|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2
Newbie
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2 |
Hi,
I currently have BIAB 2008 Windows, am looking at upgrading to 2011, because of the "real" bands. I play jazz piano, and want to create bass and drum backing tracks, for a jazz trio sound. I really won't be using the non-jazz styles at all.
Question: To get a workable selection of jazz "real" band options, what do I need?
- Is the basic Pro version adequate?
- Do I need the MegaPak? Seems like with the MegaPak I'm paying for a lot of styles I don't want/need.
- Pro version plus some particular jazz style sets or RealPaks?
OR, with RealPaks or sets, do I even need to upgrade to 2011?
Thanks for any thoughts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,163
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,163 |
If you want the best sounding instruments, you will need the Real Tracks. My advice is to buy as much of a Biab package as you can. I upgraded to the Ultra HD pack and it comes with ALL of the Real Tracks, including Smooth Jazz. Check out my demo song I made yesterday. It is one style with 5 Real Tracks, SmJzPop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POyWq8ih95cTrax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 300
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 300 |
Sounds awesome, could you share the procedure you used, like maybe a mini tutorial 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,163
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,163 |
Layout your song structure/chord sequence in Biab. Selected the SmJzPop style. Generated the tracks and saved. Opened in Realband, selected bars for Sax solo and generated, then same for the Guitar.
I selected about 4 bars of the guitar part and used the audio harmony in Realband to generate a 1 up harmony.
In Realband, I set the "default track category" (they are DX Plug In effects) for each instrument and adjusted to taste via the mixer. I added the Tremelo Plug In to the E Piano and Rhythm Guitar as well. Then I added a PG Reverb in the Aux 1 slot. That gives all of the instruments the same Reverb setting. Adjust knob 1 on each track for amount to be applied to each track.
It took me about 40 minutes to have a WMA file of the song and 3 hours to make the video, lol.
Trax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2
Newbie
|
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2 |
Quote:
If you want the best sounding instruments, you will need the Real Tracks. My advice is to buy as much of a Biab package as you can.
Thanks. Nice track.
But ... as mentioned above, I have a particular objective in mind, and my question is what I need for that specific purpose. Buying everything isn't really what I'm looking for.
I'm interested in: bass . . . drums . . . jazz
Thoughts?
Thanks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
It's cheaper to get more in the end.
I've found that often starting with a style that is not real tracks and adding and trying out different things is the best in the end. That said there are some styles that cross over, and many realtracks that cross over. In a lot of the styles when you choose jazz it suggests a certain country or rock style. With a pencil and paper you make note of the tracks that might be good, say a guitar. You keep your jazz style and do a sort of fusion with the suggested guitar track and often the result is great.
I play piano. I like a certain jazz style a lot, it has electric guitar (jazz) plus bass and drums. I find myself filling in the melody on keys, then improvising over it for the 2nd verse, and back to the melody. When I was playing in homes for older (or people like me who've aged early), I found you had to play the actual melody and if you spent too much time away from it they didn't like it. So take "White Cliffs of Dover" though not a very vintage Jazz tune, a good one, and they like the tune and croon away, same verse 3 times. It's cute until Wanda hit me because I didn't play Fur Elise 3 times, and man that cane hurt.
I hear what you are saying. I'd also talk to the sales department at PG music, and specify what you want, and see what they say. I'm sure they will be of great assistance. BTW, I think Monday is a holiday even out west, we call it Family Day.
John Conley
Musica est vita
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,919
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,919 |
Simply do the math. Even if all you need is the Jazz RT's - if you get the striped down Pro versions and then buy your RTs individually the price for the 5 sets of Jazz tracks is $420 alone. So getting the more inclusive packages is more cost effective.
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,560
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,560 |
These guys speak from experience, many of us have been down that road...
If you truly only want swing jazz (or whatever) you can look at what come in each pack and decide, but most of us ended up hearing something someone else did, and realized we would have liked to have that option.. the larger packs are the better deal as opposed to eventually buying a bunch of realtracks.
The megapak does seem to include a number of additional jazz styles and realtracks compared to pro.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 23
Enthusiast
|
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 23 |
Like you I'm a jazz-only guy. I tried first upgrading to BiaB 2011 and buying a couple of add-on jazz RealTrack packs, but I found that left some useful styles incomplete (the vibes comping, for instance, had no bassist). I could have overcome the problem by loading a different bassist manually, but I figured it wasn't worth the hassle. So I upgraded again to the UltraPlusPak. I reckon it's worth it.
The RealTracks are a vast improvement on the old midi tracks. I was getting depressed about my little GBD trio going down the tubes and not being able to find pro-level players to jam with, especially on my own compositions and arrangements. Now I've been able to create good backings for them, which inspire me to work on them again. I'm particularly pleasantly surprised at how well the vibes comping works on some modern compositions of mine (unusual progressions with slash chords). The B3 comping is great fun too.
Keith Freeman
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,106
Posts800,284
Members40,037
| |
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