2003
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I don't write songs with BIAB. I produce songs with BIAB by using RT's to create an arrangement. There are instances where the availability of a RT (a studio musician as it were) gives me options in the arrangement I otherwise wouldn't have, such as inserting an instrumental break or solo part. One of the reasons that I use mostly MIDI is that I can move BiaB generated chord voicings to chord voicings of my choosing. You might want to consider investing in a good MIDI sound source, either hard or software, and looking at the MIDI side of BiaB. Hey, Mario. I wish I knew more about MIDI. I've tried a few times, unsuccessfully, to get into it and so I stick with RT's. ................... Anytime you need help feel free to ask. I'd be glad to help.
I'm in a fitness protection program. I'm been hiding from exercise.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Songwriting
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I use Band-in-a-Box to write ALL THE TIME.
Here is how:
All of my life, I have written many of my best songs by being in a band, and going into long JAMs. After jamming for a while, you will find something you like and run with it, like an inspiring riff, or a new chord progression, a novelty--something FRESH. The muse of music is fickle, and she craves the unexpected. Much more than any other art form, I think.
So, if you DO NOT have a band to jam with you can jam with BIAB demos, see a clever chord progression, find a cool sound or beat, and run with it. Then, depending on your skill level you can add your own stuff. I almost always add some live guitar, and keyboards or whatever to the Real Tracks because I am a musician. I use Band-in-Box as a band, exactly how it sounds.
This approach works wonders for me. If I just sat there with a guitar on my lap strumming some chords, I would come up with a good song once in a while but then get repetitive.
Music, to me, is all about jamming and looking for inspiration inside a jam.
For me the jamming aspect, which BIAB provides, is 100 percent of it--if not 110% of it.
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Songwriting
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I use Band-in-a-Box to write ALL THE TIME.
Here is how:
All of my life, I have written many of my best songs by being in a band, and going into long JAMs. After jamming for a while, you will find something you like and run with it, like an inspiring riff, or a new chord progression, a novelty--something FRESH. The muse of music is fickle, and she craves the unexpected. Much more than any other art form, I think.
So, if you DO NOT have a band to jam with you can jam with BIAB demos, see a clever chord progression, find a cool sound or beat, and run with it. Then, depending on your skill level you can add your own stuff. I almost always add some live guitar, and keyboards or whatever to the Real Tracks because I am a musician. I use Band-in-Box as a band, exactly how it sounds.
This approach works wonders for me. If I just sat there with a guitar on my lap strumming some chords, I would come up with a good song once in a while but then get repetitive.
Music, to me, is all about jamming and looking for inspiration inside a jam.
For me the jamming aspect, which BIAB provides, is 100 percent of it--if not 110% of it. David said pretty much what I was going to say. Except, I was always a lousy musician and played only in a few bad garage bands as a teen. So, for me, BIAB is like having, for the first time in my life, a great band to inspire creativity. I sometimes have an idea which pops into my head and find or create a band from BIAB to bring it to life. Other times, I go fishing and just play demos for the Real styles. I hear a musical phrase or band sound that just hits me and I'm off. I write most of my songs this way over the past several years. I am SOOOOOOO thankful for this product.
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Songwriting
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One of the reasons that I use mostly MIDI is that I can move BiaB generated chord voicings to chord voicings of my choosing. You might want to consider investing in a good MIDI sound source, either hard or software, and looking at the MIDI side of BiaB. Therein lies the answer. Like you, I like using MIDI, not only for the reasons you mentioned, but it allows me to edit individual notes, write songs right on the staff and a whole host of other options. Then I'm playing back through a Korg (rack mount) Triton brain and Korg NX5R (My favs)... Sweet sounds!!! Kajun Jeaux
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Hey Kajun, I also have the Korg NX5. Got it new about 21 years ago. Really love the synth sounds.
 Steve BIAB/RB 2022, Pro Tools 2020, Korg N5, JBL LSR 4328 Powered Monitors, AKG/Shure Mics.
PC: Win11 PRO, 4 TB M2 SSD, 2 TB HD, 128 GB Memory
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Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Video: New User Interface (GUI)
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!
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 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.
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!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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.
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