Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Beginners Forum
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 177
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 177
Greetings. I am writing a 12 bar Jazz Blues. On each repeat of the 12 bars I want to be able to choose which of the 4 RealTrack instruments are playing or muted. Every time I repeat the 12 bars, I may want to chose a different selection of the 4 instruments (play some, mute some).

I suspect I cannot do this when using repeat signs.

I suspect I will need to write out a "fresh" 12 bars each time I repeat and then somehow set the play and mute designations for just those bars. I would then do that again for another round of the 12 bars if I want to make another instrument selection change.

Am I on the right track here? And if so, how do I designate which instruments are playing or muted on the selected bars?

Thanks so much for your help!

Beginners Forum
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,337
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,337
I believe you are on the right track. You probably intended the pun.

I would make it one long song (not use repeats). Then use F5 at each measure to change to Mute or Back to Normal for each instrument.

If you want more instruments, move one to a Utility Track and use the 'normal' track to generate a new track, then move that to a Utility Track etc.


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: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,751
C
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
C
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,751
I think you can if you set the Chorus Length to 12 bars and use the Chorus drop down window in Bar Settings.

Each 12 bars Chorus will have it's own Chorus number assigned and the Bar Settings will be unique to each numbered Chorus.

Three 12 bar repeats = 3 Choruses





Attached Files (Click to download or enlarge) (Only available when you are logged in)
Screenshot 2022-09-27 175433.jpg (121.91 KB, 42 downloads)
Bar Settings Dialog Window with Chorus drop down menu highlighted.

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: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,604
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,604
Originally Posted By: BackingTrack
Greetings. I am writing a 12 bar Jazz Blues. On each repeat of the 12 bars I want to be able to choose which of the 4 RealTrack instruments are playing or muted. Every time I repeat the 12 bars, I may want to chose a different selection of the 4 instruments (play some, mute some).

You might take a look at some of the "medley" styles and RealTracks. These contain a number of instruments that change by numbers of bars, or at part-markers, or at new choruses.

One can make one's own medleys, but I'm afraid I've never really understood the right way to do that. Someone else may offer a guide.


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
.
Beginners Forum
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,751
C
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
C
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,751
Gordon is correct regarding using the RealTrack Medley Maker to change RT instruments. Select the Chorus # you want an instrument change and from that Chorus selection, click the RealTrack Button, select the track to change and select the new RealTrack. To change to another instrument or revert back to the style original instrument. Repeat the process from the Chorus you want this change to occur in.

He's also correct this can be done with MultiStyles.




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: Aug 2021
Posts: 177
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 177
Thanks for all these helpful answers! They bring up some questions for me.

The term "chorus" is used in the answers several times. Does this mean in my case 1 set of 12 bars that will be repeated perhaps with some instrument volume changes (muting for me) on each repeat? Each set of 12 bars is a "chorus"?

If this is so, the F5 function (which I didn't know about) seems to allow picking a chorus # which to me intimates that you could use this with a 12 bar "chorus" repeating with repeat signs and then selecting which repeat (chorus #) you wanted the changes to be applied to.

BUT the dialog box also indicates that you might only be able to make these instrument volume changes (muting for me) on a bar by bar basis within the selected chorus #, thus 12 changes, bar by bar, for a certain type of chorus rendering. I don't want to change instruments, just muting or no muting

Does this seem right?

Is there a way to make these changes for a span of bars, rather than only one bar at a time?

Thanks for your ongoing support.

Last edited by BackingTrack; 09/27/22 11:44 AM.
Beginners Forum
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,770
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,770
Quote:
The term "chorus" is used in the answers several times. Does this mean in my case 1 set of 12 bars that will be repeated perhaps with some instrument volume changes (muting for me) on each repeat? Each set of 12 bars is a "chorus"?

In BiaB speak, a 'chorus' is one play through the entire song (excluding intro and ending).


BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
Beginners Forum
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,751
C
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
C
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,751
A "chorus" in Band in a Box (BIAB) is a complete playthrough of the length of the song. The default can be adjusted but is normally 32 bars with 3 choruses. This means 2 repeats of the main Chord Sheet for 3 choruses to be 2 repeats. There are markings at bar 1 and 32 defining the repeat bars and a total song consisting of 96 bars.

Setting a start of 1 and end of 12 with a number of Choruses set at 3 is a 36 bar total. Then with the F5 Bar Settings function, each of the 3 choruses act independent of the other choruses as far as defining mute ranges, instrument changes, tempo changes - in short, each chorus functions as a stand alone Chord Sheet that will play linearly from start to finish.

A range of instrument volume changes is possible within a single chorus or across several choruses.
For example:

Mute an instrument in Chorus #1 at bar 30
Return to Normal (unmute) the instrument in Chorus #2 at bar 5

Mute/return to normal can be done within a chorus by selecting the measure in Bar Settings in the 'BAR #' Box to mute and select the measure from the 'BAR #' box at the measure to Return to normal (unmute) -- example Bar 5 mute Bass >>>> Bar 12 Return to normal Bass

EDIT: AudioTrack explained better in a sentence what it's taken me 4 paragraphs.... ;=)

Attached Files (Click to download or enlarge) (Only available when you are logged in)
Chord Sheet.jpg (359.74 KB, 25 downloads)
Chord Sheet
Last edited by Charlie Fogle; 09/27/22 01:15 PM.

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: Aug 2021
Posts: 177
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 177
Ahhh spectacular!

So yes I have the definition of Chorus correct. Thank you so much for the specific definition.

AND Charlie Fogel and AudioTrack, thank you so much for saying that the range for the volume change is accomplished by setting the on/off state at a certain bar of a certain chorus and then reversing or changing that setting at another bar of a certain chorus.

That means that the changes cover a SPAN of measures and the change does not have to be set for every bar in the Span. Really clear now.

Thanks for the rigor in your answer and solving for me the definitions, and the span of bars question. So helpful!!!

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
Video: New User Interface (GUI)

Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!

Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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.

Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!

Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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.

Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!

Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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.

Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!

Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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.

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows 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 60 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 Windows and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until December 31, 2025. 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 Windows packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49. Browse the full contents of each package and listen to demos here.

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!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics85,286
Posts790,580
Members39,854
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
StratMan1965, CPIA2002, janhardo, Minstrel, Deb D
39,854 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
jpettit 320
MarioD 218
DrDan 215
Noel96 163
DC Ron 142
Rob Helms 128
Today's Birthdays
dreadmon, Jazzer_Phil, SteelScott
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5