I’m new to BIAB. I’ve successfully created a few songs now, I’m gradually learning the nuances of the software slowly starting to form an efficient work flow for creating and arranging songs.
Im beginning to realize that (much like regular DAW recording) there are initial decisions made that can either help or hinder future editing. I’d like to create 40-50 tracks as quickly as possible. What is the most efficient work flow for creating songs. Is anyone aware of a video that outlines an efficient complete start to finish song creation work flow?
Thanks!
Stefan
MacBook Pro M3 Max Sonoma 14.1.2, BIAB Audiophile Edition 2023, Logic ProX 10.8.1, Focusrite 8PreX Interface.
This is a quick overview on creating a song in BiaB:
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
In general, I would not recommend anywhere near that many tracks in BIAB. I think BIAB is limited to 24 anyway. Develop your songs in BIAB and move those tracks to your DAW. Then erase some of those tracks (they are probably in the Utility Tracks anyway) and generate more tracks and move those to your song in the DAW.
I also think many of us here would recommend that you record live instruments in the DAW, but that's personal preference. We can discuss this more, as the topic is the right tool for the job. BIAB is amazing and unique in what it can do, but perhaps is not best suited for every step in audio production.
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.
Also, a quick demonstration you can do that will reveal some of BIAB's more hidden powers the program has that can increase the efficiency of both accompaniment and arranging is to make 3 easy modifications to the PG Music video posted by Audio Track above.
Duplicate the Chord Chart of the song in that video. 12 bars, tempo, style and Choruses, etc
1. Add RealTrack 1924 Guitar soloist to an empty track
2. Select the second track that contains the Sax and replace it with RT-1320 (Medley)
3. Change the Chorus number from 3 to 2 rather than 1 as done in the video
Generate and play
The selected style, _NOON.STY has four instruments across 4 tracks. With the modifications above, the style now has 8 instruments across five tracks.
The RT-1320 uses a feature called RealTrack Medley Maker which is a 10 channel sub-mixer on each of the first seven original Legacy Tracks of the BIAB Mixer. Up to 10 additional RealTrack instruments can be added to each of these tracks. They can be panned and volume adjusted and configured to play simultaneously or alternately in multiple different ways. There are many PG Music preset Medley's to choose from or a user can create custom medley's from scratch.
Preset Medley's can be searched from the RealTrack Picker and the RealTrack Medley Maker can be accessed from the RealTrack Picker.
The addition of the RT-1924 guitar is a complementary instrument to the RT-1923 guitar included in the style. It's a different artist and instrument created to play in conjunction with the styles guitar. They work together as if the two recording musicians are playing together in the recording. There are many of these pairings in the RealTrack Picker and they aren't always both the same type instruments. For instance, some may be a sax paired with a soloist guitar. They will match up with complementary riffs or even duplicate riffs on occasion. They work both as stand-alone RealTracks in a style or paired in a style.
I hope you and others try this demonstration and let us know your thoughts here in the forum.
I'll do my usual mention of Henry Clarke's YouTube channel: here. Henry covers a number of things differently from the way PGM present them. Personally I prefer his style; YMMV.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2025 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
I certainly second the mention of Henry Clarke's videos. He is definitely worth following, he is an excellent producer of material with BiaB.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
Well, the videos are great to explain the process.... but my question is what is the purpose of those 40 to 50 tracks? Is it for fun at home or do you plan on doing a one man gig type show with those backing tracks?
If it's for fun, you can take the time to create 10 to 12 tracks easily in a week.....and in a month or so, if you stay on task, you have reached your goal. If you;re doing a gig kinda thing and time is critical,, you can easily find a website or two where you can download songs that someone else has already built for BiaB and in a day or two, you're up and ready to roll. I've never used any of those kinds of libraries since I rarely do covers but I'm sure others can point you in the right direction. Some are free and some might charge a few dollars per song.... but with that many songs.... and since time is money.... if I was going to do that, I'd probably use that method as well.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add 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.
Yes, back to the high number of tracks: BIAB cannot do that, so the OP will be looking at a different solution anyway. As I understand it, RealBand can support this many tracks, or use any DAW.
There's probably a joke in there somewhere. What do you get with 40 to 50 banjo tracks?
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.
- Separated, mixable backing tracks to be played live for a scalable cover band. (I’m transferring the BIAB tracks into my DAW adding eq, plug-ins & effects if required then exporting to WAV from there into StageTrax 3 which is an IOS app for live backing tracks). - Practice tracks for fellow musicians: I want to make the complete arrangement for various musicians then remove parts and distribute to players/soloists/vocalists for them to use as a practice tool. - Make arrangements of traditional Fiddle tunes for a local fiddlers association. They play a catalog of several hundred selections… a lot of them are quite similar but just different enough that it matters so I find it hard to remember the idiosyncrasies. I’m looking to increase my familiarity in the genre and learn the melodies by creating BIAB arrangements to run through a few of them each day on upright bass to keep them fresh.
It’s easy to bang out a “complete” tune in a few minutes but it’s becoming clear that I’m only scratching the surface of what BIAB can do. As I learn more depth in the program I’m getting better arrangements and in less time.
In all of my newbie BAIB excitement it’s easy to forget that Rome wasn’t built in a day (as they say).
Yes…. I know It’s just an elaborate hobby… still it’s ultimately just for fun. As fun as it is … to me, playing music live is more funner & playing it well is the most funnest! So shortest path to the “most funnest” is what I’m after I guess!
MacBook Pro M3 Max Sonoma 14.1.2, BIAB Audiophile Edition 2023, Logic ProX 10.8.1, Focusrite 8PreX Interface.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
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We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
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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.
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