|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 4
Newbie
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 4 |
I want to purchase BIAB but I want to make sure first if it's for me.
I am planning to write songs but since I only play guitar I'm hoping that I can use BIAB to do the other instruments.
I want to be create my own style for my music. I know that it has a style wizard which will allow me to create my own style. And hybrid style which will allow me to combine different styles.
But how good really is the style wizard? If I learn it enough and I want to create lets say a Red Hot Chili Peppers type of bass and drums for my own original song structure and chord progression. Will this be effective? I have all the midi files needed but I don't know how well BIAB will adapt to these midi files and how effective it will be in song writing.
Thanks guys in advanced :)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,801
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,801 |
Sounds like it might be..... BiaB is an amazing songwriting tool. I use it all the time to do exactly what you mentioned.....add other instruments to a finished song project rather than hiring studio cats at $50/hr each.
Listen to the songs I produce in my studio using Band in a Box and Real Tracks.... click my link in my signature and listen to a few tunes.
That said, you will have some difficulty getting BB to do some styles. Styles that are from specific bands with a unique style, such as the Chili Peppers, and other rock bands are not in the over 3000+ styles. I have looked to find some specific "country" grooves to work on some songs for people....other writers and musicians and was unable to find a groove that was close enough to the song they wanted to cover or emulate.
That's where creative thinking comes in to play and saves the day.
While BB can do amazing things, it still can not do everything..... but that has not stopped me (and others) from doing what I need as a writer to create the songs and groove I want. Mixing live playing in with the BB tracks can go a long way toward setting the groove.
Beside all of this... remember that you can buy Band in a Box and use it for 30 days. If you are not happy, simply call and set up a return and refund of 100% of the cost. That return guarantee is one of the things that convinced me to try it when I was unsure if it was "right for me" when I was considering it. I have never regretted getting BB and it's now my main songwriting tool. I have upgraded from that first purchase and picked up the yearly upgrades along the way.
I don't get a commission for the sale of PG products, kinda wish I did, but that doesn't stop me from advising songwriters to check this program out.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 4
Newbie
|
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 4 |
Thank you for your answer. But do you think I can recreate a style from a band that I like if I use Midi tracks of a band on Style Wizard?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 463
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 463 |
Porkplan,
BB has a good video on the Stylewizard.
Using the Stylewizard, you can open the midi and automatically create a style.
For more control you can 'customize the process' in the style creation wizard.
This should yield the results you desire if you judiciously select the bars you want.
HTH
Percy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
But do you think I can recreate a style from a band that I like if I use Midi tracks of a band on Style Wizard? You seem to be focused on creating a style that sounds like a particular band or artist. That's exactly what Biab does! PG gives you a couple thousand styles to get you started and many of them are patterned after certain artists but due to legal issues they can't call it that. They have to say 80's Britsh pop or Hot Rock or whatever. It's up to you to figure out who they're referring to. There could be some Peppers styles already there for all I know. But, there's something else that can work even better and that's the loops. Rather than using your midi file to create a style, you can take whatever part you like from that midi file and create an audio loop of it. Biab will load that loop and then the loop will follow whatever chords you enter. How cool is that? Then you use a style for the basic tracks and a loop or two to really finish it off. Don't be only focused on the styles PG gives you because you can write your own but it's kinda tricky. You can also buy third party styles like from Norton Music. Bob Norton does exactly what you want, he writes specific styles to fit certain bands or songs so he might have a collection of Peppers styles ready to go. There's many ways to do this because midi can be made to do anything you want. However, don't confuse midi with the audio Real Tracks. The RT's sound absolutely awesome but they're prerecorded phrases. If one of them isn't exactly what you want, you can't rewrite it because it's audio. Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
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!
Order now!
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.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,048
Posts799,340
Members40,015
| |
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean