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 ??
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.