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Hi all, Brand new here. Considering purchasing Band In A Box soon. I was hoping to get some direction from the pros in here! I'm a singer/songwriter who typically writes and performs with only my voice and an acoustic guitar. I have a collection of songs that could really benefit from additional layers of music. Currently I use a Zoom H4n field recorder to record my guitar and vocal tracks separately and then I bring those into Reaper for EQ, mixing and output. But I am really not good enough at playing other instruments such as drums, bass, etc. to record those tracks. So I'm looking for a good way to add these other layers to my music. So here are my questions... 1) for a typical workflow, could I bring an existing recording into BIAB or would it be best to lay down a drum track (or other click track) with BIAB and then use that as a backing track to record a new vocal track? 2) can I bring a vocal track into BIAB or is that more of a RealBand (or DAW) function? 3) will I be happy with the acoustic guitar strumming in BIAB or is my live recorded acoustic track going to be better? 4) I worry that using the RealTracks in BIAB will make my song sound like other BIAB songs. Is that something to be concerned about? Or, once I mix it all up will it sound like my song and not like every other BIAB song? 5) related to above, how do the solos work? I am assuming they will be the same solo every time they are used so that would be a problem in an original song. Right? 6) would you consider BIAB to be mainly a practice tool to use for creating backing tracks (for performing or writing) or is its output nice (and unique) enough to be used as accompaniment for a demo? 7) what would the typical workflow be for someone who has composed a song on an acoustic guitar? something like this maybe? - write song - enter chord progressions into BIAB - add various instrument layers in BIAB - export backing track from BIAB - record vocals using backing track in headphones - mix backing track and vocals in a DAW 8) Based on what I've seen so far it looks like I need to spring for the UltraPlusPak or be unhappy with missing RealTracks!  Is that correct? 9) is BIAB the right software for what I want to do? Thanks so much for any assistance you can provide me. I really appreciate it! John
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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JohnJohnJohn (or is it John, John, John -- did you get in trouble a lot as a child? -- ha, ha)
1.) You could bring the live track in and add instruments to it -- but your timing would have to be pretty good. I would lay down the click track with the BIAB drummer and build from there.
2.) You can bring one audio track into BIAB -- but I really use a DAW for that (I user Sonar, but RealBand is a DAW).
3.) I use a lot of the acoustic guitar parts from realtracks. They seem to fit in well.
4.) That is a legitimate concern. The goal is not to use a BIAB backing and plop your vocals on top, but to use BIAB so it is part of the song. That sometimes is easy and sometimes it's not -- but it can be done.
5.) The solos can be regenerated over and over again and be different each time. You can also cut and paste and move things around to make it "different". Yes, after awhile you can hear those BIAB riffs in other folks' songs and recognize them -- that why we always want more realtracks. Having said that, there is a lot of variety available right now.
6.) I think you can use biab to make pretty decent recordings. How good sounding is up to your skill level. Even though a bunch of nashville studio musicians perform a lot of the realtrack samples that I use, Nashville (from what I hear) still will frown on BIAB demos (and probably LA and NY, too). So, don't let them know until it is too late!!
7.) That is probably the exact work flow I use.
8.) UltraPak Plus is the way to go (for me).
9.) I think BIAB is a great tool and a lot of fun. Whether it is right for you, is up to you. Traditionally there is a mid-summer sale in biab-land, but who know what will happen this summer?
Kevin
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I agree 100% with Kevin. I would add that you should go to the user showcase forum and listen to some of the music there. All of the music there was generated by BiaB and/or RealBand and all of the songs are very good. Some of the songs are Biab/RB totally, some with parts of RealTrack cut and pasted together, some were initiated then morphed into what you hear and some are all of the above. This way you will get an idea of what BiaB/RB can do.
I got banned from Weight Watchers for dropping a bag of M&Ms on the floor.
It was the best game of Hungry Hippos I've ever seen!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Hey Kevin! Thanks so much for your detailed reply! I was checking out some of your music here http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_music.cfm?bandID=1144009 You have some really nice songs! Are there any specific songs there that you did with BIAB? And, yes, pretty much all my life people have been shaking their head at me and saying "John, John, John"! (hey, there's a song in there!)
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Thanks MarioD, I listened to a few songs they were pretty impressive! Gotta take a few minutes and listen to a bunch more.
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I'm just John the John cubed thing makes me feel about 30% of what I should.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Quote:
Hey Kevin! Thanks so much for your detailed reply! I was checking out some of your music here http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_music.cfm?bandID=1144009 You have some really nice songs! Are there any specific songs there that you did with BIAB?...
Those are all BIAB tunes with me adding guitars,vocals and such. If you go to the "full song info" page at soundclick, I show what BIAB did in each song (at the bottom of the lyrics). When I post them here, I detail out exactly what realtracks/midi stuff I used.
Kevin
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Welcome John. Judging from your opening post, you've got a good handle on this, and you've been given some wisdom already. I got into this digital stuff to augment my own songs and it's been perfect. Good enough when I was only using MIDI and even better when the RTs came along . . . you'll want those. As for my work flow - I start with the chord sheet. My own acoustic is only used in RealBand. The better synthsizer you have for midi, the better BIAB sounds. RTs are beautiful. You'll have a great backup band in no time, and you'll want to use RealBand. All my songs on my site are done with PG Projects - beginning to end. Whatever you use, you probably won't add your own acoustic - and if you have a good mic - you should add your acoustic in RealBand or whatever DAW you decide to use. Backing tracks in BIAB, full mix in DAW. Boy are you going to have fun!   Cheers - Ian
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Yo 3 Johns,
All good advise already, so all I will do is welcome you to the forum.
Later,
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Geez Ian I liked you better before the photo.  rotf (What am I doing here...)laughing. Help me up.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Quote:
I'm just John the John cubed thing makes me feel about 30% of what I should.
I figure its my hook and if I repeat it enough...
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Quote:
Welcome John.
Judging from your opening post, you've got a good handle on this, and you've been given some wisdom already.
I got into this digital stuff to augment my own songs and it's been perfect. Good enough when I was only using MIDI and even better when the RTs came along . . . you'll want those.
As for my work flow - I start with the chord sheet. My own acoustic is only used in RealBand.
The better synthsizer you have for midi, the better BIAB sounds. RTs are beautiful. You'll have a great backup band in no time, and you'll want to use RealBand.
All my songs on my site are done with PG Projects - beginning to end. Whatever you use, you probably won't add your own acoustic - and if you have a good mic - you should add your acoustic in RealBand or whatever DAW you decide to use. Backing tracks in BIAB, full mix in DAW.
Boy are you going to have fun!
Cheers - Ian
Thanks for the advice Ian! I'm looking forward to this!!
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Quote:
Yo 3 Johns,
All good advise already, so all I will do is welcome you to the forum.
Later,
Thanks Danny!
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Liked your songs Kevin - nice vocals
Win 11 64, Asus Rog Strix z390 mobo, 64 gig RAM, 8700k
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>>>...7) what would the typical workflow be for someone who has composed a song on an acoustic guitar? something like this maybe?...- write song...- enter chord progressions into BIAB ....>>>>> There is a lot of variation in the workflow. I always start with BiaB, then move to realband at some point of development. Which point? ...it depends. My way is that I work out the chords, melody and structure in BiaB. When I am figuring out whether I want 2 verses and a chorus, or 2 choruses and a verse, BiaB is the tool to use. It is much harder to change your u mind after the song is ported over to Realband. When I get to Realband its time to try adding various realtracks. Well this is the idea anyway. I run into various issues with almost every song that have me bouncing back and forth between the two programs a coupleof times. THen again, some people on this forum do everything in Realband, and sometimes I can get everything I need just using BiaB alone. Here are some songs that kind of fit the creative process you decribed. Almost all the instruments are Real tracks. https://www.youtube.com/user/flatfoot50?feature=mhee/
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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.
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New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
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
Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)
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!
The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!
Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!
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
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!
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!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 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.
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!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 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.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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