I want to create a song that completely combines multiple styles, all the instruments from every part, from beginning to end, even if that would be discordant or redundant.
Why do I want to do this?
Right now I will sometimes set a style, export audio / MIDI into Logic, then set another style and repeat, sorting it all out in Logic. This way would make that a lot easier.
I'm guessing the answer will have something to do with copying tracks onto utility tracks, which I approach with fear and trembling because of the way BIAB seems to use random names for instruments. But, if that's what I have to do, that's what I have to do.
Please note, I am using BIAB MacOS 2021. I post this here because I doubt it's a Mac-specific question.
Super easy way to do that...... Write the song in BB in the style you want. Export the tracks as waves into a DAW. Save it with a name. Change the style to the other style.... repeat the export. Save it with a name+1. Select the tracks you want from each style in your DAW.... Selectively mute the ones you don't want to use.
Thanks, but then I wind up with multiple versions of the BIAB song. What I'm looking to do is have all the tracks in one place so that if I make a change, I only have to make it in one place, and only have to re-export it once.
< I'm guessing the answer will have something to do with copying tracks onto utility tracks, which I approach with fear and trembling because of the way BIAB seems to use random names for instruments. But, if that's what I have to do, that's what I have to do. >
There are several combinations of BIAB techniques that will accomplish this and it's also possible to do without Utility Tracks if that's the way you want to do it.
Use MultiStyles on Legacy Tracks in combination with the RealTrack Medley Maker and Artist Performance Tracks along with the Audio Track to create a song that contains more than 70 instruments over layers of dozens of tracks in a single render. This will create a song using only BIAB and not external DAW or editing software if that's how you want to do it.
I think Guitarhackers has value as it would seem easier to manage the styles in separate files vice a dogs breakfast in a single file.
That's the way I'm already doing it now, and it works fine... until you want to change something later. What I'm looking to facilitate is the process of subsequent editing at the chord progression level.
Say I've created a piece that uses 3 styles, and I want to go back to the ground floor and change a C Major to a B Major for 4 bars.
If I have 3 BIAB files, I have to make the change in 3 files and re-export audio from each of them.
In my fantasy dream world, I make the change once, export a bunch of audio tracks once, and I'm done.
Use MultiStyles on Legacy Tracks in combination with the RealTrack Medley Maker and Artist Performance Tracks along with the Audio Track to create a song that contains more than 70 instruments over layers of dozens of tracks in a single render. This will create a song using only BIAB and not external DAW or editing software if that's how you want to do it.
Thanks, Charlie. Having seen the word "MultiStyles" at point in the past, the first thing I did was look into that, but what I found was stuff about "substyles" rather than the arbitrary combinations I had in mind, so it seemed not a solution. But you're apparently talking about something more elaborate (and scarier!) than that, which I'll see if I can find in the interface. Thanks again.
If I understand your first post correctly when you say, "... create a song that completely combines multiple styles, all the instruments from every part, from beginning to end, even if that would be discordant or redundant."
MultiStyles will do exactly that. Substyles are derived from a master style, using Master style for want of a better word. I don't recall what PG Music calls them at the moment. Any existing style can be modified into a substyle or a substyle can be another existing style or a style that's custom user created. A master style will be identified by a + following the style name. The modified substyles will be identified by a number following the style name
From the Master MultiStyle, the substyles will be activated by the different colored Part Markers. There can be up to 24 different Part Markers in any single song.
I've attached a screen shot of a PG Music created MultiStyle. There are nearly 1,000 PG Music created MultiStyles in the StylePicker on my version of BIAB. However, any style can be modified into a MultiStyle.
There are two types of MultiStyles, song specific MultiStyle and a Style MultiStyle.
Mark, I'm assuming using F5 to change styles isn't the solution your looking for, is that correct?
I believe not, because I'm not looking to change the active style, I'm wanting to add another style to it. But I think Charlie may have my solution, I need to confirm that now. Thanks!
Mark, I'm assuming using F5 to change styles isn't the solution your looking for, is that correct?
Nope it isn't. It sort of does the same thing but not to the same extent as using MultiStyles. One would normally change a style or maybe two throughout a song and that can be done manually using the Bar Settings RealStyle Button.
MultiStyles can make complete Style changes and can also modify existing styles or both. Songs with MultiStyles can have 24 Part Markers and each Part Marker will have both an A section and a B section. A song can be drastically edited just by changing Part Markers or adding/deleting Part Markers at any bar throughout the course of a song.
Chord changes or any other subsequent editing at the chord progression level will be done in a single BIAB project song and can be regenerated multiple times the same as with a normal two Part Marker song with the appropriate Style or substyle generating properly.
MultiStyles will do exactly that. Substyles are derived from a master style ... Any existing style can be modified into a substyle or a substyle can be another existing style or a style that's custom user created ... Chord changes or any other subsequent editing at the chord progression level will be done in a single BIAB project song and can be regenerated multiple times
Thanks, Charlie, it does sound like that's exactly what I'm looking for. I will try to consolidate my current project this way now, to see how well that works vs. maintaining separate files.
I think my problem was an ambiguity between "MultiStyles" as a technical feature and "MultiStyles" as a marketed, saleable product, but, not important now.
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.
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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
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Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
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RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
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Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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