Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,446
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,446
First some background.

I was convinced to put my duo, The Sophisticats http://www.s-cats on Facebook last year, from a club I was gigging at. I made both a personal page and a Sophisticats page with the help of the person who handled their social media account.

One day I was logging in and FB announced that it had an internal error, and advised me to try again later. I did, and it wouldn't let me in. Since then, I went through all the hoops the FB Bot requested time and time again and realized I was in an endless loop.

There is no way to get any human help at FB, My old Sophisticats page has been locked since June of 2024, so I eventually abandoned it. While trying to find a human on FB, some hackers said they could revive it for money up front, but I decided not to go that route - too risky.

That club was sold, the new owner didn't say anything, so I left it abandoned, but now, another club I gig at wants a Sophisticats page.

I figured out how to get the old page, a better URL:
https://www.facebook.com/thesophisticatsband
so I could advertise it.

Recently, I made a new site:
https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Sophisticats/61571974491484/
but don't know how to shorten the URL.

Is there a Facebook Guru here that can tell me what I'm missing?


Thanks


Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
Off-Topic
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,606
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,606
I find navigating FaceBook a bit of a pain, but try the following:

(I think you need to be the new page user, via the user-switch in the top right corner)
then go to "Home"
then "Professional Dashboard"
then "Page Access"
then "Page Setup"
then "Name"
then edit the UserName ... you may have to jump through some verification hoops.

I tried that as far as the edit option, but then stopped as I don't want to change my page name ... obviously laugh


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
.
Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,446
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,446
Thanks, Gordon.

I'll try that this afternoon.

Bob


Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,446
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,446
Thank you very much, Gordon.

I followed your clear instructions and it worked perfectly

www.facebook.com/sophisticats.duo

is the result.


Notes ♫


Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
Off-Topic
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,606
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,606
Ah, good.

I was a little unsure if you'd be able to get to the right place if there wasn't already a short URI. The usual issue with so many of these thgings is that the way of doing things gets changed, so memory is useless.

#I did take the opportunity to shorten one of mine.


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
.
Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,446
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,446
Thanks again for your help.

Then when it got there, and it came to picking the short URL, it took a while.
sophisticats - taken
thesophisticats - taken
the-sophisticats - illegal character
the.sophisticats - taken
followed by plenty more that were too long, too complicated, taken, or illegal.
Finally - sophisticats.duo

BTW, I do have a registered trademark for The Sophisticats, but that doesn't mean anything in Facebookland.

It's the middle of the tourist season, so we're gigging a lot 3/4 of our annual income comes in 5 months. Plus, we are learning new songs for clients. So there isn't a lot of time to learn something new.

I avoided FB for so many years, so it's all new. This summer, when the work is slow, I'll have time to learn the ins and outs.

BTW talk about new songs. I'm doing Blood Sweat and Tears "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know" for a good client - from scratch. I did buy the sheet music, so I got a lot of the themes and the chords, but the horn, organ, and other parts are by ear. I've spent two entire days off on it, and it's getting close. I've got new respect for Al Kooper.


Insights and incites by Notes ♫


Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
Off-Topic
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,606
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,606
Originally Posted by Notes Norton
sophisticats - taken
thesophisticats - taken
the-sophisticats - illegal character
the.sophisticats - taken
followed by plenty more that were too long, too complicated, taken, or illegal.
Finally - sophisticats.duo
It's a good name, which is why so many like it. Frustrating.

Originally Posted by Notes Norton
... there isn't a lot of time to learn something new.
As you're already well known, you probably don't need to do much.

Putting events into it is likely useful even if you're not specifically looking for more guests ... it shows activity.

Putting up posts about gigs would be useful, but if you're already working hard, don't make an extra task you don't need.

It'll give activity things in the top-right. Some will be specific contact requests that may be useful; most others perhaps just click the three-dots and then "mark all read".


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
.
Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,446
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,446
Right now, I'm just posting close gigs.

I have a mailing list of about 500 people, but it seems clubs these days want you to have a Facebook presence.

A lot of the clubs around here have a Facebook page and nothing else. I wonder about that, why put all your effort into a page that only reaches a fraction of the audience? A www page reaches anybody who can access the Internet.

So far I've been fine with www.s-cats.com but if it helps me to get gigs in a few more venues, a Facebook page isn't that much to do.


Insights, incites and a minor rant by Notes ♫


Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
Off-Topic
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,606
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,606
Originally Posted by Notes Norton
A lot of the clubs around here have a Facebook page and nothing else. I wonder about that, why put all your effort into a page that only reaches a fraction of the audience? A www page reaches anybody who can access the Internet.
I'm certainly with you on that. Apart from anything else, I'm wary of giving Meta too close an idea of where I live, so I purposely often don't use pages of events/venues near to me and/or I'll look at events/venues a long way away. I can access a website without Meta tracking me (though I do close the browser after accessing Facebook aned closing my browser purges cookies and trackers.

The thing I find really frustrating is that so many places that use Facebook as their primary presence don't keep it up to date. That's just stupid.


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
.
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe

This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®

With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 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 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK: -For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
  • MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
  • Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
  • Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
  • Playable RealTracks Set 5
  • RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
  • SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
  • Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)

Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:


  • 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
  • FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
  • MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
  • Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
  • Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
  • RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
  • SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)

Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Video: New User Interface (GUI)

Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!

Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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 10 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.

Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!

Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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.

Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!

Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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 10 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.

Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!

Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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.

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics85,342
Posts791,130
Members39,858
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
Max Gain, BEAN223, Brazilboyz, doccawudi, StratMan1965
39,858 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
jpettit 330
MarioD 209
DrDan 202
DC Ron 152
Noel96 146
Rob Helms 118
Today's Birthdays
DarleneProctor, Lonestar Uk, MeisterMusic, Tim Anderson
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5