This will allow you to create you own RealTrack Bass patterns/riffs using midi (in the video it is using the RealChart midi as an example). You can also use F5 to mute the RealTrack Bass and bring the Sforzando ReaTrack Bass in at any location.
You can try these out, if they are helpful I can create more for the other basses. If you look in the Holds column in the RealTrack picker it will say what hold it uses.
To use from the shots folder (dragging into Sforzando): extract Acoustic String Bass (33) Hold 73.sfz to X:\bb\RealTracks\Library\Holds\Holds_73 extract Finger Electric Bass (34) Hold 125.sfz to X:\bb\RealTracks\Library\Holds\Holds_125 extract Finger Electric Bass (34) Hold 125 (Direct Input).sfz to X:\bb\RealTracks\Direct Input\Library\Holds\Holds_125
To use from Band-in-a-Box-Sounds menu in Sforzando: rename C:\Program Files\PG Music Inc\Band-in-a-Box Sounds\Band-in-a-Box Sounds.bank.xml > Band-in-a-Box Sounds.bank-org.xml extract Band-in-a-Box Sounds.bank.xml to C:\Program Files\PG Music Inc\Band-in-a-Box Sounds\ extract Acoustic String Bass (33) Hold 73.sfz extract Finger Electric Bass (34) Hold 125.sfz to C:\Program Files\PG Music Inc\Band-in-a-Box Sounds\Programs\Bass extract Finger Electric Bass (34) Hold 125 (Direct Input).sfz to C:\Program Files\PG Music Inc\Band-in-a-Box Sounds\Programs\Bass\Direct Input
If you have wav files in your Hold folders skip this. To create (mono)wav file from your wma use the method below. If you have something else that will convert wma to mono wav use it. If you have C:\bb\Data\decompress.zip extract decompress.exe to the individual Hold folder to convert to wav.
If you are using from the Sforzando menu copy the wav files (Holds_125 SH1251.wav, SH1252.wav, SH1253.wav) and (Holds_73 SH0731.wav) to C:\Program Files\PG Music Inc\Band-in-a-Box Sounds\Programs\Bass\ and the Direct Input Hold wav files (Holds_125 SH1255.wav) to C:\Program Files\PG Music Inc\Band-in-a-Box Sounds\Programs\Bass\Direct Input To use Biab to convert wma to mono wav: File > New set tempo to 85bpm freeze all tracks except Audio Save Song As SH0731.SGU X:\bb\RealTracks\Library\Holds\Holds_73 (don't save it in the holds folder if you already have SH0731.wav) File > Import > Import Audio ... browse to X:\bb\RealTracks\Library\Holds\Holds_73 select SH0731.wma import at the default location (the very start) YES import as mono NOT stereo you will see it in the Audio Edit window File > Save Song
you will now have SH0731.wav (mono) in the Holds_73 folder place the Acoustic String Bass (33).sfz in that folder also now drag Acoustic String Bass (33).sfz into Sforzando vst you should get bass notes from the keys while stopped if you have ASIO or MME Always On.
to test it out load the _J140_A2.STY then load the Demo Song for it, mute the RealTrack Bass open Piano Roll click B right click > Select All Notes All Channels right click on red note > Copy click the M Melody track in Piano Roll click your mouse just a touch after bar 1 right click > Paste while the notes are all red hold the shift key and drag the start of the first note to adjust the timing if out make sure Snap up the top of Piano Roll is off, now on the mixer select Plugins tab click the Melody track [None] and load the Sforzand vst now drag Acoustic String Bass (33).sfz into it.
If you are using MAC open the *.sfz with TextEdit and replace .wav with .aif if that's what you have, it should work with uncompressed aif if not use a wav file.
For anyone interested this is how you create them in the pic below, if you DAW has a Sample option display for the time line, get the start and end times for each note. In Reaper ReaTune plugin will give the note and octave or or the free GTune vst https://www.gvst.co.uk/gtune.htm If you open the .sfz file with notepad you will see.
Not to look a gift horse in the mouth but... well, why not just issue this as a general purpose sfz with a simple drag'n-drop function (like the Karoyfer sets and similar) and skip all this renaming hoopla altogether
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
It uses your existing samples (RealTracks Holds) that you paid PG music for so I can't really upload them to give away for free. If you just put the free sfz's from Band-in-a-Box-Sounds.bank-RealBass-2.zip in the Hold folders it will work as long as you have the uncompressed wav in there. Just drag Acoustic String Bass (33) Hold 73.sfz, Finger Electric Bass (34) Hold 125.sfz or Finger Electric Bass (34) Hold 125 (Direct Input).sfz from their folder straight into Sforzando, you can also make an alias for them on your desktop. The other bit is if you want to add them to the PG Sforzand Library for quick access. It does work really well and is well worth trying for adding custom bass riffs to a RealTrack Bass or for a whole midi track. You can easily create a break in the RealBass for a bass solo simply using F5 to mute the RealBass playing and bring in the midi track playing Acoustic String Bass (33) Hold 73.sfz then F5 back to normal and allow the RealBass to come back in. PG could include these quite easily for users and maybe get around to sampling the non bass instruments to sfz giving uses a lot more control.
Here's another I made for someone using that instrument: Finger Electric Bass (34) Hold 195.sfz these are the notes for Bass, Electric, TexasBluesRockStraight Ev 120 Bass, Electric, TexasBluesRockFunky Ev16 090 Bass, Electric, TexasBluesRockShuffle Sw 130 Bass, Electric, TexasBluesRockSlow12-8 Sw 060 Put this in X:\bb\RealTracks\Library\Holds\Holds_195 if you don't have wav save the wma/m4a as mono wav see here RealTrack Bass Samples for Sforzando or I think you can copy decompress.exe from C:\bb\Data\Util folder to that folder and run it (it may be in a zip) not sure if Mac has similar app for m4a ? but Free MediaHuman Converter.app should, if you decompress the m4a to aif instead of wav replace all instances of wav with aif in the sfz file opened with text edit. Drag Finger Electric Bass (34) Hold 195.sfz into Sforzando VSTi it had 2 octaves but I added another in the instrument.
If you are using MAC open the *.sfz with TextEdit and replace .wav with .aif if that's what you have, it should work with uncompressed aif if not use a wav file.
2. It's just using samples from the Hold file so it should be ok.
How neat is this? Using the existing samples in BIAB to make a good soundfont, and the examples are quite convincing. Wow, Pipeline, keep blowing our minds!
Biab, Kontakt, Sampletank and lots of nice libraries, from Fluffy audio to Abbey Road drums. Check out these great contemporary Jazz Styles: www.jazzstylezz.com
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 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.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 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.
zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!
Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
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.
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