|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 803
Expert
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 803 |
Hi, Because I am just starting to use BIAB to run live jams I am now starting to try and make my BIAB files more interesting. The bolded and underlined headings mark new ways I have managed to do this. There is a specific question with the first method I have used. There is no question regarding the 2nd method I have used to make songs more interesting. There is an open ended question at the end that could cause this thread to balloon into a very interesting thread for people.
Changing Style at the B section of a song:
For the first time I tried and successfully managed to get two BIAB files to change the style in the B section of a song. For reference one was "Wave" and one was "Nica's Dream". I did them two different ways.
Nica's Dream:
Nica's dream I right clicked the A/B/C marker for the B section and I added a new C style then I also had to make the first bar changed to this very same style. That is all I had to do.
Wave:
Here I did not change the beginning of bar marker for the B section. Instead I just changed the style at the first bar of the B section. So I had to also change the style at the first bar of the 3rd occurrence of the A section (I set the style back to the original style of course).
Question:
I understand why I had to do what I did with "Wave" to get it to switch back to the original style. What I don't understand is why with "Nica's Dream" I had to additionally change a bar setting. With "Nica's Dream" if I only changed the substyle to have a C style the song did not change the style when I played the file. Did I miss something or did I do it correctly?
Changing Bar Settings:
Change the Bar Settings to do whatever there is available (volume changes, patch changes, etc).
Question:
I have not looked at the example styles forum yet where people submit their show pieces. If they give comments I am sure this is a good way to learn to make BIAB files more interesting. However I am wondering if there is a list of ideas for doing this with links to the details on exactly how to do each one. If not I am wondering of others might want to submit their ideas to this thread also marking the idea areas with bold+underline markings so we have a central list of such techniques that can easily be found by future readers of this thread.
Last edited by bowlesj; 12/14/16 04:19 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,848
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,848 |
"I have not looked at the example styles forum yet where people submit their show pieces."
Yes, the Users Forum is where the magic happens. Many posters provide details of how the song was constructed, the style and additional instruments added or taken away for example. Many also detail recording techniques, song and lyric construction. Plus, you 'hear' examples of these techniques. Posters are also very responsive to questions about their creations in the Users Forum.
A benefit for me from the Users Forum is I find many new instruments and styles that will work in my productions. A guitar strumming pattern or the tone of a lead guitar that I may never stumble across auditioning the demos.
Charlie
BIAB 2025:RB 2025, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 803
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 803 |
I typed in "Variety" at the BIAB help page and spotted a few things that might make things more interesting.--Making Bass Patterns. --Making RealDrums styles. --Select Guitarist to generate Chord Solo --Style changes at any bar (mentioned in my original post). --Making Guitar, Piano and strings patterns (I am not sure what that is). --Making Guitar Styles with the stylemaker. Matt pointed out how to put in a fixed popular bass line at ths thread.http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=49238&Number=337389#Post337389
Last edited by bowlesj; 12/14/16 04:51 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,163
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,163 |
You can also add pushes, shots and holds to any bar and the biab style will play them adding even more substance to a song. Try one of the demo songs that use them as an example.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 803
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 803 |
Another one for the list. A friend who has been using BIAB longer than I have pointed something out that he does. He creates two BIAB backing tracks to play against his melody. He gets them into his DAW to mix the one backing track a bit louder then the other then he puts his melody over that. He will mix them all to mp3 and put them on soundcloud.
How he does it:
He selects his first style.
He uses the drag and drop technique of dragging the master-part to the .wav of the drop-station (upper left corner of BIAB).
He waits until the .wav of the drop station turns green.
He then drags the green drop-station .wav onto his DAW.
He repeats this after changing the song to have a different real style.
He them mixes the two of them and his guitar out to an mp3 file.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 109
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 109 |
Add/Audition additional real Tracks in Real Band
I load my BiaB files into RB, and add more RTs, some similar and some not, (add a piano where there wasn't one etc.).
I export all the tracks as "audio and midi files", and import them into my (64-bit) DAW where I can layer tracks or just pick what I like best.
Move a section of a Soloist track to a more interesting spot
In RB, I always add multiple copies of soloist tracks to get more variations to choose from.
On one song I wanted the soloist to come in on the 3rd beat of the count-in, before the Intro started.
So I found a suitable section from a soloist track and pasted it there.
Print the BiaB lead sheet to use as a reference in your DAW
I put markers in my DAW for Verse, Chorus, etc, but sometimes I forget what went where in my RTs.
I also jot any notes I need on the lead sheet. Makes it easier to add additional midi or live parts.
Boyd
Win10 - 16GB-RAM - BiaB 2019 - Mixbus 4 - Slate Bundle - Komplete 10 - Ozone 8 - Neutron 2 - Waves Gold
Ample Sound Guitars & Basses - Pianoteq 6 - SSD5 - SD3 - JamStix 4 - Omnisphere - UVI Falcon - EastWest Play
Sonarworks Reference 4 -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 803
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 803 |
For those who are playing along with BIAB in a live setting, you can mute all instruments and have the (quarter note cowbell loop track) count the group back in at the new speed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 803
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 803 |
New ones I have learned recently.
Using RealBand to create custom user tracks. This can be band new or mimic song rifts of standard songs.
Using RealBand to create custom loops.
Using these in Custom Styles and using the technique of changing styles during the song.
Last edited by bowlesj; 12/10/18 01:53 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
Posts799,341
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