2022 Band-in-a-Box for Windows has a Track Settings And Settings window that consolidates many track settings and actions into one window.
It would be nice to create a new track command that moves everything (instrument and track data) associated with a track from it's existing track position to a different track position.
I believe this command needs to be a multi-step process. Step 1 selects a track. Step 2 freezes a track. Step 3 selects the "new" track. Step 4 moves the instrument and data. Step 4 clears instrument and data from the existing track and loads the instrument and data into the new track. Step 5 unfreezes the instrument and data.
I anticipate the main reason users will want the command is to sequence instruments into a desired order so like instruments can be grouped together. For example this command will enable left and right hand piano or guitar 1 and guitar 2 to easily be moved adjacent to each other. See +++ THIS POST +++ by BassThumper for a discussion of the track ordering idea.
However, I think a better approach would be right click on a mixer track (or in settings & actions) and have Cut/Copy/Paste/Delete commands.
A more creative twist would be to click +hold mouse button on track and drag it to any position to change the order.
RustySpoon#, I thought about right click on track and agree that is likely the appropriate place for individual cut, copy, paste and delete track commands. However I'm not sure using individual commands is a good thing. In my mind individual commands will make it too easy for track data to be lost or corrupt.
There are a minimum of two elements in each track, instrument and data (wave instructions or MIDI patterns). MIDI SuperTracks also includes an instrument sound module. That is a lot of stuff to keep track of. I worry about track data becoming lost or corrupted when a track is not frozen. I worry about using an automatic track data freeze but the user having to perform a manual unfreeze if the paste action does not occur immediately after a cut or copy action. What if a user decides to cut or copy multiple tracks and then paste?
Drag and drop is likely close to ideal but there is still the question of how to distinguish between commands involving the instrument, wave instructions or MIDI patterns and sound modules.
My suggestion takes into account the path PG Music already seems to be taking for track actions.
"That is a lot of stuff to keep track of. I worry about track data becoming lost or corrupted when a track is not frozen."
Jim, have faith We always take risks doing similar operations. For example moving digital photos, videos, documents. I mean, if it is done and tested well, risks are minimal. Also UNDO can be a part of equation.
"There are a minimum of two elements in each track"
Yep, that is good point and this could be handled to a user advantage too. It could have a Copy (Delete, Cut etc.) "all" with these (parts you mentioned) checked by default for simplicity: Copy A, Copy B, Copy C , or individually checked/unchecked manually for custom selection.
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In my view, it has to be "simple enough" for casual user to understand the workflow, otherwise it might be a very narrow request for something very specific that not many people will have use for. Jim, I am not trying to bust your request, it is good, but hoping bigger picture can be seen. Just my 3 cents.
I am the originator of this issue and it looks like things are not spinning out of control, but spinning into control
Below is a screenshot that initiated this quest. There are several things to note here. 1. This disorganized "chaotic" list makes it hard for a new user like me to operate on and remember which instrument I've already worked on. For me, a list like Drums 1, Drums 2, SynBass, Guitar 1, Guitar 2, Guitar 3, Solo Guitar, Piano 1, Piano 2, Organ would be desirable. Hence the idea of being able to drag and place any instrument to any position; because someone else's brain might very well want an entirely different sequence.
2. Note that "Melody" and Thru" are not in my desired list. This is because I am not using them; yet I can't figure out how to delete them from the list. These 2 items contribute to the disorganization.
3. Note that Drums 3 and Drums 4 are also not on my desired list. I had initially added these but found I didn't like how they blended and found a better drum pattern on my drum machine. Once again, these contribute to the clutter and I can't figure out how to delete them.
4. On a related note, the Bar Settings dialog box seems to be limited to 8 instruments. Since it is in this window where volume/muting changes are made it would be very handy if this dialog was not limited to 8 instruments but in fact contain the exact number of instruments that you have chosen to add to your song and in the same list sequence that appears in the Mixer window.
Thanks go to Jim Fogle for requesting this wish. I was timid to request this myself due to the multiple holes in my knowledge of BiaB and not knowing if others would find this a useful improvement to the software.
Does any of this make sense? Or am I off my rocker?
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.
#4. The best way to mute or adjust track volume is to use Band-in-a-Box's built-in Audio Editor. The BiaB Audio Editor is available for utility and standard tracks.
<< 4. On a related note, the Bar Settings dialog box seems to be limited to 8 instruments. Since it is in this window where volume/muting changes are made it would be very handy if this dialog was not limited to 8 instruments but in fact contain the exact number of instruments that you have chosen to add to your song and in the same list sequence that appears in the Mixer window. >>
BIAB can do this on both Mac and PC versions.
Mr. Henry Clarke has just released a new YouTube tutorial demonstrating how additional instruments can be added to the original Legacy Tracks:
Mr. Henry Clarke has just released a new YouTube tutorial demonstrating how additional instruments can be added to the original Legacy Tracks:
Thanks for the video link Charlie, I watched it twice. Mr. Clark pointed out several times that we're limited to just 7 instruments to work with but what I think I learned from him is that you can add more by clicking on RealTracks and (aliasing?) additional instruments but they will always be called "Strings"? I was a bit confused about that. He spent a lot of time talking about how to edit vocals.
In any event, he didn't show how to re-group/re-position the instruments in the Mixer Window which I don't think is possible at this point in the development of BiaB.
Jim's wishlist request above captures this wish very nicely.
FWIW, I think I mentioned drag and place or drag and drop as the way to implement this enhancement which was presumptive of me. I mentioned drag and place only because that is how you do this operation in Studio One and I find that approach natural. I'm sure there are many many considerations that the programmers must take into account to make such a change (if they choose to make it at all); considerations I am not privy to. If they do make this change I'm sure whatever mechanics/user steps they design will make sense.
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.
<< In any event, he didn't show how to re-group/re-position the instruments in the Mixer Window which I don't think is possible at this point in the development of BiaB. >>
Hopefully the wish will be seen by the developers and added to the Mixer. But for informational purposes, any BIAB Mixer track can be moved to any other BIAB Mixer track using the Edit\Copy/Move command. There are restrictions and limitations making it far from ideal, but it's possible to re-group/re-position instruments in the Mixer Window.
However, the method Mr. Henry Clarke demonstrated is the most elementary method of adding multiple RealTracks onto a single BIAB Mixer Track. For years, BIAB has had a fairly obscure but versatile tool, an 11 track sub-mixer, for each of the original 7 BIAB Mixer Channels called Legacy Channels, (Bass, Piano, Drums, Guitar, Strings, Melody and Soloist.) This is a very powerful arrangement tool that's only limited by someone's arranging imagination. It has a lot of settings that perform similar to tweakable pre-sets. Tracks can: . Play instruments in sequence . Play all instruments simultaneously . Alternate instruments by selected number of Bars, Part Markers, Choruses or whole song . Can duplicate a RealTrack using the Duplicate Button any number of selectable times from 0-10. PG Music recommends using this feature to thicken vocals or instruments. For instance, a four part vocal duplicated 10 times becomes a 40 piece choir. . To take advantage of the Duplicating, Each sub-mixer track has panning and volume leveling . Any RealTrack can be used in any sub-mixer slot. As noted above, a RealTrack can be used multiple times on a track . Each of the original Legacy Tracks RealTrack Medley Maker sub-mixers operate independently from the others
This tool obviously eliminates the seven instrument limit myth so even if a user hasn't upgraded to a version with Utility tracks, it's easy to compose a song containing dozens of instruments in a single arrangement, first generation render in minutes using nothing but BIAB.
To find the RealTrack Medley Maker, it can only be opened on a track that is loaded with a RealTrack. Open the RealTracks Picker, select a track that has a RealTrack, and click the Medley Button for the RealTrack Medley Maker...
<< In any event, he didn't show how to re-group/re-position the instruments in the Mixer Window which I don't think is possible at this point in the development of BiaB. >>
Hopefully the wish will be seen by the developers and added to the Mixer. But for informational purposes, any BIAB Mixer track can be moved to any other BIAB Mixer track using the Edit\Copy/Move command. There are restrictions and limitations making it far from ideal, but it's possible to re-group/re-position instruments in the Mixer Window.
However, the method Mr. Henry Clarke demonstrated is the most elementary method of adding multiple RealTracks onto a single BIAB Mixer Track. For years, BIAB has had a fairly obscure but versatile tool, an 11 track sub-mixer, for each of the original 7 BIAB Mixer Channels called Legacy Channels, (Bass, Piano, Drums, Guitar, Strings, Melody and Soloist.) This is a very powerful arrangement tool that's only limited by someone's arranging imagination. It has a lot of settings that perform similar to tweakable pre-sets. Tracks can: . Play instruments in sequence . Play all instruments simultaneously . Alternate instruments by selected number of Bars, Part Markers, Choruses or whole song . Can duplicate a RealTrack using the Duplicate Button any number of selectable times from 0-10. PG Music recommends using this feature to thicken vocals or instruments. For instance, a four part vocal duplicated 10 times becomes a 40 piece choir. . To take advantage of the Duplicating, Each sub-mixer track has panning and volume leveling . Any RealTrack can be used in any sub-mixer slot. As noted above, a RealTrack can be used multiple times on a track . Each of the original Legacy Tracks RealTrack Medley Maker sub-mixers operate independently from the others
This tool obviously eliminates the seven instrument limit myth so even if a user hasn't upgraded to a version with Utility tracks, it's easy to compose a song containing dozens of instruments in a single arrangement, first generation render in minutes using nothing but BIAB.
To find the RealTrack Medley Maker, it can only be opened on a track that is loaded with a RealTrack. Open the RealTracks Picker, select a track that has a RealTrack, and click the Medley Button for the RealTrack Medley Maker...
Thanks Charlie for clarifying. I know we discussed this on the phone. You're right I always choose the simplest method because that caters to the widest audience. Not of lot of users that I see want to go this deep. However, having said that one primary question I do have is "At the end of the day how many tracks do I send to my DAW?". If I can still only send "7" instrument tracks I'm not sure how all of this makes that much of a difference to me. Did I miss something?
<< "At the end of the day how many tracks do I send to my DAW?". If I can still only send "7" instrument tracks I'm not sure how all of this makes that much of a difference to me. >>
The answer to your question is best phrased in the context you presented in your tutorial I reference in my post above. The RealTrack Medley feature is most suited for users wishing to go as far as they can Before leaving BIAB or those folks who'd rather avoid exporting tracks to a DAW altogether.
That said, tracks that have been upgraded to a RealTrack Medley can still be useful to export to a DAW. Doing so, the proper answer to your question is to think of these tracks as stems to be imported into a DAW project. As stems, the simple answer is a single render of an all-RealStyle Style using all seven of the original seven Legacy Tracks would result in seven stems of 77 instruments. However, it's easy to double or triple that count and have no degradation in sound quality.
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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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We always take risks doing similar operations. For example moving digital photos, videos, documents. I mean, if it is done and tested well, risks are minimal. Also UNDO can be a part of equation.
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