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Songwriting
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 253
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 253 |
Wanted to jump in on this conversation and offer my 2 cents. I confess that I haven't read all the replies, so somebody may have already covered this, but a point to be made about the numbers the OP mentions, and how it relates to spotify/streaming income.
Keep in mind that a substantial portion of the monies you receive from Spotify are royalties due to you as a label/artist. The actual songwriting portion of that money is very small, something like 14x less than the label/artist portion. Obviously, if you write/perform/record/release your own stuff, you stand to make quite a bit more money than if you were relying on the songwriter portion of those payments alone.
That's why I'm of the opinion that guys like me who've made their living writing songs for other people to record are dinosaurs...the meteor has hit, and we're just wandering around waiting to become extinct -another reason why you see so many successful writer selling books, teaching classes, and shamefully even charging people a fee to allow them to co-write a song with them (some of my friends/peers are guilty as charged).
I fully endorse the notion of "keep it/sell it/own it". There are a lot of people out there making a living by selling "how-to" guides for a dream that doesn't really exist anymore. I'm glad I was around for "the good ol' days" of songwriting, but it's a whole new world now and it ain't going back.
I'll stop now, I'm sermonizing. Just thought I'd share my thoughts.
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Songwriting
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,840
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,840 |
guys like me who've made their living writing songs for other people to record are dinosaurs...the meteor has hit, and we're just wandering around waiting to become extinct Ain't that the truth! And the only folks left making money are the shovel salesmen!
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Songwriting
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Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 7
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 7 |
Hi David
I have seen a couple of videos of BIAB and its obviously really impressive. As you have massive expeience with it and with songwriting i do have a question. I write using a piano sometimes guitar. I 'create' interesting chord and melody ideas along with lyrics. The thing is how on earth do i get BIAB to actually back say my paino piece as it has quite different chord variations and nuances.Wouldnt it just railroad over the piece and poss ruin the original feel?Sorry if this is a rather daft question...
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Songwriting
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
Welcome to the forum, your first post. Congrats.
This question should be in the Band in a Box forum, Windows or Mac whichever you use. I'll give you a response here anyway.
You're asking two things, chords and feel. Biab is designed to do exactly what it's name says. Be your backup band. Real musicians will rarely play a song EXACTLY as written, different players like guitar or piano will play different inversions or add a passing note or whatever because they think it sounds better. That's what Biab does too but you still have some control over that.
Right click anywhere in the chord grid and select Song Settings. On the left of that window see Force Song to Simple Arrangement and check that box. Also under the Edit menu see the checkbox Jazz Down the Chords. That will stop Biab from making too many changes to your chords. Even with these controls Biab may still make a few changes. If that happens regenerate the song again and you may have to do that several times until you like it. Once you like it freeze the tracks so a regeneration won't wipe that out.
A strength of Biab is the fact that regeneration will change things up a little and many people like that but if you don't want that then use the Freeze option. You see that when you right click on an instrument name and look for Track Settings>Freeze Track.
As for the feel that is controlled by the style you choose, either Midi, Real Tracks or both.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Songwriting
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,433
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OP
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,433 |
What Bob said!! 
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Songwriting
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Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 7
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 7 |
Thank you Bob (and Dave!) Yes my first post and a great answer and thank you for the welcome I find it really encouraging what you said and will definitely give BIAB a real go. Point taken and am quite excited to see what BIAB comes up with. I was in bands for years and agree musicians bring their own ideas and the best can bring out the best in original songs. Many moons ago i used here in the UK to spend many days in London going round to A&R departments - most of the major labels. I used to be daft allowing them to to take copies and the bits they liked and sometime later hear my melodies/ideas used !! I guess like a lot of things back in the eighties, it was seen as fair game☹Anyway have hundreds of songs and part songs in moth balls and some new ones so let’s see if BIAB can help me breath some life into them
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Songwriting
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
You're welcome. Now, if you have other questions about Biab you should start a new thread in the actual Biab for Windows or Mac forum. Other songwriting comments or discussion would stay here.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Songwriting
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Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 7
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 7 |
Thanks Bob. No doubt i will be visiting both compostion and production:)
Paul
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Songwriting
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,433
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OP
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,433 |
Hmmmmm. I did it, I guess. I put it in another post for freshness, but here that is: *** Hey Y'all, OK, I have been MIA, I know, working on a book, missing everyone, got to get back I know! BUT, I thought about my long lost SongTradr account and logged in and saw I had made a pretty nice chunk of change when someone bought a Celtic tune for a video. Well, ok, so I did make my money back! And let me just say, to all of my adoring fans, that this will in no way change me, because as I know, in my humble servant's heart, that the way of the modest man is to ponder the... Ok, the joke is not going to work, but anyway, I thought that was cool. I need to fire up my Band in a Box and log back in!!!!!!
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Songwriting
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,198
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,198 |
Wow!
Way to go, David -- congratulations!
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
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Songwriting
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,685
Expert
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Expert
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,685 |
I need to fire up my Band in a Box and log back in!!!!!!
Well what you waiting for, C'mon back.
win 10 64 bit 16gb,i7 chip, ssd 500gb, m-audio air, ,Roland BK-7M, 1000,shure sm7b,sonar,acid,mixcraft, variety of plugins.Sample tank 3,Kontakt. TC Helicon Voicelive 3 2 . https://beatmaster1.bandcamp.com/releases
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Songwriting
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,918
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,918 |
Welcome back David,
You've been missed!
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Songwriting
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,170
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,170 |
As an inventor, Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb.
When a reporter asked, "How did it feel to fail 1,000 times?" Edison replied, "I didn't fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps." in reality it was an invention with stolen and bullied acquisition of patents + some time, sweat and a few ideas. He was a low life.
Last edited by rayc; 02/03/20 12:12 AM.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Songwriting
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,685
Expert
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Expert
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,685 |
My My ...you also know more than the average joe along with hear more !!!.
Very talented.
I was just reciting a famous quote, I've no idea if it is true or not And couldn't really care anyway just using it in the way it sends... a message out.
win 10 64 bit 16gb,i7 chip, ssd 500gb, m-audio air, ,Roland BK-7M, 1000,shure sm7b,sonar,acid,mixcraft, variety of plugins.Sample tank 3,Kontakt. TC Helicon Voicelive 3 2 . https://beatmaster1.bandcamp.com/releases
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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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Video: New User Interface (GUI)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
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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.
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Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
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Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows 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 60 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!
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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 Windows packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49. Browse the full contents of each package and listen to demos here.
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!
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