Herb, this one has a lot of heart and you really know how to put the pure emotion into a terrific song. Your arrangements are stunning and all instrumentation placed carefully and perfectly. The melody, which I consider to be most important, expresses the words and the theme wonderfully. Your use of Band in a Box is pro. John
Hi, Hans. I haven't heard the first version. There is something about a piece that is stripped down to a few instruments that has a lot of energy and soul. "The Dice" has wonderfully contemplative lyrics and an engaging, lovely tune. You really have done a beautiful job! John
Hi, Trapper. I use my guitar for composing the melody but I very seldom use them in my recordings because, after 50 years, I still play like a novice! Band in a Box completely changed my songwriting life! I use it to put in all my instruments though sometimes some friends of mine from other states and the UK who are very good musicians will play some of the tracks. My preference is to use human vocals. As AI goes, the big difference are the words "royalty-free." If you use royalty-free software like Band in a Box or online royalty-free services, you are legally safe. Copyright laws make it legally yours and you can register your songs under your copyright. Suno, like several other AI services, are in uncharted and risky territory as copyright goes because their database has works by other artists which can constitute copyright infringement. Softwares can parse the track into its parts and detect if AI was used. The Copyright Offices, many sync libraries, and the UK Songwriting Contest will not accept music produced with AI. It looks like you're very careful in these regards. But here's a kicker: when you upload your original tune into Suno, it goes into their database and other people can use it, even though it does get deconstructed. It is about as unlikely any tune of yours in whole would be stolen as an asteroid hitting Bozeman. But the fact that if someone uses deconstructed/reconstructed bits of your original work without your permission is still an infringement of copyright. There is another service that has started up: Ace Studio, that is geared more for music producers that is royalty-free, appears to have integrity, and that may be worth looking at. My personal take on AI for the so-called creation of art and composing music and lyrics to me is an insult to artists and songwriters, and is superficial and soulless. Most AI generated songs lack the genuine human touch and emotion, and are most often mediocre. This is a very good subject and worth looking into more. John
Hi Mike, You’ve packed a lot into 3 minutes, 3 seconds!! A lot of transitions, which all work and flow well together. Each one of those transitions could be an individual song and developed if you were inclined to do so. The mix is great, no need to change anything to my ears. Well composed, kind regards.
Scott H. Olson What a fun song. Upbeat and interesting. Good mix and production with good vocals and harmony in the right places. Well done! Hey, Scott! Thank you very much! I see you're in Arizona! I lived in Phoenix for 20 years and worked at ADOT as their illustrator/map maker/graphic designer. I made several maps of the Sierra Vista area and illustrated a bridge over the San Pedro River. I retired in 2023 and moved to Yucaipa, California with my wife, Lora. I'm happy to see another Arizonan on board! John ------------------------------------- WaoBand Great song! It has a way! WB, you have a way as well! Thank you very much! I have four other UK friends who I like to correspond with. Two of them are sometimes songwriting partners. They are top drawer gentlemen and wonderful to work with. The events going on this side of the Atlantic are distressing and I have to try to keep the anxieties down by working on painting and songwriting. John ------------------------------------- Hi John, That must have been your lucky day! First, a dream about the Eagles, then a melody you remembered, and then creating this beautiful pop song with those amazing harmonies that everyone here is talking about! The song's structure is really good. I loved it! The lyrics seem so simple in a way: she has a way, so you stay. But those lyrics make the song move faster. You did a great job. Maybe it's not an Eagles song, but what a song! I think I want a dream like that too! Maybe about the Bee Gees and their harmonies??? Hans Hi, Hans! I love the music of the Bee Gees, too! If you keep thinking Bee Gees before you sleep, you're likely to wake with a tune. If you do, don't go back to sleep. Rush to your guitar and computer and get the melody down! John
Here’s a remake of a song I wrote a few years ago. This new arrangement is probably a little more romantic than the previous version. LEONIE'S SONG is dedicated to my wife and features cello, guitar, strings and rhythm section. I would love to get some feedback on the song, the arrangement and the mix/production. LEONIE'S SONG RTs used: RealDrums-NashPopBallad (Wayne Killius) Guitar solo: RT3200:Guitar, Electric, Soloist RnBPopBrent Ev 110 For the piano backing, I edited and used (from memory) a selection of: RT1262: Piano, Rhythm PopShiningHeld Ev 120 (Miles Black); and RT2263: Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm 80sPopMedium Ev 120 (Miles Black) Thanks in advance, Mike
Hi Hans, as others have said, a really fine toe tapper and the language barrier didn’t hinder the song. I don’t mind lampooning Pollies….they deserve it, some more than others. Disappointed DT didn’t get a gong in it though! Great song Hans.
With build 1237, my master inset is now at the top of the mixer panel. I don't hate it, but would like to be able to return to the bottom as previously located. Thanks, Shawn
MCity said that RB needs the new tracks view a couple post up. I reread that and noticed that in reality The tracks view in BiaB is lightyears behind the tracks view in RB. real copy paste and track comping. Yes it does partial regen, but not better, just different.
No need to apologize for powerpop! I feel like I'm back in college again. Great song and slick arrangement. And there is nothing wrong with your vocal. Fabulous bridge. I like the introduction of the ooos after the bridge.
The instrumentation is so lush and beautiful. This has a big stage, theatrical sound. A very majestic chorus. It's nice to hear a bass singe; you don't hear too many of them on most songs.
Thanks for your reply, Noel. I had a chance to try your suggestion today, and it didn't work. The Freeze Track From Generation selection through the menu system enabled the little snowflake icon on the track, and I tried that before from the track window by selecting the snowflake. I thought what the heck, maybe it would work when going through the menu, but no dice either. The recording with the snowflake active with the track number selected and in red just performed as a normal active recording take. Maybe my setup doesn't have something in the preferences selected or de-selected, or something. Thanks for the good suggestion, it was worth a try, and much appreciated. BluegrassPicker
I'm not sure about the sequential download issue - I couldn't seem to duplicate that.
Hi Andrew, I've just had that happen again and I think it may be when I click each package to download, rather then the "Download and install all" button. Maybe that's expected behaviour, though it's unexpected for me.
Never seen this requrest in the past. But any improvements in communicating between BIAB and the rest of the music world is always welcomed. Ya, no custom "selection" is allowed to be routed out as chords or midi which could be used to move chords and chord markers from BIAB to the DAW. You may be correct only all or nothing. I guess you could copy and paste your selection into another open BIAB file where it would be the only contents, then you can move it from there via several methods.
Hello, I want to use the BIAB plugin to import chords into my DAW. I can successfully import a MIDI track with all the chords from the song (withe the C7 buton). However, if I select a few bars from the chord sheet (to import not the entire song, but just a section), it ignores the selection and imports all the chords! That's a real shame. In the standalone version, the export does recognize the selection, but as far as I know, it doesn't offer an option to export basic files independently of a specific track. Do you have a solution?
Fixed: Opening MIDI Driver Setup from Prefs caused Lead Sheet window to open.
Improved: Audio file reader improved stability with invalid files
Updated: Stem splitter localization fixes
Changed: VST3 selector - removed Rescan button and changed 'testing' to 'scanning' during scan.
Fixed: [DAW Plugin] Changed "Selected host" to be read-only with improved handling for unknown hosts
Fixed: [DAW Plugin] Add G-7 as a valid chord input (Gm7)
Fixed: [DAW Plugin] Generates empty wav files if BIAB helper has not been initialized when generation starts
Fixed: [DAW Plugin] Occasional crash when using the plugin
Fixed: [DAW Plugin] Crash when generating wav instructions
Fixed: Count-in setting 'lead-in drum count if drums muted/disabled' did not always work for disabled drums.
Improved: Position info (Bar/Chorus) is always displayed on the status bar, including at bars that contain Bar Settings changes (helpful for screen readers).
Fixed: Could not audition RealDrums variations if the install only had flac files.
Fixed: Splitting stems might result in slower and lower pitch playback in some cases.
Fixed: Chord Builder dialog in MultiPicker becomes blank if enter or close pressed.
Improved: Display of scroll up/down buttons in Mixer window, and added tip for Ctrl+scroll to change track height.
Fixed: 'Save Track as WAV file' and 'Save Track as Performance File' would sometimes not show up in the Track Actions menu.
Fixed: Multi-view 'ChordSheet, Tracks' should not have the Mixer.
Fixed: In the Window menu | Notation Window submenu, the 'Note Insert Mode' (note/rest), 'Mono Entry Mode', and 'Clean Display Mode' menu items might not function properly or display the correct state.
Added: Window menu - added both Lead Sheet and Movable Lead Sheet Window menu items.
Fixed: Opening VST3 Selector would remove the previously loaded plugin even if you close the dialog without selecting a new one. Note: VST3 plugins saved in song files prior to this build will still have the old behaviour. The new behaviour is: If you select the SAME VST3 plugin as is currently selected in the track/slot this loads a new instance of the plugin with a clean state. If you close the VST3 selector without choosing a VST3, this preserves the currently loaded plugin/state.
Improved: Master volume controls (This Song and All Songs), and master mute/solo/freeze buttons have been added to top of the Tracks Window.
Changed: Master volume control area moved from the bottom to the top of the embedded and floating Mixer window.
Improved: Only relevant and functioning controls appear on the Default Synth panel and Master (Mix) panel (e.g. pan/rev/tone do not apply to Master, vol works as Master 'This Song' boost).
Improved: Default Synth track always displays the Plugin slots as the other views are not relevant.
Improved: Master Solo button toggles between all solo and none solo (previously only toggled off). Note: hold shift to select multipls tracks to solo.
Improved: The following Drums have improved transcriptions: ShuffleHalftimeSyncClassic^ FolkPopBrushes16ths^ FolkPopSlow16thsBrushes IndieFolkBrushesEv16
Changes for build 1224 (previous update, since 1220)
Improved - The Category menu in the StylePicker lists more accurately the styles found in each genre in your install vs. the total styles available for that genre (Note - requires StylePicker rebuild)
Changed - Enabling BigNotes mode in the Notation/Leadsheet no longer maximizes the window width.
Improved - Explanation of hotkeys in the Loop Section dialog.
Fixed - Google Search for info about song did not work in Titles dialog.
Improved - Styles using the Blank RealDrums style on the Drums track can still have a count-in now.
Fixed - With multiple embedded windows, certain keystrokes could go to the wrong window
Fixed - Exception could happen when Audio Edit window was very small.
Fixed - Various caption and hints improved. Localization support.
Added - Toolbar settings for font sizes (main and view toolbar button captions, side toolbar track selector, song/style)
Fixed - Toolbar Settings dialog Add/remove buttons checkbox list was cut off
Fixed - Right-click menu in Piano Roll does not exit properly
Fixed - Entering a note using the Piano Roll keyboard should play the note
Added - Track Label indicator for Notation/RealCharts on Tracks and Mixer windows. Half underline = notation available, full underline = notation plus accurate tab (for guitar and bass RealTracks).
Added - Setting to enable or disable the RealCharts track label underline (Mixer Preferences).
Fixed - When using a High Contrast theme in Windows, text was invisible in the Activation and About dialogs.
Added - Setting in Tracks Window Settings to enable 'Edit Phrases and Loops' mode. This is a specialized mode where boxes are drawn around RealTracks phrase segments, and they can be edited in a few ways (e.g. extended, shifted, copied).
Improved - About dialog easier to read.
Updated - Help file, PDF manuals, feature browser, help tips.
Fixed - _Commute, _valve, _gallows, Looming - some incorrect info in StylePicker.
Improved - Localization of all genres in the RD Picker.
Fixed - Play button may have remained green on some systems after pressing stop.
Fixed - RealStyles with RealTracks on the Drums track (no RealDrums) would not play a count-in.
Fixed - Meaningless _CRYSTAL flash message sometimes appeared (e.g. in Titles dialog).
Fixed - Keyboard accelerator underlines in Loop Section dialog now visible by default without pressing ALT.
Fixed - "Song Overview (Full) Bars BG Hover" and "... Bar BG Current" did not save in custom color scheme.
Fixed - RT5068 (Bass, Acoustic, Folk16ths ev16 90) did not generate.
Fixed - RD CymbalFillsSlowEv did not work.
Fixed - Notation window font size might become smaller or larger with each bootup.
Fixed - Wrong transcription for RD SoulJazzFunkySidestep.
Improved - The following Drums have improved transcriptions: BluesBrushesDrivin8ths, CoolJazzBrushes16ths, CoolJazzBrushesSw16, CymbalFillsWaltzEv DiscoFunkyStation, DiscoSoulSync, DiscoUptempoStraight. FunkDisco80s^, HardPopRock^ MetalGlamDriving8ths^, MetalGlamFast16ths^, ShuffleHalftimeSyncSlow^, SlowSwingFolkBrushSw SongwriterSlow8thsBrushes, SongwriterWaltzBrushesEv, SoulJazzFunkySidestep, SoulJazzFunkySidestepBrushes YachtRockAiryLAEv^, YachtRockBriskWindEv^, YachtRockCaliforniaAirEv^, YachtRockSeaBreezeEv16^, YachtRockSmoothOceanEv16^
Fixed - FolkPopSlow16thsBrushes possible missing text file error.
Fixed - MetalGlamFast16ths^ possible generation problem
Fixed - IndieFolkBrushesEv16 and FolkPopBrushes16ths^ might be missing RealChart
Changes for build 1220 (since 1217)
Added: Plugins button to set Plugin Options and Default Synth (optional button in the Top toolbar additional buttons group)
Added: Chord Display button (optional button in the Top toolbar additional buttons group, same function as button in ChordSheet toolbar)
Added: Full tooltip hints for the all the tabs in the MultiPicker Library
Added: Tooltip hints for List View columns in MultiPicker (StylePicker, RealDrums, RealTracks, Titles, SongPicker).
Added: Menu item on tracks menu
Added: Edit Midi | Rechannel back to generic channel (not guitar or piano channels)
Improved: Show Tracks (eye) popup menu on Tracks window and Mixer window is more intuitive and lets you 'force' show or hide individual tracks. These tracks will remain in the selected state and are saved for the current song.
Improved: Auto-show tracks works for frozen tracks also.
Fixed: ACW marker line colors could not be customized, and the 'user' marker line default color was too dark.
Fixed: If both Chords window and Tracks / Audio Edit / Piano Roll were open and embedded, pressing Delete key to delete a chord in the Chord Sheet didn't work.
Fixed: Some keystrokes / hotkeys may not work properly if multiple windows open.
Fixed: Erase button in the Track Settings and Actions dialog, and Erase menu item in Track context menu, were not erasing existing RT tracks
Fixed: If there were no buttons visible in the one of the button groups (Song Settings / File / Additional), the top toolbar would reserve too much empty space and not resize properly.
Changed: Dialog on bootup (file crashed, want to load auto-save song) changed to a green flash message
Changed: Default SongOverview position full width, below top toolbar
Changed: Transcribe and Stems audio menu items point to updated AI features
Added: Custom colors for (full) song overview bar hover and current bar, and default has more contrast
Added: Hint and flash message clarifying that the ACW button opens a multi-view of Chords and Audio Edit windows.
Added: Current View auto-saved and loaded at bootup. This is saved as 'Previous Session AutoSaved View' at the top of the Views menu.
Added: Menu item 'Save current view as Default'. This is saved as 'Default View' at the top of the Views menu.
Added: View menu item to set the function of the main (left-side) Views button. This will either load the most recent remembered view or load the default view.
Changed: The default behavior of the main Views button is to load the default view instead of the most recent multi-view.
Fixed: Piano Roll - Changing velocity by Ctrl-Dragging note does not work
Fixed: Piano Roll - String Range Filter always shows error message
Fixed: Piano Roll - When inserting a note, you should hear the note instantly and when dragging the note up/down
Fixed: Piano Roll - 'N' hotkey should add a new note at the tick cursor with the same pitch as the previous note before it
Improved: Piano Roll - adding/deleting/moving notes in PR now immediately redraws Notation/Leadsheet window
Fixed: Longer.sty should be assigned to MIDI set 92.
Fixed: Erase Track button in the Track Settings and Actions dialog did not affect types of tracks that contain audio (e.g. RealTracks)
Fixed: RT's 4734, 4735, 4736, 4737, and 4882 don't show any tablature when in notation view.
Fixed: RT4815 shows in wrong RT set or may be n/a
Fixed: _COMMUTE style shows incorrect RealDrums in stylepicker/multipicker
Fixed: _LARK demo references a drum variation that doesn't exist in F5 style change
Fixed: There are no styles that use RT5033.
Fixed: _CINCH.STY showed wrong tempo RT for BackgroundSoloing track in StylePicker.
Added: Several new styles (.STY) (6 for the bonus 49PAK + 2 more)
Fixed: Some newer Playable RealTracks and PRT demos weren't working and have been added/fixed.
Fixed: Some newer Shots and holds that were missing have been added/fixed.
Changes for build 1217 (since 1213)
Fixed: Spurious messages such as 'invalid filename' when trying to save a multi-view with one window.
Fixed: Incorrect message that 'view was saved' when the save was cancelled.
Fixed: Saving a single window as a multi-view didn't work. You can now save a View that has a single main window.
Improved: Mixer window size, position, and status (floating/embedded) are all saved with Views.
Improved: Lead Sheet window toolbar now has the same theme as the other main toolbars.
Fixed: Toggling the MultiPicker closed would also close the current multi-view and display the Chord sheet.
Fixed: Closing the MultiPicker would sometimes switch the main window to the Chord Sheet.
Fixed: MultiPicker might not remember size and position if toggled from the Side toolbar.
Fixed: Error when playing the Jukebox from the main screen after playing from Favorites dialog.
Fixed: Message added that 'Output chords' should be disabled when starting JukeBox Play.
Fixed: Custom track label set in the Tracks window or Mixer might not stick when selecting a new track.
Improved: For Drag and drop, DropStation, 'Simple' filenames now use custom track label if it exists.
Improved: For Drag and drop to DropStation, 'Simple' long and short filenames now include track label instead of just the Drums name (for 'short' it uses track label only).
Updated: Feature Browser updated with new images and features consistent with 2026 GUI design.
Added: Help - Tutorials... link to new AI Notes and 2026 features tutorials.
Updated: PDF User Guides.
Updated: Help file.
Fixed: Crash when using TTS-1 DXi Synth.
Fixed: Panels in the tracks window could become the wrong width after resizing when hidden.
Changes for build 1213
Fixed - Error could occur after visiting the Jukebox from the SongPicker.
Fixed - Could not play favorite songs list in the Jukebox.
Fixed - Three MIDI Supertracks would show as missing (e.g. =Rust)
Fixed - Full Song Overview might not default to the correct color
Fixed - AI button lyrics menu item didn't open the AI lyrics dialog.
Fixed - Unnecessary messages displayed when creating views.
Fixed - Added a few sample Views which will display when selecting Views button - Choose View.
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!
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!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 process 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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
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