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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: 6,492
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,492 |
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: 6,492
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,492 |
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
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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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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!
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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!
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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.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
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