I just found a video on YouTube showcasing BIAB and I was wondering if this software could help me a little bit. As there doesn't seem to be a trial version, I thought I'd ask you so please excuse my lack of knowledge or if my questions sound stupid.
I'm a media composer. I mostly work for TV in the various cinematic orchestral genres. Sometimes synth-based underscores, sometimes (but rarely) pop and hip-hop. I normally work with insane deadlines (think 4-5 mins of fully orchestrated, mixed and stemmed music from scratch per day) so anything that can help me is welcome. Also, I work on Mac exclusively so all my questions are related to the Mac version in case there are any differences.
1. Can I import a MIDI melody into BIAB? 2. Can BIAB suggest chords based on an imported melody? (That's the most important feature for me.) 3. Where can I find a list of all the instruments available in BIAB? I work mostly with the full symphonic orchestra, from the strings, brass, woodwinds to the percussion and choirs. 4. Can BIAB export MIDI? 5. Do you see any feature of BIAB that could help me with my job?
I compose for big band jazz, chamber orchestra and (rarely) full orchestra. I'm glad I don't have your deadlines.
BIAB is "a" tool you can certainly use. I do, along with many others.
1. Yes 2. Yes (using the Reharmonist feature, which is fairly new; you can then even have it suggest alternate chord progressions). 3. I think your question might mean, can BIAB use VSTi so you can use your own libraries. Yes. There are 24 tracks and you can mostly put most instruments on these. Huge improvements here recently should continue. 4. Yes. And even better, Music XML 5. Tons. I love the quick melody entry by mouse since I don't play keys. It can analyze keyboard input and suggest what chord you are playing. Over 100 harmonization choices for a melody are available, really useful in arranging. I make jazz backing tracks with BIAB and use them in my notation software, Notion 6, or my DAW. This is just a few of the ways I use it daily. It can also generate a melody, a song title, or even a movie soundtrack of a specified length.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Welcome to the forums. Definitely Matt's answer should give you valuable feedback on what you can achieve.
I do believe it would be an excellent tool. My only additional advice is to start with the highest Pak version you can afford. Do note that the 'Pro' is a starter pack with very limited track sound options.
If you need commercial quality, consider the Audiophile version.
BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
You have received good answers to your questions so I will add to question #3. BiaB's included sounds are General MIDI (GM)and as you know they are at the bottom of good sounds' category. So here is my workflow using BiaB.
Construct a chord progression and sometimes a melody using the included GM then transfer them to my DAW. BiaB has a number of ways to transfer your song so that is not a problem. In my DAW I will use my much better sounds.
Note I find it much easier to work in my DAW than in BiaB but others do a lot and sometimes all of their work in BiaB. It is a personal choice. I add this as I assume, based on your initial post, you are using a DAW and good sounds so it might be easier for you to do a lot of your work there.
I should note that I work almost exclusively in MIDI.
I hope this helps.
The fitness trainer asked me, "What kind of a squat are you accustomed to doing?" I said, "Diddly."
64 bit Win 11 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
I don't work with midi very much. However, using BB to create the midi tracks, and then exporting them to your DAW should be relatively easy and quick. MarioD says he works with midi a lot and drags them to his DAW. Just drop in your favorite VSTi and load the sample you want and you have exactly what you need.
As you pointed out, there is no trial version. HOWEVER.... PG is very generous in their return policy. Right on the main page.... Unconditional 30-Day Money Back Guarantee on all products purchased from PG Music Inc. Try it and if you don't like it, you can return it. Chances are good it will help you with your track creation. I believe there are a few orchestral styles in the program that may or may not help you get a jump start on writing. AT the very least, it should give you a basic track list and then you can add the unique tracks you want to fill out the score you're working on.
I have used it to create a few tracks that were used in film and TV a few years back. SO it has the potential to be a good writing tool.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
I forgot to mention in my previous message that many RealTRacks have MIDI charts accompanying them. That means you can take a RealTrack and load it as a MIDI file into your DAW. Yes the MIDI chart track will lose many of the RT's audio nuances but you can do your MIDI magic with them This will give you many new MIDI track options.
The fitness trainer asked me, "What kind of a squat are you accustomed to doing?" I said, "Diddly."
64 bit Win 11 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
AnthonyMueller, Welcome to the forum and hopefully to Band-in-a-Box!
Band-in-a-Box is a great tool for creating combo and small ensemble music. It's strength is in quickly combining small instrument groups to create popular music in such genres as country, folk, rock and jazz. Select a style, the style creates a combo, enter chords and the combo will follow the chord sheet.
Band-in-a-Box has not focused as much on obtaining the tools needed to create or reproduce television and movie scores or orchestrations.
Anthony, give us some feedback if this is helping.
I was going to add to #3, and I see Mario and Herb have done so. Another way to talk about virtual instruments is that, for me it's not relevant as I do not use BIAB as my DAW. BIAB has many DAW-like features, and comes with the free RealBand if you have Windows; RealBand is a simpler DAW with a major advantage that it reads native BIAB files. [So does MuseScore 3 notation, by the way.] But I prefer to compose in BIAB and then move the MIDI or audio tracks to a DAW for finishing. So I do not use any VSTi sounds in BIAB; I use my Roland hardware MIDI synth. But, you could; I just cannot comment because I've never done it. Hope that clarifies.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Thanks everyone! I'm floored by all these detailed (and fast!) answers.
I will then go for it and see what happens! In any case, I will report back in this thread with my findings :-)
That's great.
If you have any questions feel free to ask. You have stumbled onto the friendliest site on the web. You will never get a read the freaking manual here. We all started like you, most all of us have asked questions, and now many if not all of us answer any question. The only dumb question is one that is not asked.
Have fun and keep us posted.
The fitness trainer asked me, "What kind of a squat are you accustomed to doing?" I said, "Diddly."
64 bit Win 11 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Thanks everyone! I'm floored by all these detailed (and fast!) answers.
I will then go for it and see what happens! In any case, I will report back in this thread with my findings :-)
That's great.
If you have any questions feel free to ask. You have stumbled onto the friendliest site on the web. You will never get a read the freaking manual here. We all started like you, most all of us have asked questions, and now many if not all of us answer any question. The only dumb question is one that is not asked.
Have fun and keep us posted.
Thanks a lot! I will most likely go through the manual because I really plan to make the best out of this software (just finished downloading, went for the UltraPak+.) Today, I've received a pop-rock brief with a fast turnaround for a scene and I'll try to use BIAB for that.
(and yes, the community definitely seems friendly. I've been reading the forums for a while. It's a breath of fresh air when you are used to deal with people on VI Control and Gearspace!)
"Today, I've received a pop-rock brief with a fast turnaround for a scene and I'll try to use BIAB for that."
BiaB's RealTracks will be perfect for this one. In the style window search for pop, rock, and/or pop rock and you will get a number of styles. You may not need any MIDI for this one.
The fitness trainer asked me, "What kind of a squat are you accustomed to doing?" I said, "Diddly."
64 bit Win 11 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
While I definitely support Band in A Box to deliver at least some of your requirements, another program that is not a competitor by any means, but may have usable features is SonicFire Pro from SmartSound
It creates royalty free music in very little time, and has many sound library options available including Cinematic scores. It is specifically designed to create customized music for adding to video.
I have many of their libraries, and use them for music soundscapes to go with video.
You don't need to have the video loaded to use it, you can just set the length you want and style details etc, and export the audio for adding to your own NLE if required.
There's a short video presentation available also:
BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
Also, I work on Mac exclusively so all my questions are related to the Mac version in case there are any differences.
Noting the above, any references to Realband in previous responses will not apply (only Windows based versions include this) That said, I DO think you will find it a valuable tool in your toolbox. Keep us posted, we like to help
Last edited by rharv; 02/20/2207:36 PM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
While I definitely support Band in A Box to deliver at least some of your requirements, another program that is not a competitor by any means, but may have usable features is SonicFire Pro from SmartSound
It creates royalty free music in very little time, and has many sound library options available including Cinematic scores. It is specifically designed to create customized music for adding to video.
I have many of their libraries, and use them for music soundscapes to go with video.
You don't need to have the video loaded to use it, you can just set the length you want and style details etc, and export the audio for adding to your own NLE if required.
There's a short video presentation available also:
Thanks. Actually, SonicFire is defintiely not the tool for me. This one lets you browse a list of royalty free music, buy a license and edit the stems to your video. My job is to actually write the music, much like composers write music that is then sold through SonicFire. I kinda do the same as what the software does... ...except that I'm the one writing custom themes to the visuals :-)
Also, I work on Mac exclusively so all my questions are related to the Mac version in case there are any differences.
Noting the above, any references to Realband in previous responses will not apply (only Windows based versions include this) That said, I DO think you will find it a valuable tool in your toolbox. Keep us posted, we like to help
Thanks! I figured this out while reading about BIAB so that's why I mentioned that I am on Mac :-)
Now, BIAB is fully installed. Where should I start to get a thorough tutorial on it? There are so many menus and sub-menus! I already figured out some stuff, exported stems in my DAW to mix them, etc. For example, I couldn't figure out how to arrange a song. For example, I'd like an intro, a verse without soloist, a chorus with a soloist, back to the verse, then a bridge with a different scale, etc.
Really happy to be here. I'm quite amazed at the quality of the tracks produced and the flexibility of BIAB :-)
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
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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 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
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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.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: 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 because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!
We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!
Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:
Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana, Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes, MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano, Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7, Playable RealTracks Set 4, RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark, and more!
Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
Playable RealTracks Set 4
RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 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 20 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
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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.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 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 20 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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