In EzDrums by Toontracks I can easily modify a pattern with a "number of hits" setting. It's possible to have more or less than the default. This is really a handy feature.
In BiaB this could be realized by sub-styles, but the point is that the main groove/pattern stays te same. It's just more or less embellishment. So I see it more as an additional bar setting rather than a sub-style.
"sparse" could be used eg for the first verse of a pop-song or the one before the last one. "busy" is more for the final verse/chorus at the end of a song.
Another use case is a pre-chorus with either "busy" verse or "sparse" chorus.
+1 but for an easier way to do it. There are work around available but they are not intuitive or easy.
Band-in-a-Box has "Natural Arrangement" and "Simple Arrangement" checkbox options in the "Song Settings" window available through the "Song Settings" button in the song title bar just above the song tempo.
Pressing the "Bar Setting" button opens the "Bar Setting" window that allows you to clear the existing RealDrum track, substitute a RealDrum track or swap midi drum kits if using midi drums.
Have you tried freezing the other tracks and using any of these settings to change the drum arrangement?
Most of the dedicated drum track creation tools I have looked at have a method to simplify or embellish a drum track. I like, but don't have, +++ RealiDrums +++. Realidrums is a drum track creation tool that works as an instrument inside both the free Kontakt Player and full version Kontakt. It has sliders to individually adjust complexity of each drum instrument. It also will automatically play a 1, 2, 3 or 4 beat fill as desired. It will also export the drum track output as midi for additional editing or playback in a DAW as well as accept midi input from a DAW for use as a midi sound module. It is also presently has a sale price of $99.
All drum track creation tools I've seen create midi drum patterns and have a playback sound engine to playback the created midi drum patterns. That type of dedicated, integrated, modular system is designed for flexibility. A tool like EZDrums can also be expensive, especially if you start purchasing expansion packs.
Thank you for you detail answer, Jim. I forgot about the "simple arrangement" for a moment and it works differently then what I have in mind.
Some clarification: * the options should work for the MIDI styles * having them for RealTracks is a bonus (but IMHO unrealistic to add to existing and much work for new ones) * "sparse" means less notes/hits (it does not affect chord alterations) * "busy" means more notes/hits (it does not affect chord alterations) * sparse/normal/busy can be seen as a "density" setting
What I originally didn't have in mind is another setting that affects the rhythmic "complexity". Here we have "straigth" and "off-beat". The former favours plain on-beat notes, the latter syncopations.
Both settings can be set indipendently from each other.
The current setting for "simple arrangement" is explained as having less rhythmic variations and less altered chords.
* "sparse" means less notes/hits (it does not affect chord alterations) * "busy" means more notes/hits (it does not affect chord alterations) * sparse/normal/busy can be seen as a "density" setting
I'm not sure if you've investigate blue and green part markers, but this is exactly how they work.
Noel, I want more variation within a song. If use a (blue) for the verse and b (green) for the chorus (in the common sense, not the BiaB) then I would like to have variations of a and b. See my original post on how these verses and choruses would differ.
The multi-styles by BiaB have additional variations for intro (c) and interlude/bridge (d). That's nice and reasonable for RealTracks. But I think for MIDI based (tracks) styles there is more possible without additional sub-styles. Thought that doesn't mean I say no if I get the chance for c/d sub-styles for existing MIDI styles
It's a kind of convenience thing. I know that I can export the MIDI tracks and add or remove notes. But a) that's extra work for me and b) I don't play instrument X so I wouldn't know where it is natural to add or remove for that instrument.
Great clarifications. As I said in my earlier post:
Quote:
+1 but for an easier way to do it. There are work around available but they are not intuitive or easy.
That said the work arounds I suggested do not properly address the density of midi note arrangements. I've seen a few plugins, most notably +++ RealiDrums by Realitone +++ that have slide controls to change the density or complexity of the midi output.
Lets say for a moment each track had a complexity fader. The logical place for the fader is to add a fader to each track in the mixer. The Realitone video shows each complexity fader affects plugin midi output in real time. How would a similar track fader work in Band-in-a-Box? One way could be through the mixer and F5 settings.
Each track complexity fader could set the initial complexity of the track midi pattern. Part markers would continue to make track complexity patterns change as they do now. F5 settings could have eight boxes that display the complexity of each track pattern at the current bar. + and - radio buttons would enable incremental changes that start at the current bar. The user also could double click on the complexity box of a track to enter a new value.
Here's a question for discussion. In this model, when a part marker is encountered should the part marker overwrite the current complexity values, increment the current values a set amount plus or minus, or increment a percentage amount plus or minus? In any case plus increase the complexity while minus decreases the complexity.
I've seen a few plugins, most notably +++ RealiDrums by Realitone +++ that have slide controls to change the density or complexity of the midi output.
Lets say for a moment each track had a complexity fader. The logical place for the fader is to add a fader to each track in the mixer.
Lot's of track settings could be put shown in the mixer but are not. For me only the fader metaphor makes the mixer a choice for putting complexity settings.
But I assume that the method of setting the initial complexity value in your model doesn't matter.
I hadn't had a song setting for complexity in mind. The simpler approach is IMHO that any bar setting overrides the song setting for a track (which in turn could inherit from a global song setting).
The option to use relative value has its merits as you can play with the initial value to figure out the best overall complexity. Percentages will make only sense if the initial value is fine grained (as a fader implies). If we get "only" a scale from 1 to 9 (5 being "normal") an amount will do fine.
If the bar setting is implemented as a plain text field all three options could be available:
* number without sign => fixed amount * number with sign => relative value * number with a % suffix => relative value in percent
That's probably what be done in Reaper, king of tweaks.
The drawback is that the user may enter invalid data (eg letters). What's more he has to remember all the possible formats. Great for power users, not newbie friendly.
As an alternative two drop-downs may be used. One shows the measure (amount, relative, relative in %) the other the possible values. For % the dropdown will show only values in steps of 10 (or replace thevalue drop down with a text field).
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll also keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
From overviews of new features and walkthroughs of the 202 new RealTracks, to highlights of XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAKs 18, the 2025 49-PAK, and in-depth tutorials — you’ll find everything you need to explore what’s new in Band-in-a-Box® 2025.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac is here, packed with major new features and an incredible collection of available new content! This includes 202 RealTracks (in Sets 449-467), plus 20 bonus Unreleased RealTracks in the 2025 49-PAK. There are new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 4, two new sets of “RealDrums Stems,” XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAK 19, and more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac with savings of up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special—available until July 31, 2025! Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
2025 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
We've packed our Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK with some incredible Add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is automatically included with most Band-in-a-Box® for Mac 2025 packages, but for even more Add-ons (including 20 Unreleased RealTracks!) upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49. You can see the full lists of items in each package, and listen to demos here.
If you have any questions, feel free to connect with us directly—we’re here to help!
Cari amici
È stata aggerate la versione in Italiano del programma più amato dagli appassionati di musica, il nostro Band-in-a-Box.
Questo è il link alla nuova versione 2025.
Di seguito i link per scaricare il pacchetti di lingua italiana aggiornati per Band-in-a-Box e RealBand, anche per chi avesse già comprato la nuova versione in inglese.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 pour Windows est disponible en Français.
Le téléchargement se fait à partir du site PG Music
Pour ceux qui auraient déjà acheté la version 2025 de Band-in-a-Box (et qui donc ont une version anglaise), il est possible de "franciser" cette version avec les patchs suivants:
Band-in-a-Box 2025 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!
Die deutsche Version Band-in-a-Box® 2025 für Windows ist ab sofort verfügbar!
Alle die bereits die englische Version von Band-in-a-Box und RealBand 2024 installiert haben, finden hier die Installationsdateien für das Sprachenupdate:
Update Your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 to Build 1128 for Windows Today!
Already using Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 1128 now from our Support Page to enjoy the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.
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