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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,215
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OP
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,215 |
A collaboration of user recommendations and opinions + PGM willingness to hear our ideas, brought one of the best updates in years. Thankfully they didn't cut (too many) corners and UI looks & feels modern and solid. A success! What's next? I think the approach PGM took in 2025 is the best possible route, as it gives them, as creators a fuller picture of what can be done to appeal to most people, instead of making for example questionable complex features that only a handful of users will discover. In my humble opinion there are 4 major areas (blocks) of BIAB that need attention: Context menus + tools that need a more modern approach, not just graphics. Consistency, wording, layout, sorting, non modal and yes graphics too. Library. While I am thrilled that we have all the content now in a single (non modal) place, that works extremely well when populating tracks, auditioning, etc. I feel that several important steps are needed to make it whole. There had been many discussions on subject and I imagine it would be quite a task to modernize Library experience beyond current implementation. My personal grievance is that it doesn't have hierarchical (nested) sorting, when second choice respects first and third follows first two without reset. Another idea that was commonly voiced is to be able to sort by instrument family. And many many others. And of course to make it look modern, to be in line with our new favorite UI Preferences block. No need to go into detail. Very similar to first 2 ^. Previously reported issues. Hold on, I need a deep breath. This is a dangerous topic  There is a common ground here if... PGM decides to take the challenge of dealing with BIG item, all (most) of the bugs & shortcoming related to that specific block can be dealt with as they craft it. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What does PGM think about this "two way" collaboration? Can we repeat this year's experience and have another awesome update next year? Needless to say, it is unrealistic to expect a complex software to be fully modernized in a single year, but certain big blocks, as we seen with UI and Library can be done. We, as users can identify the "next" important block and try to present our proposals / requests / examples so PGM can get a broad idea of what their customers want to get done as a priority. If people want to join this discussion, I only ask not to get content topics (styles, RD, RT's Midis) mixed in discussion about software. An example would be: "We need more styles with cowbell". Thank you.
Last edited by Rustyspoon#; 12/09/25 03:10 PM.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 593
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 593 |
Yes, I agree.
What comes first in my list is that they need to fix the “search issue” so that users fully can use the potential of the software and all the content.
As a first step would be as suggested above to fix the “hierarchical (nested) sorting” (i.e. the normal expectations users have when handling data in a table). As well as sorting by instrument family, also to add in exclusions in the search criteria, also need to go through the categorization, as an example it seems to be a mismatch using a the same term as a category or genre (very confusing). Extend the columns in the table to also hold the instruments and type used for the style so that the hierarchical search also can span over that and other “musical” characteristics of the style that now only are held in the memo. Make it possible to toggle in/out non musical information from the table (eg set, date etc) to make it more visible. Keep the search context when switching between styles and instruments in the picker. Also make it possible to toggle filter string to search a specific column and not only as today "everything"
Further steps would be to find some dimension of categorization if possible of what defines the basic groove of a song or style (the simple filters as used today does not catch this) and to make it possible to search (maybe there are som musicians in the forum that can help nail down what it is in the music that makes it similar in groove - one can immediately hear that two songs are very similar in the underlaying groove).
And then to be able to drop a piece of music and the software finds the best matches of styles and instruments with the best similar grooves.
As long as the “search issue “ is not fixed the software with content can not be used to its full potential. And in addition not to mention all the time users spend on this issue without getting anywhere.
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.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 87
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 87 |
Yes, They did a great job!, But even though we can float windows, None except the mixer will be there when we reload BiaB!
Please allow the windows to stay open and where it's put at!
Thanks for the work done so far.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,215
Veteran
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OP
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,215 |
Robert, That, in my opinion should be taken care of in a patch this year among a few other minor items concerning new UI, and I am confident they will do it. Common sense items. You've been a great contributor on UI discussion, please don't stop
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 87
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 87 |
Robert, That, in my opinion should be taken care of in a patch this year among a few other minor items concerning new UI, and I am confident they will do it. Common sense items. You've been a great contributor on UI discussion, please don't stop I sure hope that it's "taken care of in a patch! "
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,598
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,598 |
Robert,
That, in my opinion should be taken care of in a patch this year among a few other minor items concerning new UI, and I am confident they will do it. Common sense items. Absolutely. They did a great job, but the scope of that work was enormous, and it wasn't realistic for them to finish it completely for this version. The new GUI is still a work in progress, and I don't expect major innovations this year, but I do expect them to at least implement new basic functionalities in future 2026 updates that, for me, are now more essential than ever. https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=872036#Post872036
Latest BIAB version, latest build.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,512
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,512 |
Robert,
That, in my opinion should be taken care of in a patch this year among a few other minor items concerning new UI, and I am confident they will do it. Common sense items. Absolutely. They did a great job, but the scope of that work was enormous, and it wasn't realistic for them to finish it completely for this version. The new GUI is still a work in progress, and I don't expect major innovations this year, but I do expect them to at least implement new basic functionalities in future 2026 updates that, for me, are now more essential than ever. https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=872036#Post872036Yes, lets hope PGM continues to improve the GUI and other important program updates like style/RT searches etc and doesn't revert back to the 50 new features with minimal program updates.
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
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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
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