The Real Book Series for Band-in-a-Box is now complete! plus A 50% off sale on another great jazz collection
I'll keep this short and sweet:
1) The sixth and final edition of the world-famous Real Book series is here at last! Over 400 classic to modern Jazz and Jazz pop standards. Check out the songs and the free samples here: https://www.nortonmusic.com/fake53.html - You'll want to add these great songs to your Band-in-a-Box collection.
2) SAVE $22.50 on the great Real European Jazz collection from Sher publishing. Check out the songs and the free samples here: https://www.nortonmusic.com/fake41.html - Over 175 fresh new jazz tunes with a European accent are just waiting for you. We provide the sgu files and Sher provides the book. **** Book review from Lani Stone: GREAT BOOK! Some of Europe's hippest music. Not the "same old, same old." Many of the players are well known, some are new to me. Even if I don't recreate the tunes, the different chord progressions are mind expanding! Tired of the American Standard Songbook? You're going to love this fake book.
Plus, if you buy both, the discount grows to $24.50. And if you want the book, too, there are links to discounted prices on Amazon.
Have you missed any of the other Real Book disks and/or books? Check these out, along with the free samples here:
I just bought your Beatles fakebook disk. Before buying I read your "README first" page https://www.nortonmusic.com/fake.html and saw that "Norton Music Fake Disks contain chord progressions only..." which is what I wanted as that's how I intended to use the SGU files the songs are delivered as - i.e. open in BIAB and try different band styles / instrument substitutions. I purchased, downloaded and in BIAB (2020) I opened "You've got to hide your love away". All the styles were midi styles. I tried changing the guitars to Realtracks. None will play except one of them, for a couple bars in the chorus. Am I doing something wrong? There was nothing on your site I saw that led me to believe these wouldn't work. Love to get this fixed as I'm around $44 lighter. Grateful for a remedy
I'm sure Notes Norton will assist you to resolve this. Send him a PM perhaps, referencing this thread.
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.
I just bought your Beatles fakebook disk. Before buying I read your "README first" page https://www.nortonmusic.com/fake.html and saw that "Norton Music Fake Disks contain chord progressions only..." which is what I wanted as that's how I intended to use the SGU files the songs are delivered as - i.e. open in BIAB and try different band styles / instrument substitutions. I purchased, downloaded and in BIAB (2020) I opened "You've got to hide your love away". All the styles were midi styles. I tried changing the guitars to Realtracks. None will play except one of them, for a couple bars in the chorus. Am I doing something wrong? There was nothing on your site I saw that led me to believe these wouldn't work. Love to get this fixed as I'm around $44 lighter. Grateful for a remedy
Should be possible to pick a few Realtrack guitars that fit the Timing and Rhythm of the song and put those on the Utility Tracks, the Eye icon near the Mixer Patches, click on it and add a few Utility tracks, then pick your Realtrack guitars, you can always mute any tracks in the Norton style that you don't want.
Windows 10 (64bit) M-Audio Fast Track Pro, Band in a Box 2025, Cubase 14, Cakewalk and far too many VST plugins that I probably don't need or will ever use
Thanks for your purchase, and sorry you are having a problem.
Yes, everything is in MIDI. Why? 1) If the style is in MIDI, the BiaB bot will recommend a Real Style 2) But if the style is Real, the BiaB bot will NOT recommend a MIDI style. Therefore, assigning a MIDI style is the only way to get a recommendation for both Real and MIDI.
As for why they aren't playing when changing to Real, that's a mystery.
I just tried it on my copy of BiaB, and they are playing just fine.
What is my thinking? It's a very simple 12 bar blues song, with nothing fancy, no shots, no pushes, no melody, or anything else fancy. It was made/saved in BiaB with one of my MIDI styles, which your computer probably doesn't have, and it should revert to zzjazz.sty. So the only variable would be changing to the default style when loading something with a Norton style.
Let me know if you can change this to a Real Style and if it plays or not.
I have some other ideas, but this would be my first troubleshooting step if it happened on my computer. So let me know and we'll go from there.
Last edited by Notes Norton; 02/28/2607:13 AM. Reason: Typo. I'm TYPO-Man -- writing all wrongs :D
I tried changing the guitars to Realtracks. None will play except one of them, for a couple bars in the chorus.
Notes, he is trying to use a Real Track!
Midi plays fine with new RS, but does not swap the midi for RTs (which it should. right?). When I then try to substitute a single RT for piano, the Piano track after generation is blank.
I understand that lingyai is trying to substitute a real track for a MIDI track.
I see no reason why he cannot, and nobody else has ever reported this problem with any of my fake e-disk sgu files.
I don't have 2020 anymore, and I suspect it might be a bug in his version, but I want to rule out any possibility that it might be my sgu's fault before I involve PG Music. The techs at PG have enough work, so I want to make sure I'm not wasting their time.
If the little test I suggested fails, I have one more test in mind that I think would completely eliminate my work.
On the other hand, if I find out it's something I did, I'll do my best to fix it.
I ran your little test with current 2026 and it does not appear to be working. It is not just your test file, I have other old .sgu midi style files which also have this same issue. Just sayin...
I ran your little test with current 2026 and it does not appear to be working. It is not just your test file, I have other old .sgu midi style files which also have this same issue. Just sayin...
This is very confusing. I just ran your test file. I replaced the MIDI bass and piano tracks with RTs and everything was fine. I also tried an old 2006 SGU and it worked fine there also. I wonder if this is machine and/or RT specific?
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Confusing, yes indeed - this is BIAB after all . I fully agree that are a lot of potential options for configuration issues here. Midi is playing, it plays with a midi style or a real style. What is not playing is audio on a real track when you allow the midi style to auto substitute. Mario, your picutes do not show if there is any Audio on the Audio track which is what the objective is. My picture shows that I placed a RT piano on the piano track and there was no wave in the Tracks view. If I force the style to change to all RTs it works. Its the auto substituion which failes to switch to real tracks.
Confusing, yes indeed - this is BIAB after all . I fully agree that are a lot of potential options for configuration issues here. Midi is playing, it plays with a midi style or a real style. What is not playing is audio on a real track when you allow the midi style to auto substitute. Mario, your picutes do not show if there is any Audio on the Audio track which is what the objective is. My picture shows that I placed a RT piano on the piano track and there was no wave in the Tracks view. If I force the style to change to all RTs it works. Its the auto substituion which failes to switch to real tracks.
I am sure it is something simple here.
Hi Dan, Well I am confused again, probably my age old eyes and brain again! I thought that the OM could not get RTs to play when they replaced MIDI tracks.
Originally Posted by lingyai
.................................... I purchased, downloaded and in BIAB (2020) I opened "You've got to hide your love away". All the styles were midi styles. I tried changing the guitars to Realtracks. None will play except one of them, for a couple bars in the chorus.
In both of my tests the RTs did play and they played exactly what was shown in notation. BUT like you proved the audio tracks so not show in the tracks view. That happened in both of my tests. IMHO that is a major bug.
In another test I set the tempo to 40 BPM and replaced the bass and piano tracks with 140 BPM RTs. They also played but didn't sound so good ( :D) and again with no audio track views. Thus picking the wrong BPM RTs is not the issue.
I think the OP should clarify. Also I hope others try to duplicate the issue(s)
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
In both of my tests the RTs did play and they played exactly what was shown in notation. BUT like you proved the audio tracks do not show in the tracks view. That happened in both of my tests. IMHO that is a major bug.
Ya, but when the tracks do not appear in track view, we are not hearing audio - it is just midi playing at that point. Thanks for helping confirm the issue. .
In both of my tests the RTs did play and they played exactly what was shown in notation. BUT like you proved the audio tracks do not show in the tracks view. That happened in both of my tests. IMHO that is a major bug.
Ya, but when the tracks do not appear in track view, we are not hearing audio - it is just midi playing at that point. Thanks for helping confirm the issue. .
I am not that familiar with this portion of BiaB. I was looking at the Audio Edit view and not the track view. I took an all MIDI style, copied the piano track 2 times, and in the bass track used a Sax RT. In one piano track I used a piano RT and in another track a guitar RT. No RT track showed in the track view. BUT when I hit regenerate the audio tracks showed and they played; see pic. Apparently you must hit regenerate for the audio to show and play. I have the SGU file if you are interested in hearing it.
Would you confirm this?
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Yes, the track view will show a green name for the instrument, but will not show the actual waveform or play the RT until it is "generated". However, it should regenerate automatically with this type of change when you hit run. But otherwise, what ii is doing is anyones guess here. We should not be seeing this discrepancy with substituting a midi style with a style containing RTs or just by replacing a midi track with a RT - This simple function has worked effortlesslly for years as Notes indicated . I will alert the developers about this thread and ask them to help prioritize a fix. Dan
Yes, the track view will show a green name for the instrument, but will not show the actual waveform or play the RT until it is "generated". However, it should regenerate automatically with this type of change when you hit run. But otherwise, what ii is doing is anyones guess here. We should not be seeing this discrepancy with substituting a midi style with a style containing RTs or just by replacing a midi track with a RT - This simple function has worked effortlesslly for years as Notes indicated . I will alert the developers about this thread and ask them to help prioritize a fix. Dan
Yes, I totally agree. Thanx for both alerting the developers and for helping me understand more about BiaB. I've never changes MIDI to RTs before today so this have been an education for me!
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
I just remembered what Notes and the OP said, "... I purchased, downloaded and in BIAB (2020)". Makes me nervious that our assumption that there is a problem with current 2026 may be missing something yet. Nevertheless, the developers have been alerted.
I just remembered what Notes and the OP said, "... I purchased, downloaded and in BIAB (2020)". Makes me nervious that our assumption that there is a problem with current 2026 may be missing something yet. Nevertheless, the developers have been alerted.
It would be really nice if someone who has replaced a MIDI track with a RT in previous versions of BiaB would chime in, however maybe that person doesn't exist.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Well, 10+ years ago, when I was a hardcore jazzer, I did this hundreds of times. Am obviously a bit rusty, but when I just tried to convert a MIDI jazz track to a RealStyle, it worked like I remembered: The MIDI backing instruments are replaced by RealTracks and the MIDI melody, if present, is preserved as MIDI. There ARE some weird volume disparity issues that I can't explain, but I'm using a different VSTi now than I was then, too, so that might be related...
Please ignore this if not helpful.
DC Ron BiaB Audiophile Presonus Studio One ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM Presonus Faderport 16 Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
Thanks, DrDan for alerting the developers and to Ron, Mario, and others for helping.
I wish the OP would rejoin the conversation, as it might help with his personal situation.
I'm not much of a RealTrack guy, I prefer the editability of the MIDI tracks. I just check to see that they are working with my efforts.
With MIDI I can export to a sequencer/DAW and change instruments, chord inversions, drum kits, drum instruments (for example, rimshot to clave), individual notes, and so on. Plus I can make my own intros/endings, change the groove, add song-specific figures and/or kicks, eliminate/change/remove drum rolls, and so much more.
For me, expression is much more important than tone, and I can manipulate MIDI files to get more or more personal expression out of the music.
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
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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 amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
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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 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed 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 transcribe 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, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac 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)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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
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Norton Music
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.
Nevertheless, the developers have been alerted.
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