C, DOWN to low E, UP an octave to D, then DOWN to F !!!
On a fretted instrument these are your basic/simple choices due to the instrument itself. Once you hit low E on a bass the only way to get to a D is to go up (almost) an octave .. I would 'expect' these intervals on a real bass. If the bass is played on a keyboard it may be different, but played on an actual bass, it makes sense to me for RT's.
To over-ride the bass selection you can sometimes try something like using Cmaj7/E for chord entry (instead of Em) for the second chord, which may force the bass to go more where you were hoping, but in your example chord structure it sounds to me like a pretty expected result. RT's only have so many options to choose from. Unless you 'revoice' the chords .. and try to force something else
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
It just seems to me that after all these years (decades really) BIAB does not look ahead and analyze a chord progression, but rather simply looks ahead chord by chord.
Why jump up and down octaves for three consecutive notes when it is not necessary?
C, DOWN to low E, UP an octave to D, then DOWN to F !!!
If BIAB looked ahead and saw the D and F, surely it would have realized that going UP to the E instead of DOWN would have made a much smoother bass line?
A BIAB user for more than 30 years (if you can believe it) !
Try using a different, but similar Bass RealTrack. A different Bass RealTrack might have a different run for the same chord progression built into it.
Look in the RealTracks picker to see what the suggested tempo range is for the Bass RealTrack you're using. If the Bass RealTracks that you're using is close to the edge of the tempo range, freeze the rest of the tracks then change the tempo. BiaB may select something different at the different tempo.
I was just explaining how I (with bass in hand) might have 'seen' it and played it with the described chords. I would think in my head the sequence would be C (second string) then E (open low E) then closest D is up a string .. etc.
It may also depend on the style chosen as they all are different, like mentioned above by Jim .. My next go-to attempt would be to redefine the chords to see if an alternate voicing can get my 'desired' result as opposed to the 'expected' result using the added options in RB.
The cool thing in RB is the ability to make these kind of changes, generate a given track and then revert back to a different RT/chord progression later for other tracks. In BiaB you are asking all tracks to abide by the new chords, which may affect some tracks inadvertently. In RB the new chords can apply to only a given track when generating a new option ..
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
A little too complicated for me though (I also don't use RealBand.)
I transposed the tune from C to G and that has helped quite a bit.
However there are still a couple of undesirable bass lines. Here are the slash chords:
//C/E, Bm/D, Am/C, G/B // D7sus...
Naturally you would want a descending bass starting on E. But BIAB has a mind all its own and starts with the low E, then jumps up to start the descending line after that!
Is there some way to indicate to BIAB (here and in another instance) which octave you want for that note?
Well lucky me! I discovered that the bass line IS MIDI!
So now I am in the piano roll and don't know how to move notes? Any tips? The intuitive way of grabbing the note and moving it up or down is not working...
Last edited by BIABman; 05/21/1804:19 PM.
A BIAB user for more than 30 years (if you can believe it) !
You've just frozen the track. Now you want to make more changes to it. Do you unfreeze, change and then re-freeze?
And how about changing an F note to an F# in Notation mode? I don't see how? When I drag the note it never wants to put a sharp. If I just click a note it asks if I want to add another note over the existing note!
One more question. You are in Notation mode. How do you start playing the song from a particular note?
Last edited by BIABman; 05/21/1804:53 PM. Reason: One more question..
A BIAB user for more than 30 years (if you can believe it) !
You said: "You've just frozen the track. Now you want to make more changes to it. Do you unfreeze, change and then re-freeze?"
The answer is YES.
For changing your F note to an F#, it may be easier to go back to Piano Roll mode, then (as you've discovered), just grab the middle of the note bar and move it up.
OK well I opened the Help file and learned that you move the note by clicking the Middle of the note bar...
Now the problem I have is when I re-generate the song, the notes go right back to what they were originally.
How do I FREEZE just the notes I changed?
BIABman,
While you're doing all this experimenting, I suspect that it would help if you turned off the automatic track naming feature. This feature names tracks according to the instrument that is placed on them. While this naming has advantages, it also has disadvantages (I'll explain a bit more below).
To disable auto-naming, the options shown on the image below are found on the opening screen of "Options | Preferences" (in BIAB 2018).
When disabled, the tracks are always called Bass, Piano, Drums, Guitar, Strings, Melody, Soloist. These legacy names do not change when instruments change.
Once legacy names are on display, it becomes easier to identify which tracks will regenerate and which will not. If you make changes to notes on the Melody or the Soloist tracks, these changes are unaffected by regeneration. Any changes on the other five tracks though will get over-written by regeneration unless the track is frozen.
Also... to answer you question about freezing a few notes... it's not possible. The freeze process applies to the whole track.
Lastly, at the URL below, you'll find some video clips. While most of these use older versions of BIAB, the principles outlined still apply today. These clips might be useful for you.
For changing your F note to an F#, it may be easier to go back to Piano Roll mode, then (as you've discovered), just grab the middle of the note bar and move it up.
Good luck! LLOYD S
Thanks Lloyd. That's what I ended up doing, falling back to something I know will work.
A BIAB user for more than 30 years (if you can believe it) !
Also... to answer you question about freezing a few notes... it's not possible. The freeze process applies to the whole track.
OK.
Quote:
Lastly, at the URL below, you'll find some video clips. While most of these use older versions of BIAB, the principles outlined still apply today. These clips might be useful for you.
Personally I think you are better writing your own bass lines using a DAW. Bass is such an important part of the song and the bass line should be logical and rhythmic. The bass RealTracks will often jump about in an unmusical fashion which is a shame. As a result I normally play my parts in using a midi keyboard and a vst like Trilian. After that I edit the timing so it sits well with the drums. I actually enjoy producing the bass line and think it is essential to the success of a track.
"Well lucky me! I discovered that the bass line IS MIDI!"
Originally Posted By: BIABman
OK well I opened the Help file and learned that you move the note by clicking the Middle of the note bar...
Now the problem I have is when I re-generate the song, the notes go right back to what they were originally.
How do I FREEZE just the notes I changed?
Funkycornwall has given you the best suggestion in my opinion.
I think what you've run into is a RealTrack with a Real Chart. If that is indeed the case, anytime you re-generate the track, the RealTrack will regenerate and so will will the Real Chart. It will change to conform to the RealTrack.
To have your bass play the Real Chart, you will have to change to a midi bass instrument. That's not a bad thing because you can then notate the bass to play whatever notes you choose and desire.
There are a few ways to copy things in BIAB. You haven't told us which one you used.
From the sounds of things, you've employed a process that also copied and pasted part markers. That would cause BIAB to re-generate the next time the song started.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, the Melody track and the Soloist track don't regenerate (unless you have a Realtrack or MIDI Supertrack loaded on them).
With this in mind, and if you have a recent version of BIAB...
I encourage you to follow the sequence of numbers on the image below and...
1. copy your MIDI bass track to the Melody
2. work on the notation on the Melody track
3. When you get it how you want, move the track back to the Bass track.
BEFORE DOING THE ABOVE, though.... make sure that you save a backup copy of your song. Then, if something goes wrong, you can get back to where you were. Also save a backup with another name before you send the bass back to the Bass track.
If you use a Supermidi Bass, you can edit and save the notation changes you make. I recommend using Supermidi because it will generate a part the same as a RealTrack but because it is midi, you can edit it the same as you would a regular midi track. You can then use Sforzando VST to get the right bass sound you want.
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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 amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac 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 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed 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 transcribe 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, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac 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)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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)
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