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Joined: Aug 2021
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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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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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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
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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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Aug 2021
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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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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!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Holiday Weekend Hours
As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:
April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours
Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
— Team PG
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
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