Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Beginners Forum
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 5
Newbie
OP Offline
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 5
I'd like to make a backing track that is just drums. No harmony needed. Just rhythm.

I'm using BIAB 2018 on a Mac.

I'm stumped on how to do this because everything seems to require starting with a "style" and the styles all have various comping tracks along with drums. I just want to specify the RealDrums Style I want and that's it.

Is there any way to do this, or do we always have to choose an overall style? Is there a web site or video that shows how to make just a rhythm-only backing track?


Dave Hein
(electric bass enthusiast, BIAB 2019 (Mac), BIAB newbie)
Beginners Forum
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,071
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,071
Welcome to the forums.

One easy way is to just reduce the volume to zero on all other tracks in the mixer.

You can also Mute the other tracks (but this setting is not saved with the song) - see screen capture.

You could also clear all tracks and only select the Drums track.

Attached Files (Click to download or enlarge) (Only available when you are logged in)
2018-12-27_14-54-09.jpg (106.54 KB, 84 downloads)

BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Beginners Forum
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 547
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 547
All of the above would work.

You can also choose a blank style and then just add the drums to it.


Samuel Davis Jr
BIAB 2018 + Cubase + Ignite
BMI

www.sammycountry.com
Beginners Forum
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,250
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,250
Originally Posted By: Samuel Davis
All of the above would work.

You can also choose a blank style and then just add the drums to it.


Happy Christmas to all.

Thats what we do on occasion.
Works very well but remember that as there are NO musical clues,you need to be spot on with your playing.

Cheers
Ian


Old Guys Rule.The older I get,the better I was!
BB2023 ULTRA, 1013, Win 7 and 10

ALL TRACKS - https://app.box.com/s/501rnzrbadng1elvi45hbf7y08kl5oxp
SOUNDCLOUD-tracks using BB-
http://soundcloud.com/sixchannel
Videos-
https://youtube.com/user/Sixchannel1
Beginners Forum
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,492
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,492
Depending on your version of BiaB, you might also be able to solo the drum part, which will mute the other parts with one click.

Insights and incites by Notes


Bob "Notes" Norton smile 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
Beginners Forum
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 310
D
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
D
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 310
Originally Posted By: Samuel Davis

You can also choose a blank style and then just add the drums to it.


How do you choose a blank style ?

Beginners Forum
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 5
Newbie
OP Offline
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 5
Originally Posted By: Danna
Originally Posted By: Samuel Davis

You can also choose a blank style and then just add the drums to it.


How do you choose a blank style ?


You can filter on "BLANK" in the style picker. I found 4 blank styles: two 3/4, two 4/4; a swing and even feel for each time signature.

I also found this thread: https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=398867#Post398867

which leads to this YT video showing how to build up a set of instruments starting from a blank style. I learned a few tricks from the video: https://youtu.be/kDxAsBWvGN0

Thanks for all the helpful responses.


Dave Hein
(electric bass enthusiast, BIAB 2019 (Mac), BIAB newbie)
Beginners Forum
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,071
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,071
Originally Posted By: Danna
Originally Posted By: Samuel Davis

You can also choose a blank style and then just add the drums to it.


How do you choose a blank style ?

Steps:
Tip: Replace the MIDI drums with RealDrums if required.

Attached Files (Click to download or enlarge) (Only available when you are logged in)
2018-12-28_05-49-41.jpg (53.3 KB, 55 downloads)
2018-12-28_05-50-33.jpg (131.17 KB, 55 downloads)
2018-12-28_05-53-03.jpg (115.39 KB, 55 downloads)

BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Beginners Forum
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 547
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 547
Originally Posted By: Danna
Originally Posted By: Samuel Davis

You can also choose a blank style and then just add the drums to it.


How do you choose a blank style ?

In the styl picker search for blank and there will be a few different blank styles to choose from.


Samuel Davis Jr
BIAB 2018 + Cubase + Ignite
BMI

www.sammycountry.com
Beginners Forum
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 310
D
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
D
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 310
VideoTrack ... thanks for those images, that's very helpful.

Dave and Samuel, thank you for the reply's and info.

Beginners Forum
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,071
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,071
Originally Posted By: Danna
VideoTrack ... thanks for those images, that's very helpful.

Dave and Samuel, thank you for the reply's and info.

You're welcome Danna. I'm pleased that this was useful.


BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Moderated by  Andrew - PG Music, PeterGannon 

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!

If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!

Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.

PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!

PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.

The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.

The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.

Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!

Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.

Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!

Order now!

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

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,053
Posts799,473
Members40,021
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
Newest Members
Kagiso Blue, McBody, Elpayo, LeoCento, kimmolsn25
40,021 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 155
DC Ron 102
rsdean 98
DrDan 75
WaoBand 71
Today's Birthdays
Bob Hunt, C J Lane, freeman, Philsaxophone
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5