This update is free for Band-in-a-Box 2016 users, and adds significant features; AU (audio unit) and VST plugins are now supported, we've added Hi-Q MIDI instruments, and more! Download the Band-in-a-Box 2016 Build 143 update.

There is also a plugins installer which you should download in addition to the new build. Download the MIDI and Audio Plugins installer here.

Summary of changes for build 143 (since build 132) (Sept 28, 2016):

Added: AU and VST plugins are now supported. There is a new Plugins tab on the Mixer window, that allows you to add/edit MIDI or audio plugins on each track. We include the Sforzando VST sample player, along with the PG Music HiQ Instruments.
Added: HiQ instruments have been added. These are high quality MIDI sounds that make the MIDI tracks (both regular and MIDI SuperTracks) sound much better. You can audition and choose a HiQ patch for any track by control+clicking on the track --> "Select HiQ MIDI Patch".
Added: Sforzando is a .sfz sample player made by Plogue that has been customized for Band-in-a-Box and is used to play the HiQ Instrument sounds.
Added: We include AmpliTube, which is a VST Guitar Amp Simulator, and can be used effectively with the Direct Input RealTracks.
Added: A Plugins Options dialog includes an option to scan for VST plugins on bootup and options for how plugin windows are opened, closed, and arranged on the screen. Plugins that are essential to Band-in-a-Box (eg the "Apple: DLSMusicDevice" or "Sforzando") are scanned for regardless of the "Scan for VST plugins on bootup" or "Scan for AU plugins on bootup" settings.
Fixed: StylePicker Options dialog was stuck behind the StylePicker dialog.
Fixed: Opening the lead sheet would cause Band-in-a-Box to crash if the current song had bar-based lyrics.
Fixed: Rendering a video of the chordsheet would sometimes make a corrupt file (eg. no audio can be heard, and the playback is sporadic).
Fixed: When "Display C9sus as C11", "Display 2 as sus2, or "Display sus as sus4 was enabled, it was not possible to enter the chord by typing or using the Chord Builder.
Fixed: There were some inconsistencies in color between the mixer and track radio controls.

If you frequent our forums, you might be familiar with our Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production forum, which is an ideal place to post discussions about methods and gear for making music!

Whether you have questions about installing other music software, are looking for resources to help with production etc., came across some great information or free plug-ins you'd like to share, etc. - this forum is perfect for sharing!

Recent posts to this forum include:
Garritan install
Confused as Heck About LUFS
Article - 6 Chord Tricks For Songwriters
Learning Notation Function
...and more!

You'll even find posts here from our PG Music Team - like the recent post by Kent: Ethan Winer's Audio Myths workshop!

There are now almost 60 different songs entered in our Xtra Styles Contest!

The contest is open for submission until midnight September 30, 2016 - submit your song before then for a chance to WIN 1 of 4 prizes of $150 PG Bucks!

Listen to the songs already submitted here: http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=91

Learn more about the Xtra Styles purchase options (we're still having our sale until Sept 30th!) here: www.pgmusic.com/xtrastyles.php.

Speed up your song creation when you use Keystroke Commands in Band-in-a-Box® for Windows!

For example, here are the commands for switching between the different Windows in Band-in-a-Box®:
Ctrl+W Toggle Notation and Chord Sheet windows.
Ctrl+O Movable Notation window.
Alt+W Lead Sheet window.
Ctrl+T Display Notation screen or Chord Sheet in full screen.
Ctrl+~ Conductor window.
Ctrl+Shift+A Audio Edit window.
Ctrl+Shift+D Drum Kit window.
Ctrl+Shift+G Guitar window.
Ctrl+Shift+J Ear training window.
Ctrl+Shift+L Big Lyrics window.
Ctrl+Shift+M Mixer Window
Ctrl+Shift+N Big Piano window.
Ctrl+Shift+S Plug-in mode for DAW.
Alt+Shift+L Practice window.
Ctrl+Alt+Shift+L Lyric Document window.

....and that's just a taste!

You'll find the complete list is available within the Band-in-a-Box® 2016 for Windows program manual PDF. You can also view it here.

Joanne Cooper is a long time Band-in-a-Box user, and has been a member of our forum for years! We've all listened to the many songs she's shared (and loved every single one of them!), and many of our Forum members have also tuned in to her performances on Street Jelly!

Joanne has her own website, www.joannecooper.co.za/home, where you can listen to her music, watch some videos, scroll through photos, and more! She also shares her blog on this site, which has most recently been updated with the posting 6 simple steps to make cool backing tracks for popular cover songs using Band-in-a-Box.

Read through this informative Blog posting and you'll learn how she creates her backing tracks while using Band-in-a-Box!

Joanne has also created a Band-in-a-Box Video Testimonial, which can be viewed here.

Thank you Joanne for writing this blog post & sharing it with us!

If you're looking for some motivation to help you get started writing songs using Band-in-a-Box, pop in to our User Showcase Forum or the Xtra Styles Contest forum... both of these pages are loaded with songs other users have created with Band-in-a-Box (or other PG Music software).

When you've created your own song, feel free to share it on our User Showcase Forum, where you will also receive feedback from other forum members.

There's still time to add over 160 professionally mixed RealStyles included in the new Xtra Styles PAKs for the introductory price of $29!

That's right - our Xtra Styles Special is going strong, but time is running out! Until September 30, 2016 you can purchase the All Xtra Styles PAK 1 for just $29 (reg. $49).
www.pgmusic.com/xtrastyles.php

The Xtra Styles PAKs require the RealTracks and RealDrums included in your Band-in-a-Box® 2016 UltraPlusPAK, EverythingPAK, or Audiophile Edition. A handful of these new RealStyles use RealTracks from the 2016 49-PAK. If you don't have the 2016 49-PAK, there is a special purchase option: the "All Xtra Styles PAK 1 & 2016 49-PAK Bundle" for just $49! Note: This package is only available until September 30th.

Once you've added the Xtra Styles PAK to your Band-in-a-Box® collection, create an original song using one of the 164 RealStyles included and enter it in our Xtra Styles Contest!
There are four prizes of $150 "PG Bucks" to be won - one for each genre: Country, Jazz, Rock-Pop, and Singer/Songwriter! Entries can be submitted until midnight September 30, 2016. Click here for complete contest details.

Add versatility and a modern flair to your current RealTracks and RealDrums library with Xtra Styles PAKs!