Any serious musician knows the the bass part in a song is very important for the global harmony of a song and for the groove. So, getting a reliable and precise bass part is very important.
***THE PRESENT ISSUE : When we specify a bass note over a chord, the realization is mandatory. Up to now, the requested bass note may be played or another note may be played. Many Bass RealTracks have a defective implementation of slash chords. It has already been reported in the forums to PGM people. So, to attempt to get the right notes, we regenerate the whole song, because we can't - yet - regenerate only the bass RT.
But, we may get the right bass note for some chords in the song and, in the same time, there where it was ok with the bass, we now get wrong bass notes. So, it is time consuming and the result is poor.
For example : Bass RT N°2426 C2 chord / 2 beats : the bass plays G - E, sometimes you may get the notes C - E, that is correct. Cmaj7 chord / 2 beats : the bass plays G - E, sometimes you may get the notes C - E, that is correct G7 / 1 beat : the bass plays F, sometimes you may get a D note or a G note, the correct one. G7/F / 1 beat : the bass plays E or B. See view below.
***PROPOSAL : For each Bass RealTrack recording, it would be fine to record sufficient combinations of slash chords. I reasonably propose to do that for each supported chords having 3 or 4 notes. For example : C chord : check to get the right bass notes for C/E and C/G for durations of 4/3/2/1 beats C7 chord : check to get the right bass notes for C7/E, C7/G, C7/Bb for durations of 4/3/2/1 beats.
***ADVANTAGES : - we could get more elaborate bass lines : useful for diatonic/chromatic bass notes - we could get the exact bass note as requested in the arrangement - we could get precise bass lines : we don't get wrong notes - The final result is a better sound, a more musical and a more professional arrangement.
An issue I have with slash chords is the random octave choice, this is particularly annoying when trying to create a sequential bass run but a note in the middle of the run plays an octave up or down from the rest.
Well articulated and very worthwhile. I hope that this gets the attention it deserves.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
Is there any chance that this could be easier than we thought? I can see where you would need to do a ton of extra recording for "slash CHORDS", but for the bass, surely BIAB could be made to just:
- identify that there is a "slash chord" in the upcoming chord cell - ignore the first part of the chord and play ONLY what's after the slash
Even if it has to play a run or arpeggio or whatever else, couldn't it use the note/notes for the designation AFTER the slash?
If the chord cell indicates C7/E, why couldn't BIAB just play the bass note/notes for E, and ignore the C7?
I'm not sure to fully understand your proposal. Could you detail or provide an example.
In the other hand, maybe the 'ton' of recording is not necessary. We, users, don't know anything about the RealTracks and how they work under the hood. For example, the chord C7/E (2 beats long)and the chord am7/E (2 beats long) would play the same portion of audio wave.
An issue I have with slash chords is the random octave choice, this is particularly annoying when trying to create a sequential bass run but a note in the middle of the run plays an octave up or down from the rest.
Vintage
You're right, that is another issue with the Bass RealTracks. We have the same problem with the MIDI bass, but there we can edit the bass part and freeze the track, and it's done.
For this issue, as BIAB knows the sequence before he plays, we could imagine a feature checking for the right choice of octave. It don't seem very difficult to implement, just to calculate the gap between two optional notes. When the value of the gap is minimal, you get the right note.
Agreed about the register jumping, and it should be possible to program such a check. It may be there already (I think it is) but what does it do when no such bass notes on that chord were recorded in the desired register?
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
... but what does it do when no such bass notes on that chord were recorded in the desired register?
Good point. I guess this would be more easily attainable in a MIDI track, and highlights the never ending challenges that the designers face when dealing with creating Real Tracks.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
You said: "I'm not sure to fully understand your proposal. Could you detail or provide an example."
When PGMusic records a musician for a RealTrack, they must typically record CHORDS or at least multiple notes at one time. So for example to record a guitar RealTrack, they would need to record him/her playing a C chord, C7 chord, Cmin chord and so on for a goodly number of different chords. And then do the process all over again for every key (unless they use their "transposition magic" for other keys - I don't know).
In any case, for them to include slash chords, they would have to record considerably more, to get (as you suggested) C/E, C/G etc. chords.
All of that pertains to guitar, and any other instruments where you typically play more that one note at a time, like piano.
However for playing the BASS, like electric bass, double bass etc., you typically only play ONE NOTE at a time. So when BIAB shows C/E in the chord sheet, why couldn't it be programmed to just play an E note there? It's just the bass instrument that needs to ALWAYS play what comes after the slash.
I play the electric bass. When I'm following along on a chord sheet (or BIAB chord grid), and I come to a C/E chord, I typically play an E note, as that's what the composer expects to hear from the bass.
Perhaps I've misunderstood what you're trying to get BIAB to do. Good luck! LLOYD S
I’m not disputing that the wrong bass note was played in the very clear example given. But I’ve never experienced this and I use slash roots all the time, so the question becomes, is it an error in the programming for just the RealTrack(s) you are using? If so, PG Music can fix that and issue s patch.
Related, for anyone desiring the bass to remain on the same note, you should also explore pedal bass.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Matt, You're right : all the bass RT don't show this issue. I have not checked all the bass RT, but following RT have defective slash chords realization : 711/2475/2426/2344/1901 and probably others.
The purpose of the post is to ask PGM people to add a check phase of slash chords when PGM releases a new bass RT in order to get a full functional RT. I agree all defective bass RT have to be fixed.
So, that would avoid PGM to do an extra job after the release to fix the issues.
Also,RT2957, 2608, 2590, 2702, and probably many others (including Ron Carter's) don't work with slash chords, and because of that they're nearly useless on all projects using Slash chords.
This is basic functionality, not an obscure feature nobody uses. These bass realtracks definitely need to be fixed.
I run into this problem all the time with real tracks and just live with it. I use many of the medium to up-swing jazz styles, with walking bass. Say, you’re in the key of F. Often at the end of a phrase, when the basic chord is F, the bass part will play a note in the scale, but not the F. It’s noticeable to me, but, maybe not to others.
Let's stay on this one. I suggest if you have this problem, you send a frozen song that demonstrates this to support@pgmusic.com and reference this thread.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
I'm using Bass RealTrack #2284 (Acoustic Bass, Bossa Ron EV 140). It plays this fine:
|Dm9| |Dm7/C|
But the bass stays on D when playing this:
|Dm9| |Dm9/C|
EDIT: I take that back. It played the first occurrence of these two chords Dm9 to Dm7/C correctly, with the bass moving to C, but all subsequent cases the bass stayed on D.
Last edited by Matt Finley; 12/23/1809:45 AM.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
The chord progression is: | Cm7 | Cm7/D | Cm7/Eb | Cm7/G |
There are five bass tracks, so you can try all of them, by soloing each one in the mixer, one by one.
If you try, you'll see that all of them stays in Cm for the whole 4 bars.
RealTracks in song: 2284:Bass, Acoustic, BossaRon Ev 140 RealTracks in song: 2957:Bass, Acoustic, ModernJazz8thsNeil Ev 120 RealTracks in song: 2590:Bass, Electric, RockPickedQuarters Ev 165 RealTracks in song: 2702:Bass, Synth, CloudRapSub Ev16 075 RealTracks in song: 2608:Bass, Electric, ModernDiscoFunkAlex Ev 110
PS: I'm actually testing other Bass Realtracks over that chord progression. Very few play the correct notes, most of them simply keep playing (incorrectly) over Cm for the whole 4 bars.
I guess you need so much recorded material to cover all the possibilities. That's where Melodyne and ARA comes in handy, just edit the midi notes in one track and the audio changes in the other. That's how BB will need to work eventually, move the RealChart notes and the RealNotes will move.
You can also drag the midi RC into RapidComposer with the same chord track imported from BB it will then refit the midi to the notes you need, but you will need to output it through a Virtual Bass.
I guess you need so much recorded material to cover all the possibilities.
I disagree, to get a basic functionality, the bass should simply ignore the upper part of the chords, and play D (maybe with simple patterns using fifths and octaves) over Cm7/D.
RealTracks in song: ~903:Bass, Electric, SmoothCool Sw16 100 RealTracks in song: 2765:Bass, Electric, PuertoRicoAguinaldo Ev16 120 RealTracks in song: 3111:Bass, Electric FunkSimpleAlex Ev16 110 RealTracks in song: 2620:Bass, Electric, FunkSwing16ths Sw16 085 RealTracks in song: 2607:Bass, Electric, ModernSlapFunkAlex Ev16 110 RealTracks in song: 2960:Bass, Acoustic, SmoothBalladNeil Ev16 065 RealTracks in song: 3049:Bass, Acoustic, SpanishTangoNeil Ev 120
Only #903 is playing correctly, all the other ones are simply ignoring slash chords instructions, playing Cm7 patterns over Cm7/D chords, which is plain wrong.
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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows 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.
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