Band in a box has been used for some time. I mainly use BB VST. I will replace the drum with ujam drum I found a problem. There are a lot of styles in band in a box, but most of the combination routines are bass, drum and guitar (sometimes 2 or 3 guitars) I was wondering if the guitar would feel tacky with too many timbres, so I tried to replace it. Because now many music has no guitar element, just synthesizer. Sometimes when I remove some guitars and replace them with synth, I feel very modern. Different rhythm will make the music feel different Of course, I also like the combination of guitar and synth
Hmmm. Again, the main purpose of BiaB is to recreate the sound of real musicians playing real instruments.
The RealTracks in particular, are actual recordings of real musicians and real instruments, adjusted by software to match the pitch and timing of the chord progressions you define. There are MIDI data to go with these tracks, but that MIDI data is just an approximation to what the musician actually played, though it may well still help with what you want.
MIDI tracks and MIDI-Supertracks are intended to be actual MIDI and might better suit what you want, depending partly on whether the synth idea you have is polyphonic or a monophonic.
As far as synthesizer sounds go, there are countless synthesizers out on the 'Net that can be controlled by the MIDI you choose. In many ways, it's the "morphing" of the synthesis that sets its character, so controlling that is definitely (IMHO) a task for the producer, rather than a tool like BiaB.
Whether you use a software synthesizer or a physical synthesizer is probably personal preference.
I think, personally, that trying to include a rich set of moderns synthesizers into BiaB would, at best, be a never-ending process of "add a synth"; "it's too dated"; repeat.
I think you really need to find synthesizers on the 'Net' or from a hardware manufacturer to get the sounds you want, and then use BiaB's MIDI to control the notes and the DAW's automation to control any morphing. There are free software synthesizers out there, as well and a large number of commercial offerings.
Last edited by Gordon Scott; 10/25/2102:13 AM.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
SBMix. with resperct your approaching this wrong imho. you have a threadripper pc right. ryzen will eat realband for breakfast. try this method. 1. open realband (rb)...and config your asio interface. 2. layout your chords. 3. start auditioning midi styles. 4. when you find one you like , start right cliking over blank rb traks and gen midi bass/drum/synth traks whatever. at the same time plugging in modern sounding sample player and/or synth plug ins. ive already given you links to loads of free plug ins. 5. work on your modern arrangement till you get it right.
THEN later you can do further tests adding real traks if you wish. THE KEY IS RIGHT CLIK OVER A RB FREE TRACK AND YOULL SEE A BIG VERTICAL MENU. LOOK AT THE GENERATION OPTION...the beauty of rb is you have 48 traks. also a tip LEARN BARS VIEW, very usefull for moveing around midi bars/arrange as you want.
best om
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
OM in all due respect there is nothing wrong with SBmix's approach. Note there is nothing wrong with your approach either.
I have done what SBmix has done. In fact in a song I will be posting soon I took a Celtic harp RT, used Melodyne to convert it to MIDI (the chart version of said RT was not correct), then used that MIDI track to control an orchestra harp. I have also used RTs converted to MIDI to control soft synths. Note that I did the conversions in my DAW Studio One Pro.
The bottom line is that there is usually more than one way to achieve your goals in BiaB, RealBand, and/or any other DAW.
YMMV
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
With all due respect to both of you, I don't believe the OP is looking for this or any other kind of advice. He says, "I found a problem." That problem is too many guitars & too many Jazz styles, and "too few modern synths" & too few Pop styles. He knows how to fix it for himself, but he wants to be really clear that this is a serious problem with BIAB: it's just too old-fashioned.
define old fashioned..........maybe BIAB isn't the program you want if you want a different kind of music.
if it doesn't do what you want try something else. i have a martin d35. it's not a stratocaster but i'm not accusing martin guitars of being old fashioned. in fact i've got a strat clone for when i want it. both are guitars but i choose the right one for the right job. maybe BIAB isn't right for the OP.
i just went thru the stylepicker useing the following filters. ultrapak 2020 no addons... funk 665 results rap 91 results modern 687 pop 3,553 tek 68 electro 57 edm 27 synth 603
i still say rb is the appropriate pg app cos of all the midi and plug in manipulation capabilities. as to limited synth capabilities i disagree. i have synth out the ying yangs includeing sforzando and free synths i got like dune and loads of others.
i really think folks any music genre can be done in biab or rb. ITS ALL IN THE METHODS YOU USE.imho. you can even start off with blank style in stylepicker and roll your own approach.
i really wonder if people saying biab and/or rb cant do certain moderrn styles//things have really delved into all the features of both at a deep level. let me say in the past with styles ages ago i would have agreed with the too many old/jazz styles comment. but in the last few years i really cant say that.
om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 10/25/2110:59 AM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
BIAB doesn't and shouldn't have to be all things to all people.
I'd go further than that ... there are literally hundreds of synthesizers out there, each with dozens of parameters that can be tweaked either to get a specific sound, or to get morphing sounds.
I cannot see any way that an application like BiaB could, or should, sensibly even try to replicate the countless, tending towards infinity, sounds and morphs that can be produced. It would, IMHO, be crazy even to try.
BiaB will send MIDI to a synthesizer. Use a synthesizer.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
Yes MIDI, as said audio is one type of sound that you can't change but only add FX to but with MidiSuperTracks or MidiUserTracks the sound can be unique and infinitely variable.
The keyboard style midi file will have Midi Section Markers Open the midi file in the Style Wizard Set the A section Set the B section Set A Fill Set B Fill Set what instruments go on each track
The Lyrics window will show the Midi Marker Sections
I don't know how you create the MultiStyles+ ? If I Edit the current Midi MultiStyle I can't see the C D sections. And can't see how to add Endings in the StyleWizard ? May have to ask in the Beginners Forum.
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!
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!
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!
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.
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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 amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed 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 transcribe 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, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
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