I can see UserTracks working really well for rhythmic material, such as acoustic guitar strums or accompaniment piano parts.
But melodic material is much more sensitive to leaps.
If BiaB automatically tagged the first and last pitch of a loop, and used that information when reconstructing monophonic material, what would be awesome. I suspect that it's probably a bit much to ask. At least, with version 1.0.
when you consider the fact that virtually ALL of PGmusic's real tracks are recorded by world-reknowned music pros, I'm thinking that hobbyist-created user tracks won't diminish the demand for the really good stuff.
thanks for the run down. if one were musically challenged, ah, can't play an instrument, I seen to think , from what you said that a recording of chords via loops or other mechanical means might work as well, right? Wyndham
As long as you can place your loops in the right key, tempo and match the chords on the BB chord grid, YES. Just import that wave file into the BB Audio track as if you had recorded it there and let the User Tracks algo rip.
I figure you'll be interested in this. I've already used UserTracks to create a user track of the Native Instruments Session Brass. Because it's so large, I can't use it in a 32-bit program, but was able to create the WAV file with 64-bit Sonar.
Now that I have the basic file created, all I have to do is change the song parameters in Session Brass, change the keyclick triggers, and render to a new WMA file.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA
I just picked up Session Brass, but haven't had much chance to play with it. (I'll skip my MIDI keyboard sob story, it's long and boring).
Some of these sample libraries have restrictions on what they can be used for, with the language primarily against repackaging as sample libraries, but broad enough to possibly cover something like RealTracks.
I assume that if you create unique musical material (say, a string trio) for a UserTrack it wouldn't matter, but distributing a UserTrack made up of one of the patterns from something like Session Strings looks like it would be forbidden by the EULA.
Well, I tried a little, recording some classical styles with SampleTank and Miroslav Philharmonik sounds. I did some UserTracks, wanted to do Strings and Brass Sections.
I generated the UserTrakcs, but I am not really happy with it. It is farly not satisfying by now. Because: If I use the UserTracks in a new composition, they never really fit, even if it is the same tempo and everything in the options.txt is right. Always not really on the beat and when harmony changes it makes ugly noises. At least with strings and brasses.
Are there any Options or further knowledge about doing UserTracks, because I did it like with the Template and everything...
Could you help me. I am a newbie and am trying to create a User Track for my Acoustic guitar in BIAB 2017. The help folder says that I can store multiple templates (endings, long chords etc) in a folder that I created. I did the first Song_1m_Pop-1 template and stored it and it worked find. But when I tried to add another template (PopSong_2_Endings) it showed up with the SGU and WAV files but either I get one or the other to play but not both. Can you explain to me how this is supposed to work? Here is what I have stored so far:
This is what I have in the pic below, it plays thru the song then plays an ending.
There were a lot in the UserTrack forum but are not hosted anymore, there are ready made usertracks here you can download to see how they are made, there are also tutorials http://www.realband.org/tutorials.html
You may want to try the Yahoo music group for UserTracks, go to the files section and download some of the information. The UserTracks music group is +++ HERE +++
UserTracks is folder based. ANY folder inside the bb/realtracks/usertracks folder IS a UserTracks. The name of the folder IS the UserTracks name. Everything INSIDE the folder is part of, and belongs to THAT UserTracks.
Music files must be paired by name. The files can have any name but one half of the pair must have the SGU file extension and the other half of the pair must have either the wma/MP4 or wav/aif file extension. As an example one pair could be called a.wma & a.sgu. In this example a.wma supplies UserTracks audio while a.sgu describes the audio content to the Band-in-a-Box and RealBand programs. If you decide to add more content to the UserTrack, create another pair of files and place them inside the UserTracks folder.
Additionally the UserTracks folder has two text files: Memo.txt and Options.txt. The contents of Memo is displayed while looking at the UserTracks. Options provides how to use information to the programs.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
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.