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Post your own Tips and Tricks here
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 297
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 297 |
This isn't a big big thing but I like it.
I use the stylemaker to change the instruments on an existing style, then save it renamed. It's like getting a completely different style. Lately I'm into techno-synth sounds and this is very easy to do.
George Strait style with sawtooth piano and slap-bass.
I'm a sick man ... I know
- Bud
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 484
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 484 |
Hey, great idea. This would be a new venture for me. Could you describe the steps you take to create your own style by using the existing resources? Everytime I open the style I get oevrwhelmed by all the boxes and buttons and drop downs that I feel like a deer in headlights. So, please be gentle in your explanation for this wannabe getting past the newbie stage.
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 603
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 603 |
First class idea! It increases the value of your BiaB a good bit, to be able to get extra styles at will, for low effort and no cost. Small edits can yield big results.
This will sound simple-minded, Ricke, but your best friend in the Stylemaker is blind persistence . The thing looks like such absolute hell the first time you open it. Then it's already less daunting on the second visit, and so on. Very soon, things begin to make actual sense, especially once you start working on some manageable aspect. There are a couple very useful tutorials reachable through the Help option; take advantage of those, and of the Help screens for the individual menus.
To change patches, click on the PAT button. You get a patch-change menu that's pretty much self-explanatory. There's no real way to screw it up, even if you screw it up.
There are easier ways to change patches temporarily, but doing it in the style can be good. The main thing is to get started and give it a try.
Larry
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Joined: Jul 2000
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Rubberball, the changes you made are nowhere near the same class as this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLkOYHYQ2tc
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Post your own Tips and Tricks here
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 297
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 297 |
I do pretty much what allis said. Just changing the patch is easy. Now, if you want to mess with the drum beats and such there's a little more to it, but still not real tough. Sometimes I change the probabilty numbers (or whatever you call them) to make some phrases play more or less often.
- Bud
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 297
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 297 |
Just noticed what you said, allis, about easier ways to change patches temporarily.
What I do now is pause the song, change the instrument, then save+ the whole song. Lot of steps. If I just change the patch while the song is stopped, when I start it again the instrument jumps back to whatever it is in the style.
I've looked and looked for a box to check or uncheck someplace to make it easier.
I could really dig a way to just try out patches without the stylemaker or save+, if you know a way I'd be most grateful.
- Bud
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 603
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 603 |
Save+ is excellent to specify patches for the entire song -- sounds that will play all the way through. For a one-time shot, it would generally be more sensible to prepare your tune using Save+ than to change patches in the Stylemaker.
If you only want to try out some different sounds, change the patch number while it's playing and have a listen. Changes won't "stick", as you correctly point out, but you can quickly hear many patches in context and remember what sounded right.
Also:
At any measure, you can change patches using the "Bar Settings" . These will then automatically change as the tune plays through. Right click on the desired measure, select Bar Settings, follow your good sense (and the menu's Help screen). Change all patches at every bar, if you want. This is not for real-time tinkering, but for finished arrangements that change sounds during the course of the tune.
Bar Settings is a big powerhouse menu that repays careful study, if you're not used to using it yet.
Larry
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Joined: Feb 2010
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Apprentice
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 297 |
I knew bar settings had that, but never think to use it. Looks save+ is about the easiest way for me. I understand why the styles hang onto their instruments as a default.
I figure too, that Band in a Box is an auto-comp program and not a sequencer. I find it way easier to set up an arrangement in Band in a Box, but then MIDI it to Power Tracks to try patches, record mixer moves, etc.
Tonight I think I'll mod a Euro-synth style with bluegrass instruments...
- Bud
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 603
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 603 |
Quote:
...I find it way easier to set up an arrangement in Band in a Box, but then MIDI it to Power Tracks to try patches, record mixer moves, etc.
That's a natural course to take. BiaB has been given some improvised sequencer functions as a convenience over time, but it's still a dreadful sequencer, compared to any real one.
But any method that keeps the ball rolling the way you want it is going to be good.
Quote:
Tonight I think I'll mod a Euro-synth style with bluegrass instruments...
Wail on! It's delightful to hear somebody having this much fun.
Larry
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 484
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 484 |
Kind of hard to connect "Death Metal" with the joy of life that song speaks of. Truly a practice that some mutual exclusivisms never shall stand side by side.
Allis, Thanks for your encouragement. I suppose the eating an elephant one bite at a time is the way to approach it. I am going to look into the tutorials you mention. As for the instructions, I stopped using them after I found they were not in synch with the features in some of the things I was looking for. Going in.. If you don't hear from me... send for the troops!
Update: I just took a look at the "Exploring Styles" tutorial on the site. It was very informative (being I am a visual person). It not only shook some of the fear I had whenever I looked at the Style window, but it also gave some neat instructions on how to mix up the feel in a song. I sensed what may be a nice feature in that the measure previous to the change, the shift subtly segued in so that on the first beat of the next measure you were smoothly into the new feel without that freight train effect of jumping styles with no transition.
Like I always say, "Just another new toy within this product that will keep me indoors this weekend!" I sure do hope it rains! You guys at PG are incredible!
RickeG
Last edited by RickeG; 04/16/10 12:38 PM.
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 603
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 603 |
Quote:
...As for the instructions, I stopped using them after I found they were not in synch with the features in some of the things I was looking for.
I imagine there must be Help screens, somewhere, that need updating or something. But I don't know where they are: Those are in general the best thing about BiaB. Some of the menus are downright mystifying, and it's a great relief to hit Help in the bottom right corner and have nice lucid directions appear to explain each item. So my own experience is the opposite of yours. You oughtta give them another chance.
Many are defeated by the Stylemaker, so it's nice to hear somebody decide to give it a go. Just keep shining that bright light in its face. It will crack and yield up its secrets.
Larry
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
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A very easy way to create hybrid styles with realtracks (without having to use the style maker at all) is like this:
1) the active instruments are at the top of the screen with radio buttons beside them. Right click on one that you want to change...
2) a floating menu appears. Click "ADD/REMOVE REAL TRACKS"
3) pick a new real track from the list that appears
4) repeat with other instruments until you have the instruments the way you want
5) right click again on any of the instruments, click "ADD/REMOVE REAL TRACKS" but this time instead of picking an instrument, click the button that says SAVE STYLE
6) give your style a new name (I don't know if the 8 character limit is still in effect, but might not be a bad to keep the name short), and save it in the root directory where all the other styles reside.
7) next time you're in the style picker, rebuild the list. Your saved style should show up in the category "OTHER STYLES FOUND" or "MY STYLES"
Last edited by Pat Marr; 04/25/10 07:51 AM.
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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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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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Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
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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.
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This Free Bonus PAK includes:
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-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
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- 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
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Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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!
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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)!
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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
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