I've recently become a Band in a Box junkie, and I'm using it to do live renditions of all sorts of songs for my band which consists of me (sax) and a great drummer and BIAB. Rich is an excellent drummer and I'd like to make space for him to take live drum solos in my BIAB arrangements. Currently, we just mute the drum patches and Rich is the drummer. I've started hashing out the particulars with him and it dawned on me that I may be re-inventing the wheel. Maybe some one on the Forum has already done this and would be willing to share their thoughts and experiences. I've tossed around the idea of simply making silent space in the song but that requires that Rich be perfect on his solo ending and come in preciscely with the rest of the BIAB band. So, I thought about adding a click during the solo or maybe a bass note on beat one of each measure or a lead in a few measures before the full band comes back in again. I don't want to mess up the drum solo but I also don't want to train-wrech the whole tune.
A click track will allow live and BIAB tracks to synch. Ableton Live is an excellent software that many use to program their songs and even their entire shows. Ableton Live Lite is a free downloadable version and will meet all your needs. There are loads of tutorials on YouTube. Once you've programmed a show, it is quick and easy to update or change songs around or replace them. It's a very powerful tool.
You can create and use a click track with Ableton Live Lite. You can also load your BIAB tracks and play them from Ableton. they can be synced and played along with the click track as a guide for the live musicians.
You can have a midi click track where you need it in Biab and send that midi to another standalone vsti via midiOut.dll loaded in the click track, the standalone vsti is set to another audio device going to the drummer's ear piece.
I have downloaded the drum Software (32) and set it into my vst file... It loads ok in Biab and I get the screen all right... but not under "drums" The plug in does not load). If I choose for ex "soloist" as an instrument, then the drum screen will apear. Unfortunately, although everything seems to work correctly, (I can change the settings within the plug in) there is no sound coming out from the plug in(Biab itself is sounding ok as usual). Biab is set to "use vsti plug in") Have I forgotten something? Bernard
A click track will allow live and BIAB tracks to synch.
Alas and for the umpteenth time i WISH Biab could sync to external sources ....
Originally Posted By: Bernard
.... I have downloaded the drum Software (32) and set it into my vst file... It loads ok in Biab and I get the screen all right ... but not under "drums" The plug in does not load).
Set the drums track to MIDI Only, (right click on it), then load f.i. EZdrummer2 or other to the VST slot for the Drums track if you want to control the sounds via a MIDI-pads drumkit, if that's what you're after .. F
Yyyeesss! It works! Thanks for the clue... Of course, it was a bad idea to give me the answer, because now I have ten other stupid questions!
1) It seems that, once I have loaded the .dll file within the plug-ins in Biab, it does not "stay there" (as all other plug-ins bravely do). I have to reload this .fll time everytime I use Biab again (??).
2) Once I have succeeded to set 10 measures of "groove" (the blue blocks) how do I send it to Biab? My obvious (lazy) solution of taking it and dumping it to Biab does not seem to work (yes I understand it would be a bit "too simple"!!)
If you want it to load all the time set it as Default Synth, so in the vst window choose the Default Synth track and load MT Power Drummer. Of course if you use other midi tracks you will have to change them but this will give you MT Drummer on boot.
Once you have made the drum track section you can drag it out to a folder then > File > Import > Import Melody/Soloist from MIDI. In the import dialog import the section of Midi to the bar you want it to start at, them import the next section. The midi drum track can be copied or moved from the Mel/Sol track to the Drum track in the Piano Roll, you can copy & paste section to duplicate them. Or you can use RealBand to drag out of MT Drummer straight to the track then import back to Biab.
OK, Pipeline, all well noted and thanks, thanks and thanks for bringing me further...
Concerning the other drums software, you force me to get untarned! I HAVE tried to download it and failed completely (shame!). I went through the process gave EMail and registered, but the download did not succeed and I could not load it again (I do not see, when I log in to the site, any possibility to download the softwsre again). So I forgot it, since these plug-ins are not "vital" to my music. I am just curious of any new progrsam and want to try it... Bernard
I've used Reaper to dump my song, "Caravan" from BAIB, opened up a section for silence to acomodate the drum solo, and inserted a click track. That's great! Thanks for all the help. But I cannot figure out how to get the click to play only for the drummer. How does one accomplish this? Are we talking a fancy mixer board with sub-groups, etc.?
You can have a midi click track where you need it in Biab and send that midi to another standalone vsti via midiOut.dll loaded in the click track, the standalone vsti is set to another audio device going to the drummer's ear piece.
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.
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.
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)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 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 21 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.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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.
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.