That must be an old version of Biab as the new one will split the channels of the midi to Utility tracks. If it's all going to the Melody track you need to move each channel to another track by selecting all notes on a channel (by Ch drop down in piano roll) and cutting and pasting to another track. EDIT: I see you have Playable Tracks so it must be a new version, try drag and drop the midi onto Biab
If you open a midi file in BIAB you get all the midi information with as many midi tracks as there are (up to 16) each on a different channel, but all on one BIAB track (I think the melody track.)
But if you want separate midi tracks you can do this by a different method. From your windows browser, drag the midi file onto the chord sheet, and follow the dialog to assign each midi track/channel to whatever BIAB track you want them on. You can put each midi track on a separate BIAB track, or have some combined and some not.
BUT - and it is a big BUTT! - although you can load midi tracks into utility tracks, you will find that on first load they play the midi instrument patch correctly. But if you save the song and reload, the utility tracks cannot correctly read or play the patch information. They just play using a piano or something like that. You can change the patch information in BIAB (go to piano roll, or easier go to music notes and click the # symbol) and set a new midi patch number, but this will not play correctly after saving and reloading.
Therefore - as far as I can tell - the utility tracks are not yet ready for prime-time when it comes to storing and playing midi tracks, even though they can actually store the information. I am sure they will fix this, or perhaps someone here knows how to get the utility tracks to retain and play back midi patch information (which I can't.) I wonder if there is some setting in preferences that can change the way utility tracks store and playback midi patch information, that I may have missed, because I do not understand why they can store the patch information (visible in the piano roll) but won't play them. The utility tracks are great for realtracks generating new players parts, but still not able to handle midi tracks properly.
At the moment there are three good tracks you can assign separate midi tracks and retain patch information: Melody, Soloist and Audio. These work fine if you drag midi tracks on to them, and they playback correctly. So three tracks is all you can get, but if the midi file has more than this you can assign one to the Melody, another to the Soloist and all the rest to the Audio, or any combination like that.
Band-in-a-Box, BiaB, handles opening a file and importing a file differently. If one way is not working for you try the other way.
If the midi data resides on the Melody track you can navigate to Melody > Sequencer Window for Multi-Channel Melody. The sequencer will divide the data by channel.
As others have pointed out, you can either (A) "Open" a MIDI file, or (B) "Import" a MIDI file into the current song. There are various ways to accomplish each, but in general:
A) File - Open. You can select a MIDI file, and it will open a new file with your MIDI file imported to a multi-channel track, with the style tracks disabled. This is like a MIDI file player.
B) File | Import | Import melody from MIDI file. This will import your MIDI file into the existing song - by default it will import it all to the Melody track. However the Import MIDI dialog does give you the option to select a separate track for each individual channel that exists in the MIDI file.
Quote:
although you can load midi tracks into utility tracks, you will find that on first load they play the midi instrument patch correctly. But if you save the song and reload, the utility tracks cannot correctly read or play the patch information.
The issue is specifically the MIDI channel. It does seem to be a bug that the channel is not saved on Utility tracks with the .MGU. There is an easier work-around though - right-click on the track --> Track Settings --> MIDI Channel --> select "Multi-channel". This setting is saved, and your MIDI file should play with the correct patch.
There is an easier work-around though - right-click on the track --> Track Settings --> MIDI Channel --> select "Multi-channel". This setting is saved, and your MIDI file should play with the correct patch.
Thank you Andrew. This work-around is very helpful. It solves a problem I have been struggling with for a while. The only (little) problem with it is that it takes time to manually change each track (sometimes 10 or more) and it would be great for there to be a preference to always import midi files into utility tracks as multi-channel (either in main preferences or in the import dialogue). As mentioned, this change to "multi-channel" is not needed for importing into the Melody, Soloist or Audio tracks, so shouldn't it be possible for utility tracks to behave the same way?
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: 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.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
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