Good day everyone, This is primarily for PG Music, but anyone can answer if you can give me some details.
I have a friend who is an aspiring singer/songwriter. He's done backing tracks and backing vocals for his father, who puts together contemporary Christian music. Neither has used Band In A Box before, to my knowledge. I'd like to get the son to try out BIAB. However, I'm not sure about what makes up a Real Combo. It says there are 850 real tracks in 350 'bands' or combos. Are these real tracks fixed per 'band', or can they be moved around, take the bass line from one and put it another, as we do with regular Real Tracks?
I mean, for someone who has never used BIAB, laying out over $460 for the UltraPak may be a bit much. Obviously, I haven't needed a 'Demo package' for years, but does PG Music even offer a 15 or 30-day trial anymore? I think they used to, but that was some time ago, and memory isn't what it used to be, so maybe they didn't even back in the day.
Anyone who started out with the MegaPak and then later on upgraded to the UltraPak, and I'm talking within the last three or four years. Can you tell me what you thought and whether or not you would recommend going straight to the UltraPak? Finally, if he decides that he likes BIAB, can he upgrade from MegaPak to UltraPak next time we have updates, etc.?
Thanks in advance, everyone!
Gary
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
Hi Gary. This one can be confusing. It's been over a decade that I have used the audiophile version, so I don't know the answer. I do believe one can update from a level to a higher level package the next year for less than full price, and there is always a rather full web page giving these options. I've also seen cases where someone bought the Pro package and contacted Support to update soon after. About the trial version, that is not done; instead they offer the 30-day money back guarantee.
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.
Thanks Matt! I hope all is going well for you. Any new albums in the works?
Gary
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
Sadly it isn't a dumb question. PG Music's packages have often caused confusion, so many people end up asking it. I still sometimes struggle to be certain what's included in some packs and what's not.
There's significantly more in the UltraPAK than the MegaPAK ( (++ comparison ++) ). The best advice is usually to get the biggest you're prepared to afford, but that's quite a lot of money (though good value, too, I think). As Matt says, often an entry-ish initial buy and an upgrade can work out cheaper. I think most long term users have the UltraPAK.
(OmniPAK includes, I think, everything that PGM sell).
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2025 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
My advice to the new users, especially the young users.
Save your money. Just spend 130 bucks buy a BiaB Pro version. Plus a few XPro Styles Add-on Paks (50 bucks each).
The XPro Styles are tailored to work along with BiaB Pro version, of which doesn't have full RealTracks and MIDI content.
However, BiaB Pro version has the full features as Mega, Ultra, Ultra+ versions.
Also, in BiaB, as long as the Time Signatures are matching, the Feels (ev8, sw8, ev16, sw16) are matching, and the Tempos are close (plus minus 10 bmp), all RealTracks and MIDIs can be used interchangably, regardless of which band they were recorded from.
Spend your first year working hard, learning all the important features of BiaB.
After one year, if you feel BiaB is your thing, then skip Mega and Ultra, go straight to Ultra+, and buy those Xtra Styles Add-on Paks (50 bucks each, a total of 15 of them).
Yes, you are looking at close to $1,500 to spend. But it's worth it.
Ultra+ version is basically Ultra version plus a $100 Songs & Lessons Pak, of which contains Master Solos Series, Riffs & Phrases Series, Fakebook Songs, etc, which is massively powerful to professional music production.
Unless you have unlimited disk space, there's no need to go with the 2 TB size Audiophile version.
In summary: Buy Pro, save money. Go to YouTube, learn it to the full extent. Wait for a year, spend all your money buying the Ultra+ Pak and the sexy Add-ons. You won't be regreted.
A Canadian music producer, singer songwriter, composer, and professional guitarist.
The Ultra and Audiophile packages contain one hundred percent of the package content. The Mega package contains about one third of the available package content and the Pro package contains about one tenth of the available package content. I used the advertised number of audio hours to come up with these percentages.
Content like RealTracks, MultiStyles, Artist Performances, MIDISuperTracks and so on are collected and bundled into sets with each set sold separately. The Ultra and Audiophile packages include all the sets currently released. It costs less to purchase the Ultra PAK than it does to purchase all of the individual sets.
It is important to realize every individual piece has an identification number. As an example RealTrack set number 429 is composed of three Johnny Hiland guitar RealTracks numbered 4187, 4188 and 4189.
The Pro and Mega packages take individual pieces of content from the sets and matches them together to create a band or combo. As an example PG Music may start with RealTrack #4188; "Guitar,Electric,Soloist,CountryBalladSlowJohnny Ev16 065" and pair it with RealTrack #910; "Piano,Electric,Rhythm,SmoothBallad Ev16 065" from set 73, a bass RealTrack from another set, acoustic guitar RealTrack from another set and a RealDrum track to create a five piece band. Then PG Music creates a demo style using the five piece band. In many respects PG Music is doing the same thing most Band-in-a-Box users do everyday, create a band and make a song!
As MusicVillian mentioned the Band-in-a-Box and RealBand programs are the same no matter what package is purchased. I agree with him that the Pro PAK is a great starter package. The Pro PAK offers a little bit of every kind of content PG Music publishes. You can use that content to learn how the Band-in-a-Box program works and what it has to offer. I stayed with the Pro PAK for two years to concentrate on learning all the program nuances before upgrading to the Ultra PAK to acquire all the additional content. Having limited content in the beginning allowed me to concentrate on learning the program. If I had access to all the content in the beginning I likely would have spent more time auditioning content instead of learning the program. Sometimes it's nice to have some restraint.
As I stated, *I* have the current UltraPak. I will take under advisement the input here (which is why I asked for it), but I think that maybe the MegaPak is probably going to be the better solution, but I need to sit down with my friend, demo BIAB for him and help him make his own decision, or even if he wants to buy BIAB (Personally, I think EVERY musician should have this great program) or not.
Thanks, everyone, and please, continue to leave your input.
Gary
Last edited by Gary Curran; 04/11/2309:41 AM.
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
It might be worth noting that it is cheaper to purchase the Pro version and then upgrade to a higher version (like UltraPak) than it is to purchase the higher version from the get go. It's not strongly advertised, but true.
It might be worth noting that it is cheaper to purchase the Pro version and then upgrade to a higher version (like UltraPak) than it is to purchase the higher version from the get go. It's not strongly advertised, but true.
+1. This page of Joanne Cooper is probably the best place for a first purchase.
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
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!
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
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!
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!
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!
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!
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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