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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 15
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 15 |
I've working on a simple ballad, 4/4 time, slow tempo. Sometimes the song has one chord per measure, sometimes two, sometimes three or four. I'm using BiAB 2014 for the Macintosh. When I select Style: Band Styles (Best RealStyles...) I get about ten styles that aren't dimmed out. Four under Jazz/swing, five under campfire, and one or two others.
Is BIAB working as it ought to?
If not, what might have gone wrong? If so, why so few?
Thanks in advance.
Artie
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Hi Artie,
What BIAB package did you get? (For example: ProPack, MegaPak, UltraPlusPak, etc.)
Regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2024
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 15
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 15 |
Hi Artie,
What BIAB package did you get? (For example: ProPack, MegaPak, UltraPlusPak, etc.)
Regards,
Noel Hi Noell, I didn't get any packages, just BIAB 2014. I didn't realize those might be necessary for non-professionals and casual users like me. Is BIAB working as intended? Am I making any obvious mistakes (aside from not purchasing packages)? Cheers, Artie
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 18,884
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Hi Artie, I apologise for not explaining myself fully. Please have a look at the below link. http://www.pgmusic.com/bbmac.packages.htmWhich one of the options on that page did you buy? From what you say, it sounds like you might have purchased the $49 option. I need to clarify this, though. The reason I ask is because the number of styles, Realtracks and Realdrums that come with your purchase is dependent upon how much money is spent. It might well be that the version of BIAB you bought (in addition to previous versions that you might have upgraded from), did not have all the styles, Realtracks and Realdrums. Regards, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2024
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 15
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 15 |
Hi Artie, I apologise for not explaining myself fully. Please have a look at the below link. http://www.pgmusic.com/bbmac.packages.htmWhich one of the options on that page did you buy? From what you say, it sounds like you might have purchased the $49 option. I need to clarify this, though. Noel Hi Noel, No apologies needed, and I appreciate the assistance. I've seen this page before -- BIAB: All Purchases: Mac. As a matter of fact, I've studied it several times and I still don't understand it. I originally purchased BIAB 2013 (for the Mac), without any PAKs. I assume PAK stands for package. Then, when BIAB 2014 (for the Mac) was released, I purchased the upgrade, probably for $49. It's not clear that I gained any new functionality for my $49. I still don't know if I'm doing something wrong and if my current version of BIAB 2014 for the Mac is working correctly. My best guess is that BIAB is working right and I will have to purchase some kind of expansion pack to get more styles for my song. This was less than clear when I purchased BIAB 2013, and when I purchased the upgrade. At the risk of sounding snarky, I wonder if BIAB is more like bait-and-switch-in-a-box. If I had known I would have to spend hundreds more dollars to get some of BIAB's famous functionality, I might not have made the original purchase. My current version of BIAB is usable, and has some value, but it's more limited than I anticipated. However, BIAB has a steep learning curve, and I'm still a newbie. It's possible there's something important I don't understand. If I wanted to spend a modest sum expanding the capabilities of my version of BIAB 2014 for the Mac, I honestly cannot tell from the chart (BIAB: All Purchases: Mac) what PAK I should buy. I can't afford hundreds of dollars. Cheers, Artie
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 18,884
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Hi Artie, Thank you for the extra information. If you purchased the $49 upgrade from 2013 to 2014, my understanding is that you'll get the updated interface for 2014 (i.e. the new look dashboard) but no additional gain in styles, Realtracks or Realdrums. I'm not PG Music staff, though, so it would pay to clarify this with them. When you first purchased version 2013, I suspect that you bought the introductory package (the ProPak) because this is the cheapest deal that allows a user to get the minimal functionality of BIAB. The cheapest package that has ALL styles, Realtracks and Realdrums is the UltraPlusPak. Historically, PG Music have sales for the Windows version around Christmas each year. I'm not sure if that happens with the Mac version but it would be easy to clarify with a quick email to sales@pgmusic.com. These sales usually offer terrific upgrade deals. If, as mentioned above, your 2013 purchase was the ProPak, then this could explain the reduced number of styles. Hovering the mouse over the different prices for a package gives a list of what the package contains. That's how I obtained the two images below (the top one lists what's in the ProPak and the lower one lists what's in the UltraPlusPak).   As can be seen, the ProPak has Style Sets 0 - 3 whereas the UltraPlusPak has Style Sets 0 - 77. The ProPak also has Realdrums Set 1 and 30 Realtracks whereas the UltraPlusPak has all Realdrums (Sets 1 - 29) and all Realtracks (Sets 1 - 205) which is getting close to 2,000 Realtracks (if I recall correctly). Quite honestly, PG Music have been one of the most reliable and helpful companies that I have dealt with. It is not their policy to try and hoodwink customers. When you made your initial purchase, did you consult with their sales staff? I have found them to be terrific. Kind regards, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2024
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 15
Enthusiast
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OP
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 15 |
When you first purchased version 2013, I suspect that you bought the introductory package (the ProPak) because this is the cheapest deal that allows a user to get the minimal functionality of BIAB.
Right. That's what I got. The cheapest package that has ALL styles, Realtracks and Realdrums is the UltraPlusPak. To me, $489 is a LOT of money! What about the MegaPak for $269? Would that be a mistake for some reason? Meanwhile, I've already spent $129 for BIAB Pro 2013 + 49 for the 2014 upgrade = $178 If I want more functionality, must I purchase the MegaPak or the UltraPlusPak? These seem to include BIAB 2014. Does that mean I threw away my original purchase price of $178? That doesn't seem right. If, as mentioned above, your 2013 purchase was the ProPak, then this could explain the reduced number of styles. You're probably right. Being a new user with no familiarity with BIAB, I had no way of understanding the cryptic description of what I would get with BIAB Pro. Normally "Pro" means "top-of-the-line." Apparently, in BIAB it means something else. When you made your initial purchase, did you consult with their sales staff? No, that never occurred to me. Do you think they would have said, "Seriously, dude, don't by our entry level product. Don't buy anything from us. You can't afford it." I appreciate your help, Noel, and I would appreciate a bit of guidance regarding MegaPak vs. UltraPlusPak, not that I can afford either one. I'm not a professional musician. I'm not highly trained. I'm just a dope who sings badly in a community choir. Every once in awhile, I want to sing Danny Boy or Blue Bayou or Boogie on Reggae Woman with a suitable accompaniment. I thought I would be able to do that with BIAB Pro. Best regards, Artie
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,492
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,492 |
Hi Artie, ...and I would appreciate a bit of guidance regarding MegaPak vs. UltraPlusPak, not that I can afford either one. I'm not a professional musician. I'm not highly trained. I'm just a dope who sings badly in a community choir. Every once in awhile, I want to sing Danny Boy or Blue Bayou or Boogie on Reggae Woman with a suitable accompaniment. I thought I would be able to do that with BIAB Pro. This you can do. The question is: What do you think a suitable accompaniment is? Guidance depends a lot on your framework of expectations. I have quite a few friends who are professional musicians. Those who have Band in a Box have the PRO package. They use that for practice purposes when the band is not available. They often use it only for segments of songs to get them right. Before using BIAB they recorded their own backing track playing two or three instruments. BIAB frees them the time for more effective practising. The original intention was, as I understand it, to create backing tracks to practise. That is what professional musicians mostly do with it. The PRO Pak has the correct name. When I bought BIAB I wanted it to create backing tracks that I can use on stage. So I read the PGMusic web site very carefully more than twice. I also read some forum entries. As you wrote, it is a lot of money. After I thought I understand then I got the EverythingPAK -- in December, because the forum members were talking about the annual discount prices in that time of the year. Buying one of the larger PAKs will not get you more functionality. The software is exactly the same. It will get you more choices of sounds, in this case RealTracks. Read the forum about RealTracks before you make a decision on what you think you want to buy. There are so many posts from new users asking questions as you are one yourself. The answers should give you enough insight. Then ask your questions. They will be answered. Guido
Last edited by GHinCH; 09/23/14 05:54 AM.
Desktop; i7-2600k, 8 GB mem., Win 10 Pro, BIAB 2017; RB 2017 - latest build
Laptop: i5-2410M, 4 GB mem, Win 10 Pro, BIAB 2017; RB 2017 - latest build
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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.
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Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!
The Newest RealBand 2024 Update is Here!
The newest RealBand 2024 Build 5 update is now available!
Download and install this to your RealBand 2024 for updated print options, streamlined loading and saving of .SGU & MGU (BB) files, and to add a number of program adjustments that address user-reported bugs and concerns.
This free update is available to all RealBand 2024 users. To learn more about this update and download it, head to www.pgmusic.com/support.realband.htm#20245
The Band-in-a-Box® Flash Drive Backup Option
Today (April 5) is National Flash Drive Day!
Did you know... not only can you download your Band-in-a-Box® Pro, MegaPAK, or PlusPAK purchase - you can also choose to add a flash drive backup copy with the installation files for only $15? It even comes with a Band-in-a-Box® keychain!
For the larger Band-in-a-Box® packages (UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition), the hard drive backup copy is available for only $25. This will include a preinstalled and ready to use program, along with your installation files.
Backup copies are offered during the checkout process on our website.
Already purchased your e-delivery version, and now you wish you had a backup copy? It's not too late! If your purchase was for the current version of Band-in-a-Box®, you can still reach out to our team directly to place your backup copy order!
Note: the Band-in-a-Box® keychain is only included with flash drive backup copies, and cannot be purchased separately.
Handy flash drive tip: Always try plugging in a USB device the wrong way first? If your flash drive (or other USB plug) doesn't have a symbol to indicate which way is up, look for the side with a seam on the metal connector (it only has a line across one side) - that's the side that either faces down or to the left, depending on your port placement.
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows® Today!
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows for free with build 1111!
With this update, there's more control when saving images from the Print Preview window, we've added defaults to the MultiPicker for sorting and font size, updated printing options, updated RealTracks and other content, and addressed user-reported issues with the StylePicker, MIDI Soloists, key signature changes, and more!
Learn more about this free update for Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1111
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Review: 4.75 out of 5 Stars!
If you're looking for a in-depth review of the newest Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows version, you'll definitely find it with Sound-Guy's latest review, Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Review: Incredible new capabilities to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs.
A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."
"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."
"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."
Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!
The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!
There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.
If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.
We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!
Congratulations to the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
We've just announced the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
There are 45 winners, each receiving a Band-in-a-Box 2024 UltraPAK! Read the official announcement to see if you've won.
Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed!
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