Hi, I've put a RealTrack on a Utility track #1 and want to Mute/Back to Normal etc with the options in F5.
I can edit any of the "normal" tracks, which I've done, but there's no option to edit any of the Utility tracks.
Is there another way to Mute/Back to Normal etc Utility tracks.
Thanks Brian
Brian Cadoret BIAB 2025 Pro build 1125e with BIAB2023 UltraPAK . Samplitude Pro X4 Suite. Mixcraft 10.5 Pro Studio Focusrite 2i2 Scarlett Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3470 CPU @ 3.20GHz 3.20 GHz Installed RAM 8.00 GB
With the 2022 version, instead of using the Bar Settings dialogue to control volume you can use the new Volume Automation feature. This feature is shown at 51:18 of this video:
You may get some better answers, but most I've heard have been to use the amplitude automation. Another option may be to use the "Silence" RealTrack as part of a medley.
This is one of those areas where, at present, all tracks are not quite equal. I suspect they may be at least closer in BiaB 2023.
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 .
So it seems editing Utility tracks audio has to be done in the Edit Audio window.
It's doable and really good for finer audio editing, but for quick basic Mute/Back to Normal etc edits the F5 option is quicker.
Maybe the Utility tracks could be added to the F5 options in the future.
Thanks Brian
Last edited by Brian Cadoret; 04/26/2210:06 AM.
Brian Cadoret BIAB 2025 Pro build 1125e with BIAB2023 UltraPAK . Samplitude Pro X4 Suite. Mixcraft 10.5 Pro Studio Focusrite 2i2 Scarlett Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3470 CPU @ 3.20GHz 3.20 GHz Installed RAM 8.00 GB
Thanks Noel I have looked at that and is a good workaround.
Brian
Brian Cadoret BIAB 2025 Pro build 1125e with BIAB2023 UltraPAK . Samplitude Pro X4 Suite. Mixcraft 10.5 Pro Studio Focusrite 2i2 Scarlett Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3470 CPU @ 3.20GHz 3.20 GHz Installed RAM 8.00 GB
As I found out the hard way, the trick is to make sure that you freeze the Utility track after you move the file from a location that allows F5 to be used. If the track isn't frozen to preserve the settings, it will get overwritten next time the song is generated.
These days I always make sure that I save a copy of the SGU/MGU file with a different name before I start moving things around. That makes it much easier to get back to the original if I need to.
Hi, I've put a RealTrack on a Utility track #1 and want to Mute/Back to Normal etc with the options in F5.
I can edit any of the "normal" tracks, which I've done, but there's no option to edit any of the Utility tracks.
Is there another way to Mute/Back to Normal etc Utility tracks.
Thanks Brian
Originally Posted By: Brian Cadoret
Thanks Chantelle and Gordon for the replies.
So it seems editing Utility tracks audio has to be done in the Edit Audio window.
It's doable and really good for finer audio editing, but for quick basic Mute/Back to Normal etc edits the F5 option is quicker.
Maybe the Utility tracks could be added to the F5 options in the future.
Thanks Brian
I'm posting some added information for clarification to the original posts questions about Mute/return to normal feature since the post is a question rather than a 'Wishlist' item.
For those that may not be completely familiar with BIAB Audio Editing and want a quick, basic Mute/Back to normal edit of a Utility Track, there's nultiple ways to mute/unmute within the BIAB Audio Window. Previous posts have explained two, the Volume Automation tool and RealTrack replacement.
First. There are 5 different ways to Mute/Return to normal to Utility Tracks than the Bar Settings Window (F5).
Second. All of the options of Bar Settings that apply to RealTracks in the Legacy Tracks can be done, and with more precision, in the Audio Edit Window equally for all 24 tracks. Learning to edit from the Audio Edit Window will be more beneficial immediately because the user will have full access to all tracks, Legacy and Utility, and editing will be uniform for every track. Every track is accessible immediately with a single mouse click and the edit region selected remains active.
Third. My experience with editing from the Audio Edit Window has shown it's overall faster, more precise and takes less mouse selections than doing the same task in Bar Settings (F5).
I guess that the situation here is to provide a consistent and common way to perform these functions.
Depending on the particular track type, both Bar Settings and Audio Edit can be used to successfully produce volume changes. Different methods for different tracks.
I think it's up to PG Music to decide on how to produce a single method that is consistent across all track types.
BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
"I guess that the situation here is to provide a consistent and common way to perform these functions."
I agree and that's the point I'm making in my earlier post.
The author's original post is specific to RealTracks/Audio. The concern is an audio specific task currently shared between The Audio Edit Window and Bar Settings. Both work but the Audio Editor is the better choice. It's a consistent way to edit muting and the other audio editing tasks while also being common to all of the Mixer Tracks and to all BIAB versions. As noted in the author's original post, Bar Settings aren't available on Utility Tracks. Other types of files don't display in the Audio Edit Window and aren't necessary to discuss because they're off topic to the audio question at hand.
Another common answer to this and similar queries made in past posts is to export audio tracks to a DAW for simple audio editing tasks. My opinion, position and suggestion is that in BIAB's current version, the most convenient, consistent and efficient method to achieve quick, quality audio edits is to use the BIAB Audio Edit Feature. In regard to audio, the Audio Edit Window exceeds the precision, speed of execution and also gives the user visual awareness of the waveform over using Bar Settings. In 2022, in regard to audio; The Audio Edit Window is an improved, updated and superior alternative to the antiquated Bar Settings Feature.
In regard to audio, the Audio Edit Window exceeds the precision, speed of execution and also gives the user visual awareness of the waveform over using Bar Settings. In 2022, in regard to audio; The Audio Edit Window is an improved, updated and superior alternative to the antiquated Bar Settings Feature.
I agree, Charlie.
Just recently I wrote and arranged a song using BIAB's Audio Edit to modify the tracks rather than my DAW. The process worked excellently and was much more nuanced than bar settings. It was also very easy to use.
Noel, an interesting note about your workaround is that with only the modification of moving RealTrack audio to a folder rather than a Utility Track, which didn't exist then, users could use the Audio Editor on RealTracks in earlier versions of BIAB as far back as 2015 instead of a DAW.
One thing about F5 (Bar Settings) that is really a plus is the "ALL INSTRUMENTS" option. Which, before utility tracks, would allow you to perform a function on all tracks in one place with one step. Although, that function doesn't affect the utility tracks.
Also, the "MASTER TRACK" in the mixer allows you to make volume automation changes, but they don't do anything. Would be great feature if implemented.
I'm a fan of bar settings for all channels, although volume automation is a very nice feature.
One thing about F5 (Bar Settings) that is really a plus is the "ALL INSTRUMENTS" option. Which, before utility tracks, would allow you to perform a function on all tracks in one place with one step. Although, that function doesn't affect the utility tracks.
Also, the "MASTER TRACK" in the mixer allows you to make volume automation changes, but they don't do anything. Would be great feature if implemented.
I'm a fan of bar settings for all channels, although volume automation is a very nice feature.
You're correct that the "ALL INSTRUMENTS" option in Bar Settings no longer works for all instruments but those features are still available for all instruments and now even include the Utility Tracks.
Of the "All Instrument" options, my thought is the Mute/Return to Normal would be the most common usage, correct? That feature is still available for "All Instruments". All channel Mute/UnMute is now done using the Master Mute button on the Mixer. To me, this is more convenient and faster than the older Bar Settings method. Soloing various tracks and Freezing all tracks can also done from the Master Track. All instruments can be uniformly changed up or down in the BIAB Mixer using the Ctrl key and mouse or using the Master Fader. Fade-in can be done manually using the Master Volume control in the Classic View. Fade-out can be manually done using the Master Volume control in the Classic View or programmed from the Song Settings Window. So, no feature has been lost with the introduction of Utility Tracks. In my opinion, the upgrades and new features outweigh the minor inconvenience of learning their new locations.
Charlie, thanks for your reply. But I must confess that I'm quite confused by it.
The Master channel in the mixer (as far as I can tell), cannot be used to fade in the start of a song, or fade it out. Volume automation doesn't work on it and you can't specify where to come in or out. The mute button just mutes all channels. Doesn't replace being able to specify bars, it just mutes.
As far as I can see (and I hope and wish that I'm wrong), the only thing that the Master channel on the mixer is good for is inserting plug-ins that affect the whole song.
Didn't mean to be confusing and no correction is necessary to what you're thinking to be correct. Your perspective of BIAB being similar to how DAW automation works is right.
I don't think of BIAB in terms of DAW operation and never have so I don't encounter workflow automation glitches if a new feature is added like the introduction of Utility Tracks have created for many users.
So, while your thinking that BIAB's Mixer and Master Channel capability is very limited, you've only discovered one of it's many abilities. It will do all of the things I pointed in my earlier post and more. However, BIAB's Mixer operates like a basic, hardware digital multi track recorder and not like a DAW. That means operations are not automated but are done manually in real time. In many instances, with operations being done one at a time.
F5 options that include Utility Tracks are in the Wish List Forum and one day may be a reality.
EDIT: I corrected the third paragraph to reflect I mean your thoughts about mixer capability, not your thinking... ;=)
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
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 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 Windows or for Mac.
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.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: 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 because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
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.
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.
Who knows what the future may bring.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean