Band in a box has been used for some time. I mainly use BB VST. I will replace the drum with ujam drum I found a problem. There are a lot of styles in band in a box, but most of the combination routines are bass, drum and guitar (sometimes 2 or 3 guitars) I was wondering if the guitar would feel tacky with too many timbres, so I tried to replace it. Because now many music has no guitar element, just synthesizer. Sometimes when I remove some guitars and replace them with synth, I feel very modern. Different rhythm will make the music feel different Of course, I also like the combination of guitar and synth
Hmmm. Again, the main purpose of BiaB is to recreate the sound of real musicians playing real instruments.
The RealTracks in particular, are actual recordings of real musicians and real instruments, adjusted by software to match the pitch and timing of the chord progressions you define. There are MIDI data to go with these tracks, but that MIDI data is just an approximation to what the musician actually played, though it may well still help with what you want.
MIDI tracks and MIDI-Supertracks are intended to be actual MIDI and might better suit what you want, depending partly on whether the synth idea you have is polyphonic or a monophonic.
As far as synthesizer sounds go, there are countless synthesizers out on the 'Net that can be controlled by the MIDI you choose. In many ways, it's the "morphing" of the synthesis that sets its character, so controlling that is definitely (IMHO) a task for the producer, rather than a tool like BiaB.
Whether you use a software synthesizer or a physical synthesizer is probably personal preference.
I think, personally, that trying to include a rich set of moderns synthesizers into BiaB would, at best, be a never-ending process of "add a synth"; "it's too dated"; repeat.
I think you really need to find synthesizers on the 'Net' or from a hardware manufacturer to get the sounds you want, and then use BiaB's MIDI to control the notes and the DAW's automation to control any morphing. There are free software synthesizers out there, as well and a large number of commercial offerings.
Last edited by Gordon Scott; 10/25/2102:13 AM.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
SBMix. with resperct your approaching this wrong imho. you have a threadripper pc right. ryzen will eat realband for breakfast. try this method. 1. open realband (rb)...and config your asio interface. 2. layout your chords. 3. start auditioning midi styles. 4. when you find one you like , start right cliking over blank rb traks and gen midi bass/drum/synth traks whatever. at the same time plugging in modern sounding sample player and/or synth plug ins. ive already given you links to loads of free plug ins. 5. work on your modern arrangement till you get it right.
THEN later you can do further tests adding real traks if you wish. THE KEY IS RIGHT CLIK OVER A RB FREE TRACK AND YOULL SEE A BIG VERTICAL MENU. LOOK AT THE GENERATION OPTION...the beauty of rb is you have 48 traks. also a tip LEARN BARS VIEW, very usefull for moveing around midi bars/arrange as you want.
best om
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
OM in all due respect there is nothing wrong with SBmix's approach. Note there is nothing wrong with your approach either.
I have done what SBmix has done. In fact in a song I will be posting soon I took a Celtic harp RT, used Melodyne to convert it to MIDI (the chart version of said RT was not correct), then used that MIDI track to control an orchestra harp. I have also used RTs converted to MIDI to control soft synths. Note that I did the conversions in my DAW Studio One Pro.
The bottom line is that there is usually more than one way to achieve your goals in BiaB, RealBand, and/or any other DAW.
YMMV
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
With all due respect to both of you, I don't believe the OP is looking for this or any other kind of advice. He says, "I found a problem." That problem is too many guitars & too many Jazz styles, and "too few modern synths" & too few Pop styles. He knows how to fix it for himself, but he wants to be really clear that this is a serious problem with BIAB: it's just too old-fashioned.
define old fashioned..........maybe BIAB isn't the program you want if you want a different kind of music.
if it doesn't do what you want try something else. i have a martin d35. it's not a stratocaster but i'm not accusing martin guitars of being old fashioned. in fact i've got a strat clone for when i want it. both are guitars but i choose the right one for the right job. maybe BIAB isn't right for the OP.
i just went thru the stylepicker useing the following filters. ultrapak 2020 no addons... funk 665 results rap 91 results modern 687 pop 3,553 tek 68 electro 57 edm 27 synth 603
i still say rb is the appropriate pg app cos of all the midi and plug in manipulation capabilities. as to limited synth capabilities i disagree. i have synth out the ying yangs includeing sforzando and free synths i got like dune and loads of others.
i really think folks any music genre can be done in biab or rb. ITS ALL IN THE METHODS YOU USE.imho. you can even start off with blank style in stylepicker and roll your own approach.
i really wonder if people saying biab and/or rb cant do certain moderrn styles//things have really delved into all the features of both at a deep level. let me say in the past with styles ages ago i would have agreed with the too many old/jazz styles comment. but in the last few years i really cant say that.
om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 10/25/2110:59 AM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
BIAB doesn't and shouldn't have to be all things to all people.
I'd go further than that ... there are literally hundreds of synthesizers out there, each with dozens of parameters that can be tweaked either to get a specific sound, or to get morphing sounds.
I cannot see any way that an application like BiaB could, or should, sensibly even try to replicate the countless, tending towards infinity, sounds and morphs that can be produced. It would, IMHO, be crazy even to try.
BiaB will send MIDI to a synthesizer. Use a synthesizer.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
Yes MIDI, as said audio is one type of sound that you can't change but only add FX to but with MidiSuperTracks or MidiUserTracks the sound can be unique and infinitely variable.
The keyboard style midi file will have Midi Section Markers Open the midi file in the Style Wizard Set the A section Set the B section Set A Fill Set B Fill Set what instruments go on each track
The Lyrics window will show the Midi Marker Sections
I don't know how you create the MultiStyles+ ? If I Edit the current Midi MultiStyle I can't see the C D sections. And can't see how to add Endings in the StyleWizard ? May have to ask in the Beginners Forum.
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.
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
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!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
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!
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