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?
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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
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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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