Hi all, I'm presently engaged in a long exchange with PG Support about these two styles and I would be interested to know whether this problem affects only me, or whether it is something more fundamental. Desperately frustrating for me since 5 songs I'm working on for a show all are based around these styles.
Both styles are called folk trio (though they have more than 3 instruments) and both are supposed to have shakers and congas playing. As far as I can see they are the same style except one uses a midi piano and one a realtracks piano.
If I try to load _BURDEN in BIAB, stylepicker does not report any of the instruments as being unavailable. However, once loaded, Drums default to standard midi drums.
If I try to load =BURDEN in BIAB, stylepicker reports the drums as not being available, but once loaded Realdrum Shaker and Congas do play.
Interestingly, if I try to load either style in Realband I get no drums.
I keep my realtracks and drums on a separate drive but I get no problem with any other styles. I've bought every realtrack and drum release and update frequently. Is it only me?
-BURDEN shows it uses RealDrums but they actually result in MIDI drums with no sound. See images 1 & 2
=BURDEN shows it has drums that are N/A, but actually loads RealDrums and they play. See Images 3 & 4
I have all of the RealTracks and Styles that have been released.
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.
_BURDEN.STY is a style with three RealTracks, and no MIDI tracks, and no drums.
=BURDEN.STY is a style with one MIDI track (a MIDI SuperTrack) and the rest Realtracks/Drums. For the Drums track, it uses Multi-drums (two or more RealDrums on the same track), in this case ShakerEven8ths and CongasEv8[single]. There isn't a dedicated "Shaker and Congas" RealDrums style, (though one could be made easily) which is why the StylePicker shows it as N/A. You'll notice that it you load the style, BB will display and play the Mulidrums properly.
Andrew, thanks for this. However, I do remain bit confused. The memo for _BURDEN.sty actually refers to drums being available:
Memo: A country folk trio playing a ballad with acoustic bass, piano, and acoustic guitar. -Examples: Handy Man, Green Green Grass Of Home, Genre "Intensity" Score=50/100 _BURDEN.STY. Burden Country Folk Trio All RealTracks. Quartet. Tempo=85 (65-115) Instruments: Ac.Bass, Multi-Drums, Ac.Piano, Ac.Guitar Multi-DrumsShaker and Congas RT2474: Bass, Acoustic, Held Ev 085 , Craig Nelson RT2917: Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm CountryFolk8thsMike Ev 085 , Mike Rojas
The memo for =BURDEN.sty (which is also labelled a trio) also refers to drums:
Memo: A country folk trio playing a ballad with acoustic bass, piano, and acoustic guitar. -Examples: Handy Man, Green Green Grass Of Home, Genre "Intensity" Score=50/100 _BURDEN.STY. Burden Country Folk Trio All RealTracks. Quartet. Tempo=85 (65-115) Instruments: Ac.Bass, Multi-Drums, Ac.Piano, Ac.Guitar Multi-DrumsShaker and Congas RT2474: Bass, Acoustic, Held Ev 085 , Craig Nelson RT2917: Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm CountryFolk8thsMike Ev 085 , Mike Rojas
I can't deny I am a trifle twitched and annoyed about the recent experience I have had with PG Support over this issue. They finally sent me this reply Hello Phil,
I spoke with one of the developers and he gave me some more info for you. Band-in-a-Box: Those Multidrums aren't going to show up as found in the Band-in-a-Box StylePicker just due to the programming in the current version. They will show as N/A but when you load into your song they will actually generate.
RealBand: In RealBand, however, there is not currently support for styles with Multidrums - so you'd have to use a work around until the bug is fixed. The simplest would be to generate the song in Band-in-a-Box and then just drag and drop the drums track into your RealBand session.
...but only after about 9 exchanges, spread over a month where they asked me to load and tryout a number of fixes for a problem that just comes down to confusing labelling in the stylepicker.
However, let me end with my usual spirited rallying cry for BIAB. It's a great product that I dearly love. But, boy, can it be annoying at times!
Right, it's not really clear if we intended Shaker and Congas to be part of one or both of the styles. I'm thinking now that they are supposed to be there, in which case _BURDEN.STY has an error. To fix it, press Ctrl+shift+F9, click the MISC button and select the "Style uses RealDrums" checkbox.
Andrew, Thanks for this. The fix definitely worked and will save me a load of workaround time. I just happen to be using this style a lot at the moment to create various pieces for a theatre group and none of my patched-in drums really sounded right!
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.
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)
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