It would be really good if Track Names were given a better naming convention.
Each of the tracks should be able to have a user defined name, which is saved with the song.
The confusing part is that I can have Trombone playing on a track called "Piano", and Accordion playing on a Track called "Bass". I can record something that is not a Solo on the track named "Soloist" and play Sax on the "Strings" track.
I know how it all started, and am totally sympathetic to the evolution of this great program, but I'm sure this all still causes confusion, especially for new users.
Isn't it time to let go of this naming convention and introduce one that actually matches the flexibility of the program itself?
Maybe 2015?
Regards Video Track
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I'd like to see default names like Trk1, Trk2, Trk3, etc. with the capability to rename each track to suit the user. User track names could be saved with each song or perhaps globally as a preference.
Having said that, the current naming convention doesn't take extremely long to get used to.
Last edited by JimFogle; 12/19/1306:15 PM. Reason: additional comment
I'd like to see default names like Trk1, Trk2, Trk3, etc. with the capability to rename each track to suit the user. User track names could be saved with each song or perhaps globally as a preference.
Having said that, the current naming convention doesn't take extremely long to get used to.
Ideas:
1: Probably a permanent T1, T2, T3 etc, with the ability to add your own text. T1 _______ T2 _______ T3 _______ T4 _______
etc
2: If an existing style is loaded with Bass, Piano, Drums, Guitar, Strings, then the Trk1, Trk2 etc can automatically adopt the instrument names: T1 Bass T2 Piano T3 Drums T4 Guitar T5 Strings
3: If the track has any restrictions, then some indication as to what can (or cannot) be placed there.
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
The stickers remind me of emulating scribble strips - masking tape we would put on a mixer to label the instruments on the track with magic markers. Mixers now often have the ability to show those track names electronically, picking them up from the track names in the DAW.
We have had a few other discussions about the fact that BIAB has evolved from defined instruments to where we are now, where you can have your choice of instrument on any track.
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The stickers remind me of emulating scribble strips - masking tape we would put on a mixer to label the instruments on the track with magic markers. Mixers now often have the ability to show those track names electronically, picking them up from the track names in the DAW.
We have had a few other discussions about the fact that BIAB has evolved from defined instruments to where we are now, where you can have your choice of instrument on any track.
Hi Matt
Yes, exactly what you say. In the early days I've worked in many studios with masking tape and hand-written names alongside the sliders for kick, snare, floor tom, bass, hit-hats, cymbals, lead guitar, rhythm, vocals, alto sax, tenor sax, and etc etc.
We don't need to do that in studios anymore. These can be all be changed/named electronically. I think We want Biab to move on from the original hard-coded named feature-set, to match the flexibility that the program now actually offers. Not a big ask...
Hope others would agree.
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
+1+1 +1. Even if we had to put up with say 10 digits max for each name field (so as not to upset the interface), this would be better than what is clearly Wrong, an ERROR of programming, and a very bad show for newbies trying to think of the as a professional program. It is a pro program of course, but only for the most part.
I just can't see why the TK1... suggestion would not take five minutes to change in the code, there has been a lot of opportunity to fix this..
The 'proper' way to do this (IMHO) would be to have the song file list and save the instrument names, then load these instrument names into the interface so they show both in the mixer, and in the main window on the brown bar (actually the brown bar is now redundant) and, in any other part of the interface they are required.
The text box could show the name of the instrument and the name of the player (why not). If this goes over a given limit (say ten characters) then there would be a drop down of the full name when hovering over, or a tooltip.
had to edit my original reply because I thought it was in the BIAB forum not the BIAB Wish List forum
so as we in my circles : "un-regard all" if you already read it
My apologies to those who read it and thought I was being a utter A.H.
Larry
Last edited by Larry Kehl; 08/11/1412:08 PM.
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I'm sure nobody thought anything unsavory. Personally I'd like to thank you for lending your support to this functional change.
Now, if only Peter and the team are viewing this thread...
Cheers
Trevor
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
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
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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.
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