Pilot is right about the XG works software, and his workaround is good. I tried but could not easily revise the patch files, so I found another workaround. It's Michael P Bedesem's style updater, which allows me to change all of the patch and bank data for my many Yamaha styles.. I made my own patch list for the Motif and the PA80 inside of the software, and then changed my favorite Yamaha styles so that they would reflect the patch / bank setups of those ( non XG ) keyboards.

Jammer Pro has it's own sequencer, and while it isn't top notch like Cakewalk Pro 9 and Sonar, it is adequate and you can do additional editing with in CW pro. You might want to look at Cal scripts too. They include some vry good editing tools for midifiles in CW and there are plenty available for free d/l.

It sounds like you want a little more customized type of backing styles, so Jammer Pro might be more useful than BIAB, although BIAB's style making interface allows step entering of drum notes. Still, you can do sophisticated rythyms with Jammer a lot quicker once you get into and understand the interface. Soundtrek is due to release an upgraded version ( vers 5 ) fairly soon, and from what I gather via email and conversations with them, this should include more tools in general, a better sequencer, and the the choice of being able to use algorithims ( as it works now ) and prerecorded midi data for style building. I am very much looking forward to it's release.

CW 9 / Sonar doesn't work directly with arranger programs, but there are some very decent plug ins available for it, such as Slicy Drummer / Fill in drummer, and Rythym and Chords, which does fairly good rythym guitar emulations. Cal scripts are small files that work in CW 9 / Sonar which allow you to do many things with notes including create chords, vary velocity and length, and create arpeggios ( there are many other functions that they can do as well ) . While I'm not particularly good at making my own CAL scripts, I d/loaded a freeware program that allows me to make custom and detailed Cal arpeggios without the hassle of having to write out the actual Cal script info and data manually. Really cool stuff.
Oh and btw, Jazz Sequencer is now freeware, and so is the Midi Wizard ( formerly known as Drumz Wizard ), so that's a good place to start. Jammer pro is available as a demo and I believe that the demo version will allow you access most if not all of the functions, except of course that the ability to save files is disabled. I would suggest a d/l of the trial version first so that you can get a idea of how it would work for you and see how comfortable you will be with it. If I'm not mistaken, BIAB also has a demo available for d/l, as do The real time style players I mentioned in my previous post.

Good Luck,

AJ

[This message has been edited by Bluezplayer (edited 03-27-2003).]