|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 549
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 549 |
Hi All,
I'm having a particularly annoying problem with my use of Midi files with RealBand. I'm pretty sure that there is no actual problem with RealBand, but my own understanding of the Midi protocol is causing me a real headache.
When I open a midi file in RealBand I am pleased to see that the set of instruments defined for the tracks of the music are correctly chosen, albeit in a GM format. This has been a great feature for me because it allows me to easily connect to an appropriate other non-gm synth for each track.
I've just been loading some Organ midi files but the instrument chosen by RealBand has been the the Acoustic Piano for each track.
From my understanding of midi I assume this instrument is chosen as the default instrument because none was mentioned in the midi file. Is it because the the midi file was generated using non GM instruments?
I opened the file using a hex editor and this was quite helpful in getting me familiar with the midi structure, but I could only find one channel select code for channel 0 which was 'CO' with the value '00' and I assumed this would be taken as the default Acoustic Piano.
I found myself getting drawn in more to the midi structure and it was using up a lot of my time because the hex editor wasn't too helpful with actual midi interpretation.
Anyway, if somebody could kindly tell me why some midi files do not have an instrument select code, I would be very grateful.
Thanks
Jonel
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
Downloaded files can have all kinds of crap in them. Forget hex for now, RB uses F3 or F5 or one of those Function keys I can't remember to open the Event Editor. That's a simple list of controllers and notes in the file. It sounds like there's no Program Change for a GM organ so you create it. If there is a PC there change it. If you see a channel number of zero change that too. Once you get into it it's easy to insert CC7 for volume changes to create dynamics, add modulation, whatever. It's all done in the Event Editor.
Downloaded files can be so much fun (not!) But they can teach you a lot. I've had some files so messed up I deleted everything but the notes and started over.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,114
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,114 |
Hi
There are 2 ways the patches get written in a standard midi file.
The first is in the header , these come up as the instruments on the track / channels when the file is loaded. But do not show in the events list.
The second way is to hard write them into the tracks channels in the events list,
this some times occurs at the very start of the event list you can see them as program changes (patches).
These are executed as the file progresses the time line, and can be changed at any time in the file, on any channel providing you don’t want patches from a different bank you only need to enter the new patch where req
In the case of GM all the patches come from MSB 000, LSB 000, so there fore just the instrument / patch number as a program change.
Yes and patch 0 is a piano
Note you probably wont see these changes in the track view as it will show the instrument from the header, but you should here them as the file plays and see them in the events list for that track /channel.
Mike
Last edited by Mike Head; 09/05/19 06:14 AM.
BIAB2021 UltraPlus,AsusN55S1Tbssd, W10/64,Akai EIEpro Yamaha CVP405,SquireStrat, CoolsoftVMidSynth Novatation Impulse61 Ctr kbd, Cwalk blab Kontakt http://mikesmusic.byethost16.com/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,081
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,081 |
jonel,
Thanks for asking the question. This is an interesting discussion.
Mike I'm familiar with patch selection as the first item in a midi channel event list I was not aware of the file header option. Can you go into more detail?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,114
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,114 |
Hi Jim
Not certain it is anything you can get control over as a user. Without some sort of hex editor at file level.
But for sure they are often not visible in the events list for a lot of midi files ,
Yet each channel has its own voice.
As far as I know it happens when the midi file is first saved, it writes the program patch assigned to that channel, channels with nothing assigned default to 0.
Once assigned in the header it will stay in force until you re assign it with a program change event. This can of course be right at the start or any time in the file.
Some Daws and synth write the initial ones, as events at the beginning of the event list any way, as well.
Mike
BIAB2021 UltraPlus,AsusN55S1Tbssd, W10/64,Akai EIEpro Yamaha CVP405,SquireStrat, CoolsoftVMidSynth Novatation Impulse61 Ctr kbd, Cwalk blab Kontakt http://mikesmusic.byethost16.com/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 549
Journeyman
|
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 549 |
Thank you very much for those very helpful replies. They have caused me to re-assess what I thought I understood about the midi format:
Bob:
Yes I did see some channel number of zero but assumed these to be the first channel available. In other files I did not find any channel numbers and you have explained this to me. What I don't understand is why a midi file, representing a piece of music, would not have any indication of what instrument was to play in the track?
Mike:
I hadn't realised that the patch instruction could actually be held in the header. Since the event list doesn't show it then I suppose I could examine it using the hex editor I mentioned in my original post. I was also confused with the actual value of the channel number and the patch until I noticed that I had to add 1 to each in order to make the result tie up with what was being played in the track.
I will return to the structure again although I find it hard going just working in the hex contents of the midi file. I don't know if there are any tools that can show the contents of the file in a more human friendly fashion.
But..., thanks, I have a lot to work on now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,114
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,114 |
Hi
Ah the dreaded Yamaha instrument number trap.
Normal midi patch numbers 0 to 127 (that is zero based)
Yamaha use one based numbering 1 to 127. for its voice list in the manuals and on the keyboard. But write the midi file 0 based to conform.
This is why its so important to have a pat file if you use a Yamaha voice set .
To be fair BIAB allows you to use one or zero based numbering .
Daws like cakewalk achieve this with .ins file (Instrument definition files)
Obviously things like coyote wave table dxi use standard gm 0 based names.
Extract from Yamaha xg lite pat file.
ZEROBASED
0.0.0=1 Grand Piano
1.0.0=2 Bright Piano
2.0.0=3 Electric Grand Piano
3.0.0=4 Honky-tonk Piano
4.0.0=5 Electric Piano 1
5.0.0=6 Electric Piano 2
6.0.0=7 Harpsichord
7.0.0=8 Clavi
8.0.0=9 Celesta
9.0.0=10 Glockenspiel
10.0.0=11 Music Box
11.0.0=12 Vibraphone
12.0.0=13 Marimba
13.0.0=14 Xylophone
14.0.0=15 Tubular Bells
15.0.0=16 Dulcimer
16.0.0=17 Drawbar Organ
17.0.0=18 Percussive Organ
18.0.0=19 Rock Organ
19.0.0=20 Church Organ
20.0.0=21 Reed Organ
21.0.0=22 Accordion
22.0.0=23 Harmonica
Extract from Cakewalk ins file
[XG lite Bank 0]
0=1 Grand Piano
1=2 Bright Piano
2=3 Electric Grand Piano
3=4 Honky-tonk Piano
4=5 Electric Piano 1
5=6 Electric Piano 2
6=7 Harpsichord
7=8 Clavi
8=9 Celesta
9=10 Glockenspiel
10=11 Music Box
11=12 Vibraphone
12=13 Marimba
13=14 Xylophone
14=15 Tubular Bells
15=16 Dulcimer
16=17 Drawbar Organ
17=18 Percussive Organ
18=19 Rock Organ
19=20 Church Organ
20=21 Reed Organ
21=22 Accordion
22=23 Harmonica
Hope this helps more than confuse.
Mike
BIAB2021 UltraPlus,AsusN55S1Tbssd, W10/64,Akai EIEpro Yamaha CVP405,SquireStrat, CoolsoftVMidSynth Novatation Impulse61 Ctr kbd, Cwalk blab Kontakt http://mikesmusic.byethost16.com/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
Are you confused yet?
Wait, there's more! I don't know about info in the header, I haven't seen that. What I have seen is a separate track with no instruments or notes but containing all the CC and program changes for all tracks and channels. This means if you look at the event list for track 8 for example all you see is the notes but everything else is in that other track. And what's even more confusing is that controlling track can be anywhere. It could be track 1 or track 20 meaning sometimes you have to hunt for it.
Another thing is sysex info. This is used if the original author of the file created it using a particular hardware synth. Sysex id's the synth and all the other CC's are specific to that synth. If you try to play that file with a different synth that sysex info is all wrong making the file sound completely wrong. The named instruments could be played as anything. In that case you delete all the sysex info and reset all the instruments to the GM standard patches.
You have to really want that file to do all that. I'll try to find a better file first.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 549
Journeyman
|
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 549 |
Thanks Bob. I really only started this over some curiosity about the behaviour of some of the midi files I had been playing. That drove me to look at the format and then I sort of got sucked in even more and its diverted me completely away from what I was doing in the first place.
The information I have been given on so far has helped a lot. I don't know why I get hung up on stuff like this because it is not that important since I can now achieve what I want to. But... it seems to be that itch I need to scratch.
Thanks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,114
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,114 |
Hi Jonel Well if you are still in for a bit of info on this stuff. Here below is a link to one of my old post of a technical articles from my website, about just what you see and what you hear or don’t in Realband track view window. It takes a bit of getting your head round but you may find it useful. https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=63093&Number=421946#Post421946Mike
BIAB2021 UltraPlus,AsusN55S1Tbssd, W10/64,Akai EIEpro Yamaha CVP405,SquireStrat, CoolsoftVMidSynth Novatation Impulse61 Ctr kbd, Cwalk blab Kontakt http://mikesmusic.byethost16.com/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
Thanks Bob. I really only started this over some curiosity about the behaviour of some of the midi files I had been playing. That drove me to look at the format and then I sort of got sucked in even more and its diverted me completely away from what I was doing in the first place. Right, happens to me all the time as well. Usually this is the fun part of our little hobby. Where it gets frustrating is when I'm under a time crunch usually involving a gig and I need to create charts for new songs I've never played before. Otherwise, music in general and messing with all this software is what I really love to do and it keeps us sharp. It's not easy figuring this stuff out. Seriously, would you rather learn all you can about midi files or keep watching reruns of Law and Order? Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 549
Journeyman
|
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 549 |
Thanks Bob, sorry for the delay in acknowledging - I've just had a little sojourn to Majorca.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021 |
Bob,
Unusual but I disagree. Sysex is for parameters of a synth that are not covered by system common paramaters.
Sysex = system exclusive.
CC = system common parameters
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021 |
It's the GM thing that gets folks confused.If the synth be it hard or soft you are using is not GM you have a lot of resetting up to do.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021 |
Patch 1 on a synth doesn't have to be a piano unless it's a GM compatible synth.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,889
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,889 |
Thanks for reposting that older post Mike. I had saved it on my old computer and never transferred it over to this new one. Got saved on this one now. good information.
BIAB 2026:RB 2026, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,081
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,081 |
Mike, As Charlie indicated, that long post about getting synths to properly work in RealBand is GOLD. May I humbly suggest you either (1) Copy and paste the message to the Tips & Tricks forum section or (2) post the message link to the Tips & Tricks forum section along with an explanation of why the post exists.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021 |
Mike's post on midi is awesome and should be pinned in the RealBand Forum.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,114
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,114 |
hi
Thanks Jim, Charlie and John
Now available via tips and tricks.
BIAB2021 UltraPlus,AsusN55S1Tbssd, W10/64,Akai EIEpro Yamaha CVP405,SquireStrat, CoolsoftVMidSynth Novatation Impulse61 Ctr kbd, Cwalk blab Kontakt http://mikesmusic.byethost16.com/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
I don't want to rain on your parade Mike, you're pretty knowlegeable but I just read through your Fine Tuning RB etc regarding VST's and don't get the first half of it. It's not that complicated but you sure make it seem complicated. First you wrote you left the Use Default Synth checked and set it up for Tracks 1-5 and you were happy with your Thru track for your keyboard voice as you wrote: This is easy in Realband’s Options / preferences / midi /midi thru / set track specific
This way if I am recording a trumpet by playing notes into a track while recording I hear a trumpet or what ever other instrument I choose on any track I hear that tracks voice .
Ok we are looking good, now here comes the rub.
Lets say I have the first 5 tracks going to my default synth via the afore mentioned
Route MIDI playback to my default Dxi/Vst synth.
Fine I hear these and my thru voice is true to the selected track voice. You don't say what the channel number was for Thru but the assumption is it had to be one of Tracks 1-5 otherwise you would not have heard it. Then you talk about setting up Kontakt on Track 6: For track 6 I Insert Kontakt as a Specific vst synth for midi track
Load up an instrument from my Kontakt library. Realband sets up the fist available free port for this on this track in this case it would be port 17. Fine any midi data coming from data recorded on track 6 is routed to my Kontakt selection and plays that voice, and the other tracks play the default synth voices.
Unfortunately the Thru voice for track 6 still gets sent to the default synth as per my route MIDI playback to my default Dxi/Vst synth and plays the default piano (as there is no other voice specified for that track
As it is specified in Kontakt on port 17.
The work around for this is to un tick the box in midi set up for Route MIDI playback to my default Dxi/Vst synth.
Now I hear the Kontakt voice as the play through voice on track 6. What's that? You said the default synth was set to channels 1-5. Did you mean 1-6? If it was 6 and you knew that was your Thru channel then of course you knew you needed to pick an instrument for it. But then you wrote "plays the default piano (as there is no other voice specified for that track) As it is specified in Kontakt on port 17" Again, what? You did not select an instrument for Track 6 in Kontakt? Color me confused here and then you say you had to uncheck Use Default synth. Ok unchecking that seems to be the main point so why put in all the rest of it? Just say you need to uncheck the Default Synth. That's really confusing. Now you're talking about latency: The other 5 tracks now go to what ever I have set as my mid out device with I might say any latency derived from that trip, but I do hear the track specific voices.
So to get it back to my preferred synth for those tracks I have to:
Assign each track to its own instance of my preferred Dxi/Vst synth.
Its not really a separate instance as such it is the same synth inserted on port 32 once used multiple times. This way I get no latency and every track 1-5 and the Kontakt track have the track specific play through voice. Talking about invoking a synth multiple times is fine but what you did here has nothing to do with latency. The default synth can be a Dxi or a VST and both are subject to whatever soundcard or interface driver you're using. Latency is latency regardless. Are you saying there really is a difference in latency between the Default Synth and any other synth? I've never heard that and I use different synths including the Default all the time. Since some folks seem to think these instructions are gold and need to be put into Tip and Tricks, I respectfully disagree with the first half of this, it's pretty simple. Here's all you need to do: If you want to change a synth on any track you simply change it. Right click in the Track Name window, select Specific DSi/VST Synth. It's irrelevant if you have the Default Synth checked or not, it's all controlled by the Track Info window by selecting Specific Dxi/VST synth for MIDI track. If you have six synths then set them up on six tracks or if one is multitimbral then use it on several tracks as you described with one of the Kontakt synths. If you want to test the same synth for the whole song then after selecting a synth for any track also click on Set all MIDI tracks to the same synth you just selected. You can do this to test every synth in your system if you want. Select it then Set all MIDI tracks to it. That's it. All of this has nothing to do with the Default Synth setting, the Track Info window bypasses that. UNLESS... When using the Thru channel to play/record a midi instrument live the Default Synth overrides a different synth you put on that channel? Ok, so uncheck the Default Synth. There's your tip along with my simple instructions. When I said RB is not complex this is what I mean. A Tip and Trick like this whole post makes it seem to noob's that man, you have to jump through a lot of hoops if you want to use something other than a basic GM synth and that's not true at all. If I'm wrong please tell me but my workiflow is how I've been doing it for for some time. Just to make sure I'm not smokin my socks again I just set up a song with the Microsoft Wavetable, Coyote WT, SampleTank 3, the Forte Dxi and the Yamaha SPG2 that I think you posted. They're all playing fine together. AND the Default Synth is checked. AND I confirmed they're actually playing, I'm not listening to the Default Synth but the tracks say all these other synths. They're all playing. Finally, your post is from 2017. Maybe my method was a new version since then? I'm thinking I've been doing this longer than that but memories fade. In any case I really think you should simplify your post in Tips and Tricks. Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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 amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac 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 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!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
Holiday Weekend Hours
It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:
Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Don't wait - order today!
Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
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.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
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.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac 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)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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)
Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,516
Posts806,003
Members40,142
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean