|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 17
Enthusiast
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 17 |
Hi am completely new to BIAB...
Will I be OK with 2007 or should I consider upgrading it to a later version?
My goal is to use BIAB to create song demos.
Any views really welcome!
New to BIAB and just got hold of a 2007 Megapak... but I have been writing songs for quite awhile... most of them hits (of course..) :-)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 17
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 17 |
A glance at the thread from a 2010 user requesting a complete rewrite of the program doesn't bode well...  Was 2009 similarly buggy?
New to BIAB and just got hold of a 2007 Megapak... but I have been writing songs for quite awhile... most of them hits (of course..) :-)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,562
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,562 |
Hi. Welcome to the forum.
Since about 2007, BIAB has had the same basic feature set, but substantial improvements are added each year. Not sure when Real Tracks came in, but upgrading to version 2010 would certainly get you more, and better, Real Tracks. Registered users can upgrade; I don't know how that works in your case, but call PG Music sales and ask.
I don't remember that particular thread, but posts about the rewrite of the program have been a staple on the forum for at least a dozen years. I wouldn't let it bother you. There are valid points to be made, but as long as you can make music with the program, just do that.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 303
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 303 |
hey there, I had BIAB 2007 Pro, now upgraded as far as differencies between the 2007 and 2010, whatever the 'pak' , I'll say this : it's like day and night. For me, the included Realtracks are worth the new purchase alone, they sound really impressive. I have just upgraded from 2007 to 2010 a couple of days ago. I am actually regretting not having bought the Ultrapluspak instead of the Megapak, but even so it's worth all the money I have spent. as far as the other user requesting a complete rewrite of the program, I'd say that's rather extreme. While I am no computer expert, no software, as far as know, is devoid of bugs completely. BIAB works well most of the time and once you know how to tackle whatever problem,it will give the results it was intended for; also, the user forum is really good as well, you'll find people who help, rather than in many other companies forum's where you find snotty people who write stupid sarcastic replies and this sort of things. I guess that the difference here is because in the BIAB forums there's more musicians. All in all , I highly recommend the new version over the old one....if you buy it, you'll see what I mean. Just my personal opinion 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 17
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 17 |
Thank you both for your interesting and helpful replies.
I am looking forward to get started this month with what I have and I'll see where it takes me!
Best regards,
New to BIAB and just got hold of a 2007 Megapak... but I have been writing songs for quite awhile... most of them hits (of course..) :-)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 303
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 303 |
As a matter of fact, I really wanted the Ultrapluspak so I have now sorted this with PG Music , paid the extra, and I will now receive my UPP shipped on hard drive I could not pass up a whopping 370 Realtracks and 200 Realdrums for a bit more money as I like to write music in a lot of different styles and the Realtracks sound rather inspiring. Just using a single Realtrack on the rhythm section, really add up positively to the playback, you can even add up as many Real instruments as there are tracks. I don't just work with Realtracks, though, I still work a lot with MIDI, samplers, etc, but having the option to build an entire track and then playing it back within seconds ,with that kind of sounds, it's just too good to pass up, I think. Just last night, I wrote another arrangement and played it back on Biab 2010 with a Realsax solo in the middle....I could hardly believe it. It gave me a pretty good idea of how my song would sound with a true sax solo in there ! This is far beyond what any arranger can do,software or hardware. Like everything else, it's not perfect, so for example you can't change Realtracks within the same song, as you do with MIDI styles, -but-, the results that Realtracks give, well compensate for the understandable limitations. And it will only be a matter of time until PG Music will improve and fine tune his fine product again and go beyond the limitations. For now, I am just enjoying all the possibilities.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac 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 100 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!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
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 Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Holiday Weekend Hours
As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:
April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours
Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
— Team PG
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Order now!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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 new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,155
Posts801,403
Members40,061
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean