I have gotten my guitar to record into Biab, but I can't hear it through the speakers , how do I turn the monitor on to hear the guitar, all the levels are right and it picks up the guitar but I can't hear the guitar played through Biab. Thanks.
If you're using an Audio Interface to record your guitar into Band-in-a-Box, Simon discusses hearing what you're playing as you're recording in his latest video:
Jump to the 11:30 section and you'll see the setup he uses for this.
It's pretty much always best to use a direct monitor if you can.
You may already know this, but just in case you don't ... all sound through BiaB and any DAW, etc., will have some amount of latency (delay). USB alone adds a couple of milliseconds. By 10ms that delay can start to affect your playing. Sometimes its just disturbing, sometimes one learns to compensate by playing the notes a little early.
Direct output has no such delay.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
Simons vid is superb for new users imho. Might i suggest a comprehensive vid along the same lines for realband ? Particularly realband viz a vis recording multiple traks at the same time useing a multi input sound card.?
My reason being every year there are threads , often that turn very lengthy,related to set up of drivers etc for new users.
I’m glad that also simon mentioned the negatives of on board sound. usb audio interfaces are so inexpensive these days theres no reason to use on board sound.
fyi my audient interface hasnt given me one prob with biab or rb.
Best om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 03/30/2212:25 PM.
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.)
In my system, the audio input monitoring is NOT handled in the DAW or in BB or in RB. It is a function of the interface.... a Focusrite Saffire firewire interface and the Saffire's software control panel where the input echo function is selected and adjusted.
Due to this, I can simply turn on my computer and as soon as it is booted up and gets the various things registered, my interface begins working and I can hear my guitar and anything else that's plugged into it before I ever open the first music program.
Of course, I don't have any other sound card in the computer except the Focusrite. But even in my old Dell Laptop this used to work the very same way. I had the Focusrite set up as the default soundcard and as soon as the lappy booted up, I had sound.
Soooo... check your soundcard settings and be sure you have input echo enabled.
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.
In my system, the audio input monitoring is NOT handled in the DAW or in BB or in RB. It is a function of the interface.... a Focusrite Saffire firewire interface and the Saffire's software control panel where the input echo function is selected and adjusted.
Due to this, I can simply turn on my computer and as soon as it is booted up and gets the various things registered, my interface begins working and I can hear my guitar and anything else that's plugged into it before I ever open the first music program.
Of course, I don't have any other sound card in the computer except the Focusrite. But even in my old Dell Laptop this used to work the very same way. I had the Focusrite set up as the default soundcard and as soon as the lappy booted up, I had sound.
Soooo... check your soundcard settings and be sure you have input echo enabled.
Yes, quite right! Simon touches on this in the video that Callie linked above earlier. As Band-in-a-Box doesn't have a feature for direct monitoring in the program itself, getting an external soundcard as you mentioned with this capability is the way to go. When in doubt, consult your external soundcard's manual! Usually everything you need to know about your interface will be outlined there.
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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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.
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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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
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
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
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
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