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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 73
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 73 |
I've watched the recent videos and read a lot of the info on PG Music's site but I'm still not clear what to buy. I'm now using B-N-B 2006 and Power Tracks Pro Audio V.11. I want to upgrade both to whatever the newest version of each might be that does not require audio (.wav, etc) files. I want to work exclusively in the midi environment. In view of this I know I do not want any of the RealBand versions. At one point I thought B-N-B 2010 could be used midi only but then I wasn't sure. From what I understand about PTP Audio, it appears that I might be able to use it midi only but again I'm not sure. Any ideas?
Thanks,
DVJ
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,624
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,624 |
Biab, Realband and Powertracks can all be used for just midi.
I'd suggest the basic BiaB2010, which includes RB. RB is pretty much the same thing as Powertracks, with some added features.
Powertracks would be cheaper, but it does not have anywhere near the midi song creation features of BiaB.
Since BiaB comes with Realband, that would be how to get both; just don't buy the packages with extra realtracks if you don't want them.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,972
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,972 |
Quote:
I've watched the recent videos and read a lot of the info on PG Music's site but I'm still not clear what to buy. I'm now using B-N-B 2006 and Power Tracks Pro Audio V.11. I want to upgrade both to whatever the newest version of each might be that does not require audio (.wav, etc) files. I want to work exclusively in the midi environment. In view of this I know I do not want any of the RealBand versions. At one point I thought B-N-B 2010 could be used midi only but then I wasn't sure. From what I understand about PTP Audio, it appears that I might be able to use it midi only but again I'm not sure. Any ideas?
Thanks,
DVJ
While any of the three applications you mention (BIAB 2010, RB v4 or the very new PTPA 2010) can all handle MIDI, the reality is these applications have long ago crossed over to full audio. So for just MIDI work BIAB for it accompanyment and back tracks combined with PowerTracks for its sequencer would be more than capable to handle all things MIDI.
However, I don't understand your aversion to audio?? ... and the new world or RT's?? Seems you may be better off just staying with the older versions of BIAB and PTPA since the fundemental MIDI capabilites have not changed all that much since then.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,976
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,976 |
You would likely want either the Pro verision or the MegaPAK. All of the MIDI styles are included in the MegaPA (about 1700), whereas about 300 are included with the Pro version. You can see information and order here http://www.pgmusic.com/bandbox.htmThere are 25 additional programs that we have in the MIDI envoirnment connected to Band-in-a-Box. This is the Songs and Lessons Pak, for $99. http://www.pgmusic.com/songsandlessonsPAK.htm
Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
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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 |
Go with the MegaPak IMO.
The more styles you have, the more versatile the program...
Have Fun,
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 73
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 73 |
Hi,
Your responses are very helpful. I do all my audio recording and editing in my Protools rig that includes several external sound modules as well as several soft synths. Although Protools midi capabilities have grown much better lately, Power Tracks Pro has some superior editing features. I especially value the way PTPA handles notation editing and the swing grid mode. It is nothing short of genius!
I've been a BIAB and PTP user since the early 1990s and have all the addons through the 2006 version. I also have a fair selection of the Norton addons. I use the song arranging and midi file production of BIAB followed by the midi file manipulation and editing of PTPA to generate a midi file ready to render to audio. Then at that point, I simply import it into Protools. That process automatically puts each midi channel on it's own track with program changes, volume, velocity, tempo, etc. all intact. From there I'm ready to jump into the audio portion of my project. (I don't usually care for drum and/or other sample loops.)
So, with all that in mind it seems that the 2010 MegaPak and my present PTPA Version 11 might be all that I need.
Many Thanks,
DVJ
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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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2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac 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)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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 PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: 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.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Holiday Weekend Hours
As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:
April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours
Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
— Team PG
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
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.
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