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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 62
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 62 |
I am really angry. No updates and bugfixes since July!!!
Providing a manual, which itself is not complete, with a bad chat clone is no help.
As a customer I feel ripped off!!!!!!!
I have only seen software in such an unstable state among amateur programmers.
Melodist jukebox still doesn't work!
Some melodists play harmony voices even though disabled!!
Window handling doesn't work properly!
Instrumentalists who don't take endings into account and just keep playing!
Function-based standard paths are constantly changing!
Audio and program performance are not up to date and bad!!!!
The standard procedure for errors is to reset to factory settings? Are you serious?
Anyone who seriously expects a faulty program to work without errors when reset to the standard settings is an idiot.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,020
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Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,020 |
Uwe, difficult day?  BIAB is a pretty complex software, so I think it is overly optimistic to expect it to work flawlesly. I am actually surprised how stable it is. (Comparing with crashes in other software). I agree that it has quite a few bugs and strange aproaches, but I think the wise thing to do is to provide 1-2 sentence for each issue you are having with example (track that you have issues with) so people can replicate them and confirm. A lot of bugs (not all) get fixed when discussed here.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,439
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,439 |
You probably know that, historically, a new upgrade is released each year around the beginning of December. An update right now makes little sense.
If you would like to seek solutions to these issues, may I suggest you start a separate post for each and give a good description. We can identify if an item is solvable now, or if it belongs as a separate request in the Wishlist. If it's a serious bug, some of us can make sure the developers know about it right away.
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; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,717
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Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,717 |
I agree with Rusty and Matt.
Start by proactively creating a thread for your biggest single complaint and provide sufficient detail including how you think the software should work vs how it's actually working. Folks here will work with you. Then rince & repeat with your other issues.
I have found that the better you can articulate your issue, the better folks here can help you; screen shots, like pictures, are worth a thousand words.
If they can't help you, but agree that it's a valid concern, it will certainly be brought to the attention of the developers.
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677BiaB 2026 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,797
Expert
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Expert
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,797 |
I agree with Rusty and Matt.
Start by proactively creating a thread for your biggest single complaint and provide sufficient detail including how you think the software should work vs how it's actually working. Folks here will work with you. Then rince & repeat with your other issues.
I have found that the better you can articulate your issue, the better folks here can help you; screen shots, like pictures, are worth a thousand words.
If they can't help you, but agree that it's a valid concern, it will certainly be brought to the attention of the developers. He's been doing it for years, haven't you ever read it?
Biab Audiophile 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,872
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,872 |
I am really angry. No updates and bugfixes since July!!!
Providing a manual, which itself is not complete, with a bad chat clone is no help.
As a customer I feel ripped off!!!!!!!
I have only seen software in such an unstable state among amateur programmers.
Melodist jukebox still doesn't work!
Some melodists play harmony voices even though disabled!!
Window handling doesn't work properly!
Instrumentalists who don't take endings into account and just keep playing!
Function-based standard paths are constantly changing!
Audio and program performance are not up to date and bad!!!!
The standard procedure for errors is to reset to factory settings? Are you serious?
Anyone who seriously expects a faulty program to work without errors when reset to the standard settings is an idiot. Your points are valid! (You'll notice no one argued against any of your specific complaints because we all suffer with them as well as many more; I guess we have a kind of BIAB Stockholm syndrome!) After more than 10 years of struggling with BIAB's bugs, GUI and documentation, I finally reached the understanding that it will always be so. Now, I use it just enough to get access to those sweet, amazing RealTracks! I avoid "advanced" features and most new features until they've had a year or two to debug them. But in spite of the issues, I am delighted to send my money to PG Music every December because the RealTracks have absolutely changed my music life!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 62
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 62 |
Uwe, difficult day? BIAB is a pretty complex software, so I think it is overly optimistic to expect it to work flawlesly. I am actually surprised how stable it is. (Comparing with crashes in other software). I agree that it has quite a few bugs and strange aproaches, but I think the wise thing to do is to provide 1-2 sentence for each issue you are having with example (track that you have issues with) so people can replicate them and confirm. A lot of bugs (not all) get fixed when discussed here. Yes, it was a hard day. All errors are still there! I don't want to be a beta tester! Cubase Pro is much more complex and gives me less headaches. That is not an excuse! MelJoplin.st2 Melodist always plays with harmonies! I think the melodist is not that important and doesn't care? Windows appear in the background, not on top.... Unfortunately, I don't have the feeling that errors will be fixed quickly. It's a real shame, but the amount of errors make working with this program a challenge that kills my creativity.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 621
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 621 |
Where can we send a box of tissues?
Byron Dickens BIAB. CbB. Mixbus 32C 8 HP Envy. Intel core i7. 16GB RAM W10. Focusrite Scarlett 18i 20. Various instruments played with varying degrees of proficiency. https://soundcloud.com/athanorsoundlabs
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 62
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 62 |
Hi Matt, I have already tested the advice to simply buy the next version in 2022. I bought an update to 2023 for around 300 euros and the same problems! (Cubase 13 Pro update costs 99 euros!) At BiaB I'm only interested in the melodist to get new ideas. Unfortunately, as is well known, it is associated with a number of problems. Some, like loading a melodist in the edit area, have also been fixed. But a lot of things are still shaky. And that after 2! years. Hi Bass Thumper, Thanks for your input. I thought I had already done that. https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=764088&#Post764088Hi John, BIAB Stockholm syndrome LOL. If PG had cared a little more about program maintenance, I would have immediately been inclined to continue supporting her! However, all of my experiences advise me against it! Hi Byron Dickens, Just bring it on. send it to me via an email attached.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,439
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,439 |
Your post about the Melodist is very well done. I can’t help on that particular topic; I’ve never used it. Let’s see who responds and how the thread develops.
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; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2 |
I totally agree! I know all the fanboys on here won't like it but what if I decide to not upgrade to 2024? Are you telling me that I need to buy the next version to get fixes addressed. I probably won't go for 2024(I'm on 2023) because I'm suspicious of what kind of support I'll get in the future.
Oh, and by the way I did have a very good day today thank you very much!
Last edited by Badspike; 11/13/23 08:23 PM.
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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 |
I have been here for 14 years fighting to make it better and it's getting there slowly, I know only too well there are many issues but as JJJ said it's worth it just for the RealTracks.
I'll buy you 2024 and if you don't like it nothing lost.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2 |
Well, I'm sure PG will be happy with your response and no problem with that. But the way I look at it is that a relationship needs predictability. I've used BIAB for the last 6 years and what I've really liked about it is the timely fixes of issues. That's not there anymore! Obviously! It makes me suspicious that the investment in the product isn't being supported as it should be. We all do what we want and hey I love BIAB! But the relationship is being strained to say the least.
Last edited by Badspike; 11/13/23 09:18 PM.
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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 |
I remember when Biab/RB was released bi-annually but then they made the Mac version and a lot of time is spent on that as apple keep changing things so apps don't work anymore when they have weekly updates and upgrades. You also had the BBPlugin that uses Biab in the background so that has to be maintained when features and functions are added to the VST to communicate.
Hopefully the new BBPlugin will contain all the generate code and won't need Biab or the Biab programmers giving more time back to them to fix the main Biab issues when not working on the Mac version because of apple's screw ups. At least Biab is not totally neglectedware like RealBand.
EDIT: also there could very well be lots of time going into the 2024 version because of big changes ???
Last edited by musocity; 11/13/23 10:56 PM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,020
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,020 |
I admit, despite all the issues and shortcomings, I am a fanboy of BIAB. Simply because it does what I need it to do (for the most part) and of course yearly dosage of Rt/Rd/Midi content. But I do understand folks who are trying to use it primarely for a very focused task(s). Certainly, some items need improvement.
Well... There is option to wait until version is released and ask if a particular option was solved before upgrading, or buy the program, and if particular issue still persist, ask customer service right away for a solution. If not addressed in 29 days, ask for money back.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,192
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,192 |
Wow, the anger is wild.
It's imperfect.
Some folk as far too sanguine about "progress" and others want it all & want it last year....SwingBaby was, and sometimes still is, an example of the latter.
My problem is that I don't require the program to be everything, in all places at all times so I work with what works when it arrives if it "works" for me.
The prog seems to have been BETA'd reasonably well but bugs pop up and are usually addressed fairly quickly.
As Musocity stated - it's worth it for the RealTracks alone.
He's also the sort of person who puts personal effort, skills and creativity into bringing the baby up.
I find things like the melodist pretty useless in the 1st instance - always too busy, too many notes and, realistically, it's isn't style flexible.
Then again I'm not into midi much so taking the melodist track and editing it to get something to suit me is something I could do but can't be bothered with - I just build from chord tones & extend a little bit.
I buy an update when it has the RTs I'm interested in plus some extra functionality that works for me. I've not bothered when the updates were more MIDI based and have, in that instance, bought the RT packs after the release to, again, get what I want.
The slower run of fixes does suggest something has taken priority and may be something significant.
There's nothing wrong with waiting beyond the discounted early bird deal time frame and there's not always a NEED to update.
Last edited by rayc; 11/14/23 02:05 AM. Reason: Finishing train of thought.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,687
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,687 |
Well said Ray, BiaB does have some bugs, but what software doesn't. let's face it this software does more than half a dozen other programs rolled into one. Does it do everything perfect. Heck no! can you name one that does? use it for what it does well and find away to do the other things until that issue is addressed.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 225
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 225 |
I'm also a big, huge fan of BIAB. And yes, I also find bugs and problems, very often. But I still keep using and buying it because of all the amazing things that BIAB can do.
Now, having said all that, I wish that PG Music would take a sort of "sabbatical" year, for example, version 2025 would be:
- no new features (at all !!!)
- just bug fixes, interface improvements, streamlined workflow etc
- maybe (if possibile) new realtracks as usual, but that should NOT be the priority
- obviously, cheaper upgrade to the new "streamlined" version
One year to fix all the issues, streamline the interface, clean up everything. I would gladly pay for that.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 158
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 158 |
streamline the interface, clean up everything. I would gladly pay for that. Yep, exactly that for me too. It's just been a cluttered mess since the beginning and continues to get worse. Better filtering to find styles and realtracks for a start. Anytime I want to find something I'm pretty much presented only with the option to click and audition from a choice of hundreds, maybe thousands of irrelevant styles. Genre categories mean little and you can't filter them, despite the menu option giving you the impression you can. Too many unnecessary menu options etc, the list goes on. I'd do a lot more with BIAB but sometimes just can't be bothered. Giving us more realtracks as the main update feature is not going to attract me, it will just add more to the mess. Although, if regenerate drums is in 2024, then maybe I'll be tempted
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,255
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,255 |
I agree with both Jon and Lee.
I get out of BiaB as soon as I can because the menu system and the fact I can do things much easier in my DAW; remember I work with MIDI.
Unfortunately for me RTs are PGM cash cow. I believe the majority of BiaB/RB users use them, some exclusively and I find no fault with that. But they will live with BiaB/RB as it is right now because of those RTs. YMMV
Checkout person "Did you find everything OK"?
Me "Why do you ask? Are you guys hiding stuff"?
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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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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Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
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Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
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Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
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You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
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- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
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Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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