When someone asks a question about Band-in-a-Box I generally respond with how to do whatever in Band-in-a-Box. There are a few reasons
First and foremost Band-in-a-Box for Windows includes RealBand but Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh does not. I've had several Mac users get riled when I suggest using RealBand.
Second, RealBand is a DAW that has been modified to use Band-in-a-Box SGU and MGU files. However RealBand does not have all the features included in the main Band-in-a-Box program so the longer you stay in Band-in-a-Box the longer the features are available. It also means less swapping between program if you change your mind or song direction. A small change like changing key signature from "C" to "F" can really slow you down outside the program.
Third, RealBand is a DAW just like Reaper, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Studio One or any other DAW you name. RealBand does DAW like tasks like visualizing the song in a timeline very well while Band-in-a-Box offers superior track generation and arrangement options.
Most people discover and use DAWs before they discover and use Band-in-a-Box so they are more comfortable using a DAW like RealBand.
When you first start using Band-in-a-Box it is easy to get interested in the available styles, RealTracks, RealDrums, SuperMidiTracks and loops and overlook learning the program capabilities.
Actually, getting the X to disappear is no problem. It's making it appear so MY song plays INSTEAD of the ZZJAZZ! So, if I have a very specific piano part that I created in my SO DAW, and I have either the MIDI or audio ver., which method do you suggest using to tell RB what & where the chords are. When I tried it in BIAB using ACW the Auto Marker seemed to skip every other bar, or at least that's how it played back. So, instead of playing at 125BPM, it played at 94. It also insisted on inserting A7sus4 instead of Am7. So, I had to go in and replace all of those, and it never came near to VISUALLY representing where the chords actually were. Basically, the whole exercise was useless. Thanks for your help, though. Seriously.
Not Jim, but FWIW, the ACW in RB is not the exact ACW that's in BiaB .. this particular feature was one of the few that has its roots in RB and got ported over to BiaB later ... many times the features go the other way. In RB ACW you can set the Tempo to whatever it should be .. you can also tap the F8 key on the one of every measure while you play it, which causes RB to adjust the tempo clock to match (and it looks ahead and recalculates the upcoming bars accordingly as it goes) .. it is pretty cool for setting tempo maps with little effort (but does require a little). The Chords detecting engine .. well that is pretty similar in the two programs, though changing the represented chords in RB doesn't cause frustration here, once you learn how it's pretty easy
When you first launch the ACW in RB there is an easily dismissed pop up that asks if you want to use the single track to determine the tempo & chords or if you want to use all the enabled tracks (the song) then another popup that asks if you want to preserve the current tempo map or create a new one .. sometimes paying attention to these options can be very helpful.
Last edited by rharv; 02/23/2403:47 PM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
ANYONE:....I've been trying for 2 days to DISable the Style Picker in RB. I've right clicked on everything, but it just doesn't work. Support hasn't helped either. I Rt click on the Blue font that describes the Style, but all that shows up is the Undo/Cut/Copy/Paste menu.
Why can't I add chords in the Chord View with any higher resolution than a 1/4 note? I need to enter a series of chords for a key change using 4 16th notes with ea. 16th having a chord. Pretty simple, but not for BIAB! I tried adding it in the PRoll view, but for some reason it didn't accept it.
ANYONE:....I've been trying for 2 days to DISable the Style Picker in RB. I've right clicked on everything, but it just doesn't work. Support hasn't helped either. I Rt click on the Blue font that describes the Style, but all that shows up is the Undo/Cut/Copy/Paste menu.
It's not a right click, it's a left click in the black background to the left of the name.
Why can't I add chords in the Chord View with any higher resolution than a 1/4 note? I need to enter a series of chords for a key change using 4 16th notes with ea. 16th having a chord. Pretty simple, but not for BIAB! I tried adding it in the PRoll view, but for some reason it didn't accept it.
What you want to use Band-in-a-Box calls Microchords. Microchords can do up to four chords per beat.
To learn about Microchords press F1 to open the Help file, select the Search tab and type Microchords into the text box. The first entry tells you about Microchords and the second entry, Tutorial #34, teaches you how to use it.. +++ HERE +++ is a YouTube video that demonstrates how to enter Microchords.
Hey, I was trying to use the MicroChords, and I think I have the gist of it, but now what's happening is although, I have chords starting right on Beat 1, Bar 1, when the metronome starts the cursor moves thru the 1st 2 Bars without playing anything, and the music doesn't start until it gets to bar 3. I DON'T think it was doing that before. Support tried to tell me it was my drivers. I know it's not. I have scrnshots of the music if that helps. Thanks, KC
Band-in-a Box does not display the first two bars of a song project. The first two bars are "saved" for a two bar count-in that can be part of a RealDrums track, generated by midi drums or turned off. Not all RealDrums tracks have an audible count-in and sometimes the volume level of the count-in is very low.
The 2024 Tracks window displays the first two bars normally reserved for the count-in. In the example below you can clearly see the drums track does not include a count-in so there is silence.
One way to get a count-in is to (1) get a drum arrangement you like, (2) freeze the drum track, (3) move the frozen drum track to an empty track, (4) Go to Song Settings and select the desired drum count-in and (5) generate new drum track. You can use volume automation or F5 settings to switch between the two drum tracks.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 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 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
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)
Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
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)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac 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!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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!
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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 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 21 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.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
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!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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!
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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