https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677 BiaB 2026 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
You've the tone for reggae well sorted. The basic pattern you're playing is fine also but most reggae bassists would deviate from it and throw in some space or a different note here n there. What your playing would work quite well under a melody though.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Thanks for votes of confidence guys. I'm new at bass playing and newer with BiaB. So I'm just jumping in, doing my best and learning something with each composition . . . not to mention having a ton of fun in the process.
Rayc, you are entirely correct. True reggae bass players have a style all their own and it would probably take me months to even approximate it. They seem to hit the root note at times but then syncopate away from the rest of the band all while leaving open air/space to create a rhythmic, almost gyrating feel that is unique to reggae. Then in the next phrase, they're doing something a tad different . . . masterful!
dcuny, I was just day dreaming about your very thought the other day. It's just a matter of time before PGMusic (or someone else) develops software that delivers realistic vocals given some lyrics, a chord progression and a time signature/tempo.
TuneMonger, yeah I'm happy with the tone. All the elements in my signal chain from my flatwound bass strings, to the bass model in my amp, to the A to D conversion, to how Audacity interprets the D all come together to produce a nice tone. I wish I could take credit for that but it's each link in the chain doing it's part.
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677 BiaB 2026 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
Reggae is not my style, although I love it and can listen to it for hours. I like the "one leg in the melody world and the other in the percussive". I'd also listen to Ray's advice for the reggae bass. He's got it down. Your line is very well played, but not as many spaces and variation that that genre usually expects from the bass line. Still, every note is clean and your tone is perfect.
Enjoy whatever happens! marty
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@babumusic51 SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/marty-straub Band in a Box, Reaper, Cakewalk, Ozone 12, EZDrummer
Thanks Marty, that quite a hat you got goin. I take it you're not in the Bahamas
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677 BiaB 2026 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
i like the way 1min/09secs comes in... nice bass sound. happiness 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.)
1:09 is my favorite section of that arrangement too, it kind of propels me forward to keep up with and provide a foundation for that sax player to stand on.
The RealTrack I used was Sax, Alto, Bosa Ev 140
One of many side benefits of working with BiaB is that it forces you to think about arranging. I'm always thinking about having this wonderful "palette of colors" and how to use them to create something meaningful on my "canvas".
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677 BiaB 2026 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
If anyone is proficient with the Melodist/Melody Maker and would like to collaborate/help on this or any other arrangement let me know. I tried to get the Melodist to work but couldn't produce anything with it worthy of sharing.
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677 BiaB 2026 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677 BiaB 2026 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
I think you are well on the way learning to handle BiaB. You made a nice melody with all the instruments fit nicely.
Still I think you must have become distrackted by all the things BiaB has to offer. Your reggae song went 'wrong' when the strings came in (or some kind of organ). There the rhythm slipped out of the melody. I agree with Marty and Ray what they said about the baseline. But having said that, I find this a nice song, only mss some vocals...
Hi Hans, Thanks for your feedback. Are you referring to time point 1:09? If so, a saxophone and a strings pad come in at that time(bar 25). Note that I did not explicitly create or arrange a melody. If one exists, it arose from the RealTracks I chose. [In systems theory speak, we would call this an emergent property.]
Can you clarify as to which voice or voices caused "rhythm slipped out of the melody".
And here is some more learning-curve stuff. Upon examining the SGU file I now notice something unexpected. When I arranged this I had the sax and pad muted prior to bar 25. Then at bar 25 I set both "Back to Normal" so they would play. But the menu doesn't seem to show this; see below. Any idea why this is? And the SGU file plays just fine and as desired.
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677 BiaB 2026 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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.
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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 new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 process 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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean