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).
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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!
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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
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SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
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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)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
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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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
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Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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