I have a question: Is it possible to use all styles listed in the style picker in a way that they are only played as midi (so midi instead of realtracks)? Or is this only possible with styles that are explicitly marked as midi?
Hello Peter and welcome to the forums! To answer your question, it's kind of yes and no. As the Styles are, there is no MIDI version of the RealStyles, but you could load a RealStyle and replace the instruments with MIDI instruments that utilize a similar MIDI Style.
Thank you very much for your answer. How can I change this? I have only been working with B'IAB for a few days. Therefore I don't know all the functions yet. Therefore I would be grateful for any tip. I am not only interested in playing a style as midi, but also in saving a whole song then as a standard midi file.
Thank you very much for your answer. How can I change this? I have only been working with B'IAB for a few days. Therefore I don't know all the functions yet. Therefore I would be grateful for any tip. I am not only interested in playing a style as midi, but also in saving a whole song then as a standard midi file.
One way is to click on the RealTrack in the mixer, and select a Custom MIDI Style, and then choose a suitable style that has a MIDI instrument to replace the RealTrack. However, note that it probably won't be the same as the RealTrack, but it will be MIDI at least.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Hello Audio Track, many thanks for this Tip. Peter
You're welcome - and welcome to the forums also.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Another thing to keep in mind, if you really only want to have your songs use MIDI, then it is much simpler to just choose an all MIDI style from the start
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
I actually prefer to use the real tracks over midi.
And it's for one simple reason. The RT's sound like real players and real instruments because they are in fact exactly that.
So I tend to avoid any of the styles that are midi.
I'm not against midi because I use it occasionally. However, it's in my DAW and it's mostly where I am playing a part that the RT's couldn't do, such as a signature lick or a specific breakdown in a song. I use my midi keyboard and a good quality synth with nice samples when I do that.
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 think for the simplest, most realistic, quick-ish song generation, RTs win easily.
I think if one wants the flexibility to do more of one's own ideas, MIDI is hard to beat, but it takes much more work to get things to sound good. A plain MIDI style usually sounds pretty mechanical. Human playing, voicing and expression makes the difference.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2025 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
RealTracks are audio format strictly but some of the RealTracks have what are called RealCharts, which are a notated representation of the RealTracks. It won't be exact, and many of the RealCharts were transcribed after they were initially created. But you can save RealCharts when you export BIAB to MIDI (it's a checkbox in RealTracks preferences).
From there, you load it into a DAW and change any notes you want; however, if you are expecting to then play those changes using the RealTrack, that isn't going to work, because RealTracks don't respond to any MIDI changes. They are pre-recorded phrases and don't follow MIDI or notation.
The RealChart is there to help you visualize what is going on. Or you can use it as a basis for creating a MIDI track, perhaps using a high quality VSTi instrument, but the RealTrack isn't going to play those changes.
To know if a RealTrack has notation or not, first go to the RealTracks Picker. Then look under the Chart column. The "N" means it has notation. Also, "Gt" means that the guitar will display a guitar tab, or if it is a bass then the bass track will display a bass tab.
Chantelle, about "it won't be exact", I did many transcriptions of the early RealTracks (sax and guitar). While they were good, you are correct, they are not exact. However, it is my understanding that SOME of the RealTracks do have very accurate notation, if they were played on an instrument that could output MIDI as well. Thus the Piano tracks are generally quite accurate representations of what was played. I'm not sure what year this technique was started, so I don't know if all the piano tracks are accurate, but I do know the ones in recent years are.
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; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
I have some high-quality VSTs for piano (Pianoteq) and acoustic guitars (AmpleSound). I find many of the RealChart MIDI "realizations" sound very good with these, and without the artifacts that sometimes come with the stretching/pitch shifting. Right now the only way I know to play that as MIDI is to copy the RealTrack to another track (probably Utility track) and only copy the MIDI. Or as Chantelle mentions, bringing it into my DAW the MIDI track is usually available. I'd love a way to play the RealChart MIDI rather than the RealTrack audio right when I regenerate the song, rather than needing the added steps and duplication. Is there any way to do this??
Chuck Wiggins
BIAB 2023 Win UltraPak, Cakewalk, Windows 10 Pro Custom AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 8-Core, Focusrite Scarlett 4x4 interface
I have some high-quality VSTs for piano (Pianoteq) and acoustic guitars (AmpleSound). I find many of the RealChart MIDI "realizations" sound very good with these, and without the artifacts that sometimes come with the stretching/pitch shifting. Right now the only way I know to play that as MIDI is to copy the RealTrack to another track (probably Utility track) and only copy the MIDI. Or as Chantelle mentions, bringing it into my DAW the MIDI track is usually available. I'd love a way to play the RealChart MIDI rather than the RealTrack audio right when I regenerate the song, rather than needing the added steps and duplication. Is there any way to do this??
Never say never but I don't know of an easy way. I think that goes back to the thinking of the RealTrack audio as the main reason people like RealTracks while the RealChart is mainly viewed as a learning tool first and second as a production tool.
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.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
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)
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