Well I decided to extend one of my BIAB MGU Songs with some extra tracks as I had used up the melody and soloist track. I thought I would use Real Band to copy the melody track a couple of times and re voice and edit notes as required done this many times in Sona no probs.
So first mistake I saved the BIAB file as a midi I thought well that’s what I will be working on, and may want to take it to another daw at some time so lets get into midi.
Although this worked fine when opened in Real band I soon learnt that it would have been better to open the original MGU this would then automatically make a SEQ file. As saving a midi file as a midi file, in RealBand did not save things like track names patch names and ch Numbers and mixer changes, where as a SEQ file did, on my extra tracks . Found a post from John that helped with this, and his advice was to work as SEQ then save as seq and midi.
However it still did not save the CH number until I found this tip in QA section Quote “21. When I save my files, the MIDI patch/channel information in the tracks window is not saved properly. In the Options | Preferences | Files dialog, look for the setting "Don't save forced Ch META event in .MID files". When checked (enabled), this setting overrides the forced MIDI channel settings in the Tracks Window, and the forced channels won't be recalled the next time the file is loaded. This prevents RealBand from saving the forced MIDI channels in the Tracks Window into .MID files. This META event is only recognized by PG Music programs. If you want the forced channels to be recalled when you open the file with RealBand, disable this setting. If you are saving to a MIDI file and the patch info isn't saving properly, enable this setting, and use the Edit | Rechannel All Tracks command to convert the actual MIDI data in the tracks to the forced channel so that a forced channel isn't needed.” Hmm one more step on the road I might add here that if you say copy the melody track to another midi track it inherits the channel number of the melody or parent track that it was copied from so you must change this to an unused CH No on the new track.
I found the Classic track view most helpful to see exactly what was going on in a track at a glance
Still at least it saves the CH No now, But it still wont save more importantly, CHANGES I MAKE IN THE MIXER to my new tracks or any other tracks if I save as midi only gets saved in SEQ save. Any thoughts on this one would be appreciated. Mike
A. I try to remember to use Edit-MIDI-Rechannel Track (or close) The Classic window is handy, but it's still possible to not get the MIDI channel saved for a track if you 'force' it in RB. Best to manually write the data to the new channel so all other software sees it that way. You'll see it in the Event List this way.
B. Mixer moves: I often use the Edit-MIDI-Fill command to move a volume from one setting to another. This makes a smooth change and again hard writes it in a standard format most other software will be respond to. Again you'll see it in the Event List for the track, so it's rght there. If I recall, mixer moves may be written to different tracks than the track you are moving the slider for in real-time. This has benefits and drawbacks.
I really don't save as MIDI format very much anymore, so these are just things I remember, more than use daily.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
Yes thanks for the tips on all of that appreciate you time.
It a shame that silly things like this save as midi don’t work smoothly in RB . The very essence of a daw in my opinion is to save good midi.
I can see no good reason why the Realband midi track volumes do not get saved in a midi file. The mixer works and you can see the midi values change in track view as well as hear them SO WHY not, they save ok in a seq file
This sort of quirky behaviour will stop me using RB!!
I really should not have to go from BIAB TO RB then to Sona to do the mix. I might as well save my BIAB file as midi and gone to Sona in the first place.. This is a shame as I quite like the feel and operation of a lot of Realband
Hi again Bit of extra info not that it helps much The Real band mixer volume setting do not get written into the midi events list . This is true even in a seq file The difference is when recalled as a seq file they are effective. so they must be being written somewhere as the mixer jumps strait to the right settings on loading the file. One thing is for sure they wont save as a midi file if not inserted into the events list. Very strange behaviour Such a basic thing I cant believe its gone unnoticed all this time Maybe the programmer needs to have a look. Mike
Well at last I have cracked it::: I found the insert button at the bottom of the mixer. This inserts a snapshot of the mixer settings pan vol etc into the events list at the current cursor track time position. So be careful to rewind to the start if you are setting your overall starting mix. After that you can insert new snapshots for other parts of the song later in time.
I can see why it was done this way to prevent you inserting volume changes made while playing by saving and forgetting to rewind the file to start.
Even so a warning would have been nice to say mixer values not saved as midi events unless you take a snapshot.. Hope this helps someone in the future
Well another brick in the wall today . In my bid to use Realband as a normal midi DAW.
I discovered two check boxes in the Options / Preferences / File
Don’t save forced mid ch meta event in midi file
Automatically re channel track data when saving to midi
That makes things behave much better.
Midi guitar users probably will not want to do this as specific tracks / channels are saved for each string. So channels would need stay the same. Also if you intend taking the file back to BIAB it would expect to see the normal channels used in a BIAB song .
But for working with normal midi that you may want to move on to another DAW They are useful options. My practise with midi has always been as far as possible to match the track number with the channel number so one of the first things I do when getting a BIAB file into RB or any other DAW is to move the Drums from track 2 ch10 to track 10 ch 10 Just my way!
I'm pretty sure Band-in-a-Box styles uses midi channels 11 to 16 for the individual guitar string input / outputs when the "Write guitar part in six channels" option is selected in the Midi File Options screen.
Thanks for that info . Well that would be as per normal midi guitar parts recorded live from a midi guitar .
This is why I said that allowing re channel and not forced channels in Real Band may cause problems for midi guitar users , I am sure I read a post from Peter G. once on this and believe he said that is why it was made an option in Realband and not the default midi save behaviour.
Still it good for me trying to save standard midi files the way I like them. Getting there slowly, having sorted that and saving the Realband mixer settings with snapshot. Mike
I don't remember where the option is at but there is another option someplace in BiaB to change the guitar channels from 11 - 16 to 1 - 6 for times when there is a channel conflict.
It must be a nightmare to write a programme that is all things to all people. So I guess it down to the user to check Especially if trying to maintain compatibility between to progs .
BIAB uses certain channels for certain jobs. and those channels are maintained if you say open a MGU in Real band, as by default Realband will reserve the first tracks with the right channels as used in BIAB.and designate these as BIAB tracks.. Ch 2-3-10 -7-6-4-8-5
The tricky bit comes when you start adding more midi tracks as you have to find unused channel. Assuming no midi guitar this leaves you with a bit of a hotch potch selection Ch 1 -9 -11-12-13-14-15-16.
This is why if I don’t intend to go back to BIAB I make all tracks normal tracks and re Channel my way.. It was then a case of finding a way of saving those changes when saving as a midi file. Still all sorted now. And thank you for your interest, Mike
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: 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.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 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.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!
We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!
Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:
Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana, Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes, MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano, Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7, Playable RealTracks Set 4, RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark, and more!
Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 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 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
Playable RealTracks Set 4
RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 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 20 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 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 20 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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