Do I want to spend time trying to find my way around the new GUI and getting very frustrated whilst doing so? Probably not. IReal Pro & Quartet now provide the playalong function I need.
Unless there is an easy way to switch to the old-style, no upgrade for me. After 15 years, 2025 will be my final BIAB.
Honestly Clive, the new GUI is so straight forward to use, and the new, what I would call simplified user interface will make it so easy for old and new users alike.
Once you start using it I guarantee you will never want to go back to the old one.
Windows 10 (64bit) M-Audio Fast Track Pro, Band in a Box 2025, Cubase 14, Cakewalk and far too many VST plugins that I probably don't need or will ever use
Once you start using it I guarantee you will never want to go back to the old one.
This is the statement that says it all. If you could use the old GUI, you can use the new one, and it's actually easier. Everything just falls into place. It is functional, tailored, and makes the old GUI look like something that was actually difficult to use. Don't be put off, everything just falls into place and works, and it's now so flexible. Using it is a breeze.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
The more I use it, the more I like it. They have done a great job designing a GUI that integrates all the new features they have been adding for years into a single, cohesive, modern (it follows the standards used in other programs), well-thought-out, and well-implemented GUI.
As a result, BIAB is now much easier to use than ever, and the user experience has significantly improved.
I hope future updates continue in the same direction. Anyway, IMO, this is one of the best updates ever, so kudos to PG Music and all the team.
I use BIAB on both Windows and Mac. I took one look at the new GUI and knew I was going to have to install the Windows version on my Mac this year (until the Mac version comes out) because the new GUI is so good. I agree that this is one of the best updates ever (and I actually had no complaints about the old GUI).
Once you start using it I guarantee you will never want to go back to the old one.
This is the statement that says it all. If you could use the old GUI, you can use the new one, and it's actually easier. Everything just falls into place. It is functional, tailored, and makes the old GUI look like something that was actually difficult to use. Don't be put off, everything just falls into place and works, and it's now so flexible. Using it is a breeze.
Originally Posted by shlind
Yes, this new GUI will save you so much time and effort and it will be a very pleasant experience every time when using it
These two messages says it all. PGM did a fantastic job on this version. If anyone complains about PGM not listening to it customers should compare the messages on the wishlist forum to this upgrade.
Thank you very much PGM for listening and this fantastic upgrade.
It takes courage for a man to admit his wife was wrong.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Whether this GUI is "better" really depends on a number of factors including one's workflow and which BiaB features need to be accessed. Once I removed all the unnecessary-to-my-workflow icons from the top bar, I found I had a half empty top bar and a sidebar without utility (to my workflow). Truthfully, I'd rather have a more customizable top bar and no side bar at all. Or at least an option to hide the side bar (if it's there I missed it).
Not complaining about the GUI, it'll work fine. It's just not a gamechanger for me. But I'm me.
Everyone should buy the new version. Totally worth it.
DC Ron BiaB Audiophile Presonus Studio One ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM Presonus Faderport 16 Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
Maybe we should get a thread goin: New UI Cry room. Most items will be resolved (explained), and smiling kids will run off to make new hits, others will continue to sit frowned, while we perform a happy puppet show... and eventually their tears will dry out too.
Hey skeptics!, PGM is very generous with "return policy". If you are debating with yourself whether to update or not, core program upgrade from last year is only $49. Try it before making negative assumptions. New UI is not flashy, but very clean and easy to work with. If I am not mistaken, return policy is 30 days (!)
I applaud PGM for not cutting corners and making this right! So far, it seems people responding positively to new UI. It works very well for what I do. I am sure there will be a bunch of minor issues that people will discover, but I have confidence, most will get resolved within next couple of patches.
Not complaining you're right it's neat and clean. My only "issue," as I mentioned elsewhere, is all my 35 years of using BIAB all (most) of my "mouse muscle memory" is gone as I have to re-find "stuff." Won't take myself a lot of my dwindling brain cells or effort to get use to new GUI however.
Although, I never saw what the issue was that caused all the....fuss over the old GUI.
I know a lot of folks think Stuido One is the bees knees but after 25'ish years of Cakewalk/Sonar (DOS V2 in '89 until a year before they went bust) S.O. menus, their contents, and windows are not as I would like or expect ditto Reaper.
Its like the context menus from the file Explorer in Win7 and Win 10 - they both had all the items in one right click. But Windows 11 "cleaned" that up so it takes a second right click on properties to unhide the rest of the context menu items. I immediately fixed that with a 3rd party utility as soon as I started using Win 11 now everyting in the context menu is just one right click away not two. Actully I fixed a lot of Win 11 GUI items - task bar, start menu, device manager, etc. etc. Just being new and clean doesn't always improve work flow.
Every tool, wrench, socket,... in my workshed is visible on peg boards - not one hidden behind the other.
Last edited by Larry Kehl; 12/05/2502:19 PM.
Win10Pro,i9,64GB,2TBSSD+20TBHDDs,1080TI,BIAB'24,Scarlett18i8,Montage7,Fusion 8HD,QS8,Integra7,XV5080,QSR,SC-8850,SPLAT,FL21&others,Komp.14,IK suite&others, just a guitar player-AXE FX III &FM9T, FishmanTP, MIDIGuitar2, GK2/3'sw/GI20
"Although, I never saw what the issue was that caused all the....fuss over the old GUI."
That's the thing. A philosophy of vocal long time users resisted progress, making PGM tread water by maintaining a balance between moving forward and cater to conservative voices. At the end you had a very capable software that was nearly impossible to break into- alienating newcomers. Mainly because features were implemented in a way to avoid conflict with selected few, and not what is best for the future of the software.
Some of solutions going forward included making BIAB more coherent and modular. Two major steps were taken: Bringing all creative content under one roof - Library, and UI that is modular and logical. Still whole bunch of known issues that kept BIAB anchored to the past left to resolve, but I feel now it's on the right path and hopefully will appeal to a much wider audience, without sacrificing core value.
Skeptic. I see lost opportunities. Sometimes a living room needs to be redecorated, this is still grannies parlour to millennials. Same fonts same Colors, same, win 95 look. Goodbye new younger customers. We seem this before, it’s a religion around. I have dabbled around in Access program and the database user interface screens can be dragged around at will. Yes this is better, but unless they are stuck in some kind of ancient coding language, should not take long. Yes there is a bit of recoding of buttons too, but also defining button attributes is not a big Deal. It is definitely more useable. The behind the scenes stuff like the complicated Preferences window still reaks of windows 95 coding. Throughout the application buttons and intereactions perform in an inconsistent way. The change key function for example occupies a huge amount of real estate when opened, whereas some buttons halve no visible icons. It’s been occurring to me, that a bar in BIAB chord window could be an incredible learning opportunity. One click on a bar line could bring a world of learning, such as rthe role of the chord, optional voicings, alternate possibilitie and of course basics, like what notes it is composed of. Boasically it’s a re jig not a rethink
So ZZ, just to clarify, you have upgraded to 2026, and have based your comments on your findings? Others are obviously keen to make comparisons based on real world experiences. Is this based on your own practical experiences, or presumptions based on others views and comments? Could you clarify?
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
My only "issue," as I mentioned elsewhere, is all my 35 years of using BIAB all (most) of my "mouse muscle memory" is gone as I have to re-find "stuff."
After 35 years of mouse muscle memory I still find myself looking for things I know are there but can't remember how to find them due to the utter mess that BIAB is. Although I have not upgraded yet, I probably will as from what I see so far this looks like a change that was a long time coming and may be worth the upgrade. At least I hope so.
Quote
Although, I never saw what the issue was that caused all the....fuss over the old GUI.
Same here really but the lack of customisation and the fact that every click led to another click and eventually a child window with more options and clicks made it a pain to use.
Quote
Its like the context menus from the file Explorer in Win7 and Win 10 - they both had all the items in one right click. But Windows 11 "cleaned" that up so it takes a second right click on properties to unhide the rest of the context menu items.
This is something that bugs me the most. Menu, sub-menu, more nested menus, it's just an absolute mess and like playing whac-a-mole for every action when it could easily be done with one simple mouse click or key stroke. I just don't understand the attraction for designers to make everything as difficult as possible. I know that everyone has different workflows, but regardless, why make something more difficult when it just isn't necessary. I don't "play" with any software I buy, everything for me is a job and I want that job to be as painless and quick as possible to do. I do a lot of repetitive tasks and this kind of design makes everything a nightmare.
Once I upgrade I am certain that I will find hundreds of things that make me shake my head in disbelief but if this new layout does what it looks like it is meant to do then that, at least, will be a massive improvement over the old layout, for me. I really hope it is. Everything behind the GUI will be the same old mess I'm sure but hopefully this is a step in the right direction for the start of PG tidying up the BIAB chaos and hopefully the next upgrade will concentrate on injecting some common sense into the rest of the software. A long way to go but I'm feeling ever so slightly hopeful for a change.
I purchased yesterday. No deep dive yet. Working on another project at the moment, in Cubase. Not much time. I am saying there is an improvement, but there could have been so much more. It’s still the old jalopy underneath.
ZeroZero, "old jalopy underneath" not quite. Views became independent, floating., modular.You can work in multiple windows simultaneously. Redone Piano Roll. As one forum guardian angel coined it a Synergy workflow.
New UI is a success! It happened because PGM listened and interacted with users. Perhaps this should be a model for the future. Users vote on importance of a feature, if PGM decides to implement it, they will gather opinions and suggestions on that item, like it did with UI and rolls it out with next version.
ZeroZero, "but there could have been so much more" Sure, if they had an army of coders. Given relatively small team, they done great! Don't forget that they are not just a software company, they are producers! They recorded hundreds of hours of content, worked with it to create Real track & Styles, etc.
Using 2025 and most likely will upgrade. My irritation has long been this----you're working with the chord sheet (on a song), but accidently hit a button and something comes up on the screen---sometimes sharing the space with the chord sheet. Now, how do you clear it away and get back to the full screen chord sheet? Not every feature has the small x to click away whatever's showing that you don't need. Or, else I'm blind and can't find it. That's rough when it happens on a live gig.
J. Larry, if you are talking about multi "views" when you talk about "something", you just hit Chord View button and it will get you full screen Chord view.
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.
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)
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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.
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