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Joined: May 2012
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Someone has probably mentioned this in one of the comments above... I didn't read them all. There are several folks with sites online that have already taken the time to create MGU and SGU files of quite a few of the hits from the past. That will certainly save you a lot of time and effort if the songs you want are in the list. And with time being equal to money.... it might actually be cheaper to buy them if they are not too overly expensive. At the risk of being shot down for unsolicited self promo (but really trying to be helpful) I have a membership site with currently 285 backing tracks. New ones are added every week. https://www.band-in-a-box-files.com/Here are some free ones you can download https://joannecooper.co.za/files/403221/all-band-in-a-box-sgus.zip
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Joined: Jul 2000
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When I make my backing tracks, I use my experience to try to anticipate what will work best for my typical audience. Try is the most important word. Sometimes I nail it, sometimes it's a learning experience.
Being that it's a business, it's more important to me to do it the way the bulk of the audience wants to hear it than how I might want to play it. If they are into the music, I'm having fun.
Sometimes that means making the track as close to the famous version of the song as I can. There is no shame in that, after all, I've played Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and The Beatles note-for-note in my lifetime. Some songs are so etched in the audience's mind, that changing them will result in a significant part of the audience disturbed.
Sometimes my backing tracks will have significant elements like a guitar figure or brass stabs like the original, but otherwise be more our interpretation than a note-for-note copy.
Other times I might drastically change the song, make a rock song Reggae, another Latin American, another Swing Jazz, or whatever.
There are many right ways to do this. I've played in cover bands that tried to do everything note-for-note and jazz bands that did nothing note-for-note like any recording.
Some musicians don't want to play songs like the record. Others strive to make it as close as they can. Either way is fine as long as what they are doing goes over with the audience they are targeting.
If the audience is enjoying what you are doing, you are doing the right thing. After all, music without a listener isn't complete.
I've been a live performer since I was in junior high school, and many decades later, I'm still learning what my audience wants to hear, and how they want it presented. As time changes, the tastes of my targeted audience changes, and it's my job to adapt. That is, if I want to gig and buy groceries next week.
Insights and incites by Notes ♫
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,271
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If you interested in full MIDI arrangements for popular songs then https://www.midi.com.au/signin.aspis a great source. Cost is ~10 USD, but these guys are pros and arrangments are as close to note for note as you can get.
BIAB – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud (Tip: No need to create a SC account to hear music - just hit ESC ).
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Joined: Apr 2009
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If you want instant results, buy the files. If you want to learn something and put your touch on it in the process, roll your own songs.
I've told this story before in these forums....This is what it used to be like creating your song covers in the days before BB made it a simple process accessible to all with a modicum of musical ability.
So... It had to be 40 years ago now.... I was on a staff retreat with the company that employed me at the time... In Myrtle Beach SC. The swanky place we were staying had a bar and the bar had a band. The band was 2 guys. One on bass and one on guitar and both sang. They had a full band behind them that I thought initially, was tape, including background vocal harmonies.
On their break, I talked for a bit with the guitarist who showed me they were running one of the earliest versions of Cakewalk sequencer. Everything was midi going to synth sound modules. Drums, piano, strings, guitar switching from rhythm to lead, vocal harmonies were all midi controlled, and even the lights were controlled by midi. All running from a 286 DOS machine. State of the art at the time.
In talking with the guitarist, I asked how long it took them to sequence a song. He said depending on the song, it could be a week or more. They were both studio musicians and highly proficient at their job.
Point being, it takes about an hour or so to set up a song in BB for a cover.... and we're complaining about how long it takes and how much work is involved. Give me a break. We have it so easy compared to what used to be involved in creating covers and original songs that sound professional.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 07/14/23 03:38 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd 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.
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Off-Topic
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,385
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Joined: Jul 2000
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Yes, using BiaB will get the job done quickly. However, using BiaB in many cases will not get you the best backing track, depending on the song, and how close to a famous recording you might want to play. For me, there is room for more than one approach. - Completely Band-in-a-Box. In the arrangement I want, and if there is an appropriate style, I can make a backing track quickly
- Band-in-a-Box plus. I can make a MIDI Band-in-a Box arrangement, export it, then import it into a MIDI sequencer or DAW and then change instruments, add song specific licks, and edit to my heart's content. I can even make an into and ending with the same MIDI instruments that I choose for the rest of the song.
- Partial BiaB. I can make a BiaB track, export MIDI, import into a DAW or sequencer and use the BiaB parts as “comp” parts while I build the song around it recording directly into the sequencer/DAW
- From scratch. Sometimes BiaB, as versatile as it is, won't do justice to a song the way I want to do it, so I do the entire thing in a MIDI sequencer/DAW playing the parts in, one at a time. This is time-consuming, but worth it.
There is more than one right way to do it, and sometimes a different song requires a different approach. I play music for a living, so my tracks can't be “just good enough” they have to be the absolute best that I can make them. A good customer requested a Metallica song, so we did “Nothing Else Matters”. Absolutely impossible in BiaB, it took 2 or 3 days to get it right, and it goes over phenomenally. Worth the time and effort. Another asked for the Commodores' “Night Shift” which only took one day (with the sheet music). Also, not a BiaB style matches, so I did it from scratch. Someone else asked for the old standard “Near You”, it was their wedding song. BiaB to the rescue. Found a good style, exported MIDI to Master Tracks Pro, played the song figure on another track, added an intro and was done. It's nice to have more than one tool in your digital tool box. Insights and incites by Notes ♫
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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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.
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New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
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!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
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!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
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
Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)
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!
The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!
Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!
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:
- The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-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
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!
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!
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!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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.
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!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
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!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
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.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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