I was really pleased to see the stems feature in band in a box 2025 but I have some questions about lining up the stems perfectly with a new style.
For my first experiment I took a song that I had previously recorded, where I used band in a box to create some backing tracks, so obviously I already had band a box version of the song.
When I extracted the stems of the mix as part of an experiment to get used to the tool for the future, I found that the stems would not precisely line up with the new style that I chose.
They were ever so slightly off and not lining up with the one, so to speak.
However I was extremely meticulous and putting the first bar line as close to the beginning of the first tick in the audio file as I could hoping that I would bring it close when I was using ACW.
But still it was too far off to use and I couldn't find any way to adjust it.
Has anyone found any other tools or approaches within the program to get the stems to line up so that you can use them inside of band in a box to generate new tracks to go with the stems?
Or is this a function you have to do in something like real band where you can take stems and move them to the left or right with precision until everything lines up?
This is one of the things I like about real band by the way. It's really easy to slide things to the left or the right with little tiny ticks, and some of the other DAWs that I've used don't make that as user friendly as real band.
Anyway I really enjoy the stems feature but was wondering if anyone had figured out any tools or techniques or other goodies inside of the new version of band in a box to address the issue I raised above.
Thanks in advance. (I am trying to get the techniques right before I move to songs not recorded with BIAB but still using a click.)
David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers
David, I can’t solve that one because I haven’t yet worked with the stems feature, but I have a thought that may be related. One time I recorded a BIAB acoustic guitar track and took it into a recording studio to use as a click track for the session. I recorded it from BIAB with a tempo of q=140.
The engineer loaded my audio track and pronounced it was actually running at 139.8 and change.
My point is, if the tempo BIAB gave me in that case was not precise, trying to play it back with another audio file was futile.
Probably unrelated, but this is one of the reasons I want support for non-integer tempos.
You mentioned ticks and adjustment. Do you have a playback setting of plus or minus some ticks not being zero?
Sorry if my thoughts here may be completely off the mark.
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.
< However I was extremely meticulous and putting the first bar line as close to the beginning of the first tick in the audio file as I could hoping that I would bring it close when I was using ACW. >
What was your procedure to putting the first bar line as close the beginning of the first tic in the audio file and define what you're calling the first tic. I ask about the tic because using the ACW, it's important to align the first beat and not necessarily the beginning of the audio.
Since the 2025 version for Mac isn’t out yet, I’ve not had the chance to look at this. Nearly everything I’ve been doing lately gets exported to Digital Performer—either complete tracks or using the plug-in. I then slice, dice and align to the gnat’s whisker as I please.
I’m hoping that 2025 lets me streamline this process a bit.
BIAB 2025 Audiophile Mac 24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP Digital Performer11, LogicPro, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScorePro64/Notion6 /Overture5
I have it and RePitch. Neither are cheap @ $199 and don't work on everything (senior citizen choral tracks, unfortunately no). Can only be used in VocAlign Supported DAWs that support ARA3 which is most of them nowadays. Pretty sure that it cannot be used in BAIB but should work those DAWs that support the BIAB plug-in. Uses iLok protection.
BIAB 2025 Audiophile Mac 24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP Digital Performer11, LogicPro, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScorePro64/Notion6 /Overture5
Charlie I will answer your question in a second, but first I will have to say I am more confused than ever now I checked the original BIAB tempo.
The song was recorded at 90 BPM.
The stem maker when I chose "create new song" and "stem" and "import" did all of that and set the tempo at 110.
When I play the stems and new generated tracks back they sound fine, but it is definitely playing a song at 90, not 110 bpm. even though BIAB is showing 110.
When I let the "master stem play" (the original) it also seems to be in 90 bpm like the stems, but comes in 2 beats later than the stems.
You got me.
Now for Charlie.
Charlie, in using the word "tick" it is something I have heard but it may not be the right term.
Somewhere in each DAW you will have two measurements.
2.) Measure, Beat and a number after that from 1-120. I have heard that number described as "tick"--like measure 5, beat 4, tick 78...
If that is not the right word, I would love to know the right one.
Anyway, when I am cutting and pasting I always want to paste to the exact "tick."
In the song I described above, the beginning of bar 1 lands perfectly on the 1.
Therefore when I used ACW and was very careful to put the line at the beginning as close as I could to the exact beginning of the audio sound. I do not believe I could have made it more precise.
However, when I had the stems in place, and then generated new tracks with a style, it did not line up right. It was slightly off.
Also, I think there is a switch someone to get BIAB to ignore the 2 bar click as part of the equation, and if you don't the new generated tracks come in 2 bars later than the audio. I used to know where that was but I can't remember where that is now...
Thanks if you have any ideas!!
David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers
Can you imagine if BIAB had done it this way....? All the stems remain on the same track, you just mix what you want to here. No trouble aligning things up with this workflow. I have not even tried the stem splitter in BIAB since these synch issues which are being reported should simply not be there. Now I am wondering if this REMIX VST3 would work in BIAB??? [[EDIT: I tried but BIAB would not load the VST3 - it just didn't see it.]
I tried it in Reaper and sure enough it is in Real Time. Wow! Fastest splitting I have ever heard. The real question will be, how good is the splitting. Like all these splitters there is differing quality. I could mute or solo the vocal likely as good as any of the rest. But Bass and Drums and Piano would need more testing. And of course nothing does guitar. Too bad BIAB will not load this VST3.
Dan, I’ve seen different results in my limited experiments. Sometimes Studio One sounded better (with fewer stems) and other times Song Master Pro was better. I haven’t yet had a need to try the splitter in BIAB.
David, “tick” to me means two specific things in BIAB. You can move a track forward or backward by a number of ticks in, I think, the Play menu (used to be Play in the Edit menu); I’m not at a computer to check. The other use is setting the number of ticks per beat for export of tracks from BIAB. This feature was added maybe less than ten years ago. I am pretty sure it’s only for MIDI. The default in BIAB, the last time I looked a few years ago, is 120 ticks per beat. Several of us requested higher resolution to match that of our DAW and BIAB now offers up to 960.
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.
David. First, you're using tick term correctly as it's used in BIAB and as Matt noted, 120 is the default.
When you open your song using the ACW or using the Stems option, the first bar is set with the first Bar placement followed by the 2nd bar placement. When you use the ACW to create the tempo map of the Master loaded onto the Audio Track, the Stems program will also align and synchronize the other stem tracks to the tempo map. Create a tempo map of the complete imported song.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
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)
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean