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Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 177
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OP
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Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 177 |
Thanks in advance to the community. I have read the user guide and talked with the chat folks. I am still a bit unclear on terminology and how to properly read the BIAB website and their listings of RealTrack combos/instruments/styles etc. Is a RealTrack an audio recorded single instrument? Is a "style" or "RealCombo" simply a collection of RealTrack instruments playing together or is there a difference between the two? One poster here said that he used DORA.sty to create a song. How does this this type of nomenclature mesh with website listed RealTrack and RealCombos? I can't seem to find any type of XXX.sty listing or definition on the BIAB website. Or can you point me to a tutorial specifically on these terms. The user guide is not helping me. Again thank you with your patience in bringing up Junior! 
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Veteran
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A Style "tells" the Band-in-a-Box program what tempo, feel, key signature and instruments to start with. For MIDI instruments a Style also includes MIDI patterns for the MIDI instruments to play. A RealTrack is an audio recording of one or more instruments that Band-in-a-Box and RealBand use as an instrument on a track. An example of a single instrument RealTrack is an acoustic or electric piano. An example of multiple RealTrack instruments is a horn section. PG Music distributes RealTracks in Real Combos or Sets. Sets are groups of RealTracks packaged together. PG Music presently has 375 RealTrack Sets. You can find out more about RealTrack Sets +++ HERE for Windows +++ or +++ HERE for Mac +++. Pro and Mega RealCombos are individual RealTracks PG Music packaged together to create a realistic sounding band. The ProPAK ships with Pro RealCombos that include about 500 RealTracks. You can find out more about ProCombos for Windows +++ HERE +++ The MegaPAK Mega RealCombos include about 800 RealTracks. You can find out more about MegaCombos for Windows +++ HERE +++ For comparison, the 375 RealTrack sets include more than 3,100 RealTracks.
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Aug 2021
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Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 177 |
Jim thank you so much for this! I was aware of the links that you gave with all the lists. What I was having trouble with was just the bare definitions that you so clearly described. At least to my reading, the website lists didn't give such straight forward definitions. Thank you for helping me!
So the last part of my question is the bit about a user here stating that he used DORA.sty to create a song. I take it from your comments this might be a "style", but designated by a file name that BIAB uses? The chat folks couldn't tell me where I could find out about a ".sty file" and see how it translated to their published lists of sets of RealTracks
Can you educate me on this type of nomenclature?
You were very clear above - how nice of you!!
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Oct 2020
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PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 836 |
So the last part of my question is the bit about a user here stating that he used DORA.sty to create a song. I take it from your comments this might be a "style", but designated by a file name that BIAB uses? The chat folks couldn't tell me where I could find out about a ".sty file" and see how it translated to their published lists of sets of RealTracks
An .STY file is the file format that the Styles are saved in and stored to the bb/Styles folder. You do not access the STY files directly from your computer, but instead Band-in-a-Box selects them from the Style Picker. This video goes over how to use the Style Picker. https://youtu.be/g9Ovdul7bi0 After you load a Style, you can change the individual RealTracks if you wish. You can do this in the RealTracks Picker. https://youtu.be/nbf9P496sy0
Best,
Chantelle
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Aug 2021
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Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 177 |
Ahhh thanks for that Chantelle. I think I can see now why that poster used that xxx.sty nomenclature. It looks like that name is displayed in the user interface and so he/she just mentioned that name.
But if one is given just that name, can a user then locate the style on your lists on your website to preview it, or locate it in your pickers with only the style file name given by the poster?
Follow up: after watching the videos you suggested it seems to me that I might be able in the styles picker to search by the style file name that was given to me and thus find all the information that about that style. Do I have that right? If so, where do I place that style file name to search for it?
Thanks so much!
Last edited by BackingTrack; 11/10/21 07:12 AM.
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Oct 2020
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PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 836 |
But if one is given just that name, can a user then locate the style on your lists on your website to preview it, or locate it in your pickers with only the style file name given by the poster?
Follow up: after watching the videos you suggested it seems to me that I might be able in the styles picker to search by the style file name that was given to me and thus find all the information that about that style. Do I have that right? If so, where do I place that style file name to search for it?
Thanks so much!
Yes, type in the Style name as it appears in all caps letters into the Filter String field. If you then cannot find it in the Style Picker it could be that it is not available in your PAK. If you are unsure of whether or not you should have a particular Style, you can contact us directly and we can check for you. To do this, either go to live chat on our website during our open hours, or email sales@pgmusic.com.
Best,
Chantelle
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I am so impressed with your customer service and responses. Class act!
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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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!
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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®.
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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®.
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Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
Holiday Weekend Hours
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Saturday, May 16: Closed
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Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
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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!
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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.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
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®!
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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)
Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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