|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 9
Newbie
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 9 |
Hi,
I'm a brand new user and I'm starting to learn my way around BB...
What I currently can't quite get my head wrapped around is how (and if) the style has an influence how music is generated from the RealTracks that I might choose later on.
As an example, assume I have created a pretty standard blues progression with _BLSHUFF.STY and then I change the bass track to use a different RealTrack, for example "2610: Bass, Electric, SoulFunkSwingAlex Sw 120", and also swap Guitar 2 to "1585: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm TexasBluesRockShuffleSol Sw 130"
Does the style that I initially use have any influence on how music based on the RealTracks will be generated? For styles using RealTracks, does the style do anything else beyond selecting the tracks to be used?
Hope this makes sense...
Cheers!
Lars
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,793
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,793 |
You can do it, it's even the whole interest of BIAB. Each instrument has its own personality but if you're more or less in the tempo, the feel, it's bound to stick and amaze you. Creativity highly recommended in BIAB. The styles are an assembly prepared by the musicians of PG, but nothing is fixed, you can test again and again, and be pleasantly surprised by what you hear.
Biab Audiophile 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 836
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 836 |
The Style also loads the feel, time signature, and tempo into the song. So generally, it is best that after you select a Style you are also selecting additional RealTracks that have these settings that are close to the Style. If you try to load a RealTrack thats tempo is very different or was recorded in a different time signature, then it might not sound the best. Other than these parameters, the Style does not affect how an individual RealTrack generates.
Best,
Chantelle
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,576
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,576 |
Zack.
as a long time pg user i would advise the following…
1..for first time users to go thru' every style in the stylepicker , and every RT, and RD in their respective pickers. and note down your favorites you might use in songs.
AND each year if you get the new upgrade go thru the same for that years rt's//rd's and styles. yes it takes a loong time .. But…well worth it imho and you wont miss anything superb. this is what i do yearly on getting the upgrade.
2..i encourage you to 'cross pollenate'. ie…experiment with rt's from another style in the song. i've done many biab songs where bb told me 'naughty boy wrong genre etc etc' lol..and, in the process had lots of happy accidents by experimenting. i'm always searching for what i call 'interesting sound pictures'.
eg i might use a jazz bass in another genre if it sounds good.
frankly the possibilities are endless. (see my sig for examples of crazy biab songs ive done if your interested.). in summary i 'cross pollenate' often.
rules are made to be broken imho.
as to how biab works etc internally..obviously thats something maybe you might ask pg support.
i cant give you a definitive answer.
hth/happiness.
om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 09/19/22 02:15 AM.
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.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,753
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,753 |
The Style also loads the feel, time signature, and tempo into the song. Other than these parameters, the Style does not affect how an individual RealTrack generates. In the case of MIDI only, Styles were critical to the performance (what is played and how). However, once RTs came along "Styles" - if we can use that word, have essentially become presets for instrument, key, tempo and feel (i.e., time signature, Ev/Swing, 8/16 note). But, all those parameters can be overridden. It's a good question.
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 9
Newbie
|
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 9 |
Thank you all... this is very helpful.
@MusicStudent - this is what I suspected: styles were much more important in case of MIDI based material. It seems like the pattern stuff in StyleMaker for instance does not have any relevance when working only with RealTracks. Is that right?
For long-time users, this is probably a much more natural thing as it happened gradually over time but for a first-time user it's a bit odd in the beginning.
@justanoldmuso - the advice to try and mix styles is very good I am realizing. When the feel is off (swing vs. even), things are (obviously) much more likely to go awry, but other than that lots of happy accidents seem to be waiting :-)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,423
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,423 |
ZackPlonk, welcome to the forum. You immediately zeroed in on something many do not understand. This topic reappears periodically.
I think the long-time users are some who may not understand the relationship between RTs and Styles precisely because we learned it differently for MIDI, yes, but it was never clearly explained how RTs made styles different. Over the years I’ve given advice that people can substitute RTs and even save the result as a new style. It was just explained here that the supplied styles are well-matched. PG Music develops new combinations each year. But I often experiment with mixing genres and come up with some amazing sounds.
Your first post here is highly perceptive. As a former programming prof. I always value the observations of new users. Keep your questions coming.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,793
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,793 |
There has always been confusion between the term "Styles" and "RealTracks", as I've found lots of folks here call RT's "styles" (as in, "I selected a different style on the bass track"). So the quick primer is:
BIAB has tracks, which (for the most part) represent the riffs that follow the chord progression played by a single instrument. Tracks can be either MIDI, SuperMIDI, or "Real" (RealTracks and RealDrums). How the track is generated is determined by its type.
Originally, there were X tracks defined, with the names:
GENERATED BY STYLES
* Bass
* Drums
* Piano
* Guitar
* Strings
FOR USE BY THE USER TO RECORD MELODIES OR SOLOS OR IMPORT FROM A MIDI FILE
* Melody
* Soloist
Styles, however, are a packaging of "auto-generated/auto-generating" tracks that follow the chord progression across multiple instruments and give you a full band playing the song.
Originally BIAB styles used only the Bass, Drums, Piano, Guitar, and Strings MIDI tracks and riffs to generate arrangements. The names were generally what instruments were used on those tracks, but other than Drums, the actual instrument could be any instrument (nothing keeps you from putting a trumpet on the guitar track). Today, you can have any instrument on any track and it is named accordingly, but there are still places where the legacy names can trip you up (such as for holds, shots, and rests), but I won't go there in this post.
Original MIDI styles used a weighted pattern editor to generate unique riff phrases that follow the chord progression. So depending upon the weight assigned to a phrase, it would play often or not. Also, it allowed for specific conditions that determine what is played (for example, play this riff right before a part marker). We as users have full use of the Style Editor to create our own patterns and MIDI styles.
SuperMIDI tracks are generated similarly to the original MIDI styles; however, it uses a different engine and we as users do not have access to that underlying technology to create our own.
With RealTracks (and RealDrums), they are all pre-recorded phrases from one to eight bars long. The RealTracks engine does not generate the riffs, but intelligently selects which phrases to include based on a number of factors such as: how long before the next chord change; is there a phrase recorded for a specific chord or will another phrase have to be transposed; etc.) and slices and dices to put it together. It's amazing how smooth this often works, but occasionally you'll hear something that sounds a little choppy. Also, BIAB lets you create your own "realtracks", which are called UserTracks.
Styles then just package a mix of MIDI and Real into a style file that can then be used to generate a number of tracks into a song with multiple instruments all playing the correct chord progression. While MIDI patterns are included in the actual style file, for RealTracks it is strictly "by reference". The Style file knows to use the RealTrack, but it passes that need on to the RT engine for processing.
With the addition of utility tracks utility tracks, it gets a little more convoluted, but hopefully the basics above made some sense.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
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.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,659
Posts794,393
Members39,930
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean