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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,199
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Posts: 10,199 |
Hey everyone! This is primarily for Peter and the team, but I'll take input from anyone and everyone. I haven't really been playing much music recently, and I have some life-altering changes coming up here soon. I downloaded BIAB 2023 but wasn't going to download 2024 . . . until today when I got an advertising e-mail from PGMusic for an upgrade to 2024 and all the XtraPaks for a significant discount. I've been at the download for 7 hours and it might be finished by the time I wake up tomorrow.  But, while I still have my older Korg PA800 keyboard, the sounds, particularly the GM sounds, are getting a bit long in tooth. There seems to be a lot of stuff in the new BIAB 2024 regarding software and stuff that I've not been using before, i.e., Sforzando, which I think is a GM synth (but I could be wrong). What I'd like to see, and haven't seen anything in the video section under the Support tab, is a video that catches older users up with the latest features and stuff of BIAB that are included in the package, but aren't Band In A Box. If anyone has particular threads that would be useful for highlighting some of the other programs/applications that are included in the pack and how good you think they are, etc., I'd love to hear about them so I can learn as I want to get back into music production. Thanks in advance. 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!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,568
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Welcome back, Gary!
I don’t think I have worthy answers to share but just wanted someone to respond quickly to say Hi.
You mention Sforzando and BIAB 2023, but Sforzando has been around a few years so I wonder if you could clarify which version you are using. I learn the new features best by viewing each year’s video summarizing and illustrating new features.
We have been told support for VST3 is coming, which has the potential to open up a lot of possibilities for what you can do with BIAB not involving the features that come bundled with it.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,199
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Hey Matt, Hope all is going well for you. As to Sforzando, I don't really use any software synths, which is what I guess that is. I would very much like to upgrade my keyboard, but I'm now on the fixed income and $6,000 for a new Korg PA5X and PaAS speaker system is a bit beyond my reach right now. So, I'm looking for other options. I mean, the GM sounds and other sounds of my 13 year old keyboard aren't *that* bad, but I'm looking for something newer, and I'm not sure if Sforzando is an answer to that. I just don't know. I've never used it, but in downloading the new 2024 Ultra version and XPacks (all of them) that I did last night (and this morning) puts the latest and greatest. Actually, I see that Sforzando is not included and that you have to download and install, so I've just downloaded the latest version. Again, never used it, so didn't know anything about it. In watching some of the videos, I see a lot of changes from when I used the program more often, and I kind of feel like those new people I used to help guide along the way.  Anyway, I'll work through this, now that I have it all downloaded. I'll ask as necessary. 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!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,031
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,031 |
Hi Gary Nice to see you aroud here again. The screen on my wife's PA80 packed up some while ago and we bought the PA900. The sounds are great actually and you'd have to look far to find better. I have a lot of GM/GS options with my Roland E-60, an SC-88 Sound Canvas, the PA900 and some Roland Soft synths. Point is the quality of the sounds has not really got a lot better than they were 15 years ago. I have had access to the new Korgs and Roland keyboards but have not found them particularly inspiring sound quality wise. They are using the synthesis options built in to the keyboards to tweak the sounds but unless you also do the same tweaking they will all sound the same. These days while songwriting I find I prefer to play the actual instruments acoustically and record those sounds along with some BIAB tracks as needed. YMMV!! Keep Well Kevin 
Last edited by Kevin Woolley; 09/03/24 11:31 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,199
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Kevin,
Thank you for your reply. I had to replace both the screen and the power supply on my PA800, the Korg-authorized repair parts supplier kept sending me used stuff, and it was obvious that it was used, and didn't work properly. I kept sending it back until I got new.. Well, that was the display, anyway.
One of the things that I want with the newer keyboards also are the built in styles. BIAB is awesome when I want to sit down and record a song, especially with Real Tracks, but when I just want to sit down and play, it's easier to use the Arranger feature for that.
In listening, at least online, to the difference between the PA4X and earlier and the new PA5X, it's really night and day for me. I always have thought that Yamaha put a lot of effects onto their sounds, which if you're playing out, is great because you don't have to. It makes a great singer/songwriter or duo keyboard in that regard, but I like the more neutrality of the Korg sounds. But, the PA5X, they did something to the sounds and it sounds amazing, but without the effects of the Yamaha.
But, for now, the PA800 is still working and it still blesses me, even if it's a bit long in tooth and missing a lot compared to the new keyboards.
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!
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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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XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: 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.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Holiday Weekend Hours
As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:
April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours
Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
— Team PG
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
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