The new Yamaha Tyros 5 is perhaps the most realistic guitar emulating keyboard yet. The Flamenco Guitar in there is also impressively realistic, use of sampling plus modeling as well as Audio samples of even things like a guitarist's vocalizations and grunts, etc. as well as intelligent and thus automatic string bends, slides, etc.
Here is a demo of Tyros 5 emulating The Shadows' guitar stylings.
Look Ma, no Modwheel!
Close your eyes when you listen...
Of course, adding Modwheel to it can also be done:
I think the most difficult part of the equation for today's MIDI keyboardist is keeping up with the cost of replacing the keyboards, which is now at least an annual event for those wishing - or needing - to stay on top of the curve.
The upside to that is the fact that pretty soon enough this kind of sound will likely become the defacto standard and simply expected from all MIDI keyboards in future.
Sheer proliferation will also likely mean that these sounds will lose respect and popularity, too.
I'll keep my intentionally high-action 80's JapStrat with the switchable single and double coil pups in it, Coricidin bottle and Zippo lighter handy, though.
Probably time to define what's being discussed and specifically for pgfantastic's needs.
I'll suggest the following, not definitive, but just to delineate all the different nuances that can be done on guitar. Feel free to pitch in with more appropriate terminology - I'm kind of thinking of these off the top of my head, some are arguably vague or made-up on the spot!:
Fret Bends: when the string is pressed down on a fret and pushed across the fretboard for the purpose of raising the pitch of the note.
Bridge Bends: When the bridge has intentional capability of slackening or tightening of the strings for purpose of raising/lowering pitch. Extreme action in lowering known as dive-bombing.
Fret Slide: When a finger that is fretting a string is kept held down on the string and then slid higher or lower on the fretboard for the purpose of a chromatic pitch change to the string up or down. That's what is in the Amplesound demo I posted a few posts back.
Portamento slide: When an un-fretted string is length limited by a 'slide' mechanism for a portamento, non-chromatic pitch raise/lower. Common to pedal steel, lap steel, dobro, hawaiian guitar styles.
Hammer-on: Instead of picking a note either with finger pad/nail or pick, the note instantiation is done by 'hammering' a fretting hand finger onto the string and holding it down at a particular fret.
Pull-off: Opposite of Hammer-on, where the currently fretted string is somewhat plucked by the fretting finger as the fretted pressure on the string is released.
Palm muting: Intentional muting of the string vibration with the heel of the palm of the picking hand.
Double-stops: Picking two strings with the purpose of a harmonized melody. See "Brian May", "Stevie Ray Vaughan", "Chuck Berry" for reference recordings
Pinch harmonics: Purposefully limiting the modal string vibration to only a few of the string vibration modes by performing a type of muting instead with the fleshy portion of the thumb of the picking hand. Reference: ZZ Top "La Grange". Some players will also use the heel of the picking hand instead of or in addition to the fleshy portion of the thumb in order to access various vibration node points more quickly with the fretting hand.
Vibrato: On fretted instruments, this typically can only raise the pitch above fretted pitch, unlike fretless instruments where the pitch can vary around the center pitch. Emulation of fretted guitar vibrato needs to consider this distinction that is different from other types of vibrato on other instruments (voice, wind instruments, fretless bowed instruments, etc.) In fretted instruments (typically) this is a ever so slight variation on string bending where bending occurs either by horizontal movement across the fretboard, or increasing/decreasing pressure on the string (extreme case - Yngwie Malmsteem with his scalloped fretboard outfitted Strat)
OK, I'm tiring of this, but it is instructive to me just to type this out, why emulation of guitar playing on keyboard will likely always be a challenge - but that kid in the Tyros video is doing pretty well!
Certain inversions of chords that a keyboardist grabs easily, and may attempt to use as guitar parts, are actually giveaways because they are either virtually unreachable on the guitar neck with standard tuning, or, if reachable, very hard to have strong fingers left over for certain bent notes.
But perhaps the single most cheezy thin that can happen is use of Modwheel for bends that sound like Modwheel instead of bent or slide strings.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows 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)
Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
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)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac 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!
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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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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.
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