April 29, 2021 Just Released - Xtra Styles PAK 11 for Band-in-a-Box® 2021 for Windows!

We've added 200 exciting new RealStyles with the just-released Xtra Styles PAK 11 for Band-in-a-Box® 2021 for Windows - 50 each for Jazz 11, Country 11, Rock & Pop 11, and Half & Double Time 1!

We think you'll love the new RealStyles and MultiStyles added with Xtra Styles PAK 11, which includes new sounds like modern reggaeton, medieval-inspired folk pop, Americana power ballad, speakeasy vocal jazz, R&B and reggae fusion, and more!

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 11 Demos for Band-in-a-Box® 2021 for Windows

XTRA STYLES PAKS ARE ON SALE UNTIL MAY 31st! During our Xtra Styles PAK 11 special, all of our Xtra Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for just $29 each (reg. $49)! Looking for more Xtra Styles PAKs? Until May 31st, you can purchase our complete library of all 1,800+ RealStyles with the Xtra Styles PAK 1-11 Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Learn more & order now.

Interested in a specific genre? These can be purchased for $15 each - pick & choose here.

NOTE: Xtra Styles PAKs require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition version 2020 or 2021. (Xtra Styles PAK 11 requires the 2021 UltraPAK/UltraPAK+/Audiophile Edition.) Xtra Styles PAKs won't work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Learn more & listen to demos of Xtra Styles PAK 11.

Posted at 06:34 PM

April 29, 2021 User Showcase Song - Cameraman (A joint effort...)

Here is my April contribution to Showcase.

https://soundcloud.com/xabarovskiy-krai/cameraman

I do not want to bore you with details of conception, will just mention that this was long due. Lyrics are co-written with Ray (rayc on forum). All comments are welcomed. Oh yes, I'm a horrible hip hopper, that part I know smile Thank you for giving this time.

Tech stuff:
Lyrics Misha & Ray

Band:
909:Bass, Electric, SmoothPoppy Ev16 090
2157:Piano, ElectricVintage, Rhythm FunkyGroove60sJohn Ev 100
3693:Guitar, Lap Steel, Background SlowAmbient Ev 065
2666:Pedal Steel, Rhythm LushChordsSlow Ev 075
1154:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Reggae Ev16 100
1173:Accordion, Rhythm PopCalypso Ev 100
RealDrums CajonSw16Slow: a: Cajon b: Cajon, Busy 1155:Organ3642: El. Guitar2526 Tremolo guitar

Synths of Halion and Kontakt. Recorded / mixed in Cakewalk.

Lyrics

Posted at 02:00 PM

April 28, 2021 User Showcase Song - Peacemaker

A song about a boy... and his less than perfect parents.

Peacemaker

RealTracks in song: 2937:Bass, Fretless Electric Pop8thsRene Ev 085
RealTracks in song: ~2505:Piano, Electric, HeldChords 085
RealTracks in song: 378:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming DoubleTime Ev 088
RealTracks in song: 1765:Guitar, High-Strung Acoustic, Fingerpicking Pop16ths Ev16 085
RealTracks in song: 3771:Tin Whistle, Low, Background Folky16thsGeoff Ev 085
RealDrums [in Song:CongasEv16[single]: a: Congas b: CongasEv16[single]

Lyrics

Posted at 01:41 PM

April 27, 2021 Get To Know the Band-in-a-Box® Song Settings

Want to customize your Band-in-a-Box® song? Head into the Song Settings window to adjust settings for endings, tags, style variations, pushes, rests, chord embellishments, and more!

To access Song Settings in Band-in-a-Box® 2021 for Windows, use Ctrl+N or choose the Edit | Song Form | Settings (for This Song) option.

Looking to mix up the styles playing for each chorus? You can do that!

Hoping to fade the ending to your song? Also an option from within this window!

There are additional Ending options, RealTracks options (including half-time/double-time, 'bluesy' solos, Natural Arrangements, etc.), and more!

Learn more about Band-in-a-Box® Song Settings.

Posted at 10:37 AM

April 27, 2021 User Showcase Song - I'll Keep Singing My Song

I finally had a few hours to write a song, so here it is!

https://soundcloud.com/stephenwyoung/ill-keep-singing-my-song-mix

I didn't want to write a sad song, so this one is pretty upbeat. I have one of my computers here with me at the hotel in Phoenix (we will be here until sometime in July at minimum), and used BIAB for all the instruments. I recorded all the vocals here with one of my lesser mics I brought along with me. Didn't want to bring all my UAD interface equipment along so I have my old trusty Focusrite 2i2. This one was done all in Logic Pro X, without all my familiar UAD plugins, and an old set of headphones I brought along. I think the mix turned out okay. I'm glad they didn't throw me out of the hotel for singing too loud! smile I hope you enjoy this one. Your comments are welcome...

RealTracks in song: 3551:Bass, Electric, AmericanaShuffleSteveB Sw 120
RealTracks in song: 3689:Guitar, Lap Steel, Soloist Funky70s Ev 100
RealTracks in song: 3609:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm NashvilleRadioShuffleDanny Sw 110
RealTracks in song: ~~951:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm CountryBoogieMuted Sw 110
RealTracks in song: 2729:Organ, Rhythm BluesShuffleMike Sw 130
RealTracks in song: 3441:Guitar, Electric, Soloist BritPsycRockMarch Ev 110
RealDrums [in Song:RockHardShuffle^01-a:Closed Hat, Snare, b:Open Hat, Snare
Lyrics

Posted at 08:28 AM

April 26, 2021 User Showcase Song - How Will I Know

This is a song done originally 7 years ago. I did a few updates to it and a remix.

How Will I Know

This is the original BIAB file.

****** Song Summary *************
Title: How Will I Know
File:How Will I Know.SGU
Key=C , Tempo 70, Length (m:s)=2:17
No intro. 12 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 12. Repeat x3 choruses
No Melody
No Soloist track.
Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0,
Style is SLOARPBL.STY (Slow Arpeggio 12/8 Blues)
Style MIDI Instruments are : Finger Electric Bass (34), Acoustic Piano (1), Clean Electric Guit (28), Rock Organ (19),
MIDI Drums :1 Standard Drum Kit (1)

RealDrums will be substituted :Pop128^3-a:Sidestick Brushes , b:Snare, Ride

*******************

I also added a piano track and organ track using my synth.
Guitar was a Les Paul and Marshall Amp.

Song was mixed and mastered in Studio One.

Posted at 07:50 AM

April 26, 2021 Update Your Band-in-a-Box® 2021 for Windows Documentation Today!

Download the latest Update for Band-in-a-Box® 2021 for Windows to access the updated PDF manual and updated help file.

We've also addressed user reported concerns regarding Plugins Options, Drum Kit window MIDI events, the 2 bar lead-in for exported MIDI files, read-only Audio tracks, and more!

The latest update is available for FREE to all Band-in-a-Box® 2021 Windows users.

Learn more and download now.

Posted at 07:49 AM

April 23, 2021 User Showcase Song - The Musician

A troubled troupador whose career is at a crossroads, reflects on his fathers advice. This prodical son is the black sheep of a well-to-do family . He is ..... The Musician.

The band is all biab with a mashup of cutting and pasting.
Style is a combination of _BEATBOX.STY and
ORK816S.STY (Orchestral 8ths and 16ths) and
HOPHORN.STY (Hip Hop Beat w/ Horns) and
MICHEL1.STY (Michel 1 - Slow Pop Orchestral)
909 bass
2346 horn section
Hip Hop Real Drums Nashville even 16
Orchestral BB Strings MIDI 49 strings
2335 String Quartet
RealTracks in style: 1943:Synth, Rhythm, EuroDance Strings
RealTracks in style: ~2267:Synth, BellPad, Rhythm 80sPopPads
Loop in Style: Other\Human Beatbox - beatbox_lightbuzz80a
RealTracks in style: 2448:Guitar, Electric, Background, PopDreamyBrent
Lyrics

Posted at 08:40 AM

April 23, 2021 Band-in-a-Box® 2021 Portuguese for Windows is Here!

Estamos ocupados e adicionamos 80 novos recursos e uma coleção incrível de novos conteúdos, incluindo 202 RealTracks, novos RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Estudos Instrumentais, Performances de Artistas, Bonus RealDrums "Singles", transcrições de RealDrums, MultiStyles PAK 1, Xtra Styles PAK 10 e mais!

Novas Funções | Pacotes

Posted at 08:38 AM

April 22, 2021 User Showcase Song - Rough Road

Hello there, this is a piece mainly to showcase a Chapman trumpet vst by Embertone. I had a hard time finding a suitable midi solo. I think this one did the job. I know there are a few trumpet and wind controller players out there that might like this instrument, only catch is that has to be used with a Kontakt full version player.

Rough Road

Style is _JAZFSKB.STY (Fast Jazz Swing Poll Winners)

RealTracks in style: ~~443:Bass, Acoustic, Jazz Sw 140
RealTracks in style: ~~2289:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm JazzSwingKenny Sw 140
RealTracks in song: 2593:Horn Section, Background CroonerBigBand9-Part Sw 110
RealDrums [in style:JazzSwingLewis^04-a:Brushes Swirl, Busy Snare , b:Ride and Hihat

Posted at 08:45 AM

April 21, 2021 User Showcase Song - We Ain't Got There Yet

This is some rock and roll.... unabashedly loud, in your face, smoking tubes, wall of guitars, rock and roll.

We Ain't Got There Yet

It was fun. The kind of band I'd like to play a few shows with.

The band is pretty sparse on this one.

Bass is 2591 and the drums are punk.

I'm doing all the guitars. I got to admit, some of the lead stuff is kinda sloppy so hang in there.... but man was it a blast to work up. The amp is Spark and the preset models are several of the rock models. Modern Stone and British accent.... both edited and saved with new presets. The more I play with this amp.... the more I want to play. All mic'd with the Rode at about 24 inches. There's one rhythm track chugging away and 2 lead tracks. Oh... and a couple of vocals. All running at 155bpm. You might find this hard to believe but the amp is at a very comfortable and low volume. I know it sounds like I'm playing with a bunch of double stacked 4x12s behind me cranked up.... And I even got some harmonic feedback in a few places.... But yeah, its a very low volume recording.

I am also running the compression a little tight on this one.

As always... headphones.... be careful with the volume.... yeah I know.... but it's so coooool man... anyway, enjoy and let me know what you think in the comments below and thanks for listening.

Lyrics

Posted at 07:53 AM

April 20, 2021 Band-in-a-Box® 2021 Spanish for Windows is Here!

En PG Music tenemos el placer de anunciar la disponibilidad de Band-in-a-Box 2021 en Español. Despues de arduo trabajo hemos agregado, entre otras cosas, 80 funciones nuevas y una gran colección de nuevas incorporaciones y contenido que incluyen 202 RealTracks, nuevos RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Estudios Instrumentales, Interpretaciones de Artistas, RealDrums 'Single' adicionales, transcripciones de RealDrums, MultiStyles PAK 1, Xtra Styles PAK 10 ¡y mucho mas!

Nuevas características | Todos los Paquetes

Posted at 01:11 PM

April 20, 2021 User Showcase Song - We'll Never Leave The Alamo

I wrote this a few years back after seeing a documentary on it. Made a few changes with BIAB. I always loved a story song.

We'll Never Leave The Alamo

The band:
2483 and 3498 acoustic basses
2548 guitar
1760 and 2030 fiddles
Drums Nashville Southern and tambourine
Lyrics

Posted at 08:16 AM

April 19, 2021 User Showcase Song - Firelight & Fantasy

Firelight & Fantasy

Firelight & Fantasy - version 2

BIAB STYLE: FOLD.STY Fold singer-songwriter pop.

2474:Bass, Acoustic Held Ev 085 (reverb 40)
1837:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopModernGrooveHeld Ev16 075 (reverb 45)
RealDrums=ShakerSlow16ths (reverb 55)
3394:Guitar, Acoustic. Rhythm SingerSongwriterSync Ev16 070 (reverb 75)
1543:SynthPad, PopBelieve Ev 16 065 (reverb 60)
1058:Sax, Alto, Soloist SmoothJazzPoppyDelay Ev16 090 (reverb 80)
1240:Piano, Electric, Soloist Soloist SmoothJazzPoppyDelay Ev16 090 (reverb 75)

OTHER INSTRUMENTS:
Lead Guitar: Takamine GC1-CE + Fender Mustang LT50 modeling amp, through Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 interface and Reaper DAW.
Reason 11 Chromatic Harmonica; Concert Grand Piano.
Edited and mixed with Audacity

Posted at 10:54 AM

April 16, 2021 User Showcase Song - The Code

This is a song that I had pretty much complete late last year, including lyrics and vocal. I wasn't happy with either so I asked Marty (on the forum here as BabuMusic) if he would like to take a crack at it, and this is the result. I think the chorus is mostly from my original write, the rest is all Marty.

The Code

The Band:

RealTracks in song: 3351:Guitar, Baritone Electric, Rhythm SwampyBluesBrent Ev 095
RealTracks in song: 2905:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm BrightBluesyPopColin Ev 100

Drums: EZDrummer2

Marty Straub: Bass, Vocal, BGV
Dave Bell: Lead Guitar, BGV

Mixed with Reaper, mastered with Ozone9

Posted at 02:08 PM

April 15, 2021 User Showcase Song - Pony Song

This one came to me from nowhere. Used Real Band, Pen to Pad BIAB real tracks(RealBass 3501, RealDrums Nashville, Real Piano 2667, Real Guitar 2552 and RealStrings 2553). My own guitar solo/vox.

Pony Song

Inspired by the silly side of John Prine.

Lyrics

Posted at 11:02 AM

April 14, 2021 User Showcase Song - I Will Always Be There

It's been a long time since last I posted some music.

In 2020, because my part of Australia had an extended COVID lockdown, I spent around 5-6 months (all up) teaching my high school chemistry classes over the internet. This meant that I had to rewrite all my lessons as well as devise ways to monitor each student's academic progress as we worked towards final exams. It was an interesting challenge and, unfortunately, music had to take a back seat.

Now I can get back into songwriting.

Earlier this year, I came across a "seeking songs" request from a Filipino company that produces gay-romance TV dramas. Inspired by this, I set about working on something to submit (you've got to be in it to win it, so they say). As Tagalog and English are the official languages of the Philippines, an English submission had a chance.

https://soundcloud.com/noel-adams/i-will-always-be-there

I've noticed that many romance dramas often have a slow romantic waltz somewhere in their story-line. This seemed like a good place to start so I set about creating a song that was intimate and musically uncluttered.

This is where BIAB, RealBand and Reaper took me. It's a rewrite of some of my music and lyrics from 2011.

BIAB RealTracks:
Acoustic Bass: RT776:Bass, Acoustic, PopWaltz Ev 085
Electric Guitar: RT1498:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopWaltzClassic Ev 085

MIDI Plugins:
Rhythm: EZDrummer 2
Acoustic Guitar: Applied Acoustic Systems (AAS) GS-2 Strum with "Take 3 | Becky 3-4"
Electric Piano: EZ Keys, Electric 200A

Effects and Effect Plugins:
Acoustic Bass: Renaissance Bass plugin
Electric Guitar: Ozone 9, Equalizer; MAutoPan, slow sinewave pan; ReaComp (Reaper's compressor); ReaDelay
Acoustic Guitar: Ozone 9, Vintage Compressor; ReaDelay.
Vocals: Nectar 3; ReaFir (to remove background noise); ReaComp; ReaEq; ReaTune; ReaDelay.

Posted at 01:34 PM

April 13, 2021 User Showcase Song - Wandering

Hi Forum friends,

I haven’t checked in for a while but here is a new song from me called: WANDERING.

The title relates to what I wish I was doing rather than what I have been doing.

It’s a cruisy little instrumental, featuring piano lead, guitar accompaniment, bass and drums
RealTracks featured are:
RT2959:Bass, Acoustic, SmoothPoppyNeil Ev16 090 (Neil Swainson)
RealDrums-NashBrushBalDbKE (Brian Fullen)
RT2200:Guitar, Nylon, Background CountryBrent Ev 085 (Brent Mason)

I wrote the piano arrangement, as well as the middle bass part from 2 min 14 sec until 2 min 36 sec.

I also programmed the accompanying guitar tracks using Native Instruments' “Session Guitarist Picked Acoustic”.

I hope you enjoy it.

Posted at 07:11 AM

April 13, 2021 New Update Available for Band-in-a-Box® 2021 for Windows!

Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2021 today!

We've applied some updates to a variety of Add-ons, improved transcriptions and simple tags, resolved playback issues with MIDI tracks, and more. Plus, this free update adds the latest DAW Plugin 3.46!

Learn more & download now.

Posted at 07:08 AM

April 12, 2021 User Showcase Song - Magic Touch

I'm not really a Smooth Jazz guy (and it's very little of it in this forum), but I'm demoing styles in BIAB and came across this riff that I just couldn't resist flushing a song out for.

https://youtu.be/zaDIgV0YZvs

It's the rhythm that really captured me. After looping the bars over and over the words "Magic Touch" just popped into my head. From there putting the rest of the song together was not too hard. I actually write better from the "Hook" down. I know everyone has there method but that one works best for me. Not sure if I'm going to remix and release it since this isn't really my genre but I'll see how it goes.

Posted at 08:13 AM

April 12, 2021 Band-in-a-Box® 2021 Polish for Windows is Here!

Efektem naszej ciężkiej pracy w ostatnim czasie jest m.in. dodanie 80 nowych funkcji i wspaniałej kolekcji nowych dodatków i zawartości, które obejmują 202 RealTracks, nowe RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Studia Instrumentalne, Wykonania Artystów, dodatkowe RealDrums "Pojedyncze ", transkrypcje RealDrums, pakiet MultiStyles PAK 1, Pakiet Xtra Styles PAK 10 i wiele innych!

Nowych | Pakiety

Posted at 08:10 AM

April 08, 2021 User Showcase Song - Lovers' Secrets

I heard this cool guitar riff and wondered if I could reproduce it.
I used the Ample Martin vst (free).
Once I had it, I thought I might as well write a song with it...

LOVERS' SECRETS

Greg Johnson suggested a bridge instead of the original guitar solo I had.
That worked. Thanks, buddy!

Lyrics

The BAND bits:
RealTracks in song: 3502:Bass, Electric, NashvilleRadioBalladA Ev16 075
MIDI SuperTracks in song: 2066:Piano, Rhythm NewAgeAnswers Ev16 110
(rendered using EZKeys Upright)
RealDrums [in Song:ShakerSlow16ths: a: ShakerSlow16thsb: ShakerSlow16ths
Other single drum hits
Harmonies created in RealBand using Helicon harmony generator. And I sang one.
Acoustic guitar programmed using Ample Guitar M Lite II.

Posted at 01:38 PM

April 08, 2021 Band-in-a-Box® 2021 Dutch for Windows is Here!

We zijn bezig geweest en hebben 80 nieuwe functies toegevoegd en een verbazingwekkende collectie van nieuwe inhoud, inclusief 202 RealTracks, nieuwe RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumentale Studies, Artiest Uitvoeringen, Bonus RealDrums "Singles", RealDrums transcripties, MultiStyles PAK 1, Xtra Stijlen PAK 10 en meer!

Nieuwe Functies | Pakketten

Posted at 11:58 AM

April 06, 2021 User Showcase Song - If You Need A Shoulder

I thought it would be time for something different in these heavy times; a heavy topic!

https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130/need_a_shoulder

On the other hand, it's a song with a nice melody (I think), so maybe you will like it.
I made it like this, because the news that came to me over the last months had little entertainment value, I think that did it. But it was fun singing it!
At first I made it with a lower tempo, but the more I sang it the higher the tempo knob was set.

Technical information and lyrics
The song:
Style: MAUL.STY (Maul Mallets Folk Pop, tempo 105

RealTracks : ~~683:Bas, Bas2: 2612
RealTracks : 3673:Piano, Acoustic
RealTracks : 2930:Guitar, Acoustic
RealTracks : 3583:Guitar, Acoustic, cello: 3261
RealTracks : 2625:Guitar, Baritone
RealTracks : 3643:Guitar, Electric
RealDrums:MalletsFolkPop8ths, Drum2: LaPopJazzLaidBackev16
Lyrics

I used another drum and bass guitar and added a cello in the second part of the song.

Posted at 10:31 AM

April 05, 2021 Band-in-a-Box® 2021 Danish for Windows is Here!

Vi har haft travlt, og har tilføjet 80 nye funktioner og en fantastisk samling af nyt indhold, bl.a. 202 RealTracks, nye RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, Artist Performances, bonus RealDrums "Singles," RealDrums transsriptioner, MultiStyles PAK 1, Xtra Styles PAK 10 og meget mere!

Hvan er Nyt | Pakker

Posted at 01:17 PM

April 05, 2021 User Showcase Song - Goodbye Stockholm

Here's something called Goodbye Stockholm.

BIAB Real Tracks:
1827: Bass, Electric, PopModernGroove Ev16 075
1839: Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopModernGroove Ev16 075
2537: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm ModernPopSlow Ev16 075
681: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm, RockBritSoulful Ev 085
676: Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming FolkRockBritEighths Ev 085
RealDrums: PopModernGrooveStyle16
Lyrics

Posted at 01:02 PM

April 01, 2021 Happy Easter! Holiday Hours...

Our Easter weekend hours are:

April 2 - Good Friday: 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8)
April 3 - Saturday: 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) (regular hours of operation)
April 4 - Easter Sunday: Closed.
April 5 - Easter Monday: 6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) (regular hours of operation)

We hope everyone enjoys their Easter weekend!

Posted at 11:32 AM