BIAB's various styles are mainly displayed through guitar and piano. In fact, the songs that many young people like in modern times have very few guitars. Most are electronic instruments instead of guitars. BIAB developers should take note of this and react quickly. I'm not saying it's bad right now, I just hope it's better. What do you think?
If I guess right, young people listen to such music now！ grin
Here is a comment I made back in 2012. Not much has changed since then. Even the MIDI Super Tracks focus on traditional instrumentation that more easily translates to MIDI for novices (piano, bass, etc.):
"I sometimes am discouraged by the number of comments I see that assume the most important capability of MIDI is to emulate traditional instruments. I am most entertained by the things that are impossible for traditional instruments to accomplish and can only be done by MIDI and computers. These are new capabilities that can advance music into new territory and create new genres.
However, I don't think this forum is the best place to look for people who share this view because I don't believe it is frequented by a representative cross-section of BIAB users. We all understand that the regular forum contributors are typically older and not much interested in new sounds or new genres.
But a lot of this can already be accomplished by simply ignoring the BIAB style labels and GM instrumentation and substituting unexpected MIDI sounds and patches along with new loop capabilities. This can definitely make any MIDI style sound completely different than its original intent. That to me is the most important argument for MIDI development in addition to more RealTracks.
But it sure would be nice to see these concepts appreciated in new MIDI style development."
This is certainly a generality and there are users who will say they are older and use MIDI, but they are clearly swimming upstream.
We all understand that the regular forum contributors are typically older and not much interested in new sounds or new genres.
Wow, you make is sound like such a bad thing... The fact is you are only half right.
BIAB – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud (Tip: No need to create a SC account to hear music - just hit ESC ).
This is certainly a generality and there are users who will say they are older and use MIDI, but they are clearly swimming upstream.
My joke about salmon met with disapproval. Let me just point out that your earlier impressions were from 2012, so hopefully today's modern geriatric is more open-minded. I do not share your perception that the elderly scorn MIDI.
re "..typically older and not much interested in new sounds or new genres." well this doesnt apply to me a "resisting gradually ageing" type. i can assure you. lol. i'm always searching for new sounds and techniques that will give my crazy song creations an edge. as evinced in my posts in the pg wishes forums. eg ive stated in the past that some sound pictures of real traks sound "blah"...and that i want a ton of new rt's and orchestral sounds that prod my inner creativity. and my soul. many times i spend lots of time manipulating rt's into a different sound picture to get what i hear in my head. for example recently i manipulated a rt solo to sound like a gaggle of geese effect i wanted in a certain song i was doing. best om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 01/17/2211:48 AM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
..............We all understand that the regular forum contributors are typically older and not much interested in new sounds or new genres.
WRONG That is the worst kind of generalization one can make without any data to back it up. I for one look for new genres and sounds and I don't think that I am alone. I think your remarks should be generated at PGM as they are the ones that are dragging their feet. I think they should come up with more genres and add accompanying sounds to the SFZ.
Originally Posted By: cxp
This is certainly a generality and there are users who will say they are older and use MIDI, but they are clearly swimming upstream.
I am older, well really just old, but I do not swim upstream. At my age I just ride along with the current, much like a lazy river.
I get most of my exercise these days from shaking my head in disbelief.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
As I suggested before, you can have Electronic MIDISuperTrax and have a synth with lots of presets to go with them. I could make some up right now but they haven't implemented the MidiUserTracks yet. If they don't do neither:
Originally Posted By: Pipeline
I can make up a script that will read the Biab song.SGU then read a chosen SGU & midi file UserTrack then piece it together to fit the chord sheet. It will also play a Hold or Shot from the UserTrack Holds.SGU UserTrack Holds.mid So the midi file will be created and then can be dragged into Biab or a DAW, might even be able to put it into a VST form.
Having more Electronic Styles/instruments/beats will attract more younger users to Biab. I think Biab mainly uses Loops for these:
Are these all BIAB drums? Actually, I would replace all the drums of all the BIABs. Because I think the drum beats have a huge impact on the song. However, BIAB's drums were not what I wanted. I now use UJAM drums, REFX NEXUS drums, VPS AVENGER drums to replace BIAB drums.
Now many trendy pop songs may only have a drum, bass, and electronic sound. But the timbre changes. Maybe BIAB can't do it? So, only piano, guitar all the time? Although there is some electro-pop music in BIAB, it has a different feel to the current popular electro-pop music. I can feel it. I believe other friends can feel it better.
I think there is a basic flaw in the original question. Firstly there are still only 12 notes in a major/minor scale. BIAB and RB are stuck with that when it comes to midi. (I know eastern music uses quarter tones but that really complicates things with a chord based program like BIAB)
with that in mind any midi part already in BIAB can be played on a synth patch. but then you come to the problem of sound. synths are totally flexible. for a RealTrack audio recording the synth sound may not be what i am looking for but i would be stuck with it. and who decides what sound to record in the first place?
but with midi there are numerous free synths - i have crystal which works with sforzando. but to get the sound i want i need to play with the synth settings.
a piano to a large extent is a piano - rhodes, upright, grand etc. but synth sounds are a whole new can of worms.
so what do you want the synth to play? surely there is a midi part in BIAB somewhere? but what do you want to play it on? set your own sound on the synth of your choice.
i'm sure the OP has something in his head - and it's probably achievable in BIAB but it will take a little work. but getting that sound in BIAB courtesy of PG Music - who are not mind readers - at the touch if a button without making an effort is a a little too demanding.
I think there is a basic flaw in the original question. Firstly there are still only 12 notes in a major/minor scale. BIAB and RB are stuck with that when it comes to midi. (I know eastern music uses quarter tones but that really complicates things with a chord based program like BIAB)
with that in mind any midi part already in BIAB can be played on a synth patch. but then you come to the problem of sound. synths are totally flexible. for a RealTrack audio recording the synth sound may not be what i am looking for but i would be stuck with it. and who decides what sound to record in the first place?
but with midi there are numerous free synths - i have crystal which works with sforzando. but to get the sound i want i need to play with the synth settings.
a piano to a large extent is a piano - rhodes, upright, grand etc. but synth sounds are a whole new can of worms.
so what do you want the synth to play? surely there is a midi part in BIAB somewhere? but what do you want to play it on? set your own sound on the synth of your choice.
i'm sure the OP has something in his head - and it's probably achievable in BIAB but it will take a little work. but getting that sound in BIAB courtesy of PG Music - who are not mind readers - at the touch if a button without making an effort is a a little too demanding.
I actually like some traditional instruments like guitars in music. But if there are too many guitars, pianos, it will feel like oldies. The most important thing is that many popular songs now don't really have these traditional instruments, just some nice electronic sounds.
i'm sure the OP has something in his head - and it's probably achievable in BIAB but it will take a little work. but getting that sound in BIAB courtesy of PG Music - who are not mind readers - at the touch if a button without making an effort is a a little too demanding.
I probably wanted BIAB to input chords and immediately hear the style of the most popular songs right now. If it is still guitar and piano, then there are more styles, in fact, it may be similar.
I totally agree with Matt and get fed up with people who claim to represent everyone
We all have different mus1cal needs and BB covers a very wide range of styles and genres
The drum and bass tunes which are generally loops and electronic sounds are pretty basic or you can make them more interesting, which I have found not to be favored by the younger set
I tend to use the HYBRID feature of BB to get what is required - by replacing or muting certain instruments a whole new sound and feel evolves
Rather than trying to do cover versions, I strive to make my own arrangements and to create something to advance my skills as a musician
Brian
BIAB - RealBand - 2022 Windows 10 64 Zoo computer with 7i processor- SSD 1TB -2TB HDD Roland keyboards
i'm sure the OP has something in his head - and it's probably achievable in BIAB but it will take a little work. but getting that sound in BIAB courtesy of PG Music - who are not mind readers - at the touch if a button without making an effort is a a little too demanding.
Indeed. So far I've mostly used BiaB for accompaniment whilst practicing at home. For that I type in the chords, pick a style that suits, generate and play, warts and all.
I'm now starting to put together works that might be releaseable, but there's almost no way I would expect BiaB to produce what I want, straight out-of-the-box. Indeed, whyever would I even want that? I want something that's special to me. I have numerous VST instruments that I think BiaB doesn't (Cora, Balaphon, Djembe, et al). I may graft some of those onto MIDI tracks, some I'll play via the keyboard, I'll expect to spend quite some time adding nuance, character, expression.
I like and rather aspire to MusicStudents tagline: "...My goal is not to create backing tracks for my music, but rather to get more of me in my music."
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2025 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!
We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!
Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:
Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, 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, and more!
Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
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.
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