|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 177
Apprentice
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 177 |
I use 2022 UltraPak BIAB really for only one reason and that is to create very simple backing tracks for me to practice soloing over by creating custom chord progressions in different keys and I use almost exclusively slower tempo smooth jazz, jazz, blues, soul, R&B type RealTracks and don't use MIDI. I see that the upgrade to 2025 will give me some new nice RealTracks and styles in these genres and I am trying to decide if "it is worth it" to upgrade my UltraPak for $169 during the sale.
Can members comment on features that have improved that might make a difference for me? User interface? AI splitter function to create stems from audio files from outside the program? Something that I have not thought of? Thanks for your input - not really sure as to whether to update. Being such a noobie and non-sophisticated user, I would love some perspective on the upgrade conundrum. Thank you for your patience with this general and somewhat open ended question.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,216
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,216 |
This will be a little bit bias, as I am a fanboy, but I would say yes  3 years worth of Real Tracks, Real Drums and MIDI with good selection from genres you mentioned will give you quite a library upgrade. Speaking of Library, in 2024 MTP Library was introduced. You get all of PGM content in a single tabbed picker, so you can audition and select wide range of content without opening different pickers from strange different places. Also this MTP picker is non-modal, so you can continue working while having it opened and audition or/and replace content on the fly. Several other useful tools became non-modal (will not lock you in the menu, until you exit out). Generation times increased several folds, saves huge amount of time when making small changes. Near instant. Track View was introduced. While not too convenient for audio recording, it's great for in line partial regeneration, which is a great feature to get RTs to fit better in your arrangement. VST3 is finally here. Pretty stable with only few issues related to couple of specific plugins (Steinberg Halion7 is one of them) And several others that somebody else can comment on.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,071
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,071 |
...and I use almost exclusively slower tempo smooth jazz, jazz, blues, soul, R&B type RealTracks and don't use MIDI There have certainly been many new styles in those genres added in the past couple of years, the majority using RealTracks. I think you will like some of the additional material.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 177
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 177 |
Rustyspoon# Super helpful. Thanks for taking the time to answer this open question!
Last edited by BackingTrack; 12/20/24 08:13 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 177
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 177 |
...and I use almost exclusively slower tempo smooth jazz, jazz, blues, soul, R&B type RealTracks and don't use MIDI There have certainly been many new styles in those genres added in the past couple of years, the majority using RealTracks. I think you will like some of the additional material. Thanks so much for that feedback - very encouraging
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 177
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 177 |
Bought the BIAB UltraPak upgrade to 2025. Thanks for the community's encouragement. Very pleased and the support from PG chat feature was just spectacular.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,642
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,642 |
PG Chat is usually(!) very good. You get a real person and usually one who does really know the products and who tries to be helpful.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 114
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 114 |
I've got a related question. I have BIAB 2021 Ultra-Pak. I also bought the extra style packs #1-#10 for $199.
I am thinking of upgrading to 2025 to increase the real tracks and styles.
My question. Should I pay another $199 to get the bundle of #1 to #19 style paks to get the missing extra 10 that I don't yet have.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Order now!
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!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. 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!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,048
Posts799,340
Members40,015
| |
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean