When I purchased BIAB around ~2000, it changed my songwriting. Here's how ...
I started writing again, and prolifically! *
It gave me a way to express my ideas, when previously it was just me and my guitar
It exposed me to a full band, and most know that playing with others is inspiring
It exposed me to genres I didn't normally work in, and thus broadened my options and inspiration
It gave me ideas in the demos and tracks that turned into songs
It motivated me to break out of my four-chord / four-bar trap to think of longer and more complex musical phrases
It helped me develop vocal harmonies using the Harmony track
It broadened my knowledge of chords and chord extensions
It introduced me to arrangement and production - initially using PowerTracks
Is your story similar or different?
* See my attached chart showing when I wrote each song or song part. I documented this a few years ago because, while I have many completed songs, I also have many verses, choruses, bridges or riffs still looking for a partner, so I listed each song with its attributes (genre, tempo, key sig, Style) in the hope I can one day mix'n'match. Fortunately, I kept original SGU and MGU files or MID output, or had hand-written notes that tied a song to the date written.
Andrew, interesting use of BiaB, and completely understandable. I use BiaB to bring a fuller backing track to the songs I write with my brother's lyrics. I'm not using the inspirational or educational aspects of BiaB much except by occasional accident. BiaB is certainly a Swiss Army knife with a dizzying array of blades...
DC Ron BiaB Audiophile Presonus Studio One ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM Presonus Faderport 16 Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
I had several notebooks with songs and song ideas and no real way to record them to a professional sounding level. I was using cakewalk as a DAW and either having to play all the parts or build tracks using midi. Results weren't bad, but weren't pro either. Of course I was also in the process of figuring things out as well, so a lot of mistakes were being made.
BB opened the door to the creation of pro sounding tracks . I was using them to build the songs while still playing the piano and guitars, which are my main instruments.
I'm still using BB in this manner in the creative process of writing and recording.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Hi Andrew, my story is very similar to yours. Like Herb I started writing songs and doing covers in MIDI. I started back in the late 1980's using an Atari computer and Dr. T's sequencer. I used a number of sequencers when I started using a PC, then DAWs when they became available. MIDI is still my main way of making music. The rest of my story is virtually identical to yours. Other than generating great backing tracks the main thing about BiaB for me it allows me to play in genres I generally wouldn't use. Without BiaB I doubt that I would be playing today.
The fitness trainer asked me, "What kind of a squat are you accustomed to doing?" I said, "Diddly."
64 bit Win 11 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Just thought I'd quickly chime in here to also say without BIAB, I would still be a completely frustrated vocalist with no expressive musical outlet. It's been awesome and not just in terms of being able to accompany myself and bring tunes to fruition. It's also been a very appreciated forum experience. When I think of other "environments" and how people treat one another, it deserves to be acknowledged how the culture here is so supportive and cordial. I've learned so much from the folks here. And if it were just that it would have been more than enough, but I also love hearing the original music of others instead of that stuff that all sounds alike out there. So Andrew, I'm really glad it's done so much for you and that we all get to see and hear your progress.
Like Herb I started writing songs and doing covers in MIDI.
Mornin' Mario....and all others.
The above is my story also. I had a 5' tall rack full of MIDI and signal processing modules.
I currently have 50 originals finished/recorded which averages out to (1) song a year since I started song writing back in 1974. I only have about 35 or so uploaded to Soundclick/Soundcloud. I can honestly say that 20 of those (all done with my collaborator-in-chief guitarist Ken Lasaine) 50 would have likely never been written if it weren't for such a stellar program to flesh out my song writing efforts. As like Herb, I started with Cakewalk 3.0 and still use today as Sonar X3 Producer. I love BIAB and am always impressed with it's abilities. Any "STYLE" I select to listen to in my genre of preference can always stimulate a song topic to flesh out. The vast majority of mine have lyrics and only 1/2 dozen + - are instrumentals.
Admittedly, even though I have a few topic titles written down, I've been in a creative deficit lately.
Hope all are doing well. Carry on.
Last edited by chulaivet1966; Yesterday at11:38 AM.
For me, the most important change was that I changed from a instruments-first person to a lyrics-first person. With BIAB, it's totally easy to find an arrangement that fits the lyrics.
We played in traditional bluegrass bands for many, many years (Bud on upright bass and Janice on guitar and mandolin). But unlike our bandmates we also listened to multiple genres including rock, country, big band, jazz and blues.
Bud had mixed since the mid 60's and discovering BiaB and the forum in 2011 allowed us to explore and create productions in the aforementioned genres ... something we never dreamed of. So to the topic, it certainly forced huge changes in our song writing!
And we met folks who have become true friends as mentors, partners and both. Our production time is more limited nowadays but the fun continues.
J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
... I'm not using the inspirational or educational aspects of BiaB much except by occasional accident. BiaB is certainly a Swiss Army knife with a dizzying array of blades...
Thanks Ron - yes, I love the occasional accidents that occur with BIAB - as if you’re playing in a band and a band mate does something unexpected “Hey, what did you do there?”
Originally Posted by Guitarhacker
I had several notebooks with songs and song ideas and no real way to record them to a professional sounding level. ...
Hi Herb - I hope you still have those notebooks - I occasionally look through my own as a reminder of where I’ve come from.
Originally Posted by MarioD
... The rest of my story is virtually identical to yours. Other than generating great backing tracks the main thing about BiaB for me it allows me to play in genres I generally wouldn't use. Without BiaB I doubt that I would be playing today.
Thanks Mario! I honestly say I didn’t think consciously about genres until BIAB - I was in my own little world.
Originally Posted by BYOBand
Just thought I'd quickly chime in here to also say without BIAB, I would still be a completely frustrated vocalist with no expressive musical outlet. It's been awesome and not just in terms of being able to accompany myself and bring tunes to fruition. It's also been a very appreciated forum experience. When I think of other "environments" and how people treat one another, it deserves to be acknowledged how the culture here is so supportive and cordial. I've learned so much from the folks here. And if it were just that it would have been more than enough, but I also love hearing the original music of others instead of that stuff that all sounds alike out there. So Andrew, I'm really glad it's done so much for you and that we all get to see and hear your progress.
Hi Beth! I wholeheartedly agree about this encouraging and inspiring forum. I’m so glad you found BIAB and are able to put shape and form around your ideas so we can hear them.
Originally Posted by chulaivet1966
…I currently have 50 originals finished/recorded which averages out to (1) song a year since I started song writing back in 1974. I only have about 35 or so uploaded to Soundclick/Soundcloud. I can honestly say that 20 of those (all done with my collaborator-in-chief guitarist Ken Lasaine) 50 would have likely never been written if it weren't for such a stellar program to flesh out my song writing efforts. … Admittedly, even though I have a few topic titles written down, I've been in a creative deficit lately. …
Thanks Wayne! Hoping you find your spark of inspiration soon. It was good to hear that BIAB helped your collaborative efforts also.
Originally Posted by B.D.Thomas
For me, the most important change was that I changed from a instrumental-first person to a lyrics-first person. With BIAB, it's totally easy to find an arrangement that fits the lyrics.
Thanks B.D.! I tend to be music-first, but when I have gone lyrics-first, BIAB has been very helpful - but not enough to break me out of my stubborn ways! Your approach has certainly led to some impressive results!
Originally Posted by Janice & Bud
... But unlike our bandmates we also listened to multiple genres including rock, country, big band, jazz and blues.
Bud had mixed since the mid 60's and discovering BiaB and the forum in 2011 allowed us to explore and create productions in the aforementioned genres ... something we never dreamed of. So to the topic, it certainly forced huge changes in our song writing!
And we met folks who have become true friends as mentors, partners and both.
Hi J&B! I didn’t know about your bluegrass background, so good to hear BIAB opened up your horizons. I love hearing about the friendships through the forum. If ever the forum arranged a Zoom meet of members, I’d be there to meet people ‘face-to-face’ - but probably hard when we are all around the globe.
Thank you all for your comments and sharing your own stories!
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
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 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 Windows or for Mac.
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.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: 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 because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!
We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!
Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:
Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana, Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes, MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano, Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7, Playable RealTracks Set 4, RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark, and more!
Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 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 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
Playable RealTracks Set 4
RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
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.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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