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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 3
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 3 |
I've had friends ask me about Band in a Box and where they can get it. Of course they are looking for something free. As we all know Band In a Box is an expensive investment. It is worth every penny and I'm proud to own the software and love using it. I've been using BIAB since the 1990s and have spent countless hours creating music with the program since then. I remember when all you had was a Roland SCCI sound card to make the program work and it sounded great.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if new users had access to a Free MIDI version of BIAB. The program would be a stripped down version without all the bells and whistles (Real Tracks) but still had the ability to interface with Midi Sound Modules or sound cards to product songs. The stripped down version would come with a limited amount of styles and PG Music could offer Sets of Styles for purchase that would expand the basic program. This would introduce the program to whole new group of musicians and open the door for them to then buy the full-fledged version of the program once they get hooked and grasp the power and fun of creating music with BIAB.
Midi is just as popular today as it was years ago and the midi version should be programmed to work with today's modern DAWs.
I truly believe that PG Music could make this a huge success and help new aspiring musicians along the way.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT. Thanks Eric
Producer/Mixer
Nova Scotia, Canada
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,994
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Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,994 |
-1
With MIDI only it would sound pretty pale given included synths. If they have good synths, the ones that cost money, likely they can afford base PRO version of BIAB that actually includes a lot for the price - $99. Likely goes on sale too. AND PGM OFFERS 30 DAYS MONEY BACK (they used to).
Yes, likely for "FREE" , PGM would get extra "users", but those users that "Of course they are looking for something free" are usually not the greatest (paid) customers. They would overwhelm customer support and PGM would have to either work for "free", or segregate paid customers from non-paying users.
The best option would be to offer 10-15 day trial, no money down. You like it - you buy it. You don't-no hard feelings.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,136
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,136 |
.............................................
The best option would be to offer 10-15 day trial, no money down. You like it - you buy it. You don't-no hard feelings. Great idea! DL the Pro version for the trial with only the save functions disabled. I have tried a number of pieces of software that way.
I'm in a fitness protection program. I'm been hiding from exercise.
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 Wishlist
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,683
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Veteran
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,683 |
There is no profit in free products especially if the amount of effort it take to develop them.
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 Wishlist
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,110
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,110 |
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 3
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 3 |
I agree Rusty. It's got to be affordable though. Maybe $49.00. Call it something like "Vintage BIAB" or "Retro BIAB". Just include the 127 General Midi patches so they have sound right out of the box. VST3 plugin to work with todays DAWs.
This software is sitting in the archives not being used. Update the software to today's standards and as I've said midi only and put it on the market.
Great opportunity to promote it to a whole new generation of musicians. Also sell addon style packages to expand the program but keep it midi only.
It would sell. Appreciate your input.
Eric
Producer/Mixer
Nova Scotia, Canada
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,994
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Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,994 |
Eric, I still think that demo is the way to go. A decent EQ plugin cost $100-$150. If somebody is serious about music making / creating arrangements, $99 is a relatively small price tag. Considering 30 days money back.... and if I am not mistaken payment option has a plan to pay over time. Update of the software itself was only $49 this year - a trip to chain diner. I think main problems that are keeping many of new costumers out are: outdated UI, unneeded complexity, and certain persistent bugs and limitations. It seems PGM is (finally) seriously considering to address some of these issues. I believe, if done right, that should definitely bring new players to the table and put a smile on existent user faces. P.S. I know it's a bit off topic, but you said you've been using BIAB since 90s. Are you aware of partial regeneration functions for RT's? No arranger that I know of (software or hardware) has this ability. In my view, that feature alone worth every penny to upgrade 
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 3
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 3 |
Are we talking about hot-swapping or live patching, where updates are applied to running applications without downtime?
Producer/Mixer
Nova Scotia, Canada
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,994
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Posts: 6,994 |
I am talking about partial regeneration of any segment of Real Tracks. It takes ~2-5 seconds for each variant to populate. If you have 2024 or 2025 version you can do this in Track View.
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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 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
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
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
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!
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