RB doesn't support multistyles. It just generates the first style but doesn't know how to apply style changes. Just try it.
I'm still not understanding. Is it being suggested that a user writes a song in BIAB with 1000+ style changes, which therefore doesn't work in RealBand? If so, some sort of songwriting award is in order.
I believe he means you can only use the first BiaB style only, thereby losing the ability to add other styles. So if you have 7 thousand styles and you can only use one you have lost the ability to add any of the 6999 styles left.
I don't know that for sure as I have little experience with RB.
OK, a random thought; Why does toilet paper need a commercial? Who's not buying it?
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
I think I'm following, but there seems to have been a significant digression from the topic. The O/P asked:
Quote
Can't figure out how to Import/open a MIDI song and keep all the included tracks separate.
The question was never about how to use styles or multi-styles or how many styles could be used or what any limitations might be. The question was only ever about opening / importing MIDI onto separate tracks.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
<OM: " surely you agree that both rb and bb need some rationilasition..to save confusion." >
Doesn't matter. It's irrelevant to importing midi channels to separate tracks in BIAB.
< imho your a bb guru but i would suggest some or even many users are going to find certain things in bb very complex that you take for granted. and the same applies to rb. >
Doesn't matter. It's irrelevant to importing midi channels to separate tracks in BIAB.
< back on topic therefore heres a what if. re importing a midi file..lol >
Doesn't matter. 'What if's' are irrelevant to importing midi channels to separate tracks in BIAB. All of your examples are hypotheticals relevant for discussion but in this thread, the query is specific. The poster had a specific issue with Jim's instructions that had a inadvertent error. A straight forward answer was given that should take care of the issue.
The point was made that RB is there for tasks it's better suited for than BIAB. We have both BIAB and RB - we have a solution to both issues related to this thread.
< honestly im not trying to veer off topic...im just aware there might be lurkers reading these posts haveing difficulty doing something in bb that rb can do. honestly its NOT bb versus rb...its useing the strengths of each. >
You are absolutely correct. I agree. Any lurker with an issue has the opportunity to ask for help the same as the poster here when he was having trouble importing midi to individual tracks in BIAB. The strengths of BIAB win out over RB when simply opening a midi file with the channels on separate tracks
Regarding Multistyles If I understand them correctly.
Any track(s) in RB, or portion thereof, can be generated using any available styles. You don't 'lose' styles, but the workflow may be different. Different strokes for different folks.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
Thank you all for the insightful comments. I will eventually get into the multi-styles realm, but I am not there yet. Meanwhile I looked around and around and found an easy process that seems to accomplish what i was originally looking for. Bonus, it is easy to follow at any level of expertise. No need to have an understanding of channels, tracks, chords only, melodists, soloists, all, some custom, etc etc... Check it out yourselves, it worked like a charm form me:
If you have the 2025 Ultra PAK or the 2025 Audiophile you have 1,015 PG Music created MultiStyles. See the screen shot below. PG Music identifies MultiStyles by adding a + symbol at the end of the style name.
Here is what the Help file says about MultiStyles:
Quote
Band-in-a-Box MultiStyles are styles that can have up to 24 Substyles; original Band-in-a-Box styles had two Substyles, "a" and "b." Band-in-a-Box MultiStyles typically have four Substyles, but may have up to twenty-four, selected by using part markers "a" through "x."
You can easily make your own MultiStyles, either from scratch, or combining parts from existing styles to make a MultiStyle. For example, if you have 10 favorite Country styles, you can quickly make a single MultiStyle that has 20 Substyles available within the same song.
There are 2 types of MultiStyles
1. MultiStyles in styles, working for every song (e.g. NR_CURR+.STY Nashville Rock Current MultiStyle).
2. MultiStyles for a specific song only.
MultiStyles in Styles ("+" Styles)
Styles can be made that have multiple Substyles, and you can choose the various Substyles using the letters a, b, c, d, etc. up to "x" for 24 Substyles.
Our naming convention for MultiStyles is to use a + sign at the end of the style name. For example, MyStyle+.STY would be a MultiStyle.
You can use these substyles easily. Just open the StylePicker and filter the styles list by "+.sty."
The point Charlie was making is Realband is limited to using just the first style of a MultiStyle. Not mentioned above is the DAW plugin is also limited to using the first style of a MultiStyle.
A good example of how a MultiStyle can complement a song is given in the Memo textbox of the highlighted style in the screen shot.
Love theguitarband.com website! The website has great backing tracks, but much more important in most cases, a wealth of shared knowledge about how to use Band-in-a-Box to create great backing tracks. Thanks for bring up the website in this conversation jcgato98.
< Regarding Multistyles If I understand them correctly.
Any track(s) in RB, or portion thereof, can be generated using any available styles. You don't 'lose' styles, but the workflow may be different. Different strokes for different folks. >
You are mostly correct. You do lose the Multi of a MultiStyle in RB. The way RB constructs songs differently than BIAB makes it possible RB can easily duplicate the same result of any MultiStyle, Just in RB, the result in done manually like you say, where as in BIAB, the MultiStyle retains the Multi description and function and generates the song automatically as programed by the MultiStyle loaded using part markers.
A MultiStyle with a + in the name will have Styles associated with it with the same name but a number also included. RB can use all of the associated styles to recreate the same arrangement as the BIAB SGU.
In the example screenshot, there are four styles associated creating possible 8 substyles for the song. In BIAB, Right click the Part Marker to access these substyles and change styles. In RB, the user can select the styles and instruments and manually recreate the same arrangement.
It's also possible to generate audio tracks in BIAB with a MultiStyle loaded, export the audio files and import them into RB.
Last edited by Charlie Fogle; 03/28/2506:31 PM. Reason: Update comment.
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: 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.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
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.
![[Linked Image - Only viewable when logged in]](https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=download&Number=30537&filename=Clipboard01.jpg)
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean