Hey Dr. Gannon and PG Team, Thank you so much! I have been overhearing people talk about world events on the street (I no longer check) and I was wondering if anything good was going to happen this year! It did!!!! Like Dumb and Dumber, I thought the chance was 1 in a million, but at least I had a chance!! But seriously, thanks from the bottom of my heart. I love this software that has done SO MUCH for my songwriter journey, happiness, success, and many friendships here. What a wonderful world of pure magic you folks have created all around. Thank you so much.
Maybe a better option would be for BIAB to present a set of phrases it has generated rather than the forward/back button approach. Perhaps that is what you are describing?
As I've mentioned: "2) Generate unique stems in a list. Click to listen / choose" - A group of non-repeat stems to choose from.
Originally Posted by JohnJohnJohn
And I wonder if BIAB has built-in controls that prevent phrases that would be impossible/highly unlikely to actually play on an instrument
Kind of / sort of. If you are doing partial regen by selecting bars at Chord View it does a rough cut partial regen. Try going to Audio View and see how the phrase was formed and make selection with a wider range. I found that this technique, while having it's own set of issues (which I will describe later) produces more natural phrasing. ---- Unfortunately, not many people are even aware of Partial Regeneration. To me, it was a game changer.
Thanks DC Ron! Yes, I was playing a D harp (in first position, or straight harp). I normally play cross harp (so I would have been playing a G harp) but the D seemed more melodic. A bit high in tone (the G has a nice mellow low tone) but what the heck, it seemed to work! AB
Well, Ron, you’ve done it again. You’ve taken a relic from 1981—a time when we were all arguably too dumb, too numb, and definitely wearing questionable fashion—and turned it into a polished, contemporary gem. First off, the mix. That LCR balance is spot-on; it’s clean, precise, and gives every instrument its own "neighbourhood" to live in. And kudos on taking the feedback regarding the drums—the selective use of those big, tom-heavy sections now creates a beautiful ebb and flow. By holding back the thunder until the B section, you’ve turned the drums from a potential "distraction" into a masterstroke of emotional storytelling. It’s a great example of how a small structural tweak can make a song feel like it’s actually breathing. As for the performance: your vocals are, as always, impeccably recorded. You have this distinct, unique vocal DNA—a certain grit and sincerity that is perfectly suited for delivering your brother’s lyrics. Speaking of which, the fact that these words were penned 45 years ago is mind-boggling. R.W. Davis was clearly writing with the wisdom of a man much older than his years (or perhaps just the classic dread of being young and confused!). The irony of the narrator claiming to be "alright" while clearly overcompensating with "other girls" is a clever touch that hits harder through your delivery. The song is smart, the production is lush without being cluttered, and the arrangement choices—peeling back the guitars in the middle only to bring the full arsenal back for the finish—show a real maturity in your craft. Excellent work on this remake. It’s clear that even after four decades, this song hasn't lost its edge—it’s just gained a cool producer. Exceptional stuff! besties Izzy
Geez, Izzy, THANKS for the detailed analysis. Really appreciate the careful listen this level of feedback took, and also you taking the time to share your thoughts. Really means a lot.
AurealiusB, well THAT's a compact little pop ditty for sure! Very nice vocals and harp(?) solo. Like the RealStyle you've chosen as an overlay, it works really well. Another nice blast from the past! I'm still looking for the rock, too.
Forty-odd years ago when Sue and I hadn't long been vegetarian and when there wasn't much recognition of it, a large group of friends (20 or more) and we were looking for somewhere to eat. We'd read the menus and hardly anywhere had any interesting veggie choices on their menus, usually at best an unnamed "vegetarian option". My large group of friends quickly learned how frustrating this was, despite my "don't worry" comments and formed a one-night crusade. All of us would go into a pub, restaurant or whatever and ask what the vegetarian option actually was. And if we weren't encouraged, all 20 odd of us would walk straight out again. I like to think some establishments learned something that night.
Mario, I'm with Bob on this "out of my comfort zone" nonsense. Everything you post is creative, musical and uniquely YOU. This is no exception. Your playing is GREAT (as always) but I'm really struck by the composition and arrangement this time out. Very inventive theme and progression, and most thoroughly enjoyable. Nicely done AGAIN, Maestro.
I'm not aware of any Save as Video feature built into BBW that ever included highlighted notes in red, as my understanding is that BBW creates a video by generating individual bitmaps one bar at a time and then syncing the display of them with the audio when generating the video, rather than doing a real-time capture of BBW playing music. The latter could be done with a 3rd party program.
With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks! These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®! This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK: -For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles -For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles -For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles
MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
Playable RealTracks Set 5
RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
iOS and Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
walked into a 3/4 empty restaurant, directed to a table and shown the QR code for the menu and ordering, then left to our own devices, so to speak.
I have come across a couple places like that here in Arizona . . . And they want a tip still as well . . . I personally hate it and will walk right back out the door if that's how the establishment works. Not worth the hassle to me and I'm f'n tired of being required to use an "app" for "convenience". Sorry hoss but it ain't convenient for me.
Hello, Please go to Options | Preferences | Channels. Ensure the Melody is not set to 0. If it is, try changing it to 1, for example. That should show the notes highlighting on the guitar neck and the notation window. Thank you, Catherine
I wrote this song in the early 1980s with hand-written lyrics I received in the mail from Kathy Keogh (who I barely knew). Initially arranged and performed with just an acoustic guitar and vocal, the addition of various instruments and harmony vocals has added a newfound depth to my music. Style: _PUSHY.STY (Pushy Ac Bass Medium Pop Push) BIAB "Foundation" real tracks: Drums: RealDrums, NashvilleEven16 Bass: 3122, Acoustic, PopHalfNotesPush Ev 120 Piano: 1262, Acoustic, Rhythm PopShiningHeld Ev 120 Guitar 1: 1270, Electric, Rhythm PopUpliftSyncMuted Ev16 120 Guitar 2: 1259, Electric, Rhythm PopShiningRockA-B Ev 120 Recorded tracks: Guitar (me): Electric fuzzy Harmonica (me): D harp Vocal Main (me) Vocal Harmony (me) Lyrics: It’s getting hard to find the rock, When I turn the dial Your guitar’s been in hock For quite a long time With some video jock, It’s getting harder to find the rock. Don’t play me any more of that punk funk, I can’t take much more of this mellow junk, I want to hear that beat on the radio, I want to turn the dial and find rock and roll, On the radio. It’s getting harder, it’s getting harder, it’s getting harder to find the rock. It’s getting harder to find the band, When I read the charts They’re not trying to sell me A work of art in a video recipe, It’s getting harder to find the rock. Don’t play me any more of that punk funk, I can’t take much more of this mellow junk, I want to hear that beat on the radio, I want to turn the dial and find rock and roll, On the radio. It’s getting harder, it’s getting harder, It’s getting harder, ooh it’s getting harder, It’s getting harder to find the rock. Written and produced by AurealiusB with lyrics by Kathy Keogh Mixed and mastered with REAPER
I just tested the highlighting of the notes in red during playback on a track with guitar tablature and it seems to work fine for me. (see attached screenshots)
Mario, I don't think any style of music is out of your comfort zone. This is excellent and perfectly mixed. You have such a command of the wind & breath controllers. Amazing stuff! As always, so nicely done. Bob
We've heard many permutations of the funk vibe over the years. And this assuredly fits in that spectrum. But where? Who cares! It sounds fun and we enjoyed your musicianship. Fine performances and that flute is standout for sure. Funky flute? Who would've thought. Enjoyed it! J&B
Ha! Good one Mario! While I’m not yet at that point of Ludditeness, I do have some challenges occasionally. Recently on a holiday in Brisbane (pronounced Brisb’n, like Melb’n), my wife and I walked into a 3/4 empty restaurant, directed to a table and shown the QR code for the menu and ordering, then left to our own devices, so to speak. Now both of our phones are low model Samsungs that are running out-of-date Android OS (tightwads, I know) so we could not get the app to process our order (‘blue circle of death’). The waiter, watching from a distance and seeing our troubles, eventually realising they would have to intervene, walked over and most helpfully encouraged us to try it on the other phone, to which my wife replied ‘I don’t have the app and my phone is not accepting new app installs’. Reluctantly, the waiter opened their own device, took our order, allowed me to scan my card for payment and … see, that wasn’t so hard was it? 😀 If I’d had a notepad and pencil on me, I would have offered it to her, but I realise this would not have matched their efficient workflow. Andrew
Coalescence is way out of my comfort zone and an learning curve experiment. It combines a Hip Hop Fusion drummer, orchestra strings, Hollywood brass, an electric grand piano, and a bassist for backing orchestra solo instruments. BiaB style - W-Report Hip Hop Fusion Tempo - 100 PBM I deleted the bass and string tracks Piano - Kontakt - Amadeus - Full String Ensemble Drums - SSD-5 - Deluxe Vintage Old Zep Tight Utility track - Hollywood Brass Utility track 2 - 2085 - Piano,rhythm,smooth, cool jazz - sound source - EZKeys2 - Electric Grand Piano I am playing my P-Bass and via my wind and breath controllers the following Swam instruments: Oboe, Bassoon, French Horns 1&2, Tenor Bass Trombone, and the Trumpet. Note that the harmony tracks were accomplished by copy and paste, rewriting, and playing via my controllers. As usual all comments are welcomed. Coalescence
These are great lines: “Dreaming what can't be redeemed, of so many different schemes, in this failing house of cards.” It all sounds good and the levels sound right and the mix is excellent. The melody and guitar have a Dire Straits feel to them and that is very enjoyable. Good one! J&B
Hi Brno, I’ve never heard this song before, so after listening to your version, I went to YouTube to listen to Sophie Tucker’s version - I like yours better - Sophie Tucker’s vocal strays off the beat too much for my liking. Good banjo/mandolin solo, but the star of the show as far as I’m concerned is your rhythm guitar on the right-hand-side - love it when you slide into the chord from a step or half step below. The style and tempo you’ve chosen also work well. Good one! Andrew
As WS Gilbert wrote 147 years ago: "What, never?" "No, never!" "What, never?" "Hardly ever!" I'm fine leaving it there. Although I do use AI while producing some of my demos—ACE Studio reads and translates MusicXML including lyrics, I'll never consider including it in my creative process.
There is the message popping up now when you start BIAB for the first time - Just did a fresh install of 2023 and updated it up to 2026 and this popped up:
Please scroll up and read my earlier posts on the subject.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
Playable RealTracks Set 5
RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
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.
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.
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But seriously, thanks from the bottom of my heart. I love this software that has done SO MUCH for my songwriter journey, happiness, success, and many friendships here. What a wonderful world of pure magic you folks have created all around. Thank you so much.
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