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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,831
PG Music Staff
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OP
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,831 |
> Let's not forget, RealTracks ARE audio loops. BIAB is perfectly capable of making contemporary music. This is after all making music with computers. As with any musical instrument, the musician is more important than the tool. Thanks for the post. Many people wondering BiaB can create contemporary music are unfamiliar with examples of what can be done, and are surprised by the results. For example, here are some demos we made , that are full songs vocals added to BiaB styles. All the instruments are band-in-a-box generations. Most of them are pop, country, folk. There are still lots of people under 40 that like pop, country and folk. Some of the pop fit into contemporary music. If you want to know what BiaB can/cannot do, have a listen to these songs and then reply describing what you’d like it to do that isn’t on these demos. Here are some pop oriented demos: (all band-in-a-box styles, + human vocalist) So You Wanna Be Bad: https://youtu.be/3_R2ZomBjYw?t=751And I Forgive: https://youtu.be/3_R2ZomBjYw?t=2083You Can Be My Man: https://youtu.be/3_R2ZomBjYw?t=3673Hearts Upon Our Sleeve: https://youtu.be/3_R2ZomBjYw?t=4302Here’s a link to all the demos (there are 4 videos like this, this one is #3 / 4 ) https://youtu.be/3_R2ZomBjYw
Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,735
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,735 |
Peter,
"Many people wondering BiaB can create contemporary music are unfamiliar with examples of what can be done, and are surprised by the results."
That is very true. BIAB is very capable and content is great. Absolutely you can cook something very modern. I am a huge fan of your software, mainly because it (content) does not steer me into single direction. You can get as creative as your imagination and time permits. The way I see, the biggest issue and discomfort people face is workflow. Many folks just give up trying to discover what BIAB has to offer. Workflow is equally if not more important than content to many.
You can "inject" almost anything "contemporary" to BIAB from clever drum machines to synths to crazy melodic randomizers. This became much easier now with Chord Track(s). There is no point in BIAB leaning specifically to "contemporary" direction, as many 3rd party plugins are very mature in that field. (While there are some alternatives, we will definitely need VST3 support soon for these)
The missing piece of the puzzle is "contemporary" workflow... and also I will echo MarioD long time request of giving more love to MIDI (and Super Midi) side of things.
Peter and PG Team,
Thank you for your effort and consideration!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 282
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 282 |
I agree.
Many years ago I tested BiaB and found the workflow was too unintuitive and intimidating, so I gave up.
It wasn't until a few years later I realized BiaB is a gem.
The 2023 integration of SynthMaster marks the beginning of a new era for contemporary music to be massively produced by BiaB.
BiaB's current sound library is GOLD. If the interface/workflow could be gradually optimized in the upcoming years, BiaB will become GOAT.
A Canadian music producer, singer songwriter, composer, and professional guitarist.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,385
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,385 |
I think it is up to us, the Band-in-a-Box community, to get the word out to the younger musicians. BiaB is a wonderful tool for making contemporary music, it's loop based, and it's a natural for Electronic Dance Music.
Older musicians have always passed on trade secrets to the younger ones. I remember when I was a 17-year-old sax player, playing in a bar with two bands. The sax player in the other band showed me a lot of things one never learns in school band. He told me, "I am the past, and you are the future."
In that same way, we need to show young musicians the benefit of this amazing tool.
I am in a duo with my wife, who sings, and plays guitar and synth. I keep a copy of BiaB on a computer that I bring on stage, and am eager to show young and older musicians this tool, if the opportunity presents itself.
Last week, I had a guitar player who was here in Florida on vacation approach me and I gave him a basic tour of how to make a simple backing track with BiaB. He will be going back to Boston and plans to buy BiaB. Hopefully he will show others how incredible it is.
The more people who know about BiaB, the better it is for the entire BiaB community.
Insights and incites by Notes ♫
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,057
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,057 |
Most of the good musicians I know tried BIAB decades ago (we're all in our 70s) and soon rejected it as a toy because of the MIDI sounds. They have no idea when I reintroduce them to what it can do now. Some of those are teachers.
When I taught a college jazz ensemble course, I often prepared take-home backing tracks for the songs we were studying, and students were introduced to BIAB that way. One semester, I had no piano or guitar players so I programmed BIAB to play those parts.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,818
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,818 |
I like Groove3's video tutorials. Every series I've seen is well organized, each video is short seven minutes or less, a video series outline is available, the videos are available for download to be viewed offline or online for streaming. The video and audio are clear. Groove3 has four Band-in-a-Box tutorial series: +++ Songwriting with Band-in-a-Box +++, +++ Band-in-a-Box Getting Started +++ , +++ 2014 Band-in-a-Box for Mac Explained +++ and +++ 2015 Band-in-a-Box for Windows Explained +++ . PG Music use to offer the Mac and Windows "Band-in-a-Box Explained" series on their website. However, now I'm unable to find a link for them. The main issue I have is the Band-in-a-Box Explained series are old (2014 & 2015). They do not cover features introduced since their release. I believe Groove3 has the credentials and young audience to offer a successful "How To Use Band-in-a-Box to Create Contemporary Music" video series. At the same time I think it would be great if the PG Music Marketing department and Groove3 could find a way for Groove3 to offer updated "Band-in-a-Box Explained" series every couple of years.
Jim Fogle - 2025 BiaB (Build 1128) RB (Build 5) - Ultra+ PAK DAWs: Cakewalk Sonar - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8 Laptop: i3 Win 10, 8GB ram 500GB HDD Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 282
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 282 |
I agree with @Jim Fogle, Groove3 has the best unofficial BiaB tutorials out there.
The only problem is, their courses are outdated and don't cover BiaB's new features of recent years.
Would be nice if PG Music could sponsor Groove3 to create a few up-to-date beginner/intermediate courses, and sell them or give them for free.
"Buy a Pak of Band-in-a-Box 2024 Today, Get a Groove3 Course for Free", or something like that.
A Canadian music producer, singer songwriter, composer, and professional guitarist.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,110
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,110 |
If you want to add modern beats you need to make it easy to do so you can drag n drop samples/loops into the track anywhere and be able to set the key/chord tempo and set it to repeat for so many bars all non destructively so they can be moved around and edited easily. The Loop dialog is so old and limited. Then you can do it all in Biab without having to sync Biab to FL Studio or Reaper. I remember asking for loops years back and showing drag n drop but the old Loops dialog was added and don't give much control and is a slow roundabout way of doing things. You need easy drag n drop non destructive. How it is now is like having to open so many jail doors by entering a code one after the other to do something. See with both FL and Reaper it's all drag n drop non destructive easy editing. 
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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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New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!
Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 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 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
- Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
- Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
- Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
- Playable RealTracks Set 4
- RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
- SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
- 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 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
- Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
- Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
- Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
- RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
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.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
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.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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