Have a small problem, which I hope you can help me sort out:
Using BiaB 2019 for Mac, I have loaded the style _GENTLE (Gentle Even Acoustic Pop w/Cello) the guitar should be strummed, but it's not - it is held!? Anyone know why?
I give it a listen. You are right, a held single strum in general on each chord. Why do you feel this not what it is supposed to sound like? I suspect it is as recorded.
However, If you want a more rhythmic strumming pattern try RT 362 guitar, acoustic, Strumming Ev 085. I have another strum pattern with some palm muting, I really like but can't think of it right now. So look in the RealTrack Picker for "strumming" and you should find some nice options.
There definitely seems to be a problem here. I agree with you. The guitar plays as a held, single strum. In the Memo description, though, we are told that it should be: "The acoustic guitar is being played by Brent Mason who is strumming a palm muted even eights rhythm."
To see what's causing this problem, do the following....
1. Load the style _GENTLE
2. Select "Realtracks | Realtrack Picker Dialog" (#1 and #2 on the top image below). If your desktop view is different from mine, press CTRL+T to toggle between views.
3. Now select the Realtrack that contains the Guitar. (#3 on the lower image below)
You can see that this has "[Style: Held]" listed in its name. Which is saying the the "Held" setting has been set in the style and this would seem to be a mistake.
I will report this to the developers and it will be corrected.
In the meantime, to solve this problem, all that you need do is put Realtrack 2780 on the 'Piano' track.
To do this...
4. Select the Piano track (#4 on the bottom image).
5. Type 2780 in the "Filter by" found at the bottom of Realtrack Picker.
6. Select RT 2780 to put #2780 on the empty track and then click on "Close" at the bottom of Realtrack Picker.
The mixer should now show that 2780 is on the track immediately under the Bass as well as on the original faulty track.
7. Turn the volume down on the faulty track (if you set the volume to zero rather than mute, it will save with the song).
8. Generate the song and it should now play properly.
Pure genius Noel. I had the file still open and looked closer and followed your lead. This little lesson opened up my eyes to how the RT Styles are being developed behind the scenes. I knew by ear it was "held" but did not see where this was coded. The real clue to me should have been the lack of musicality to the held chords - something was indeed wrong. But you nailed it.
Can't we remove the "held" and "simple" when it is used? Or is the only way this little work around by placing the RT back into the song?
And final question - where the heck did you learn all this?
And finally... Jochim, hope it don't look like I stole your tread.
That's a great question and its solution is worth adding to the thread.
Yes it's possible to enter into Stylemaker and remove the "Held" setting.
To see this setting, return to Realtrack Picker with _GENTLY loaded and you'll see, on the upper far right where the various RT options are located, that the "Held" option is ticked. It is grayed out, though, and cannot be accessed. This means that it was set in the style.
The problem with editing the style is that next time, an update arrives, it's possible that the update will overwrite the changed style unless it's renamed to a non-BIAB-style name.
Of course renaming and saving a new style is easy enough to do... say _GENTLY9 <--- this would mean that it will still appear near "_GENTLY" in Stylepicker and it's unlikely that PG Music will use a 9 at the end of the style (also, there are only 8 characters to work with in the name).
If you are curious how to do this... read on...
1. Enter into Stylemaker -- "File | Stylemaker | Edit current style"
2. Use "Save As" to save the current style as a new style. (Top image below.)
3. As shown on the middle image, now select "Misc" (#1) and then a second window will pop up from which you can select "More".
4. Now, as shown on the bottom image, select RT 2780 (#1) and then remove the checkmark from "Held" (#2).
5. Exit back to the original Stylemaker window and save the style.
6. Exit back to BIAB's chord sheet.
You now have a new style that has the correct setting.
Regards, Noel
P.S. I just pick up this stuff as I try understand a little more about BIAB. For me, it all begins with watching the PG Music videos found at...
I hope our newest member, Jochim, appreciates that he just woke up and walked into a masterclass lesson in RealStyles. No extra charge
And then just between us long timers.
This perfectly illustrates the Yin and the Yang of BIAB. Or is it the Pain and the Passion. I have tended in recent times to get frustrated with the depth of this program when I feel things should just be like I think they should be. Easy to just assume bugs in the code and shut it down. And in this case we do feel a code change should be done. But it is also clear now that the tools are all there for us to get the job done (making music) completely.
For me this is a kind of wonderful little Christmas tale here in our quite forum on this blessed day. Appreciate what we have been given, Use what we have to its fullest, and make a joyful sound unto the world.
Merry Christmas to you and yours Noel from me and mine.
Have a small problem, which I hope you can help me sort out:
Using BiaB 2019 for Mac, I have loaded the style _GENTLE (Gentle Even Acoustic Pop w/Cello) the guitar should be strummed, but it's not - it is held!? Anyone know why?
Best regards Jochim
Thank you for reporting this. The style is from Xtra Styles PAK 4: Folk and Beyond 1, and will be updated in a future patch.
Also, Noel96 has provided an excellent tutorial on the StyleMaker. Thank you for providing a workaround in the interim.
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!
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Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
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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.
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)
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!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
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.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
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