I have an SGU running with 1173 Accordion in it although it does not matter which RT - the problem exists generally. As set up by me using right click on the Mixer, it is set on "Held" notes/chords. This is fine for bars 1 - 9 but at Bar 10 I want to remove that "Held" and let it do its thing. However, if I use F5, it does NOT put you back to the same page, merely gives you its "memo" so nothing can actually be amended. You are stuck with it in "Held" mode.
The Workround has been to use another track, also for 1173, and leave that as is, muted with F5 for Bars 1 - 9 and then letting it run from Bar 10. F5 is also used to MUTE the original 1173 AFTER Bar 9. Its cumbersome, takes up a valuable track space - and its quite possible I'm missing something.
NOTE - this does NOT apply to Real Drums where using the F5 key you get the full menu so can change parameters within that RD simply by using it. SO - why not with RTs? Ian
Last edited by sixchannel; 12/18/1711:29 AM.
Old Guys Rule.The older I get,the better I was! BB2023 ULTRA, 1013, Win 7 and 10
Your situation is a perfect example to utilize the feature BIAB offers to have multiple instruments share the same track. You can change what an instrument does or change to another instrument altogether on the same track and not have to decrease your track count. Doing your instrument change this way also normally results in s smooth transition between the changes.
Each track can have up to 10 instruments occupy the track. Several Medley styles can be found that PGMusic has developed to demonstrate various ways that are useful in a song. The Medley styles change instruments every 4 bars or 8 bars and some change instruments by part marker.
The good news for you is you can interchange instruments manually when and where you decide. Silence is even included as a choice.
I have found the medley option on the drums track to be a bit tricky and of course audio is not included, as far as BIAB track generation is concerned but all the others, bass,piano,guitar, strings, melody and soloist are there for use.
There are other discussions about this feature that go more in depth you may want to read. But this feature gives you the opportunity to have 50-60 or more instrument changes throughout a normal BIAB song project.
Look for threads titled "How many tracks..."; "Tricks of the trade"; "(Solved) Move Audio..." in the Recording Forum and for "Multitracks" in the Beginners Forum for a more in depth discussion and illustrations of this feature.
Have you tried using the "Rests, Shots, Holds" option for setting the chords for 1-9? That might do what you want.
In the below example, I loaded in the demo for _POPCALY.STY. Since the #1173 (Accordion) is on the Piano track (I've used static names for the tracks), then I simply use "..." to hold the chord and exclude all other tracks (bdgs = bass, drums, guitar, strings) from the hold. These settings can also be set using ALT+F5.
In my example, bars 1-8 have the accordion held while other tracks play normally and from bar 9 on, all tracks play normally.
I'm going to look more into Charlie's info about Medley. Thank you for the info.
Noel, thats exactly the Style I am using. Thanks for the example. I use the Shots / Rests / Holds etc quite a lot in other things but that is not what is needed in this case. The 1173 Accordion RT has options for "Bluesy" and "Held". The HOLD in this case isnt holding as in Silence, its actually meant for playing whole chords only and not doing its normal thing of "extemporising". Thats not available via S/R/H.
However, the fact remains as far as I can tell- that F5 does NOT allow changes to the either the specific RT already selected in that slot OR to any new RT assigned to it, other than its basic set-up. Any RI options - Bluesys / Simpler / Direct Input / Held are NOT available via F5.
So, when I have the Accordion giving me lovely held chords for Bars 1 - 8 and now want to change its Feel (sub-style) at Bar 9 by deleting the Tick in "Held" so that it now plays in its normal fashion and plays infills and all sorts of goodies, I cannot do that other than add it again to (say) the Melody track and F5 "mute" 1 - 8 and F5 "return to normal" Bars 9 onwards. I hope that you follow that.
Do you think this is one for the WishList or the Support guys - maybe they have never thought about it. Its seems odd that all this IS available for Real Drums via F5 (changing sub-styles etc etc) but NOT for the Real Tracks. Ian
Old Guys Rule.The older I get,the better I was! BB2023 ULTRA, 1013, Win 7 and 10
The HOLD in this case isnt holding as in Silence, its actually meant for playing whole chords only and not doing its normal thing of "extemporising". Thats not available via S/R/H.
Ian,
It works for me.
When I created the example SGU in my previous post and regenerated it, the holds did exactly what you describe. They play a single whole-note chord for the bar. I solo'd the accordion to make sure that it was consistent throughout the section.
Then when the chords moved to regular chords, additional melodic movement occurred in the accordion.
I'm surprised that this doesn't work on your system like this. Maybe it's because of settings that you have added to the accordion track in Realtrack Picker or using F5. (I have no settings selected.)
<<< I have the Accordion giving me lovely held chords for Bars 1 - 8 and now want to change its Feel (sub-style) at Bar 9 by deleting the Tick in "Held" so that it now plays in its normal fashion and plays infills and all sorts of goodies >>>
sixchannel, rather than select 'hold' option in the stylepicker, input the 1173 Accordion chart for Bars 1-8 the same as Noel96 has on his sgu file.
The chord followed by the three dots while leaving the accordion (on the static Piano Track) out of the chord entry causes the 1173 Accordion to play the chord once and hold, repeat on bars 2-8 and when the holds are released on Bar 9, The 1173 plays normally.
IE: Input D...bdgs ; and not D...pbdgs Omitting the P plays that bar's chord as{ -D -Accordion Hold}while the other tracks play normally and are excluded from the hold.
If I select the 1173 and check the hold option int the RealTrack Picker, the Accordion continues to hold at Bar 9 forward just as you say occurs with your chart. Bar 9 releases the hold in Noel96's sgu chart.
Thanks Noel and Charlie - I finally got the result I was after. It does actually work just like you said. I did go back to the original RT main page for 1173 and uncheck the "Held" first though. Dont know IF it would have made a difference but now I can press on with the rest of the tune. Grateful thanks and Merry Christmas Ian
Last edited by sixchannel; 12/18/1711:28 AM.
Old Guys Rule.The older I get,the better I was! BB2023 ULTRA, 1013, Win 7 and 10
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.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean