Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Beginners Forum
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 32
J
jmorgan Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
J
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 32
Obviously there is no objective answer to this question.

However, I am curious about this. Does any use still use a Yamaha arranger keyboard if you already have BIAB?

Does an arranger keyboard still have an important role in your musical life, which cannot be replaced by BIAB?

Thank you

Beginners Forum
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,848
C
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
C
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,848
Yamaha arranger keyboards still remain important to my musical productions. Although my productions have been recently sidelined, prior to my hiatus from music, two friends that are both professional keyboardists, were instrumental collaborators to many of my projects. They both own and play several different keyboards but daily players for both were Yamaha PSR-910's. One also plays a PSR-750 I believe as well as a vintage Hammond B# with Leslie wink. Although I can only play a keyboard minimally, I still own and use on occasion, a Yamaha PSR-670.


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.
Beginners Forum
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,490
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,490
BiaB and arranger keyboards are similar tools, but they do have significant differences.

BiaB can have more patterns, and since it knows what the next chord is going to be before it plays, if the style author is good enough it will play an appropriate variation at the right time.

Arranger keyboards often have tighter unison parts, especially during rolls (although there are fewer of them), and extended intros and endings.

Both tools having different strong points might make one or the other better for a specific song.

Personally, I think having more choices is a good thing.

Insights and incites by Notes


Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
Beginners Forum
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 14
Newbie
Offline
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 14
I have a Yamaha Genos Arranger/Keyboard, that I've used to create backing tracks (I'm a singer) when I couldn't find a suitable method in BiaB. An example is Gilbert Becaud's "Sand And Sea" ("Plein Soleil"). I wanted a Hawaiian Uke strumming rhythm that BiaB just doesn't have. (Why it doesn't have this, I don't know!)

I've used the Genos for several others, not because something was missing in BiaB, but I simply liked the sound the Genos produced.

I was a Tyros owner and player previously, before upgrading to this wonderful new keyboard by Yamaha.

Dave in Cairns, Qld.

Last edited by DaveStygall; 07/19/21 12:35 PM. Reason: Spelling corrections

Some men see things as they are and ask "why?"
I dream of things that never were and ask "why not?"
Beginners Forum
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,505
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,505
I loved my little Yamaha QY-10 before I bought BIAB in the early 1990s.


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.
Beginners Forum
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 280
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 280
QY10, That brings back memories. I had one of those then bought the QY700 which I still have packed away somewhere. These things were very clever in the day, but BIAB is so much simpler to use, not to mention better overall.

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Moderated by  Andrew - PG Music, PeterGannon 

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
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.

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!

Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.

PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!

PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.

The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.

The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.

Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!

Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.

Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!

Order now!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!

Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!

We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.

Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!

Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.

If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!

Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!

We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.

Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.

Happy New Year!

Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.

Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!

Season's Greetings!

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!

The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.

Team PG

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,048
Posts799,338
Members40,015
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
Newest Members
m3talmud, Chunie, Karandeep, beedo, Brian Watts
40,015 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 151
DC Ron 104
rsdean 103
DrDan 74
WaoBand 70
Today's Birthdays
John Kern, sampai
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5