I have a few of the Groove Monkey sets here, also quite a few of the EZX expansions. But you can do quite a bit with just the basic set that ships with EZDrummer, as David mentioned it is very easy to tweak the existing patterns to add or remove hits.
I've used it exclusively for a year or so. I really like being able to split the drums out so that each piece of the kit is on a separate track in my DAW, makes it very easy to have separate processing for each piece.
I've used it exclusively for a year or so. I really like being able to split the drums out so that each piece of the kit is on a separate track in my DAW, makes it very easy to have separate processing for each piece.
Dave, having each drum on a separate track is how I like to work also. Sometimes I will merge the toms, the hi-hats and the other cymbals so the same effect will be equal to those tracks. YMMV
I'm in a fitness protection program. I'm been hiding from exercise.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Keep in mind I'm working backwards - I'm looking for the drum to inspire musical ideas, not fit a drum track to a song. So it's probably a bad use case for JamStix.
Keep in mind I'm working backwards - I'm looking for the drum to inspire musical ideas, not fit a drum track to a song. So it's probably a bad use case for JamStix.
You get a lot of drum kits and you can make your own kits.
On the plus side the all of the kits sound great. You also get a lot of different sounds like ride bells, hitting a cymbal at its edge, center and bell, etc. GrooveMonkee's MIDI loops will work with no problems.
On the down side the kits are not GM, so you will have to convert BiaB drums to the SSD-5 format. What I do is to put each BiaB drum on a separate track with GM drum mapping, place SSD-5 on that track, and find the same drum/cymbal. It doesn't take that long and the resulting drums sounds are well worth the effort IMHO. YMMV
HI Mario, Do you happen to know of any good instructions for incorporating SSD 5 for use with BIAB?> Also, is SSD better to use than Trigger 2 from Steven Slate? T2 is a drum replacement and SSD is more a drum creation tool if I am understanding correctly. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide - Rich
Re midi drum traks. Assuming your on pc check out lots of neat ways of creating midi (and audio drum ) traks using realband that comes free with biab…you can do things like… ..generate drum traks ..generate drum fills ..create the illusion of 2 drummers or more playing together. ..lots of further crazy things to be discovered by experimenting.
In PARTICULAR go to RB BARS VIEW and discover ease of moveing/copying/pasting bits of or whole drum midi traks around...you can use vst/vsti plug ins etc etc.
Much as i love reaps and have been a user/advocate from nearly day 1 of the product…there are some neat features to discover in building traks in realband. I could go on for pages…but gotta keep this short…cant write an essay..lol...just read rb manual etc etc...lots of midi info. plus experiment with bar markers to create drum fills.
Years ago i used to enjoy showing friends in big studios, and watching their jaws drop , when i demoed how to build drum tracks in realband , and before that powertraks.
I suspect some new pg users might not realise the neat things one can do in realband. I encourage you to experiment in realband building drum tracks…particular genning and use of bars view... and various editing features.
Hth. om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 05/06/2212:57 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.)
HI Mario, Do you happen to know of any good instructions for incorporating SSD 5 for use with BIAB?> Also, is SSD better to use than Trigger 2 from Steven Slate? T2 is a drum replacement and SSD is more a drum creation tool if I am understanding correctly. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide - Rich
SSD5 drums do have a mapping feature that is very easy to use; I just learned how to do it in order to answer your question!
Open SSD5 and click on map; note a drum kit does not need to be open. Google/Bing GM drum maps to get the GM note for a drum, lets say B0 for a kick drum. In SSD maps right click on B0 and select the kick drum you want. Do this for all of the GM drums then save the preset. When you load SSD5 into BiaB you would also load the GM drum map into SSD5, that is unless you name the GM drum map as the default map. Then it would load automatically.
A word of caution; GM drums contain also percussion instruments. Drum kits do not. You would only get the drums and cymbals of a given kit. I use the Brio Percussion Ensemble https://www.indiginus.com/brio-percussion-ensemble but there are others, some free, available.
I have no experience with either Trigger or using SSD5 drums in BiaB. I do all of my drum work in my DAW Studio One Pro because I can add MIDI drum loops if needed and, more importantly, separate each drum on individual tracks. That way I can process each drum separately.
I hope this helps.
{edit} I see om posted just prior to me. If you have a PC your have RealBand. You should be able to do in RealBand what I do in Studio One Pro 5. A DAW does offer a lot of options not available in BiaB. I do not use RealBand so others would have to help you.
Last edited by MarioD; 05/06/2201:11 PM.
I'm in a fitness protection program. I'm been hiding from exercise.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Jamstix..... back in my Cakewalk forum days I was almost an expert in the use and programming of JS. For whatever it's worth.....
I had started programming drums by mouse.... one hit at a time.... build a measure..... copy and paste.... build the verse, build the chorus..... but it was not what a decent drummer would play. Then I found JS. It created the measures for you and allowed a semblance of control and the ability to edit and change the kits as well as the drummer and style. I used it for quite a time but again.... still not like a real drummer would play. One of my drummer buddies called it to my attention. Dude, that's not real.
Then I found BB and RT's and now.... well, lets just say, I haven't loaded JS in forever.
If I was going to want to use a specific kit, or synth, I would use BB to create the drums in midi or convert it to midi and use that to drive a synth running a sampled kit. That's how I'd do it if I wanted to go that route. I'm generally perfectly fine using the Real Tracks drums and adding EQ and Compression to pull a bit more out of the track.
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.
This may be repetitive of some stuff before, but I will share what I enjoy doing.
One of my favorite tips is that for most BIAB Real drums you can save the drums to a midi (as I guess others have stated). If you see a drum notation, you can solo that drum track and do a save as midi from BIAB.
I have had a lot of fun importing midi files this way into Session Drummer 3, an oldie but goodie still free in Cakewalk I believe.
Anyway, you can select numerous drums sets, such as a Steven Slate, and create your own stems, by going to the mixing board and silencing everything you don't want.
You can mix these stems with Real Band drums to get lots of variety, and you can record crashes, and rolls and all kinds of fills with your mouse to spice up the real drums tastefully.
I have had much fun and much success doing this and have not spent an extra dime.
P.S. The Real Band screenshot shows one track of Real Drums, and one track of something I generated in Session Drummer that can be edited, mixed, and sampled to provide an infinite variety of percussive extras. That second track was created by simply inserting the midi I created into the Session drummer track.
P.S.S. If you have the input to Session drummer set to your keyboard, you can play that Session Drummer kit with your fingers on the keyboard and CAPTURE your own midi that can then be sampled through any kit you like, including the one you were listening to when you created it. (A sample kit is on the last screenshot.)
This will work for all the virtual kits, but I like and use Session drummer. The sounds you can produce and sample like this are limitless, and it is also a whole lot of fun.
David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers
As mentioned by several, I have learned a lot by just reviewing the midi of drum tracks I like whether they started as real drums or as midi. There are plenty of source files out there that can give you a lot to learn from. Once you see it laid out it starts to make more sense.
My wife asked if I had seen the dog bowl. I told her I didn't even know he could.
I guess Cakewalk magically integrated that from my Sonar folders then.
Lucky I guess.
Yes, those of us lucky enough (or unlucky?) to have bought Sonar Platinum before Gibson destroyed the company get to keep using all the goodies we had when they (Cakewalk) went bust. As a matter of fact you can still use the download manager, Cakewalk Command Center, if you ever lose anything and need to get it again. At least last I checked you could.
My wife asked if I had seen the dog bowl. I told her I didn't even know he could.
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.
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 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 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-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)
Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
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)
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.
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 Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 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.
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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