I followed the instructions to create a user track. When I modify a .sgu file to user the track, it usually works fine. But, some of the time, the user track doesn't start to play for a couple of measures. ????? The MIDI instruments play, then the user track comes in later. I am running BIAB 2019 on a 2017 iMac running macOS 11.5.2 (Big Sur). Thanks, Alan Shank
Are you accounting that the first two bars of the audio for the UserTrack should remain blank? The blank two bars allow for the two bar count-in. While the chord sheet and the other tracks start with bar 1 the audio for the Usertrack begins with the two bars of blank before bar 1.
Yes what Jim said about 2 bars. It might be easier doing it in a DAW. Make sure you have the Ending bars set in the F5 > UserTracks Development settings. This script will load a UserTrack template SGU into Reaper Right click Save Link/Target As then Load script into Reaper ReaTrak Biab SGU MGU.. to regions.lua
I created this user track in Logic X. I rendered the User Track template .SGU into .wav files and imported them into audio tracks in Logic X. We added an audio track, and our guitar player played along with the other tracks. The drums played the - - ---- 2-bar lead-in and he started playing, in sync with the other tracks. Then we exported the guitar track into a .wav file and put it in the user track folder. I was able to modify other .sgu files to use the user track instead of the MIDI guitar.
It works fine in some .SGU files, but not in others. That is what is so weird.
Any idea what could cause that? Thanks, Alan Shank
<< It works fine in some .SGU files, but not in others. That is what is so weird. Any idea what could cause that? >> Timing and playing pattern immediately come to mind. User Tracks are just as prone to clash with some styles and not play to a style's groove as normal RealTracks are. BIAB provides hundreds of guitar RealTracks and users constantly struggle to find one to play in their project correctly.
Two things with your User Track process I don't fully follow are:
1. Why you choose to render the individual User Track Template instruments and export them into the DAW rather than a single stereo mix?
2. Why you're using live drums rather than select a BIAB style drums?
<< It works fine in some .SGU files, but not in others. That is what is so weird. Any idea what could cause that? >> Timing and playing pattern immediately come to mind. User Tracks are just as prone to clash with some styles and not play to a style's groove as normal RealTracks are. BIAB provides hundreds of guitar RealTracks and users constantly struggle to find one to play in their project correctly.
All the songs I have tried it with use the same style.
Originally Posted By: Charlie Fogle
Two things with your User Track process I don't fully follow are:
1. Why you choose to render the individual User Track Template instruments and export them into the DAW rather than a single stereo mix?
I didn't want the MIDI guitar to be heard while the guy was recording the live guitar.
Originally Posted By: Charlie Fogle
2. Why you're using live drums rather than select a BIAB style drums?
I'm not using any drums. When I rendered the .sgu, the drums were muted; that way, only the - - ---- counting is imported into Logic X.
Thanks for your quick reply. I'm always curious to the various workflows and how people approach using BIAB tracks with their DAW.
Regarding that all of the various SGU files react to your User Track differently although they all are the same style, that's a bit of mystery. RealTracks will sound different and play differently to different chord charts as well as different styles and it may be that User Tracks are the same.
The best idea I can give is to examine whatever differences are between the various SGU files may be. If your User Track sometimes works in an SGU and then again it doesn't, that's an issue that should not be occurring and it's best to discuss with PG Staff.
And I'm sure you know you can mute the midi guitar just as did the drums and not have to get rid of the midi guitar by exporting the tracks individually.
Thanks again for posting about your process. It's interesting to learn new processes.
Here's more weirdness! If the user track is delayed in a particular .SGU, if I close BIAB and re-open it, it sometimes will work. I've also noticed another weirdness: in one of my .SGUs, the user track will be going along OK, then will stop for a measure, then resume playing. Thanks, Alan
More info. Today I started BIAB, loaded my.DK file and a .SGU file. Yesterday, I loaded that file after some others, and the user track not only didn't start "on time", but also dropped out here and there for a measure. Today, with a "fresh" BIAB, it worked perfectly, starting along with the realTrack bass and continuing.
Here's another question about this process. In BIAB 2019 for Mac, you can't record your user track in BIAB itself; only the Windows version allows this. (It seems the Mac version is somewhat "behind" the Windows version. The 2019 doesn't have the Style Maker option, either.
Question: does the Mac version 2021 allow recording in BIAB?
BTW, the reason I'm even doing this is that the RealTrack bluegrass guitar does not sound like Bluegrass; it's just strumming. Bluegrass rhythm guitar is played bass-strum, bass-strum, alternating root,fifth bass with a back-and-forth strum, sometimes connecting chords with walkups, walkdowns, an occasion "Flatt" run, etc. You can hear that on the .wav file I sent. Cheers, Alan
I sent them in an e-mail to support@pgmusic.com, as "Chat" asked. Then I got an e-mail asking for the URL for the forum topic, and I sent that. That was before I saw your post with the DropBox link. Thanks, Alan
<< In BIAB 2019 for Mac, you can't record your user track in BIAB itself; only the Windows version allows this. >>
Your 2019 Mac BIAB version should be able to record UserTracks. Mac BIAB has had audio recording capability since version 2015. I've attached a screen shot of the Mac 2019 Toolbar with the Record Audio Icon.
<< In BIAB 2019 for Mac, you can't record your user track in BIAB itself; only the Windows version allows this. >>
Your 2019 Mac BIAB version should be able to record UserTracks. Mac BIAB has had audio recording capability since version 2015. I've attached a screen shot of the Mac 2019 Toolbar with the Record Audio Icon.
I tried that over and over. The input level on the Mac sound settings reacted to input, but inside BIAB -- NOTHING. The VU meter inside BIAB did not register anything, and when I tried to record, I got a file with no sound.
I don't think your picture of BIAB is even the Mac version; on my 2019 BIAB-for-Mac, you have to click the Audio tab and select "record audio".
Not only that, but the instruction that come with BIAB specifically state:
"2. Play and record your instrument. For Windows, you can record right in Band-in-a-Box on the audio track by pressing the "Record Audio" button (if you're using RealBand, you can record your audio on any unused audio track). You can also use any other DAW by dragging the backing tracks into the other DAW, and you can then do your recording there. For Mac, this is the only option, so for example you could drag the individual backing tracks into Garageband. "
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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!
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!
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.
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.
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
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