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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,466
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,466 |
I play sax, guitar, bass, drums, flute, wind synthesizer, keyboard synthesizer, voice, and computer. I play music for a living and have done so for decades. I create backing tracks for my duo sometimes with lots of BiaB, sometimes with some BiaB, sometimes with none. I also write aftermarket styles for BiaB. So I look at BiaB from 'both sides of the fence'. The first thing I want to mention is that BiaB is primarily and auto-accompaniment app, with lots of useful features added on. The reason why you don't have SOYL or other song specific riffs in the styles is that auto-accompaniment styles need to be generic so they work for more than one song. Early in my aftermarket style writing business, one of my customers asked me to write a style for the Elvis Presley song, "Don't Be Cruel", so I did and included it in one of my style disks. Well the style turned out well, but the problem was the signature guitar riff. When I tried to use that style on any other song, the riff 'screamed' "Don't Be Cruel". If I wanted to do "Rock Around The Clock", "Mountain Of Love", "Wagon Wheel" or any other rock/country swing song, the "Don't Be Cruel" riff simply got in the way. So the style was good for one song, and one song only. Same would be true for SOYL, Smoke On The Water, Sweet Child O' Mine, Superstition, and so forth. Since 1955 there have been well over 10,000 top 40 songs on the Billboard Pop/Rock charts alone. That doesn't include Country, Jazz, or popular album cuts that weren't released as a singe. So if the styles weren't generic, we would need perhaps 20,000 styles or more and each one would be good for one song. Besides for that, if I were to start from scratch and write a backing track for "Don't Be Cruel" it would have taken less time than writing that style and getting it to work right. Before I continue, let me stress that there is more than one right way to make backing tracks (or pretty much anything else in music). I don't pretend to know the best way for everybody, just the current best way for me, that might be changed if I learn something applicable tomorrow. When making backing tracks for my duo, I generally prefer MIDI tracks. Why? MIDI tracks are thousands of times more editable. Then I export to MIDI and work in a Sequencer/DAW. In the sequencer/DAW, I can insert song-specific riffs without changing the sound of the instrument that plays the non-specific parts. --- I can edit the BiaB generated parts so that they fit the particular tune I'm working on --- I can use different BiaB styles for different parts of the song and change the instruments on one or more of the styles so that when the style is changed, the instrument is not --- I can edit the drums and do things like bring up the snare, change the kit, exaggerate the groove, etc. --- add vocal harmony parts with a synth instead of a voice so I don't sound like I'm using karaoke tracks to accompany myself --- and do many other things. With good MIDI sound modules and synths, I can get sounds that are 95% as good as the real sounds, and with the ability to change the instrument sounds, often I can change it to something more appropriate for the song. Plus with MIDI being so editable, I can almost always get a better interpretation of the song than I can with Real Tracks. Not that the RTs aren't great, they are. If I played in a jazz combo, non-cover band, or didn't need song-specific riffs, they might be a better option. If interested, here is how I make and use backing tracks with Band-in-a-Box and a MIDI sequencer http://www.nortonmusic.com/backing_tracks.html you are welcome to take whatever you like from the page and apply it to your own method. Excerpted from Keyboard magazine, March 2014 by Craig Anderton:
…Today you can easily record 100 tracks of digital audio on a basic laptop, so MIDI may seem irrelevant in the studio. Yet MIDI remains not only viable, but valuable, because it lets you exploit today's studio in ways that digital audio still can't.
…
Deep editing. Digital audio allows for broad edits, like changing levels or moving sections around, and editing tools such as Melodyne are doing ever more fine-grained audio surgery. But MIDI is more fine grained still: You can edit every characteristic of every performance gesture: dynamics, volume, timing, the length and pitch of every note, pitch-bend, and even which sound is being played. MIDI data can tell a piano sound what to play, or if you change your mind, a Clavinet patch. With digital audio, changing the instrument that plays a given part requires re-recording the track….but MIDI can do much more…
Insights and incites by Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944 |
There are lots of good suggestions in this thread. Thanks.
If you want to do the whole arrangement in BiaB....For adding song specific MIDI riffs, you can use the melody or soloist tracks. Those don't get overwritten by generated tracks. You can also record an audio track. If you want multiple audio tracks, you can do that too, by either overdubbing, or moving an audio track to an artist performance track (using the audio menu).
Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 236
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 236 |
Hi Mr. Gannon,
And -
I'm sure we all agree:
Thanks much, for checking this thread out, and adding your advice, and feedback!
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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.
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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
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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