Hi, it just occurred to me that jamming along with BIAB in the situation below could be a problem if the piano is doing random piano comps since it will not be easy to detect the beat.
Live: Drums Live: Bass Live: Guitar BIAB: Piano
So (with or without real tracks) I was thinking of adding in bongos so the beat can better be detected and it would also enhance the song. In BIAB 2012 I know some of the instruments can be changed to bongos if the style is midi. However 2016 seems a lot different and I don't quite understand all the options. In BIAB 2016 is there an easy way to include bongos (or something similar) so that the beat can be heard by everyone and it can still sound good?
In 2016, it's possible to add a loop. In my PG Music loops there are three bongo loops included. It would be worth checking to see if you also have these.
If not, search the web for an acidized bongo loop, I'm pretty sure you'll find something that works.
Lastly, keep in mind that loops can be added to any track. Seeing that I rarely use the Soloist track, that's usually where I put them.
It doesn't even have to be acidized Noel. Any audio clip (wav, mp3, whatever) can be a Biab loop. I don't have it open now but look in the loop window, you set the beginning and of the loop and Biab makes it work. Very slick.
Since we're talking Bongos that is true Jazzmammal, but acidized waves do work better and easier for some things once you throw in pitch shift as well as time shift .. the program has more known good data to work with. Otherwise BiaB may be guessing at pitch.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
Thanks for the added information, Bob and rharv. I've only played around with loops a few times and don't have all the technical stuff under my belt yet.
UPDATE: I accidently found the reason I could not hear the loop after I added it. I had to regenerate the song. I guess I have been too long on 2012 and not use to using real tracks :-)
I finally got back to looking at this. I found the loops that Noel found. Before adding it I tested the loop and it sounds good. So I added it to the soloist track (see attached file). I solo that track (mute all the other tracks) and start BIAB playing (I see the chords being highlighted) but do not hear anything. Thinking it might be a bit shy about being a soloist I tried a few other loops but they are all shy :-) Somehow I think I might be doing something wrong. It does not show in this picture but I did crank the volume to full volume but that did not work. I tried adding a loop to another song that was not using real tracks but I get the same result. I tried adding it to another free track but I get the same result.
I had trouble finding one that could do 3/4 time (6/8 time) but then I landed on the metronome set of loops and these ones seem to work. They must adjust to the bars. Many of the others (maybe most of the others) are stuck in 4/4 time. Knowing this is useful if one is in an unexpected rush to get a jam going.
Hi Rhave. My image was before I did the regenerate. I was not sure exactly what you meant so I tried it again. I selected the loop and started playing it without the regenerate and like you said the indicator just above the (M S *) shows nothing. However when I regenerate the song (even if it is a midi song) it finally shows the signal for the new loop track and I of course can hear it. What I found interesting is I still have to do the regenerate even if this is being applied to a midi style. I guess that makes sense.
1/ I just reread your post. I regenerated it with the "Generate and play" button. 2/ The loop is on all bars. I hear it on all bars. 3/ I pressed F5 after the regenerate on this test. I don't really understand what I see relative to the issue.
I would think that if you added a loop to a track, it should trigger an automatic regeneration, much like when you make a change to the chord grid. I understand how something like a MIDI patch change wouldn't need a regeneration, but a track substitution should do so every time.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA
Sorry for the late response. I have not been getting emails for this forum. I just checked my settings and I had the setting below set as a "No" value. I changed it to a yes value. Hopefully I get emails now. I am starting a new thread. I will see if my settings automatically give me an email when someone posts this time. ========== By default should anything added to your Watch Lists be emailed to you? NOTE: If the topic has already been added to your watch list, you can change your email prefs by viewing your watch lists and clicking on the 'Edit Watched...' link. Yes No
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.
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!
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.
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.