|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,598
Expert
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,598 |
PG Music has done a great job with the redesign of the GUI in the 2026 version, a GUI that integrates elements that were previously scattered in different places into a single location, providing coherence, flexibility, and ease of use to the program. Most users have welcomed the new version positively, and they're right, as it represents a huge step forward compared to previous versions. However, after several days of using the new interface, there are several aspects that, in my opinion, continue to hinder the program and pose an obstacle to the workflow of most users. There are many aspects that could be considered, but if we focus exclusively on the GUI, there are IMO, three key areas: a) The Disconnection of the Different ViewsThe ability to work with different views is one of the greatest points of the new GUI; however, these views should be synchronized so that user actions in one view are reflected in the others. For example, if we have the "Chords" and "Tracks" views active and we select measures 5 to 10 in the first view, that selection should automatically be made in the "Tracks" window, or in any other view that is currently open. Or, if we mute the bass track in measure 5 via "Chord View > F5", the "Tracks" and "Audio" views should show that this track is muted by displaying a volume automation node. However, none of this works in BIAB. The user can maintain several views simultaneously, yes, but these views behave as if they were completely independent, which is not only counter-intuitive but (even worse) is a guarantee of unexpected behavious and bugs from the program. For instance, if we select some bars in the "Chords" view and some different bars in the "Tracks" view, and then press the "Del" key, how will the program know exactly what we want to delete? Note: Try it and you will see a very strange bug in the program. In summary, it is great to be able to have several views simultaneously, but these views must behave in a coordinated and coherent manner. b) The Lack of Contextual MenusMost users of modern music software are used to contextual menus: you select an element, right-click, and the program shows you a list with the commands you can perform on that element. However, in BIAB, these contextual menus are rare, and in some views (such as the "Tracks" view) they are almost non-existent. Suppose a user wants to regenerate measures 5 and 6 of the bass track in his project from the "Tracks" view, and that he has forgotten the convoluted keyboard shortcuts to do so directly (to make things more difficult, there are three of them). Most users would expect to simply select those two measures, right-click, and access a contextual menu showing, among others, the Regenerate command, right? Well, no. The right-click over a selection from the "Tracks" view does absolutely nothing. Instead, the user must make his selection and then click on a small arrow in the bottom right corner of the track, which shows an overcrowded menu with non-descriptive submenus, where he has to choose the correct option from three very similar ones, to finally be able to do what he wanted: ![[Linked Image - Only viewable when logged in]](https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=download&Number=31884&filename=Captura de pantalla 2025-12-08 173229.png) If that user does not use BIAB daily, I assure you that in a week he will have completely forgotten how to regenerate a part of a track (let alone memorizing the different key combinations —CTR+F8, Alt+F8, or F8— to execute practically identical commands). That's one of the main reasons why people uses to find BIAB difficult to use. So please, PG Music, add contextual menus! c) Inconsistency between Track TypesEdit commands should have the same effect on all the different track types (audio, RealTracks, RealDrums, MIDI, etc). For example, if we select a couple of measures on a track and press "Delete," that section should be erased. However, pressing "Delete" on any selection will have different effects depending on the track type: - With RealTracks: It works as expected. - With RealDrums: The user will get s a dialog box with the following question: "There is no RealTracks on this Track. Would you like to select one?". An old known bug. - With MIDI tracks: There is no effect at all. Again, the new GUI represents a very important step in the right direction and makes things much easier, but in my opinion, there are still certain basic aspects to improve, so that the BIAB GUI adheres to current standards and the workflow can be as fluid as it can be.
Latest BIAB version, latest build.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,512
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,512 |
The bumper sticker said "I'm a veterinarian, therefore I can drive like an animal".
Suddenly I realized how many proctologists are on the road.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,214
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,214 |
Cerio, fantastic effort summarizing issues, most of which I really hope to see resolved in the next month or two., View consistency was a soft spot for a long time way before new UI. Now the time is better than ever to fix that. One item I disagree on. Mutes at the bar are tricky, they don't utilize nodes, but some kind of internal instructions. While I like the feature and logic of F5 (automated mutes / back to normal), nodes in traditional sense will not work. However some kind of indication throughout all views would be nice, even something simple as thin line, as we have in Chord sheet when settings at the bar are altered. And one item you mentioned, I want to amplify. Partial regeneration. I would bet that 1/2 of the users are not familiar with it at all, but it is likely one of the 3 top tools of the "box". It deserves it's own single press "action" button, not just context right click menu  By the way, that is how I have it programmed in Streamdeck. I select part of the track press single button on Streamdeck and get a new version of the segment. Rinse and repeat till I get something close to what I am looking for. But taking discussion a bit wider, what about custom buttons that can accept any "open dialog" or action that is achievable with a shortcut.? Select that custom button, write in your shortcut and make it appear in upper toolbar. For example single press partial regen
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 232
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 232 |
Very helpful analysis. I am a light user of BIAB and I must say that yes I am baffled by the user interface (2025 currently) and its menus, sub-menus and options that really make no sense to me. Often I have no idea how to do something and must rely on help from the forum whereas in most software these days, you just right click on an item and the answer of what you want to do is right there for one click. For instance my year long adventure and documentation here of importing an audio file, splitting and aligning the results with a chord chart etc. was so inconsistent and buggy that I finally just gave up in defeat and use SMP instead. I have never encountered a software program as byzantine as this one, and because after several years with it and I still cannot understand much of it, I just use it for quick backing track creation for guitar improvisation practice over the SPECTACULAR sounding RealTracks. So while the front end GUI seems to have been improved for 2026, I know from all these comments generously shared by users, that this will not solve my difficulty using the program. So I will be making the choice to upgrade only based on whether there are some great new RTs and styles available that I will actually use. I suspect not for $150, but I am am still waiting for the PG fix of the non-playing RT demos that are new in the 2026 update. Pretty weird situation. I can see why younger folks may not go for this program. I am not really complaining here; just describing my experience. Other than quick custom backing track creation, for me I have found other more modern tools to do other complex music manipulation and transcription chores.
Last edited by Moonbeam9067; 12/08/25 11:18 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 593
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 593 |
+1./ for suggested improvements.
BIAB 2026, Studio Pro 8, Song Master Pro, Win11 Home. i7-9700K CPU, 32GB, ESI MAYA44eX, ZOOM UAC-2, Guitar Pro 8, Transcribe, (EZKeys2, EZD3, SD3, EZBass, EZMix3)
Amateur: fiddle, guitar, vocal, beginner on bass.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,503
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,503 |
Very nice summary.
I completely agree that this proposal is the next evolutionary step. Now that the overall GUI has been modernized, the windows must be synchronized, both in identifying location and range in each view, and consistency of how commands work (especially right-click context commands).
This concept was identified years ago by a small group who put forth many of the suggestions that were implemented this year. I would hope that this 2026 version is but a step in the full needed direction, and I’m grateful for that first step.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,890
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,890 |
Big +1 for these recommendation!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,890
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,890 |
Now that the overall GUI has been modernized Not to nitpick but there is a large portion of the program that has definitely NOT had a GUI modernization! Any time I open the preferences dialog I feel like I'm playing some sort of complex role-playing game!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,503
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,503 |
You are correct. The changes this year were most notable on the ‘main’ windows, not the underlying menus and dialogs.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,890
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,890 |
You are correct. The changes this year were most notable on the ‘main’ windows, not the underlying menus and dialogs. The upgrades they made to the main windows are exceptional! As I explore this further I find I am actually enjoying using the software! I have always LOVED what I could get OUT of BIAB; now I may just end up loving using it too! And yes, the sync issues the OP explained so well are def something that need addressing but my advice for everyone is BIAB 2026 is a MUST UPGRADE!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,598
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,598 |
Yes, I also think this has been one of the best updates in many years. Highly recommended
Latest BIAB version, latest build.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,512
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,512 |
Yes, I also think this has been one of the best updates in many years. Highly recommended Yes, this is one of the best updates in many years. Hopefully this is just the tip of the iceberg. After the Mac version I hope they continue to work on the menus and have everything sync together. I also hope they ask for our input, as they did this year.
The bumper sticker said "I'm a veterinarian, therefore I can drive like an animal".
Suddenly I realized how many proctologists are on the road.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
Topics86,029
Posts799,125
Members40,011
| |
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