I have a song that has a trombone as the melody instrument ... or claims it does. It's in the mixer, it's in the notation. There's no instrument embedded in the MIDI events.
BIAB plays a piano.
I've tried re-entering the trombone, I've tried using the GM2 trombone 2, I've tried removing the MIDI instrument and then setting the trombone, I've tried changing styles.
BIAB still plays piano.
I've tried soloing the track, BIAB plays piano including for the metronome (OK). If I mute the melody track, the melody no longer plays, as I would expect expect.
I've tried muting some or all of the other tracks. I've tried a variety of other instruments
BIAB plays piano.
Am I being dumb or is there something very wrong? It should not be this hard to set a melody instrument.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
Ya, for sure, what Matt said, post the song so we can ty it. Some midi has embedded code which sets a specific patch (instrument) as the song plays - you therefore have to remove that if you want to set it to something different. Its a midi thing.
If the Return to Factory settings does not give you what you want, there probably is a MIDI command on the melody ytrack telling your MIDI sound source to play a piano.
If that's the case, open the song in RealBand, let RealBand fully load. Click on the melody track to highlight it, then click on Event List in the middle of the top line of RealBand. This will open up a listing of all MIDi events in that track including program changes, notes, continuous controls, etc.
At the very top of the Event List look for an event called Program with a number following it...if it's General MIDI it will be Program 1 if its an acoustic grand you're hearing.
Nonetheless, delete that line using the MIDI Event List. Then do a file "Save AS' and save the song as a BIAB file (X.mgu). Then open up the song in BIAB and see if that patch has been deleted.
Post the song for us to take a look. But first, try Options, Return to Factory Settings, Most.
Doing the Factory Reset->Most made no difference.
I guess I send it by email? I've never done that to PGM, so my apologies in advance if I do it the wrong way. I'll try "email reply" first. If that fails, I'll email support with a note.
Originally Posted By: MusicStudent
Ya, for sure, what Matt said, post the song so we can ty it. Some midi has embedded code which sets a specific patch (instrument) as the song plays - you therefore have to remove that if you want to set it to something different. Its a midi thing.
There's no instrument selection in at least the first few dozens of midi events. I didn't look right through, but can if it may help.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
I have had the same problem - it was due to the midi channel not being selected.
midi channel was set to 0 and my tts1 (edirol hypercanvas)defaulted to piano. maybe the OP has the same problem. it was easy to fix in RB but i'm not sure how to do it in BIAB.
my old thread is here but in the meantime maybe someone could help the OP select a midi channel? mike head posted that this would happen on all GM synths.
Ya, the midi channels are miss-aligned. Although it all played fine with my VSTSynthfont.
So by default BAIB puts the Melody on channel 4 and Piano on Channel 3. But this song has the Melody on Channel 3. Now VSTSynthfont was smart enough to recognize this and played the Trombone correctly through the whole song. But I suspect the midi synth you are using is sending this to channel 3 with a piano default.
May need a more mididiot to explain this situation. I would say BIAB has mixed channels 3 and 4, but I hate to pull that trigger to fast. Although, I believe this same issue was seen in the recent past and had been fixed. Hard to keep up with the changes. But perhaps others can explain what exactly is going on here.
I found the above MIDI settings and see the same data (at least at the relevant points), but I'm a little puzzled by your comment above.
If I use Melody->Edit Melody Track->Step edit melody, that appears to show the melody on channel 6, not channel 3. Either way, how best cam one change the melody from wherever it is at present to channel 4, please?
I guess lower-right window in your image, showing channel 3, is the VSTSynthfont plugin.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
If I use Melody->Edit Melody Track->Step edit melody, that appears to show the melody on channel 6, not channel 3.
Ya, I see the channel 6 designation in the file, but I have a strings patch in VSTSynthfont on channel 6 and trombone on channel 3 is playing. Confusing??
Originally Posted By: Gordon Scott
Either way, how best can one change the melody from wherever it is at present to channel 4, please?
I wish I could tell you... we need someone to set us both straight. Otherwise, BIAB is messin with us both.
Originally Posted By: Gordon Scott
I guess lower-right window in your image, showing channel 3, is the VSTSynthfont plugin.
I guess lower-right window in your image, showing channel 3, is the VSTSynthfont plugin.
Ah, yes it is.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
Here is your file in the BIAB-VST. It identifies the Melody track on channel #4 (where it should be) and which I believe is at least part of the problem versus over in BIAB which has it on Channel #3.
Well, I downloaded the song and it plays fine. The trombone plays the melody, and Channel 4 (Melody) is correctly set to patch 58 for trombone.
[I muted the horn medley, as it just cluttered up things.]
Note that I'm using a hardware MIDI synth, a Roland Integra-7, if that helps.
Gordon, what is playing your MIDI sounds? The Korg? The Kawai? If so, have you found and loaded the correct patch map for it? These are not GM keyboards.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Thanks Matt, appreciate your input. Issue may be with the patch map as you suggest. My VSTsynthfont player identified the melody on Midi Channel #3, but played the trombone patch on it fine.
BIAB's GM instrument on whatever synth it was using(!)
I tried swapping to Sforzando and then the sound changed to the instrument I chose on it. I tried swapping back to GM, but it doesn't swap, it keeps playing Sforzando. I even tried "no midi patch" between choices, but although the L/H tab of the mixer shows these changes, the description continues to show Sforzando and that continues to play.
I guess(!) that BIAB was previously set to CoyoteWT. Changing to that pops up a window that shows a piano default on every channel. I tried changing ch3 to another instrument and ch6 to another instrument, but Sforzando continues to play.
I can patch to the Kawai. The reason I generally don't is that the notepad PC at the Kawai is too fiddly for anything more than minor tweaks. I rarely use the Korg, it's in its bag in the corner.
Last edited by Gordon Scott; 03/03/2107:46 AM.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
I tried swapping to Sforzando and then the sound changed to the instrument I chose on it. I tried swapping back to GM, but it doesn't swap, it keeps playing Sforzando.
Is the way the synth is used different between the Preferences->MIDI_Driver choice and choosing Sforzando (or whatever) from then mixer? I do find BIAB all a bit of a maze.
Last edited by Gordon Scott; 03/03/2107:52 AM.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
Maybe someone can check if there are any MIDI CC events that are forcing a specific MIDI channel. Sometimes that can cause issues until you remove the particular event.
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.