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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Journeyman
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Ive just finished writing a song and need a laid back string section for the second verse just to lift it up a bit would appreciate any help on this Cheers Frankie
AMD Athlon 7550 dual core processor 2.51 ghz 1 87 gb ram windows 7 Ultimate yamaha rev 500 effects tacam DP-24 DAW Samson Resolv NF monitors Yamaha PSR-620 Keyboard Fender semi accoustic guitar
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sometimes a synth pad will work in that situation. There are some pads in RB.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Do you have the part (as MIDI) and you're looking for a better instrument to play it, or are you starting from scratch and have nothing on that track right now?
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Yes, we need some more detail to give a good answer. In addition to the above, can you share what kind of song (style) you are doing?
Also, can you define "laid back string section"? Strings by definition take a moment to 'sound' and have the volume swell to build up. I think you will get that effect on most string patches, particularly if you are running a slow tempo.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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If you have BB2014 there are good strings in the Bonuspak that came with it. HTH Ian
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2010
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Journeyman
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To all thanks very much sorry Im late coming back...its a slow Gospel even 66 speed just piano and bass need that background lift on the second verse..Dcuny ..nothing on the track right now bass and piano are RTs Sixchannel.. will take a look at that thanks Guitarhacker.. I thought a synth pad might be the answer but was hoping for real string section...Matt just a background feel all the way through is what Im looking for
AMD Athlon 7550 dual core processor 2.51 ghz 1 87 gb ram windows 7 Ultimate yamaha rev 500 effects tacam DP-24 DAW Samson Resolv NF monitors Yamaha PSR-620 Keyboard Fender semi accoustic guitar
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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To all thanks very much sorry Im late coming back...its a slow Gospel even 66 speed just piano and bass need that background lift on the second verse..Dcuny ..nothing on the track right now bass and piano are RTs Sixchannel.. will take a look at that thanks Guitarhacker.. I thought a synth pad might be the answer but was hoping for real string section...Matt just a background feel all the way through is what Im looking for Frankie - What DAW are you using? I like to sequence my own string parts (in Sonar). Much more realistic than string pads. Garritan Aria has nice strings, as does the new SI Strings in Sonar X3. Regards, Bob
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Hi Bob Just bought the Tacam DP-24 so havent dug deep into it yet.
AMD Athlon 7550 dual core processor 2.51 ghz 1 87 gb ram windows 7 Ultimate yamaha rev 500 effects tacam DP-24 DAW Samson Resolv NF monitors Yamaha PSR-620 Keyboard Fender semi accoustic guitar
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Also got an old but quite good keyboard Yamaha PSR-620 which hasnt got bad strings if I have to use it when I d\load it on to the 24 track but was hoping BIAB had the strings I was looking for
AMD Athlon 7550 dual core processor 2.51 ghz 1 87 gb ram windows 7 Ultimate yamaha rev 500 effects tacam DP-24 DAW Samson Resolv NF monitors Yamaha PSR-620 Keyboard Fender semi accoustic guitar
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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The MIDI Track Picker adds a MIDI track from a different style to the current song. For example, add a Strings track from a Bossa style to the Strings track of your current song. Open the dialog and choose a Band-in-a-Box track. Then choose the style and the source track that you want to add.
To see a full description with screenshots, step by step, open the Help inside BB by selecting the Help menu -> Topic Search. Then enter "Strings" into the LH search pane and hit the List Topics button. Scroll down that list and find, MIDI Track Picker. Doubleclick on MIDI Track Picker to view the good stuff on RH side large window. Adding the Strings from any Style as a separate track is easy to do. Worth revisiting and auditioning strings from a few different styles that may seem to match your project's tempo and fell until you get "just the right one". The above saves you from having to "roll your own" strings parts and takes advantage of the fact that the Strings parts in the already existing styles were developed by the experts on the pgmusic staff. --Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Also got an old but quite good keyboard Yamaha PSR-620 which hasnt got bad strings if I have to use it when I d\load it on to the 24 track but was hoping BIAB had the strings I was looking for Have you tried the String Quartet in 2014? It's quite good. Regards, Bob
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As others have suggested, the String Quartet Real Track would be my first approach.
If that doesn't work and you've got a MIDI part but aren't happy with your strings, I could render it for you. I've got a number of string libraries that might work for you. I'll PM you my email address.
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Do I remember correctly that the string quartet was in the Bonus 12 pak?
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
Journeyman
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OP
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Ive got the synthpad 1543 and it seems to work ok but its not really what Im looking for....Thanks Mac that has actually worked for other songs Ive written didnt think of it for this oneI will give it a try..
David really appreciate it will look out for your PM..Bob and Matt tried the quartet didnt seem to fit the song but thanks anyway..Ive just had a quick listen to the strings on my PSR 620 and it sounds not to bad if a I fail on the others I might try that
AMD Athlon 7550 dual core processor 2.51 ghz 1 87 gb ram windows 7 Ultimate yamaha rev 500 effects tacam DP-24 DAW Samson Resolv NF monitors Yamaha PSR-620 Keyboard Fender semi accoustic guitar
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I think you're right on that Matt.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I noticed that you have a Sound Blaster installed. Have you tried any Soundfonts?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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. Many of the styles provide a strings part in the B section. These also kick in automatically on the second verse of songs using those styles. Try a few different styles until you find one that has this feature. Then find some more.
PLEASE EXPLAIN: Do you want BiaB to write the notes for a string section in the second verse?
OR...
Do you want to locate voices of a certain quality to play the notes of a string part that you have already written?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2010
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Journeyman
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Hi FF,dont need notes..write it direct on to BIAB then send it down to my DAW where I can do the mix and master..Ive just listened to my yamaha PSR-620 and Ive played about with the strings on there and they sound ok so i might use them..thanks for your help and also to all the others on here
AMD Athlon 7550 dual core processor 2.51 ghz 1 87 gb ram windows 7 Ultimate yamaha rev 500 effects tacam DP-24 DAW Samson Resolv NF monitors Yamaha PSR-620 Keyboard Fender semi accoustic guitar
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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 rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
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- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
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- 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)
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- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
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