In stylemaker instructions say a midi file can be used for a style.In the style editor each cell for each instrument has a 2bar note pattern. Does stylemaker parse each instrument(4 inst midi file) into 2bar segments for each cell for each beat pattern (8,4,2,1)or do I edit the midi file(s)and cut them up before hand then import them to each cell in the correct beat pattern. Or.. is there a better way to work with a midi style such as a template or ??? Just trying to go a bit further down the rabbit hole Thanks Wyndham
I make styles by importing snippets of MIDI files that I create myself.
I find that if I put everything in 3 or 4 beat measures, they import better.
So if I am doing something that I think is going to be 2/4, I'll create the MIDI file in 4/4 so that each bar of 4/4 time equals two bars of 2/4. That way when I import it into BiaB's StyleMaker, each 4 beat cell becomes two 2/4 bars of music.
Different but similar tricks are used for different time signatures.
Mostly it's figuring out how to get around the architecture of BiaB that was created and backwards compatible to the versions written in pre-windows MS-DOS.
A question on the cells for each midi snippet. Say the guitar part has 6 pattern cells weighted at "5", does the program (while playing) go sequentially from first to last cell or something else. Thanks Wyndham
BTW for those interested, I'm planning to use the new Real Guitar ver 4 that can make midi files to make guitar snippets for a guitar style. we'll see how that goes.
Say the guitar part has 6 pattern cells weighted at "5", does the program (while playing) go sequentially from first to last cell or something else.
PGMusic would have to answer about the internal workings of style processing; I was under the impression that it was random, but could be wrong. The user manual doesn't actually say. But what gets played can also depend upon any bar mask settings.
Quote:
Relative Weight (Usual Setting = 5) Relative Weight is the number that you assign to the pattern from 1-9. Numbers from 1-8 indicate how often you want the pattern to be played in relation to the other patterns on the same row. A weight of 9 is a special setting that ensures that the pattern will ALWAYS be played. Patterns assigned a weight of 9 usually have other options set which instruct the pattern to only be played at certain times (bar after a drum fill for example).
Playback Bar Mask (Usual Setting = 0) Playback Bar Mask determines on what bars of the song the pattern will play. The bar #s are counted relative to the last part marker. Bar 1 is the first bar after a part marker for example. A bar mask setting of 0 is the default. This lets the pattern be played at any time.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA
"BTW for those interested, I'm planning to use the new Real Guitar ver 4 that can make midi files to make guitar snippets for a guitar style. we'll see how that goes."
Yes, to get chords into RealGuitar go to the Big Lyric window and Print-Copy to clipboard. A quicker way is in BB in Prefs - Chord Output - Enable, now save as midi, open in RealBand load RealGuitar into the BB Output track, set RG to Pattern-Chord and down the bottom "Track" you may have to Edit - Midi - Pitch Transpose by 12 to shift the midi chords to RG Keyboard range (make sure the lowest note in the midi is in range of the white keys. Now on a new midi track, set RB to Snap, load the same RGvsti and drag your patterns form RG pattern browser into the new track, you can drag patterns with a lot of bars out of RB into C:\Program Files (x86)\MusicLab\RealRick 4\Loops\User or Pattern folder (just highlight any number of bars).
Create new patterns, RG will only play chord notes, so any midi you have that you want to make into a pattern just move the notes down to the same note range on the keyboard as the patterns see pic below, then move the individual note to the strings. If you want to create patterns with chord and scale notes you can use RapidComposerLE it will fit any midi to your chords and scale, it will also import BB Chord Output and work as a slave to Biab and midi out of RapidComposer can be sent to RealGuitar.
You can create usertracks with RealGuitar by saving the usertracks templates to midi in BB then in RealBand render the track to mono audio, save as sgu selecting the audio track.
Also some BB Output Chords you need to delete the top note if RealGuitar picks up the wrong chord. I think if it had more than 4 notes ??
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed 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 transcribe 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, and much more!
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
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.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
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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)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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)
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