I have a jazz song with 4 bar intro, start on 5, end on 36, 2 choruses with a 5 bar tag ending. I have substyles for all parts set to "a" and RealDrums set to JazzBrushesSticks#1 which plays a nice brushes beat. But for just the first 16 bars of the 2nd chorus, I'd like to have a bit more assertive drums (sticks). Since there's only 2 choruses, the drums never switch to "b" substyle (and I'd only want that for the first 16 bars anyway). So how can I change the drums style or substyle for the first 16 bars of the 2nd chorus?
Just so you know, that's not very realistic. It will be quite a feat for a drummer to pull that off mid song.
Byron Dickens
BIAB. CbB. Mixbus 32C 8 HP Envy. Intel core i7. 16GB RAM W10. Focusrite Scarlett 18i 20. Various instruments played with varying degrees of proficiency.
So how can I change the drums style or substyle for the first 16 bars of the 2nd chorus?
You can add two additional sub-styles using the 'define c/d' command when right clicking on a part marker at the first bar of the 16 bars of the 2nd chorus and changing back to the original style at the 17th bar of the 2nd chorus.
Just so you know, that's not very realistic. It will be quite a feat for a drummer to pull that off mid song.
If you mean that the drummer changes from brushes to sticks mid song, then any competent real drummer can do that without missing a beat. Drummers do that all the time. I've worked with many.
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
Hi Charlie, How does the O/P select the changed style part marker for only the second chorus?
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
i think this is another example of when its best to 'unfold' a song
I understand unfolding, but that wasn't mentioned, so I'm really keen to learn if there is a way to achieve this with the standard chord layout.
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
Hi Charlie, How does the O/P select the changed style part marker for only the second chorus?
By using either an existing MultiStyle or creating a custom MultiStyle then using Bar Settings (F5) to select Chorus 2 in the 'All Choruses' button. In order to change the drum kits, the MultiStyle would have two drum kits so they can be muted/unmuted to each play specific bars in Chorus 2. All the other instruments would remain unchanged and the MultiStyle will consist of 4 substyles, a,b,c, and d and are saved in the StylePicker and accessible at a Chorus number level in Bar Settings. For instance, a MultiStyle naming configuration is Dusty+ = Dusty1, Dusty2, Dusty3, and Dusty4. Although there's 5 styles, only two are needed to do this drum change.
Here are the steps to apply the MultiStyle and drum changes in Chorus 2 using Bar Settings Menu.
Select a different sub-style of the MultiStyle using the 'Style Button' that is the same instrumentation of the original style except for the drums. The MultiStyle will be modified to have two drum sets; The original drums with brushes and a second drum kit with Sticks.
Chorus 1:
The sticks drum kit is muted and the brush kit playing.
Chorus 2
In Bar Settings, Mute the brush kit and unmute the sticks kit for bars 1-16. Reverse the muted tracks for bars 17-32.
Select Chorus 3 from the 'All Choruses' button and return to the original style and mute the sticks drums again. It seems to me that should play the song as the poster wants. I haven't field tested this with drums but have replaced other instruments without issue except I've also always played a MultiStyle throughout a complete chorus without the muting/unmuting of bars but that seems pretty straight forward to me.
EDIT: I tested the above steps with PG Music MultiStyle Dusty+. I used the main MultiStyle, Dusty+ and used substyle Dusty4 that replaced a main style muted guitar track in Chorus 1 and unmuted the track, changed to Dusty4 Style and played a soloist lead guitar on the track in Chorus 2.
I believe in the scenario outlined, the OP, it would have to be a custom MultiStyle specific to the instruments being used.
Please give me some time to absorb this. That workaround seems like a rather convoluted approach.
Wouldn't it be simpler if the Bar Settings option just allowed for Part Marker changes to occur based on the bar number and chorus number?
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
Just so you know, that's not very realistic. It will be quite a feat for a drummer to pull that off mid song.
If you mean that the drummer changes from brushes to sticks mid song, then any competent real drummer can do that without missing a beat. Drummers do that all the time. I've worked with many.
I don't believe I have ever once heard a drummer do that without pausing.
Byron Dickens
BIAB. CbB. Mixbus 32C 8 HP Envy. Intel core i7. 16GB RAM W10. Focusrite Scarlett 18i 20. Various instruments played with varying degrees of proficiency.
<< Wouldn't it be simpler if the Bar Settings option just allowed for Part Marker changes to occur based on the bar number and chorus number? >>
That's what it does. The issue in this example making it more complex, is confining the change to 16 bars in the 2nd chorus and the remaining bars of chorus 2 remain unchanged without a Part Marker. In Bar Settings, a style change can apply to 'All Choruses' or to any one of 40 individual chorus.
BIAB has the feature to add a Part Marker that's chorus specific, but I could not get it to work. It always applied the Part Marker to 'All Choruses'.
I don't believe I have ever once heard a drummer do that without pausing.
Hmm, wonder why BIAB has styles that have brush & stick variations? I've been a pro drummer for 55 years. Did it frequently in bands from combos to big band. Sometimes even using a brush on snare with stick on cymbal. (Most drummers I talk with today don't even own a pair of brushes!)
Back to my original issue, I'd like to pursue Charlie's technique if only to expand my knowledge of BIAB. But it does seem like quite an effort! Also, I've tried the unfold method but it works only until I refold the song.
BIAB_Lil_Darlin.SGU Here's a link to the unfolded version of the song Li'l Darlin by Neal Hefti. It has a 4 bar intro, then two 16 bar phrases, which repeat, then a tag ending starting in bar 65.
In the song, on the repeat, there's a solo that is played in the first 16 bars of that repeat (starting with bar 36), and the drummer switches to sticks for that solo (then back to brushes for the 2nd half of the repeat at bar 53). In my unfolded version attached, all plays correctly. I then fold it (chorus begins at 5, ends at 36, 2 choruses, tag starts at 69, uncheck 2bar ending).
The result plays bar 36 with sticks, but then the repeat at bar 37 goes right back to brushes. And then at bar 69 it goes into sticks through the rest of the song! I'd like to play the song folded just for readability while I accompany it. Am I doing the fold wrong?
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows 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)
Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
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)
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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.
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