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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 14
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 14 |
Gary,
More GREAT Info!!
Thanks!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
The real key to using BiaB as you wish is to make sure you get as many Style files as you possibly can.
The Mega and Ultra PAKs would be the way to go here, if you can afford it, get ALL the styles at once, which represents a huge savings over trying to purchase them piecemeal. Even if you may not think you will want to ever PLAY a certain genre, it is the case where sometimes using a Style file from a different genre from the one you may think that your targeted song is in will work out quite well. For example, some of the Country styles may just work in a song like Hot Rod Lincoln or the like.
Also, adding the good styles that Bob "Notes" Norton has for sale on his site can be a very usefull thing to do. Often, he has created styles that target specified songs -- and do the job very well IMHO.
The most important part of the process is YOU -- and the way in which you address the use of BiaB.
The Learning Curve.
BiaB is very much like learning a new musical instrument.
Just as we cannot play the guitar like a seasoned pro on the first day we buy one for the first time. No, we have to practice the use, care and feeding of the guitar, learn a few new things, repeat things daily until the muscle memory kicks in, etc. etc. -- BiaB at least does not require us to develop callouses on the fingers.
It does sometimes require that we develop a few new callouses on the brain, though.
The best way I know to get started is to get started. Jump in and try things. Load a lot of the included Demo Songs and watch BiaB work as things play back and the various commands go by.
Take advantage of the pgmusic Support pages, the FAQs, the great Tutorial Videos and, of course, this forum.
Since the product comes with the PGMusic "30 day no questions asked" guarantee, which is like getting a full-featured demo for 30 days, the best way to answer many of your questions is to simply jump in there and do it.
Have Fun,
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 92
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 92 |
Mac, I think you answered my question I've been using BIAB for live performances for 10 years now. I love the the Real tracks but I need to find a way to load them faster on gigs. It's not a problem on some gigs but on others I would like a little less lag time. I think I jumped the gun when I bought the audio file version. No regrets because I do use it for recording. If I understand your explanation correctly you're saying that wma coverts to wav then loads? Is there a way to load straight to wave files? Please forgive me if you've explained this subject before.
Jacob
Dell Studio 16 Laptop i7 with 256 gig SSD
BIAB, Reaper, Encore, Sibelius
Roland SD-50
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Jakob, inside the RealTracks Control Panel is a place where you can hit a button to convert all the wma files to wav format. Now, this will NOT grant you the Audiophile Edition's wav files, because they will be derived from the already compressed audio files, but it WILL turn them into .wav format and thus skip that step when loading.
However -- and it is a BIG however -- with the advent of the new command to Allow Fast Loading of RealTracks, I have found that doing the above is not necessary. If Fast Loading works on your machine, it should do the trick in Live Performance without resorting to .wav conversion and loss of disk drive space. So try that one first, by all means.
.Wav files still take a bit of time to load, just less time due to the fact that the conversion from .wma to .wav doesn't need to occur. Fast Loading of RealTracks, on the other hand, is working marvelously here.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 92
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 92 |
I checked out that Norton site, I must say that I agree with most of what he's saying in fact I do a lot of what he's saying.
Dell Studio 16 Laptop i7 with 256 gig SSD
BIAB, Reaper, Encore, Sibelius
Roland SD-50
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 92
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 92 |
Thanks for the info Mac, is fast loading available on BIAB 2009.5?
Dell Studio 16 Laptop i7 with 256 gig SSD
BIAB, Reaper, Encore, Sibelius
Roland SD-50
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Fast Loading started with BB2010.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 92
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 92 |
Dell Studio 16 Laptop i7 with 256 gig SSD
BIAB, Reaper, Encore, Sibelius
Roland SD-50
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,809
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,809 |
Quote:
2010 here I come!
You bet, if you use BIAB RTs live you have to have Fast Loading turned on. It made it much more comfortable for me. Sitting there waiting for ~ 1 min to load the next tune often caused me great anxiety. To the point where I really could not use it live (had to come up with workarounds). Then came Fast Loading and I was back in business on stage.
One man’s story. 
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 33
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 33 |
BIAB is simply outstanding ... I totally agree with others who have commented, get as much as you can afford.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 92
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 92 |
Gary, that's a wonderful explanation of how BIAB works. I think I'll copy it and have it printed up on cards to hand out to musicians who come up and ask me questions on gigs. They can't believe I'm using BIAB and and sounds better than their $3000 keyboard sequencer. I've said it before but I'll say it again, I've been using BIAB since MSDOS 6.0 but I still learn a lot from reading all the comments. Keep the questions and answers coming everyone!
Jacob
Dell Studio 16 Laptop i7 with 256 gig SSD
BIAB, Reaper, Encore, Sibelius
Roland SD-50
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 241
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 241 |
Badabing
Go to the website Ultimate Guitar Tableture and search on the file name "Hideaway". You will find several Tabs listed. Find the one by the artist you want, check and make sure it has a three to four star rating, and download the a "Pro TAB" Version. Now, you can download the demo version of Pro Tab and to open up the song. After you do this, save it as a midi file. Then, open this midi file up in BB or Real Band and the Chords will automatically fill in for you. As everyone has stated, you still have to pick the style. Also, I'll just bet that "Bob Notes Norton" has a copy of this song that he will sell you. These are good too. If you're going to use the Audio Chord Wizard, download the file done by the Ventures back in the 60's. I know they did this on one of their early records. Hope this helps.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
Jakob, you know how there's always a deeper story for most things? The fast generation doesn't really generate the tracks any faster, what it does is allow you to start the playback before the song has finished generating. It's a clever idea because how often will somebody immediatly jump to the end? The catch is you have to let the song play for 8 or maybe 12 bars depending on the length and number of RT's before stopping it otherwise Biab locks up until it finishes generating. On a gig that could bite you if you started a tune by mistake and stopped it immediately to pick another one. Of course depending on how you run your gigs, this may never come up anyway. On a modern fast machine full generation usually only takes 15-20 seconds and you can easily cover that by chatting with someone about a request or playing with a setting on your equipment.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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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 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
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®!
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