You may see in the BIAB 2025 description (I didn't) that there is a "muted electric guitar" in the new Pop & Rock Real Tracks. I didn't read it because I usually run through the styles when I buy BIAB. So I wrote a post recommending Rubber Bridge as a new style, like a dummy. Maybe I should read the description? Doh!
I think there are some more muted guitar sounds inthe 2025 49-PAK--not the Bonus pak.
They call it "muted electric guitar." You can find it in the Realtracks Set 459: Songwriter Potpourri, styles 99-104. PGMusic says this is a technique where "a foam mute is placed under the bridge to get a great muted effect." I've never heard of anybody using foam, but maybe it would work. Anyway, "Bridge" is a misnomer, unless you consider the saddle to be part of the bridge. A piece of rubber replaces the bone saddle that usually sits on the bridge--that's where the strings touch and that's where they are muted.
Anyway this makes 2025 BIAB an insta-buy for me.
If you're curious about what the sound is and why PGMusic included it, the rubber bridge guitar is the leading trend in indie folk (and some pop) today. It's a modded guitar with a distinctive muted sound. (It's actually the saddle that is rubber.) To be fussy about it, it's most often played on an acoustic guitar, modified with pickups. Or, as in the video below, played through a mic that runs through guitar pedals.
Inspired by Blake Mills' rubber bridge banjo, they were first modded from old guitars by Reuben Cox. Popularized by Phoebe Bridgers, it has been used in songs by Wilco, Olivia Rodrigo, Madison Carpenter, Blake Mills, Taylor Swift, and dozens of others. It's in many of the songs in Bob Dylan's "Shadow Kingdom." It's generally used more for arpeggios and repeated patterns than strumming, and often a lot of effects are put on it. A good example of the sound is Ariel Posen's instrumental "Tumble Away."
Here's a Phoebe Bridgers' "Garden Song," from "Punisher," the album that kicked off the trend. You can see how the repeated pattern drives the song. Also, it's lower than a regular guitar, so it really shows off her vocal range.
The sound is not for everybody, but to me it is very beautiful. Thanks again, PGMusic. I look forward to using it.
I am very glad I didn't post this in the right place because I feel like an idiot and maybe less people saw it. There is exactly this sound in BIAB 2025. I have changed my headline.
BIAB calls it muted electric guitar. But the sound is the same.
You can find the Rubber Bridge sound in the Realtracks Set 459: Songwriter Potpourri 99-104
I also think that it will go well with some of the Acoustic Piano in the Potpourri.
Anyway, thank you for the information about the other forum section. As a noob, I should be more careful.
I'm glad you found a RealTrack that sounds like the sound you requested. I'll have to investigate RealTracks Set # 459 as that muted sound can be used in a lot of different types of music. Thanks for sharing where you found it.
Sometimes the idea behind a thread can "fit" in several forum sections. It's a matter of choosing which forum section best accomplishes what you want to achieve when you post the thread.
PG Music's employee, Tobin, is a frequent visitor to the Styles & RealTracks wishlist forum section. Tobin's questions, clarifications and responses implies he has a lot of input about the production of RealTracks. You rarely see Tobin post elsewhere in the forum so I don't know how much of the rest of the forum Tobin monitors. That is why I suggested you repost in the wishlist forum section.
That's a cool sound, and nice that there are some new tracks with that included. For another option, a decent approximation could be created with fingerstyle or arpeggio MIDI guitar tracks and an appropriate VSTi sound. Maybe just a muted guitar, or perhaps a harp. Will have to experiment with that...
DC Ron BiaB Audiophile Presonus Studio One StudioCat DAW dual screen Presonus Faderport 16 Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
You may see in the BIAB 2025 description (I didn't) that there is a "muted electric guitar" in the new Pop & Rock Real Tracks. I didn't read it because I usually run through the styles when I buy BIAB. So I wrote a post recommending Rubber Bridge as a new style, like a dummy. Maybe I should read the description? Doh!
They call it "muted electric guitar." You can find it in the Realtracks Set 459: Songwriter Potpourri, styles 99-104. PGMusic says this is a technique where "a foam mute is placed under the bridge to get a great muted effect." I've never heard of anybody using foam, but maybe it
Are these what you are talking about? If you hadn't pointed it out to me, I would never have found it. It's so hard to find...
I'm glad you found a RealTrack that sounds like the sound you requested. I'll have to investigate RealTracks Set # 459 as that muted sound can be used in a lot of different types of music. Thanks for sharing where you found it. .
Without his hint, could you find it? It's hard for me to find it, because it's hidden so deep that we can't find it.
So why don't you design the realtrack catalog well, right? It's too bad now.
Also, how can I find it quickly according to this information "Realtracks Set 459: Songwriter Potpourri, styles 99-104"? Can you tell me, I don't know how to do it.
I found it according to the muted electric guitar information.
One way would be to filter using the terms "mute", "guitar", "muted acoustic guitar" or "muted electric guitar".
In this case, Tiger The Frog indicated he found the sound in RealTracks set 459 so click on the Set column to arrange all the RealTracks by set number and look for Set 459. Notice that when you click on a column header and * is displayed to visually indicate how the RealTracks are sorted.
Thank you! Although English is very difficult for me, especially facing the interface with a lot of content, but your tips have helped me a lot and I have made progress today.
That's a cool sound, and nice that there are some new tracks with that included. For another option, a decent approximation could be created with fingerstyle or arpeggio MIDI guitar tracks and an appropriate VSTi sound. Maybe just a muted guitar, or perhaps a harp. Will have to experiment with that...
One thing you could do is download this virtual instrument, "Rubber Bridge Plucks," by Jon Meyer. It's a "pay what you want" instrument, but it has a suggested price of $5. It's not exactly a rubber bridge--he used an eraser!--but it's interesting.
You may know Jon Meyer from Pianobook, but he has started a new company, Somerville Sounds.
My experience using this and an expensive one made by Orange Tree Samples is it just didn't work for me. I needed to get my own guitar. But still, having these styles in BIAB will be a huge help when I put my songs together--before playing the parts myself.
The 20 bonus RealTracks included with the 2025 49-PAK feature lots of user requests and more to add to your RealTracks library! There's requested muted trumpet soloist that is perfect for smooth jazz and pop grooves. We’ve also added more "layered acoustic guitar" RealTracks, which, when combined, create an acoustic "wall of sound" ideal for pop or country songs. A versatile gospel organ RealTrack that also works well over country and blues styles. There's more singer-songwriter "indie-folk" styles, with bouzouki, banjo, acoustic guitar, upright bass, and a RealTracks first, muted electric guitar. This instrument was recorded with a foam mute placed at the bridge and delivers a cool, understated effect, perfect for mellow modern pop and folk tracks. Additionally, we’ve included exciting new RealDrums, many inspired by user requests on our forums. We have "flat tire blues," a specific blues shuffle approach where the snare is accented on the off-beats. There's "rock 'n' roll clave," a groove popularized in the '50s; and "tango lounge," a blend of classic Argentinian tango and mid-20th-century American pop. Finally, we have some wonderfully understated brushes drum styles, including BluesFolkBrushesSw & SongwriterSlowBrushes.
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
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:
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
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!
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!
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.
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!
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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