Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Styles and RealTracks Wishlist
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
Ryszard Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
I've put off posting this for a long while. I had two pages of detailed notes to back it up, which I managed to misplace. ADD sucks. So here's the short version. (I'm breaking it out from the MIDI Styles thread so we can get a true gauge of the response. And if I ever find my original notes I'll be sure to post them here. Mostly it has to do with fairly obscure artist names in case you wanted to do some deep research. )

The people who make these kinds of music* are often classically trained. Sometimes you have to listen closely to know (Enya, Kraftwerk, Tangerine Dream); other times it's obvious (Kitaro, William Orbit, Robert Miles).

The point is, there is potentially a great deal of crossover among these genres, to the point that revoicing patches from natural instruments to synths (Walter Carlos, Tomita) and vice versa can be all the difference that's needed. Take most any of them and slow them down and you have a useful ambient thing going. Speed them up and you're in rave city. Hybridize them and there are no boundaries.

This can make it real economical for the PG developers. I'd like to see dozens more Styles in this area. It may sound like a fringe investment, but I believe that a lot of customers would make good use of them. (Actually, I'd like to develop them myself, but I'd rather spend time making music than be learning the sorcery of the Style Maker.)

The selfish truth is that I get a lot of inspiration from PG's "techno" offerings and I'm hungry for more. Some of my best stuff is based around a handful of them. I'd love to just be able to scoop them up and go crazy(er). Do it for me/us, please. I promise I'll make beautiful music for you.

Signed,

Ryszard ze artiste


*Techno is in quotes in the subject line because PG Music uses it to cover an awful lot of synth-driven styles that covers my area of interest, not just the narrowly defined subgenre that is actually called techno.


"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
Styles and RealTracks Wishlist
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 65
cxp Offline
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 65
+1

I agree. I sometimes am discouraged by the number of comments I see that assume the most important capability of MIDI is to emulate traditional instruments. I am most entertained by the things that are impossible for traditional instruments to accomplish and can only be done by MIDI and computers. These are new capabilities that can advance music into new territory and create new genres.

However, I don't think this forum is the best place to look for people who share this view because I don't believe it is frequented by a representative cross-section of BIAB users. We all understand that the regular forum contributers are typically older and not much interested in new sounds or new genres.

But a lot of this can already be accomplished by simply ignoring the BIAB style labels and GM instrumention and substituting unexpected MIDI sounds and patches along with new loop capabilites. This can definitely make any MIDI style sound completely different than its original intent. That to me is the most important argument for MIDI development in addition to more RealTracks.

But it sure would be nice to see these concepts appreciated in new MIDI style development.

+1

Styles and RealTracks Wishlist
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 25,181
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 25,181
A super big +1

I am a big fan of Kitaro, Tangerine Dream, Kraftwerk and Tomita. Another one of my favorites is David Arkenstone. I am a huge fan of New Age, Classical and Ambient music.

One tip I can give is that if you take some styles, slow the tempo down to 40-50bpm and replace the sounds with synth pads you can extract some very good New Age and Ambient songs. But it is a hit or miss situation.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cxp-I will agree that some here view midi as dead and choose to use RealTracks. Many, I believe, view midi synths as emulators of acoustic instruments. While with enough money invested in sounds and midi controllers synths can become good acoustic emulators they expect the same thing to happen with GM and it ain’t!

I will also respectfully disagree about this being the wrong place to share this. The more diverse BiaB can become the larger the potential sales. Also the latest improvements in BiaB on the midi side tells me that they also think midi is alive and well.

I should let you know that I am one of the older members here and I always have been interested in new sounds and genres. In fact I incorporated and played a midi guitar controller with three tone generators in my wedding band years ago and great success doing so. Please don’t try to stereotype all of us old timers


Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.

64 bit Win 11 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Styles and RealTracks Wishlist
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,610
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,610
+1

Yeah, I'm an older member also (55) and I love the Kraftwerk, etc stuff. Dabbled around a lot with Reason (Richard knows). Adding these type of styles to BIAB would GREATLY enrich our creative horizons.

I have been mainly using RTs, etc, simply because the MIDI styles are lacking what is being requested here. The only reason I would want to do something in MIDI would be in Techno/New Age/Ambient, etc Genres. I am not interested in trying to emulate things like a sax or a guitar in MIDI... that's where I use RTs.

Cheers,
Mike


Cheers,
Mike

My Music * Asus ROG Strix G15CF 32 GB DDR4 4TB HDD + 1 TB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 8GB Win 11 AKAI EIE PRO Sound Interface. BIAB/RB 2024 UltraPak Build - Latest
Styles and RealTracks Wishlist
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,026
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,026
I'm an old guy too, never even heard of any of these bands. I use RT's all the time, but sometimes to get exactly what I want use MIDI. I use sounds that were born MIDI when I do, cause emulated sounds don't sound very good to me unless you are a "Very Talented" controller player. I still think it's important part of PG music to continue MIDI development like the new Super Tracks. I'm all for anything to make better music, more genres and ST's = equals mo happy campers. So 1+ for me too Ryszard!

Styles and RealTracks Wishlist
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,035
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,035
+1

Can definately use those types of styles - all the time. Maybe could be based around the new midi supertacks.

Kevin

Styles and RealTracks Wishlist
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
I could use that too!

Styles and RealTracks Wishlist
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Hammer Dulcimer real tracks would be useful in celtic, new age and other similar genres

Styles and RealTracks Wishlist
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
Ryszard Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
I just listened to the Real Tracks Set 158 Modern Dance Pop demo on the home page. I am impressed. Sonically this is a huge step in the right direction. The only possible improvements would be to have them available as MIDI tracks (if they aren't already) so they could be revoiced, and, of course, to have more related Tracks/Styles, also as MIDI. Well done.


"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
Special Extended Until September 15, 2026! Save over 40 Styles PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows!

We've extended our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs sale until September 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® 2026 offer a wide range of genres designed to work seamlessly with your project. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.

XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 for Windows or for Mac are on special for only $29 each (reg. $49 ea), or get all 11 PAKs for only $149 (reg. $299)!

XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with ANY version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-11 includes 1,100 styles!

Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 for Windows or for Mac are on special for only $29 each (reg. $49 ea), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! .

Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 includes 3,900 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!

Note: XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs include additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® that work seamlessly with your project. Xtra Styles PAKs and XPro Styles PAKs are NOT included in any Band-in-a-Box® package!

Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!

Special Extended Until September 15, 2026! Save over 40% on XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac!

We've extended our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs sale until September 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® 2026 offer a wide range of genres designed to work seamlessly with your project. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.

XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 for Mac or for Windows are on special for only $29 each (reg. $49 ea), or get all 11 PAKs for only $149 (reg. $299)!

XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with ANY version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-11 includes 1,100 styles!

Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 for Mac or for Windows are on special for only $29 each (reg. $49 ea), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! .

Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 includes 3,900 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!

Note: XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs include additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® that work seamlessly with your project. Xtra Styles PAKs and XPro Styles PAKs are NOT included in any Band-in-a-Box® package!

Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!

Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!

XPro Styles PAK 11 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!

Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!

All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 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!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!

No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!

In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!

Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 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.

Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!

XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!

Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!

All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 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!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!

No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!

In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!

Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 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.

Peter Gannon Talks Band-in-a-Box with zplane

zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!

Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.

Check out the full interview here: https://products.zplane.de/blog/peter-gannon-interview-pg-music

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,778
Posts809,560
Members40,219
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
Newest Members
Rony, sanam ngk, Scotman, Mesadeco, oldman901
40,219 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 93
DrDan 78
rsdean 64
WaoBand 59
Noel96 40
Today's Birthdays
There are no members with birthdays on this day.
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5