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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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One thing that I find difficult, is trying to choose a style. I start out with the original song's beat and feel in my head, but as soon as I start trying out potential styles, my head just starts to spin. Even using the categories on the left in the stylepicker still presents sooo many choices - which is both a good and a bad thing  . I know about trying styles that match a prototype - that helps a lot. I also, have started adding styles to a favourite list, as I think that will help narrow down choices a bit (but I don't want to narrow it too much and have all my songs just use half a dozen different styles). What tips/tricks do people use to keep track of styles, and to select something that might work for particular songs.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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This will be a sort of contrarian answer. As I don't know you, let me explain first that I think very highly of BIAB as a music creation tool and have used it with great satisfaction. That said, the fact is that if you have a firm idea in mind of what your song should sound like, BIAB can become a positive distraction. A sequencer such as Cubase, Sonar, Power Tracks Pro Audio, etc. can be a better place to start as they provide you with a blank slate. Of course, that leaves you with the work of creating everything from scratch, which is why you got BIAB in the first place, right? Neat! I will let others relate how they deal with this issue and continue working on the project they had in mind when they started. In my case, I sort of gave up and let myself be inspired by the distractions. BIAB usually has a different, and sometimes better, approach to a chord progression. I have learned to cherish the 'mistakes' and run with 'em. But I am in the vast minority. (Think everybody else vs. me.  ) There really is no substitute for intensive listening sessions and copious note taking. After you have spent time with BIAB and sifted through the various Styles and Real Tracks (which, after all, is the only way to answer your question fully) you will begin to have a sense for what will work. Since at least v. 2009.5 there is an option to "Show Styles by Feel and Tempo," which will help to narrow things down a bit. Finally (he said, with an evil gleam), if you want to nail it, learn how to use the MIDI Style Maker, which, until Real Styles came along, was where the sorcery of BIAB lived. Here you can create your own grooves more or less exactly as you hear them. Mwa-hahahaha, etc. Having muddied the waters completely, let us await someone who will give a practical answer to your question. Have fun! Richard
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Quote:
I will let others relate how they deal with this issue and continue working on the project they had in mind when they started. In my case, I sort of gave up and let myself be inspired by the distractions. BIAB usually has a different, and sometimes better, approach to a chord progression. I have learned to cherish the 'mistakes' and run with 'em. But I am in the vast minority. (Think everybody else vs. me. )
Richard
I’m in that vast minority with you! But I don’t think that it is a minority. If you don’t experiment with different styles and chord progressions then I believe that you are missing out on a lot of what BiaB can contribute to your musicianship.
To help answer the original question, when I’m looking for a specific style I use search in the style window. I search using either artist names or song titles of the style I was trying to copy. This will narrow your selection to a more manageable list. For example the last song I posted was a 50s song so I searched Johhny B Goode, Chuck Berry, etc until I found exactly what I was looking for.
BUT don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles. You never know what can happen when you do!
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Without any doubt BIAB is invaluable tool for creating songs.
I'm gonna ride two ideas mentioned above.
One "Auditioning" styles is extremely important to me. Prior
to making a song. See(hear) whats available. I've only been
with the BIAB parts for couple of years, but still learning about
"new" finds in the style auditioning.
Listening to other folks music and the songs they create is a second
tool mentioned. The ingenuity of how the styles are used, the tracks
and how the are used is invaluable. The Mix, levels, sounds each
person uses with their music.
Another tool albeit not quite as nifty is going onto YouTube and searching
for similar songs to what your ideas are. Then go back to BIAB auditioning
and find this style.
This all takes bit of time, but is well worth the efforts.
Good Luck, and by all means enjoy these challenges.
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I don't know of any superfast shortcuts to finding an appropriate Style for a given song due to the large number of available styles as well as the fact that there are many times when even genre identification can cross over from one to another, ofen yielding a surprisingly good result.
But here is how I handle the situation:
Inside the Stylepicker window is a checkbox towards the bottom that allows us to load and play a style with a doubleclick, let us hear that style play without leaving the Stylepicker window.
There is also the Filter that will indicate any styles that share the same Tempo and Feel as the file already loaded into a song. There will be an asterisk (*) displayed in front of each suitable filename. That narrows the choices down quite a bit in most cases, although the other styles still appear in the listings, they can be ignored.
I first lay out the songfile chords on the main Chordgrid and then choose one of the simple MIDI styles that has near the right Feel and Tempo desired. These are easy to find as they are mostly the ones that begin with ZZ, but not always.
Then, before leaving the main view to go to Stylepicker, I make sure that the "Loop" box to the right of the Songtitle window slot is also checked.
Hit Play to start the song.
Now open the Stylepicker window, make sure that the above mentioned PLAY ON DOUBLECLICK is invoked and that all important filter as well.
Then, AS THE SONG IS PLAYING, I start at the top of the Styles list and doubleclick on the first asterisk preceded file and let it load and listen to what it sounds like.
I don't typically stop on the first Style that works or sounds okay, I just jot the filename down using Notepad and keep on doubleclicking Styles and AUDITIONING them in realtime like that.
*The MIDI styles will load and play in this "Audition" mode much faster than the Realtracks files, although with a modern pc, fast processor with lots of ram, etc. I've noticed that the time to generate playback with realtracks files is greatly reduced.
So I will generally use the all MIDI styles at first to narrow things down, simply because of that faster loading time. Once I have found a MIDI style that seems to really fit the desired result, I leave that style file loaded into the actual songfile -- and then revisit the Realtracks with the Filter in place as to Tempo and Feel and star auditioning Realtracks styles in the same fashion.
Yes, it is time consuming. But in my case I have found it to be time well spent. And for more than one reason: As I've gone through this procedure so many times in making up my songfiles, I find that I do indeed get a little better grip on all those stylenames, Feels, Tempos, genre and the fact that some crossover between the identified genre and the target.
By "crossover" I mean that sometimes a style that is identified as a "country" genre may work well in a rock, pop or even some jazz instances. Or some of the contemporary gospel styles may do so.
Many times, I've been pleasantly surprised by the audition of a Style that I wouldn't think should work in a particular song, only to find a new direction to take the project or a really good match for one genre that is labeled as being for another.
I guess the main thing is to set aside the time to go through this process with the goal of "having fun" doing it rather than viewing this necessary step as a drudge or something.
--Mac
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Mac,
Most Excellent.......
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Thanks Mac. I found the double-click to audition, and I use it to work through the files, as you suggest. I like your idea of finding a simple style (ZZ* types) first, then using that as the prototype, try all the ones starting with asterisks.
I must remember to set loop before going into the stylepicker, yes. It is annoying to have the song stop while auditioning. Also, pencil and paper is needed, as yes, I soon forget which styles sounded OK as I move down the list.
I also agree about crossover styles. I have used a few that way already.
So thanks for the great post. Good to know some of the things I was doing are right, can't wait to try out the new suggestions.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Quote:
There really is no substitute for intensive listening sessions and copious note taking. After you have spent time with BIAB and sifted through the various Styles and Real Tracks (which, after all, is the only way to answer your question fully) you will begin to have a sense for what will work. Since at least v. 2009.5 there is an option to "Show Styles by Feel and Tempo," which will help to narrow things down a bit.
Yes, I feel you are right. I need to spend more time getting to know what is there, that suits my needs.
Where is the option you mention to "Show Styles by Feel and Tempo" ?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Quote:
To help answer the original question, when I’m looking for a specific style I use search in the style window. I search using either artist names or song titles of the style I was trying to copy. This will narrow your selection to a more manageable list. For example the last song I posted was a 50s song so I searched Johhny B Goode, Chuck Berry, etc until I found exactly what I was looking for.
Good idea. Strange, but I never found that search button myself. Now I know about it, I will use it a lot I think.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Quote:
Quote:
There really is no substitute for intensive listening sessions and copious note taking. After you have spent time with BIAB and sifted through the various Styles and Real Tracks (which, after all, is the only way to answer your question fully) you will begin to have a sense for what will work. Since at least v. 2009.5 there is an option to "Show Styles by Feel and Tempo," which will help to narrow things down a bit.
Yes, I feel you are right. I need to spend more time getting to know what is there, that suits my needs.
Where is the option you mention to "Show Styles by Feel and Tempo" ?
In v. 2009.5 it is a button or checkbox in the lower right hand of the Stylepicker dialogue box. I haven't installed 2012.5 yet, but I doubt that it has moved.
Many of us have found it helpful to think of BIAB as an actual instrument like a piano, guitar, bass, etc. As with any instrument, you have to practice before you become proficient. While you can get the basic functions going in an evening, BIAB is what I all "deep," meaning that there are layers of complexity which increase with every new version. Only time spent using the program, exploring the many dialogues, and reading through the documentation in detail will make you aware of the powerful and subtle possibilites. (Oh, and asking questions on the forums helps, too!  )
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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...Also, pencil and paper is needed, as yes, I soon forget which styles sounded OK as I move down the list...
I just open the Windows Notepad, found under Accessories in the Start->Programs menu and place it minimized in the Task Bar.
Type in or even copy 'n paste the highlighted letter string.
"Paperless Office" --
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Quote:
Quote:
...Also, pencil and paper is needed, as yes, I soon forget which styles sounded OK as I move down the list...
I just open the Windows Notepad, found under Accessories in the Start->Programs menu and place it minimized in the Task Bar.
Type in or even copy 'n paste the highlighted letter string.
"Paperless Office" --
--Mac
Yes, I came up with that solution myself too. Better than paper...
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This sometimes is hard. I was lucky started with 2004 ver. alot less to choose from then. I also had some help I was given 5000 songs of people ver. of songs. so I had a starting point. all I did was rearange them the way I wanted. Today I listen to the song I want to put in biab and then see is I have a style in a song I have or close. A simple midi style is best. then get the chords where I like him. you can go back later and teek it. I then go in and add realtracks and replace the midi if I can find one thats better. sometimes I add a only for the intro or have it or something else spilt the lead up me play half and maybe a steel play the 2nd half. where else can you have Brent Mason and Paul Franklin and Wanda Vick playing back to you Ity has raised the bars to what a do thanks to to biab
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In addition to what Mac said - btw: thank you, Mac, for the huge number of all your helpful contributions on that forum! - I do the following:
First I came up with my own set of categories that fit better to my personal way of making music with BIAB. I copied the lines of the styles I could imagine to use in the future into my new categories. Some styles I copied into 2 or even 3 categories. Thus I'm sure to find this suitable style when I would need it. (You may consider these as 'corossover styles'). I did this more than 10 years ago when I began working with BIAB.
Everytime since I then when I upgraded to the newer version - and I did this regularly - I rehearsed the new styles and added 'my favorites' to my special sub categories. Again - some styles fit to 2 or even 3 sub categories.
Since BIAB offered the option to mark favorites this also was a great help. This option is much easier, but for me my own set of categories is a even more effective system.
When the Realtracks came up I started a additional set of categories for the RTs.
For me these 2 own systems are very effectiv. But it takes a lot of time to keep it actual when a new version of BIAB comes up. But when you want to work effectively - for me(!) this is the way.
In the following I give you my(!) system of categories.
It's without the thousands of lines with the actual styles information. (Would be too long in this post).
But you get the idea of what I'm working with:
~~~
~~~
~My FAVORITS:
~ Folk & Country
~ Ballads: Pop & Country
~ Pop & Rock
~ Gospel & Church Hymns
~ Praise & Worship (Set#18 & 52)
~ Ethnic
~ Reggae, Caribbean, NewAge
~ Contemporary
~ Latin, Salsa & ClassicDance
~ Modern Dance
~ Fusion, Tek, R&B
~ PianoSpecials, Banjo, Shuffles
~ Jazz, Blues & Soul
~ Vint-Jazz (peppig)
~ 3/4-Takt
~ 5/4-Takt
~ 6/8-Takt
~ 9/8-Takt
~ 12/8-Takt
~ 2/2-Takt
~~~~
~REALTRACK-Styles:
~ SPIRITED Acoustic & 12String Guitar [RTs#49,98,150]
~ PRAISE & WORSHIP: Shinig,Uplift,Power,Believe [RTs#116,117,134,135,151]
~ COUNTRY & FolkSwing [RTs#65,81,97,101,118,121,132,133,136,139,141,149,154]
~ Ballads & More [RTs#61,137,150]
~ POP-ROCK-Crossover: Piano, Organ, Harmonica, Bass
~ (12-)Electric Guitar [RTs#87,88]
~ Rockin' - Folk, R&B, Country & Others [RTs#41,43,45,60,68,71,83,85,105,108,150,152]
~ Blues Rock [RTs#86,137]
~ WALTZES: Pop, Rock, Country & Jazz [RTs#58,63,64,76,76,82,96,99,107,126,148,153]
~ STRIDE, MemphisSw, BOOGIE, DIXIE & More [RTs#77-80,137,139,143,144]
~ 70s Soul, Boogie & Texas Rock [RTs#42,122,138,140,149,154]
~ Blues Guitar & Organ [RTs#44]
~ Western Swing & Bluegrass [RTs#62,100]
~ Uptemp Reggae & Calypso Pop [RTs#102,103,106]
~ Celtic: Hornpipe, SlipJigs [RTs#104,123]
~ Gypsy: Jazz, Latin & Waltz [RTs#109,110,128,129]
~ Ballroom:Bossas, Latin & More, Fast Samba [RTs#50,51,52,74,75,147,148]
~ Smooth Jazz - Swing, Ballad & Pop [RTs#72,73,91-95,111,112,127,131,138,145]
~~~~
This is part of the (beginning of the) original file BBW.LST.
When my system shouldn't give me a satisfactory styles for a special song, then I still have the possibility to acces the 'normal' BBW.LST-category. (Remember: My set of categories are only a selection of all available styles. (But the selection is a lot of thousand, too).
Hopefully this post can help you, too.
Greetings from Germany
Ulrich
P.S.:
I didn't re-categorize the new RTs of version 2012.5 yet. I'm playing on my new Yamaha Tyros keyboard more than with BIAB. (You can spend your time only once ;-) - that's why the RT section doesn't include the newest RTs yet.
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A great idea, but, as you say, a lot of work. I will see how I go.
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Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
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)
Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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