As a gigging musician, I've played more 3 chord songs than I can count. Plenty of 2 chord songs and more than enough 1 chord songs. (IMO, any 1 chord song is too much – as it is very difficult to improvise a long, interesting melodic solo over one chord.)
As Mario pointed out, MIDI is unlimited.
If I want that piano part to be a clav, synth, guitar or whatever, click, click and it's done. If I want to change sounds every two measures (or whatever) – presto change-o.
If I want that part up or down an octave, no prob.
Wanna add a song specific figure with the same sounding instrument as the rest of the song – play it in.
Using Real Band or exporting your tune as a MIDI file and importing to a sequencer/DAW gives you absolute unlimited editing and customizing capabilities.
Do you want a specific note on top of the chord when BiaB puts it in the middle, click click or drag and drop.
Don't want that drum roll between the A and B section, copy/paste.
Want a different roll there, again copy/paste.
How about a ride bell or cowbell instead of a ride cymbal? Drag/drop.
Longer ending or better intro, your sequencer/DAW/RealBand is your friend.
Need a rhythmic kick, or need to add or subtract instruments to a BiaB hit - easy-peasy.
Real crescendos, diminuendos, accelerandos, or ritardandos instead of the rough ones available in BiaB - couple of clicks and it's done.
This only scratches the surface.
Back On Topic.
Songs need variation and development. A lot of one chord songs do that by changing instruments, adding and subtracting them, adding song-specific figures and develop those figures and so on. This can easily be done with MIDI styles.
EDM songs have changes that happen through them, if you pay attention, you will notice them. Granted, they aren't as obvious as the chord changes in a multi-chord song, but they are there and take a different kind of listening to discover them.
That's where a good MIDI EDM Multi-style comes in. Instead of A and B sections, you have A, B, C, and D. By adding/subtracting the individual instruments in the A-B-C-D parts you can expand that and have the gradual changes that make EDM interesting to the dancers.
No need to be unkind gentlemen. He is entitled to his opinions and questions.
SBM, Here is the issue I see, and I think Mario makes a good point. BiaB is limited only by ones imagination for the most part. It is equipped with a style maker where you can create any style you want. Heck you don’t even need a style. Just add tracks. If you use midi you can run that through just about any synth or midi instrument you want. You can add or subtract notes.
If You want a two chord Rap song find a midi drum and bass groove you like and run it through a good synth let it drone on for ever and Rap away.
Honestly I don’t think this type of music was ever best created in BiaB. Abelton live, acid pro, or any other audio loop based programs are better suited for these genre’s.
Here’s another thought BiaB does handle audio loops, so buy a good loop library that is aimed at rap, electronic or dance music, whatever suits you, and load the loops and type in the two chords you want and hit generate. I really think it would be sooooo easy to accomplish.
Certainly worth exploring don’t cha think?
Last edited by Rob Helms; 05/17/2311:45 AM.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB 2025, Realband, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 9 32c , Melodyne 5 editor, Presonus Audiobox 1818VSL, Presonus control app.
I can fly my airplane to the truck stop to get a pack of cigarettes. I have done that in Arizona. That is a pretty convoluted way to get a pack of cigarettes. I was sitting in the airplane, waiting for a thunderstorm to pass. I drove off the runway across the desert and parked behind the truck stop.
My point is that while BIAB more or less is only limited to how skilled one is at using it, it may, in fact, may not be the best program to generate every form of music that exists.
I don't have to defend BIAB. It is the only program that exists that does precisely what it does. If you like it, use it. If you can not make it do what you want it to do, look for something else.
It may be a while before "The Notorious B.I.G" is a track on BIAB...lol
So, if you are upset about people talking about what "young people" like, don't worry; you will be old soon enough, and then they will be telling you what "old people" like...lol
Being angry and upset is not very logical, to begin with. You being angry with me is like you drinking poison hoping I die.
Billy
Last edited by Planobilly; 05/17/2302:04 PM.
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
I'm not sure where this thread went off the rails. Who is angry?
Swingbabymix asked a question about a style I certainly can't help him with (my specialty is Brazilian jazz, as far from two or three chord music as it gets).
I suspect from past observation that many of us are not skilled in the type of music he is asking about. After a rocky start because of difficulty in translations, Swingbabymix has really come along here. He has even made some good suggestions about how to improve BIAB. He has his own ideas about what he wants and thinks is the future of music, and his ideas are worthy of being listened to. I hope everyone keeps an open mind and helps him when you can.
Does there exist in BIAB a song demo using only two chords, and perhaps contemporary rhythms? I don't know.
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; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Nicely said Matt, no need to get upset with the gentleman. He is always welcome to share ideas and thoughts. I was thinking of making a demo for that.
Swing away Baby! Mix……. Hhhhmmmm well that didn’t work out like I expected!
Billy was that you that buzzed my house earlier?
Last edited by Rob Helms; 05/17/2304:50 PM.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB 2025, Realband, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 9 32c , Melodyne 5 editor, Presonus Audiobox 1818VSL, Presonus control app.
Not me, Rob! To much air traffic in New York...lol
Actually, the last time I flew into NYC, the weather was so bad the controllers at JFK were kind enough to give me a hand and would have let me land my small twin there if I wanted to.
So, Matt, perhaps no one is angry.
I was certainly not talking about Swingbaby.
So...Swingbaby, I put this together for you as a demo. If you tell me precisely what stile you are looking for, I will make you a demo.
Here is something typical out of BIAB. Two chords, A, Bb.
Dancehall style, very rhythmic, very modern sounding.
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
Yeah those are great examples of using BiaB to piece together different genres. Adding sounds from 3rd party sound libraries can open up the window for almost anything.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB 2025, Realband, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 9 32c , Melodyne 5 editor, Presonus Audiobox 1818VSL, Presonus control app.
After work. Studying music is my hobby. Always like to analyze the chord progression of some songs. I learned a lot about music through this. But the funny thing is, I like rap songs and dance music after all. Read an article a few days ago, I was surprised to find that many of their favorite songs chord is very simple.
I thought it was interesting, and I remembered if there was a simple DEMO of chords in BIAB, let me see. Yes, a lot of songs are just a phrase. But it's interesting to do it through different passages.
I feel the same about BIAB even though the RealTrack are great, for my purpose I don't use them I use BIAB 2009 and BIAB 2015 and midi styles I just prefer to use Roland Sofware and Hardware, from microsoft GM synth , TTS1 up to my Integra 7 I am a junkie for Roland sounds My first synth was a Roland U20 and I used it for more than 8 years before purchasing a JV2080; an so on I love the flexibility of MIDI styles believe me, I have modified everything in a Bee Gees style and made a Lou Reed style with it you can also make several different songs from a single chord sheet by changing the midi parameters
Bernard Rasson
BIAB Audiophile 2021, BIAB Megapak 2015 (for midi-only projects), Cakewalk, Roland XV-5080, Roland Fantom XR, Aria AC60 Nylon Strings Guitar, Almansa Spanish Guitar, Fender Stratocaster Japan, two laptops Je parle français
These videos are great. Thank you for sharing. I will download it and watch it over and over again.
I like one of the songs in it. <<Nirvana-something in the way>>
I watched the video. I understand a truth.
Whether the song is good or not is not a question of the number of chords. It depends on what the singer wants to express. Just those chords fit. This is my feeling.
Thanks to all the above friends! Each of you has made me progress.
I may have some problems expressing it. through recent studies. I have some new discoveries. Let me say it again. What I call music that young people like. In fact, I prefer some modern drums myself. Such as HIPHOP, TRAP and so on. Also for this reason I found BIAB LOOPS which was rarely opened in the past.
I newly discovered the "pick a loop" dialog today I tried to make some LOOPs of my favorite drums and bass, and then put them into the MIXER, and it felt much better.
FWIW - I have been following this thread and think it breaks down into two things:
1-With RealTracks you are limited to what BiaB gives you. That is great for jazz, country,blues, etc with a few snippets of other genres.
2- With MIDI there are no limitations. With good MIDI sounds, a little imagination, and a little MIDI knowledge you can create any genre you want. Note's BiaB styles proves that. BiaB MIDI styles are not set in stone. They can be increased or decrease in tempo with no artifacts. You can change instrument sounds plus a lot of other control over the styles.
I believe that I am in the minority with my song using virtually all MIDI, thus my bias thoughts!
YMMV
The MIDI that the teacher mentioned means the MIDI SuperTrack in BIAB, right?
FWIW - I have been following this thread and think it breaks down into two things:
1-With RealTracks you are limited to what BiaB gives you. That is great for jazz, country,blues, etc with a few snippets of other genres.
2- With MIDI there are no limitations. With good MIDI sounds, a little imagination, and a little MIDI knowledge you can create any genre you want. Note's BiaB styles proves that. BiaB MIDI styles are not set in stone. They can be increased or decrease in tempo with no artifacts. You can change instrument sounds plus a lot of other control over the styles.
I believe that I am in the minority with my song using virtually all MIDI, thus my bias thoughts!
YMMV
The MIDI that the teacher mentioned means the MIDI SuperTrack in BIAB, right?
Actually what I said applies to all MIDI, Supertracks, MIDI styles, and any third party MIDI loops. MIDI is MIDI regardless of where it originated.
The fitness trainer asked me, "What kind of a squat are you accustomed to doing?" I said, "Diddly."
64 bit Win 11 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
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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 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
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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.
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Note: 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 because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!
We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!
Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:
Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana, Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes, MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano, Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7, Playable RealTracks Set 4, RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark, and more!
Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
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These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
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This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 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:
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-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
Playable RealTracks Set 4
RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
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Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
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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.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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