I'm trying to change the count-in. The melody starts on pick-up beat 2(I'm in 4/4). What seems to be default is hi-hat on 1 & 3, then 1 and the melody starts. First, I'd like to have 1, 2, 3, 4, and then 1, so that the student can follow the count-in. In Preferences-->Count-in/Met., I can choose Audible Lead-in, with the instrument as Bass Drum 1 [36]. Pattern=1234 1234.
The hi-hat isn't loud enough for the student to hear. Why doesn't any of this change to what I'm looking for?
Band-in-a-Box® for Windows Version 2026 (1237) 64 bit application RealBand 2026 (4) Windows 11 Home Intel(R) Core(TM) 5 120U (1.40 GHz) 12.0 GB (11.7 GB usable)
i see you've posted this before and no one answered which probably explains the heading.
"Why doesn't any of this change to what I'm looking for?"
I think the answer is that BIAB just doesn't work that way. Try posting in the wish list forum as I'm sure you would not be alone in wanting a 'customisable count in'.
However, like most things although you can't do it at the touch of a btton you can easily achieve what you want to do. Open the file in RealBand and edit the count it - whether it's midi or audio. lose a beat or change the volume easy enough.
save as a seq file and the job is done. your student can play along.
EDIT - i've just had a look at tracks done in BIAB and then opened in RB. Whether the count in is midi or realdrums audio the edit process is quite simple.
You can mute the current count-in then on a midi track right click > Track Settings > Midi Channel > 10 Now in the Piano Roll use ctrl+shft to draw notes where you want the ticks, move note up/do to get the hit you want.
So, even though the functionality is listed in the document options, it's unavailable? Is it too much to ask that the program does what it says that it does? The options say that the count-in can be set to "1234 1234". Why have this available if it doesn't work that way?
Band-in-a-Box® for Windows Version 2026 (1237) 64 bit application RealBand 2026 (4) Windows 11 Home Intel(R) Core(TM) 5 120U (1.40 GHz) 12.0 GB (11.7 GB usable)
You can mute the current count-in then on a midi track right click > Track Settings > Midi Channel > 10 Now in the Piano Roll use ctrl+shft to draw notes where you want the ticks, move note up/do to get the hit you want.
How am I muting the current count-in?
Band-in-a-Box® for Windows Version 2026 (1237) 64 bit application RealBand 2026 (4) Windows 11 Home Intel(R) Core(TM) 5 120U (1.40 GHz) 12.0 GB (11.7 GB usable)
You can mute the current count-in then on a midi track right click > Track Settings > Midi Channel > 10 Now in the Piano Roll use ctrl+shft to draw notes where you want the ticks, move note up/do to get the hit you want.
I have to mute the drum track in order to put in a customized count-in?
Is this not supposed to allow me to customize the count-in?: Why doesn't it work?
Last edited by Funkifized; 01/23/2209:33 AM.
Band-in-a-Box® for Windows Version 2026 (1237) 64 bit application RealBand 2026 (4) Windows 11 Home Intel(R) Core(TM) 5 120U (1.40 GHz) 12.0 GB (11.7 GB usable)
i see you've posted this before and no one answered which probably explains the heading.
"Why doesn't any of this change to what I'm looking for?"
I think the answer is that BIAB just doesn't work that way. Try posting in the wish list forum as I'm sure you would not be alone in wanting a 'customisable count in'.
However, like most things although you can't do it at the touch of a btton you can easily achieve what you want to do. Open the file in RealBand and edit the count it - whether it's midi or audio. lose a beat or change the volume easy enough.
save as a seq file and the job is done. your student can play along.
EDIT - i've just had a look at tracks done in BIAB and then opened in RB. Whether the count in is midi or realdrums audio the edit process is quite simple.
That's not what this box is meant for?:
Last edited by Funkifized; 01/23/2209:31 AM.
Band-in-a-Box® for Windows Version 2026 (1237) 64 bit application RealBand 2026 (4) Windows 11 Home Intel(R) Core(TM) 5 120U (1.40 GHz) 12.0 GB (11.7 GB usable)
Yes, you're right, it seems that this option works well with MIDI drums, but doesn't work properly with RealDrums in some cases.
If you check the "For this song force MIDI drums" option, it should work. But yes, it should also work with Realdrums...
Well, the "For this song force MIDI drums" option only gives me styles with MIDI drums, correct? I've got the tune done and sounding the way I want it. It just has an asinine count-in. It seems as though in order to use the Options dialogue box the way it was intended, I shouldn't have to forego the use of certain styles, or there should be some warning of which styles *can't* use this option.
Band-in-a-Box® for Windows Version 2026 (1237) 64 bit application RealBand 2026 (4) Windows 11 Home Intel(R) Core(TM) 5 120U (1.40 GHz) 12.0 GB (11.7 GB usable)
You can set your drum track to midi and the count-in you like, then generate your real drums on another track muting it's count-in and muting the midi drums after the count-in.
You can mute the current count-in then on a midi track right click > Track Settings > Midi Channel > 10 Now in the Piano Roll use ctrl+shft to draw notes where you want the ticks, move note up/do to get the hit you want.
The piano roll move is great. I've found that I really don't need to mute the first count-in notes. I just don't think that I should have to go playing around with utility tracks and piano roll in order to use a function that exists in Options. Good workaround, though. Thank you.
Band-in-a-Box® for Windows Version 2026 (1237) 64 bit application RealBand 2026 (4) Windows 11 Home Intel(R) Core(TM) 5 120U (1.40 GHz) 12.0 GB (11.7 GB usable)
Funkifized. what i do is ignore built in bb lead off... and use the first 4 bars in the chord sheet to create my own custom lead off. so the song actually starts in bar 5. (note there is a simple metronome style in the stylepicker.) so my first 4 bars might be a appropo rt or a midi style or whatever. maybe even a 4 bar set of samples i created. the plus of this is every trak i export from bb to the daw is easy to line up in the daw. nice and simple. another trik i do is...make sure my bb markers correspond to my daw markers. et voila.
best/happiness om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 01/23/2202:33 PM.
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.)
I just don't think that I should have to go playing around with utility tracks and piano roll in order to use a function that exists in Options. Good workaround, though. Thank you.
Yes, although there are workarounds (another one is using the "Visible Metronome" option), the Pref>Count-in option is definitely not working as it should.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac 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)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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)
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.