Well I guess you may be right. Band In A Box is a very complex program.

Here's how I simplified it.

I figured out what I wanted it to do for me......and only use those things.

Which is......Implement the chords and structure of the song I'm writing.

Then I disregard all the other features in it. I don't need 90% of the things in it so I don't even bother learning how to use them. I know what I need and how to use it and that's all that matters.

Part markers give you the drum fills. If that doesn't work for you like you want, you can always do a completely new drum part. In fact, several guys here are using drum loops & synths now for better sound quality and control on the drums.

ACW: I messed with this early on. Very complicated but in the song I used it on it actually worked well. So a writer sent me a song that needed a part. I spent a good 2+ hrs trying to get the ACW to figure out the parts. In the end, I deleted that work, opened a new template and entered the chords manually and was done in 10 minutes. So I don't use that feature in my work.

Once I have the structure and chords, I save it and close it. I open it in Real band..... render the tracks to audio, add the tracks I want and expert to my DAW. Sonar. In there, I replace tracks with better tracks.... guitars, drums, bass, etc.... I keep what works and finish the song in Sonar.

Learn what you need and disregard the rest.

You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.