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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 23
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 23 |
Anybody figured that one out? I do not think there is an easy abc to it. I tried to read from the manual but God, what an obscure science. The concept of weights and everything. Support told me it was obscure even to them, that this stuff was left to developers. Anybody out there who found an independent manual or something?
Simon
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,504
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,504 |
I have created hundreds of styles: see http://www.nortonmusic.com/styledemo.html for a list and mp3 demo files of most. It isn't easy, which is why so many people prefer to buy them from me rather than make their own (thank you all). It requires (in no special order): - An understanding of each instrument and it's place in the band for the style you want to create
- An understanding of music theory
- At least a basic knowledge of arranging for small groups
- The ability to play the parts into a sequencer (to get the right feel) so you can import them into the StyleMaker
- A lot experience with the StyleMaker so that you will know what it does well, and what it cannot do
- Imagination, persistence and perseverance
It is a fun journey, but it is not instant gratification. I had the advantage of starting writing styles back in the DOS days when only 3 instruments were allowed (drums, bass and piano). As the program grew in complexity and as the StyleMaker grew in features, I learned them as they were introduced. If you are serious, I recommend you do the same thing. Take it slow, and enter one instrument at a time. Experiment, learn what BiaB excels at and what it's limitations are. Take it step by step and gather more and more knowledge as you go on. While you are doing this, listen intently to recordings to see if you can figure out how each instrument expresses itself. Then try to see if you can get BiaB to do what you hear. As I said, it isn't instant gratification, but it is rewarding. And it's not for everybody. If you don't have the prerequisite skills and don't want to take the time to learn them, you can always buy them from PG Music or Norton Music. Good luck in your journey. Insights and incites by Notes ♫
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 23
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 23 |
Dear Notes Norton
Yes I am interested to purchase the following style from you, if available.
The following style is a VERY important drum and bass pattern that, surprisingly, never made it as midi or as real track material in BIB!
It is a typical 80'es ska pattern. But I am not talking Madness style nor Selectors here...Read on...
Simple but effective: 4 to the bar on the bass drum, ska clave (on 3 and ''and'' of 4) on the rim shot, 8th notes throughout on a closed hi-hat. Around 130...
This is the typical Police groove (Regatta de Blanc), English beat (''I just can't stop it'', the whole album basically uses it), Grace Jones's ''Night Clubbing'' Album (Walking in the Rain, I've seen this face before) and countless other tunes, including some Prince suff, Billy Idol etc...
There is one ok midi attempt called UKRIDE (B pattern) except that beat 4 is missed by the bass drum, it should have been throughout the measure. Should be real tracked anyways! Hopefully...
Please, let's all push to get this useful and loved to this day style in our arsenal.
Spread the word!
SimonSings
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,504
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,504 |
Thanks for the suggestion. I have a long list of suggestions from my customers and potential customers. I'll put it in the queue.
Notes ♫
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 23
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 23 |
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,026
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,026 |
Why not just write that note in to that style and rename it ? Very easy to do under styles edit current style ! No need to buy anything new , I change most midi styles to fit my exact needs all the time .
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 23
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 23 |
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
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Veteran
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926 |
The Style Maker is where the sorcery of MIDI-based BIAB resides. I can't say that I've done more than poke a stick at it, but the results were worth it. You have nothing to lose but time, and everything to gain in originality by trying it.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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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!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
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.
Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!
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.
Holiday Weekend Hours
As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:
April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours
Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
— Team PG
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
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.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
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