In the last few weeks, I discovered that the Bar Settings feature in RB doesn't seem to work the same as it does in BiaB. Though I've done some research on this feature by checking the manual and by searching the forums for the existence of any discussions about this feature, my research didn't produce the answers I was looking for. So, I decided to submit this post.
A new song I was working on recently unexpectedly ended up exceeding the 255 bar limit in BiaB. So, I decided to try opening my song in RB so that I wouldn't have to split it into two sections in order to continue working on it in BiaB. But when I opened my song in RB and then tried to apply the same Bar Settings that I had applied in BiaB, I wasn't able to do so because the names on each track didn't correspond to the instruments for each track that were in the style I had selected. So, I ended up splitting my song into two sections and going back to BiaB to finish the arrangement for my song in two stages. Has anyone else encountered this problem with RB's Bar Settings, or am I missing some steps in my attempt to use this feature?
I think this may be due to Realband using the old legacy track names Whereas BIAB now uses the actual instrument on the track names.
You can set biab to use legacy names but then you will have to remember which instrument is on the default say piano or guitar track. But at least they don’t move around. Mike
Mike is correct. You can change those track names though to the instruments so that they make sense to you so that they are the same as in Man in the Box
Hi Yes as said above, the track names in RB are only text labels, and as such you can call them what you like. They only belong to the track name slot (field) not the loaded instrument. Mike
I think this may be due to Realband using the old legacy track names Whereas BIAB now uses the actual instrument on the track names.
You can set biab to use legacy names but then you will have to remember which instrument is on the default say piano or guitar track. But at least they don’t move around. Mike
That's what was confusing me. The actual instrument names weren't being displayed for each track, so I didn't think it would work the same and wasn't in the frame of mind to try to remember which instrument was in each track. Is there a way to make RB display the actual instrument names for each track? That's what I was expecting when I clicked on the Bar Settings button.
Mike is correct. You can change those track names though to the instruments so that they make sense to you so that they are the same as in Man in the Box
"Man in the Box." LOL! I like that! So, how do I change them? Also, if I change an instrument after changing them, will the name of that instrument change automatically, or will I have to change it manually?
See my last post quote "Yes as said above, the track names in RB are only text labels, and as such you can call them what you like. They only belong to the track name slot (field) not the loaded instrument."
So they will not follow your instrument change. Mike
Okay, Mike, I got that. So, is there a way to change those text labels in order to eliminate the confusion between them and the actual instrument names? I've searched everywhere but couldn't find any options to do that.
Yes and no That is if they are designated as BIAB tracks as they would be by default if the came from a BIAB SONG (the first 8 tracks with blue names then they can not be changed.
If you reset the track to non BIAB right click on track see pic
You can then change the name by double clicking it. If you then save as a Realband .SEQ FILE it should stick if that seq file is required again. Mike
Hi again If my last post above Sivertone reply does not hep. You may like to read my much more detailed description of the Realband instrument names in tracks as opposed to track labels, and how I get then to show the correct info particularly on the play though voice. Its quite long but you need to read it all including the end notes. https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=63093&Number=421946#Post421946
Mike, after reading through your "Fine tuning" post, I realized that I didn't explain my issue clearly enough for either you or Silvertones to understand. Though I was able to figure out how to change the names of the tracks in the Tracks window in RB, the labels I really want to change are those in the Bars dialog box. Unfortunately, it appears that those labels are unchangeable. Below is an image of the Bars dialog box in RB and an image of the same thing in BiaB that should clarify this issue. As you can see, the labels in the BiaB Bars dialog box correspond to the labels on each channel in the chosen style, but the labels in the RB Bars dialog box are merely the default and don't correspond to any of the BB tracks in the chosen style.
Oh dear, I see it all now sorry to have gone off down the track display path. Looks like yet another one for the wish list, It must be possible by pinching some code from BIABs bar options graphics routines I would have thought.
Just the sort of niggle that gripes with me is inconsistency between PGs companion programs and even in the same program in different parts using the same function.
You really should not have to work with fixed default screen labels and make your own notes with a pencil!
Oh dear, I see it all now sorry to have gone off down the track display path. Looks like yet another one for the wish list, It must be possible by pinching some code from BIABs bar options graphics routines I would have thought.
Just the sort of niggle that gripes with me is inconsistency between PGs companion programs and even in the same program in different parts using the same function.
You really should not have to work with fixed default screen labels and make your own notes with a pencil!
Yeah, the inconsistency between RB and BiaB on this one function was an unpleasant surprise to me. And, of course, I didn't want to have to make a list of which instrument is in each track to constantly refer to as I was changing the settings for certain bars throughout the song. It's already enough of a challenge to remember where I wanted those settings to be changed for each instrument.
When I encountered this obstacle, I decided to try using two BiaB plugins in Tracktion (as Pipeline had suggested in another thread) with the intent of being able to use BiaB's Bar Settings feature there instead. But that didn't work out either because the plugins don't have that feature. So, that's when I decided to go back to BiaB with my song and finish working on it there in two sections. If I have another long song to arrange in the future that exceeds the 255 bar limit, I'll probably run two copies of BiaB (per Pipeline's more recent suggestion) so that I can use each copy of BiaB to work on a different section of my song simultaneously. That's about as close as I'll be able to get to an ideal setup for such songs for the time being until something's done about these default labels in RB. Thanks for trying to help!
I have a similar problem when using BiaB MIDI tracks in my DAW, Studio One Pro. BiaB's labels, I call them track names, only apply to certain parts of BiaB. The track names were a good idea but only had a half baked implementation. Luckily I can change the track names in Studio One Pro. Unfortunately I have to write down the BiaB track names so I can remember what they are supposed to be in my DAW.
One would think at least the track names would be consistent in all of BiaB and RB!
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Mario Yes the problem stems from the fact that there is no parameter or command to save track names / label in midi files in the midi spec. only patch names . The track names you see belong to the applications way of displaying its information And therefore have to be entered the applications way, in each different application as they cant be embed in the midi file, for export and import of that midi in different applications,
Muzikluver
To help with remembering with what you have done in bar settings you can print or view a summery as a text file. Print summery button bottom left of bar settings popup. Great help. Not available in Realband wouldn’t you know so you have to do it before leaving BIAB !
Thanks for that info, Mike. At least there is a way to save the Bar settings info from BiaB. That would be harder to remember than it would be to remember which instrument is on which track, so being able to save it to a text file would be a time saver. Thanks again!
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!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
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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.
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The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
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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
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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)
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
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Note: 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.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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