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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,110
Veteran
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OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,110 |
been playing since the 60s with various degrees of success. in electric bands and acoustic bands i played with live musicians in various line ups. some of the guys i played with were excellent, some average. but the stuff i still want to play -either recording for my own entertainment or as backing tracks for occasionallly playing out is much the same as in four or five piece bands.
i find that most of the time BIAB styles sound just like the bands i used to play in. sometimes i stray into RB to finish a track and add extra RTs.
but the individual instruments in BIAB sound similar to what the other guys played. bass, drums, guitar - they sound like my old band mates.
i've always upgraded BIAB but quite frankly most of the new 'features' don't apply to me. i like new RTs but i've got so many that i'm spoilt for choice. have i reached the saturation point?
would be interested to know how many BIAB users upgrade every year and whether the number is dropping. is the bulk of sales new users?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,276
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,276 |
Thus far I have upgraded the engine every year. Depending on my money situation I upgrade to the Ultra pac and purchase the extra stuff.
I got banned from Weight Watchers for dropping a bag of M&Ms on the floor.
It was the best game of Hungry Hippos I've ever seen!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,574
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,574 |
Bob, I don't know how one would determine the percentage of repeat customers vs new customers; I'd guess that would be internal and company-proprietary data.
However, I agree that most of the new features that come along don't apply to me either. I have too many RTs and RDs to effectively hunt through to find what I hear in my head. Interesting enough, for me this hasn't been all bad because it has forced me to compose much more on my physical keyboard than would otherwise be the case, thereby contributing to my overall music skills.
But I can say that I do upgrade every year for 2 basic reasons:
1. PGM is an innovative company and BiaB is a great product deserving of my continued business and favorable word-of-mouth. My loyalty has been earned.
2. I have hopes that future upgrades will have relevant improvements such as smart search, filtering and mapping capability to address the above mentioned "too many RTs problem". Perhaps this, and other features that musicians need, will be implemented in the coming months via AI solutions.
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677BiaB 2025 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: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,735
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,735 |
I upgrade every year because...
1) I find that a good number of new tools & additions significantly improve my workflow.
2) There is always some cool & surprising content that inspires me to create.
3)There are only a small number of companies that I believe deserve to be supported annually, PGM is one of them.
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As it was evident from the Rob H's Poll, most people who responded are in favor of optimizing workflow & existing features + fixing known issues and limitations, instead of introducing new items. After this year (2024) update, I support that philosophy. Would I upgrade if the 2025 would primarily focus on maintenance? Absolutely.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 861
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 861 |
upgrade every year.
Mostly because I want PG Music to stay in business.
biab2024(Mac) Latest Build
Mac OS (Latest)
Apple Mac Mini M2 pro 32GB Ram
Logic Pro 11
Irwin Vice Grip Fencing Pliers
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 12
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 12 |
I have upgraded every year since 2013. I like to support companies that supply a good product at a fair price. Most companies pester you with email and texts forever after you order something. BIAB doesn't do that. I like the ability to make backing tracks which is my main use. I adment I don't use all the bells and whistles but I do like playing with some of them from time to time.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 572
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 572 |
I started with BIAB in it’s earliest years, upgrading each year. I did skip 2022 and ‘23 for some reason. Now, using 2024. Don’t use any of the latest bells and whistles. Not a song writer, or creator of original stuff. I play out live with BIAB straight from the chord/lyric screen on a laptop. Works great. All I need is a 4 or 5-piece rhythm section. I upgrade for new, or, improved styles and real tracks, working several times a week in retirement homes. I hope PG Music will be around for a long time to come.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 1
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 1 |
how 'bout that i to have some biab floppy's around somewhere (3.5 not the 5") you may have come in before me with the 5" floppy.
sounds like you got a nice rig for the senior circuit. where are you out of? i'm outside philly. i was in that biz from 1987 to 2013. made way more money in nursing /retirement communities than playing bars/parties as a sideman...
i stared using biab on those kinda gigs but performance /karaoke tracks were just tooooo easy pop in and re key if needed and just to work.
now i write musicals so making the rhythm sec in biab and then importing the midi tracks into Sibelius for orchestral treatments if needed. i like the human feel of biab over writing it all out in a piano roll in cubase. biab adds a human feel to the projects. tons of versatility with a system like this.
anyway, i digress, since i was busy playing guitar, a laptop didn't fit my work flow and had to many choices. i'd get all distracted wondering about a new way i could manipulate the software etc. OCD.
none of this digital tech existed when i started that circuit. karaoke tracks were on cassette tape which was never in tune and i play guitar on these gigs as well, so that sucked. then we got DAT tape which held pitch but ya had to line up your sets cause you had to physically fast forward that digital audio tape to search for a song and that took time. if i recall correctly, then came the CD and i could find songs really fast for the first time. finally enter, the ipod/zune! it was a gig rig in the palm of my hand. nowadays i'd use my phone for playback if i were still active.
there was one other bit that was coming into vogue as i was retiring from performance. using pitch to midi software or a good daw to extract midi from karaoke tracks and produce them in any key with no artifacts.
do you have any tracks posted? i'd like to hear what you're doin' with biab.
gary murway
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,276
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,276 |
............................
do you have any tracks posted? i'd like to hear what you're doin' with biab. The User Showcase forum has all of the BiaB customer's songs so head there to hear them: https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=50&page=1
I got banned from Weight Watchers for dropping a bag of M&Ms on the floor.
It was the best game of Hungry Hippos I've ever seen!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 58
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 58 |
I upgrade every year. I usually go with the UltraPak as I really don't like not having the full set of styles and RTs at my fingertips. My primary use is to create backing tracks with bass, drums, piano, and guitar. A real jazz quartet in the box is wonderful to have for my performances.
Bruce Hook - Soprano, Alto and Tenor Saxes
BIAB 2023 UltraPak | Intel i7 | Mackie ProFX10v3 Audio Interface | 1TB SSD | Reaper DAW
| Akai EWI 5000 | M-Audio Oxygen Pro 49
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,110
Veteran
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OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,110 |
I think PG does deserve our support and I'll probably upgrade even though I don't need any new features. Interesting SaxaBruce seems to use BIAB the same way I do but for jazz not country folk and pop.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,476
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,476 |
Bob.
i love it that a small cdn company like pg has been successfull.
i always root for the underdog in a market sector.
happiness.
om
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs(90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 266
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 266 |
Bob,
Sounds like we could be twins separated at birth.
This sentence very much applies to me;
i've always upgraded BIAB but quite frankly most of the new 'features' don't apply to me. i like new RTs but i've got so many that i'm spoilt for choice. have i reached the saturation point?
Vintage
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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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