<< I wanted to try something new... Here is the scenario: I have arrangement in place, (all RT / RD). I wanted to experiment with some MIDI percussion that are available in MIDI styles of BIAB... So, how do I pull only drums out of pre-made BIAB MIDI style into my own? >>
To pull only drums out of a pre-made BIAB MIDI style, the steps outlined by Pipeline are nearly correct.
Pipeline opened the correct window but chose from the Preset radio button rather than selecting from an existing BIAB style.
I created an all-RT Chord Sheet, forced the drum track to all MIDI, Opened the Select custom midi style for this track... from the Drum Track drop down sub menu. The drum track was selected by default in the Custom Style Menu Window.
I selected Gumshoe.sty, selected drums and the Drum Kit from the Gumshoe.sty loaded onto the BIAB Mixer track and played correctly.
I had another look at it and what it does when you select Force MIDI Drums it will always use the default even through you have it set to Custom Midi. In your midi notes I looked closer and the single notes you show are the very top notes of the drums, the bell. If you remove the Custom Midi with it still set to Force to MIDI Drums it will play the same drum notes.
The image I posted above was not from the original sgu I did because I didn't save it. I also did not look at the piano roll data of the original sgu file. The one above was taken from a sgu file that replicated the original just so I could screen shot the piano roll.
The point though is using the Custom Midi Picker is the correct method to use a Midi track from another style or from a preset to put a midi patch into any sgu file. It works the same as selecting a RealTrack. There may be an issue with drums that isn't the same as other patches.
Open and examine =HANKMID.sty - It's the PG Music demo style using this method and listed in the Help documentation. PGMusic staff disabled the RealDrums and added two midi patches. They did not mention the drums or why they were disabled in the Help documentation.
All the instruments change to the Custom Midi but not the Drums, you should not have to set it to Force to Midi Drums, it should just change when you select Custom Midi Drums. I tried it with Biab2016 and it's the same story, totally ignores Custom Midi Drums.
Pipeline, Charlie, Thank you for investing so much time into this. Not that simple after all Here is what I think. Ok... You, I, people who "knew" and folks who will read this post will get by. However, it seems that HUGE chunk of creative content will get dismissed by most users, because it is so awkward and so buried. There are some very musically interesting items hiding in BIAB Midi styles. In my opinion, those Midi tracks (phrases) should be easily available through individual track picker with audition, same way as RT's, Rd's or loops. If you separate BIAB into two segments, Program and Content, no matter what is user opinion on Midi styles, they are still content. It will take time for most to learn the program, but creative content should be available and accessible right out of the box, without Houdini magic. I think the only universal solution would be a consolidated tabbed picker: One picker with separate tabs for Rt's, Rd's, Loops and Midi with their own set of filters in each tab and perhaps a general search in all. For example, type "rhumba" and it will give you related results in all tabs.
The Choose from Presets Picker, if you had that in a Tab in the MultiPicker and when you press the Play button to preview the Drums or Instrument, it will play the midi info directly from the style so you won't need a ton of audio demos.
Would there be a Tab to choose any drum or instrument from keyboard styles PSR STY etc.. ??
You can do that in JJazzLab and Reaper, you can open your song SGU MGU in JJazzLab or Reaper and create a Drum or instrument track from any keyboard style to fit your chords and part markers of your song SGU, change to any style at any bar, then just drag n drop into Biab.
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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 new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 process 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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
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.
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.