This is where I show my ignorance, but it my quest to produce backing tracks for singing Jazz standards. I should say that I only use RealTracks. I'm finding it difficult to track down suitable non swing styles. There seem to be endless Swing styles and then the even styles are almost all Latin. What am I not seeing? Is everything Swing in Jazz? Am I reading too much into the use of the word swing in the Jazz styles. I'm thinking Sinatra, Nat King Cole etc.
Last edited by lambada; 06/01/1601:52 PM.
Windows 10 Home 20H2 Build 19042.487 BIAB 2021 (Build 818) Intel(R) Core(TM), i3-4160, CPU @3.60 GHz RAM 16 GB, 64 Bit X64-based processor Zoom UAC-2 (USB 3 interface-built in midi) VoiceLive 3 Extreme, Sputnik Valve Condenser Mic
To load a blank style, go to the StylePicker and in the Filter String box, type in "blank" without quotes. That will give you several options to start with.
Got it, I was trying to use the StyleMaker Style Creation wizard create a blank and work from there. I will tackle the StyleMaker Style Creation wizard in a future life.
"When you help somebody else you are really helping yourself"
What was the exception error? I note you don't have a mixer window showing.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
This is where I show my ignorance, but it my quest to produce backing tracks for singing Jazz standards. I should say that I only use RealTracks. I'm finding it difficult to track down suitable non swing styles. There seem to be endless Swing styles and then the even styles are almost all Latin. What am I not seeing? Is everything Swing in Jazz? Am I reading too much into the use of the word swing in the Jazz styles. I'm thinking Sinatra, Nat King Cole etc.
If you are seeking backing for jazz standards, yes indeed, you do need Swing styles. Most certainly for Sinatra and Nat King Cole! I can't think of anything they recorded that does not swing.
However, 'Swing' has at least of couple of different meanings, as explained here:
I believe the swing that you are talking about is the'swung note', where eighth notes are weighted differently across a single beat. Typically a 2:1 ratio (80:40 ticks in BiaB), which you will see the Wikipedia article calls "Medium Swing, although this ratio can be changed. However, I do not think you can change the value of swung notes in the backing tracks. Jazz musicians all use slightly different values for the swung notes. For instance, Miles Davis often played with an almost a straight feel - certainly later in his career when he wanted to be a Pop star.
There are some jazz styles that arrived post Bebob and they do not swing. I am thinking about music such as Funk jazz styles, where the rock back beat was incorporated into previously all-swinging jazz music. And, as you mentioned, Latin music mostly does not swing.
It does of course cross my mind that most of the tunes we now call Jazz Standards are really only Standards and they were mostly not written with implied Swing. Many of them were tunes from shows and straight (not swung).
There are some straight ballad styles in BiaB but you have to search a long time to find anything without a back beat. Maybe some straight Country or Folk styles would suit you? But not for Sinatra and Nat Cole style of vocals! Sinatra used some of the best Swing arrangers in the business and Nat was a notable jazz pianist and somewhat of a pioneer in the Modern Jazz styles.
What was the exception error? I note you don't have a mixer window showing.
I tried to capture the error with a screen clip tool but was unable. when I opened the tool the error dialog box closed. When I rebooted opened the song I was working on, I had chosen a RealDrum track for a Midi drum had reverted back to the midi drum. The second time I converted the MIDI drum to Real Drum everything worked as expected. No blank Mixer as in the screen shot. Is there a command to open and close the mixer screen?
"When you help somebody else you are really helping yourself"
Yeah, I crashed the system when I tried to load up a blank style:-) Thanks Graham, I think you pretty much covered it. I just couldn't quite get the feel I wanted as I was playing around with the standards I was thinking of doing. I do sing a lot of stuff very straight. Probably my musical background and ignorance of jazz. I'll keep digging into the Swing styles until I get what I want.
Windows 10 Home 20H2 Build 19042.487 BIAB 2021 (Build 818) Intel(R) Core(TM), i3-4160, CPU @3.60 GHz RAM 16 GB, 64 Bit X64-based processor Zoom UAC-2 (USB 3 interface-built in midi) VoiceLive 3 Extreme, Sputnik Valve Condenser Mic
That's outside my "knowledge base" <grin> and I'll let some of the regulars here guide you through it but if you want to try something while you're waiting, you could use the Return To Factory Settings function.
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.
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)
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.