what's your one thing you do with biab\rb that keeps your creativity flowing
Lenovo YOGA 900 Window s 10 Home 64bit M4 pro Mac mini 1tb HD 24GB mem casio wk7500 presonus audiobox i2 usb interface casio wk-7500 biab & realband 2025 everything pk both with Current builds
I guess the one thing I do with biab/rb to keep the juices going is I experiment. I'll try all sorts of different styles with a piece I might be working on, or I'll plug in different chords -- often just for the heck of it -- just to see how they sound. I usually have a guitar close by to double check whether it's even an idea worth considering. But in some of the styles I mess around with (jazz mostly), the style will be playing all sorts of altered chords based on what I inputted and they may end up sounding completely differently. So it often pays just to play around with stuff.
The piece I'm working on right now, that's how I arrived at probably close to half of the chord progression I have laid down right now -- just experimentation. If I like the sound of it, I'll stick with it until maybe something better comes along.
Oh, also something else I do religiously -- it's not so much about keeping creativity flowing as it is about preserving continuity, which can be just as important -- especially if my creative flow has led me into a dead end. Every time I make a change to a piece of music I'm working on, I save the changed tune to a new file name. It doesn't have to be totally new. Often I'll just add a digit to the end, like a 1 or 2 or a or b. Just enough where I know this is a change to the one before it. This often results in a long string of versions of the same piece of music, but what its done is catalog all the changes I made to it. And if for some reason I decide I don't like something I've done, I can always go back to that earlier version. Having lost a piece of music that one's working on does major damage to one's creative flow, and I'm speaking from experience here.
Something else I like to do with biab especially is, if I've gotten to the point where I've actually put together a working progression, I'll choose a style I like, and just let it run. I find that the repetition helps me, the way my brain is wired. I'll often get ideas later on, even after I've shut down the music, which often lead to something that later gets added into it.
"Every time I make a change to a piece of music I'm working on, I save the changed tune to a new file name."
For me, it's absolutely indispensable in maintaining continuity of creative inspiration.
In other words, I think of BIAB files saved sequentially as building blocks upon which my original idea is developed.
Of course, "guitarhacker" made it plain: "turn it (BIAB) on". With all of the assistive compositional tools BIAB virtually throws in my face upon booting-up, I always end up making inspired progress on a song before I exit the program.
Last, but on a personal level, I get plenty of sleep, am physically active, and avoid controlled substances and alcohol -- the "muse" doesn't appreciate "squatters"!
LOREN (a.k.a. "bluage")
"Music is what feelings sound like."-- borrowed from a Cakewalk Music Creator forum member, "Mamabear".
1.) I listen to other people's music all the time. Especially the forum, there is some fresh stuff on here. Lots of cool ideas. I like wandering through the weird stuff and alternative on Spotify for ideas but I stay away from mainstream. It gives me a pounding headache.
2.) I open up BIAB (turn it on like Herb says) and study those demos like crazy. There are thousands of wicked chord progressions in there.
3.) I tune my guitar to really weird tunings so I don't get stuck in a rut--and I search for new progressions.
4.) I write a lot on the piano so I don't get stuck in a guitar rut either.
5.) I collaborate with other people and ask them to throw me ideas and snippets. Sometimes all it takes is a phrase to get you going. Herb and I are doing that on a new one right now.
6.) I keep a small hand held digital tape recorder by my bed. The best lyrics always come to me just as I am about to fall asleep or when I am waking up and if I didn't record them immediately they would be lost.
7. Last but not least, I play for fun all the time. I never stop playing. I am always plugging something in somewhere.
I guess that's what Herb means by turn it on. My version was a little longer I know.
David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers
1. Go to live music in my genre. Often, it is hard for me to remain at small venues or house concerts where someone is performing their original songs. Even when I think they kinda suck, ideas begin coming, and not about their songs, not their hooks, completely different melodies, maybe a kernel of a feel of their song that subliminally stirs something in me. I often write snips and lyrics on my phone, but 90% of the time I can't stand it, I do the Irish exit, come home and write and start it before I sleep and lose it.
2. Play a guitar that I have never played before (yours), or play one of mine I rarely play. Songs hide in them. I have a "Writing Guitar" in a closet I only play for that purpose. I can't really "play" piano, but I can goof around on someone else's. Same deal.
3. Experiment with new chords, or chord progressions and just let things flow. Sometimes, if I find a little progression, a bit of lyrics come. Paul McCartney wrote "Yesterday" that way. The progression came...then "Scrambled eggs...how I like your long and silky legs...", and he filled in the gaps later.
4. Write. Write. Just wright what comes out. Gibberish is fine. Something may all of a sudden connect from free flow thought.
5. Go to the library. Book titles are often well crafted, well thought out, and inspirational without touching the cover. "The Bleeding Hearts of San Francisco," "The Day I Ate Your Shoe."
6. Keep all your song ideas and little phrases, forever. I have a running Word document that I just add stuff to. I read it occasionally. It's 20 pages long by now. "Maybe write a waltz with an acapella chorus or bridge...," "Crusty memories of rusty hinges...," "Why Can't I Pee?"
But, I know that "You (I)...cannot win, if you (I) do not play...." Steve Forbert.
IMHO.
Andy
BIAB 2017 Ultra Windows 8 and 10 Scarlet 18i8 Reaper and Mixpad
For me (and also Barry) creativity gets a big boost when we simply get together and plug something in.
Neither of us has a problem coming up with ideas on our own, but when we are both slinging mud at the wall some really cool things tend to happen.
I also like collaborating with others, as mentioned above, especially with people I'd likely never have met otherwise (Limey, Jazzmandan or MusicStudent, TommyC etc) That is gold to me.
And again, as mentioned above by others a couple times; just start playing with various styles, use the Multiriff function and start slicing/dicing, do a bluegrass tune and use grunge drums, or go the other way and try a fiddle in a rock tune .. just 'have fun'
I have to say though, getting 4 or 5 people together and just jamming is the most fun and inspiration for me. That feeling where everybody is looking at each other and 'dialed in' is pretty awesome. Look at how focused the band is on Barry in the picture below (he was giving the clues).
We're still 'in-process' here at the new location, the drums only have 2 mics on them in this picture! That won't last. We've had some weird weather here recently, and this week electricity in the area was actually pretty scarce, but we'll do it again next week.
Someone also mentioned above about McCartney just making up lyrics in the beginning stages. That's common here. Build the groove first and fill in the lyrics after. Just how we roll. The audio sample below shows just how that works here. This was our first hour into the song and nobody cares what the song is about yet; we're just getting a structure together. /warning it's pretty much raw audio tracks from that night, nothing rerecorded yet, a work-in-progress very early on so you'll hear mistakes. We're still formulating the song after all. We're old but still having fun.
Since when should being older stop anyone having fun? It sure doesn't seem to be impeding you any!
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
Get on my mountain bike, ride a beautiful trail, get the heart rate up to about 90% max, enter the State of Anaerobia and hopefully await the appearance of the Muse.
J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
Get on my mountain bike, ride a beautiful trail, get the heart rate up to about 90% max, enter the State of Anaerobia and hopefully await the appearance of the Muse.
.....or blackout and crash the bike and talk to the muse while you're in a coma.
Definitely not a scenario us mountain bikers like to contemplate...harsh man, harsh.
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
In a nutshell - experimenting with things that don't appear compatible on first look. You never know. Take any of the tracks included with the BIAB product and click onto "styles". Pick a style at random and then apply it to the BIAB track you selected. It doesn't always work out well, but more than half the time I get something interesting or that can be reworked into a pretty decent song. I posted half a dozen, or so, songs on the showcase forum that started out that way. One of them (Dead End Rendezvous) has become one of my favorite originals.
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)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
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Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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