|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 26
Enthusiast
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 26 |
I've been using BIAB since December 2009 (I am one of those who do the "Decemberish" PG Music purchase thing mentioned earlier) and I am still just scratching the surface on this incredible program!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 92
Enthusiast
|
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 92 |
Quote:
I have one of those E-Mu 1616 breakout boxes that runs off the laptop card and it's been gathering dust for a couple years since I got busy doing other things besides mobile recording. In the meantime that laptop died and the next couple I bought didn't have that big card slot any more.
I dare to say they are probably not being used. I noticed the absence of the pcmcia slot when I started buying more current laptops. I don't upgrade very much, I'm always being dragged kicking and screaming into new technology. I've never used the E-Mu but it looks like a pretty versatile and powerful box. I'm not a big tech person but it seems for laptops everything has gone usb, firewire, or express card slots.
Dell Studio 16 Laptop i7 with 256 gig SSD
BIAB, Reaper, Encore, Sibelius
Roland SD-50
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 123
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 123 |
Jakob,
Yeah I think you are right, they have gone the way of the floppy disk. It's too bad, too, because with the right connections it's a smokin' little unit. It would be hard to find somebody to give it away to now, let alone sell it.
BiaB 2024
Reaper v7.15
Melodyne Essential 5.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 113
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 113 |
Quote:
I've heard of the Roland VSC...was this just a software version of a hardware synth module?
Yes, Roland had a module called the Sound Canvas. Basically a midi box with a synth inside it, or if you like, the electronics from a keyboard without the keyboard itself. But the name Sound Canvas was used across a whole product range that included PC cards and all sorts of things.
Here's a summary http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_Sound_Canvas
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5
Newbie
|
|
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5 |
Me too
I just discovered this as well - looking for a great backing program
I knew a saxophonist in NY that got this and said it was great and I shrugged it off as amateur
I had a real DAW and thats what pros used
Well here I am to say Hi
I am a newby in BIAB and lovin it
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,572
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,572 |
Never too late. Welcome, L5Lover!
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,975
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,975 |
Hi L5 lover,
My (guitarist) brother is looking for a Gibson L5... they're quite valuable these days!
Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 123
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 123 |
Quote:
Quote:
I've heard of the Roland VSC...was this just a software version of a hardware synth module?
Yes, Roland had a module called the Sound Canvas. Basically a midi box with a synth inside it, or if you like, the electronics from a keyboard without the keyboard itself. But the name Sound Canvas was used across a whole product range that included PC cards and all sorts of things.
Here's a summary http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_Sound_Canvas
Thanks DAZZ for the link, that is pretty interesting.
It's a little like looking at my kid's baby pictures!
I have a guitar synth made by Roland that fits inside a floor pedal that probably borrows a lot of the same technology from the SC.
BiaB 2024
Reaper v7.15
Melodyne Essential 5.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 123
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 123 |
Quote:
Me too
I just discovered this as well - looking for a great backing program
I knew a saxophonist in NY that got this and said it was great and I shrugged it off as amateur
I had a real DAW and thats what pros used
Well here I am to say Hi
I am a newby in BIAB and lovin it
You know, I wonder if some kind of campaign is in order? I think there are a lot of us out there who "word of mouth" is not working for or it is hurting more than it is helping. B/C you're right, I think BiaB has been written off by a lot of people as strictly amateur when it is anything but that. It really is a unique product in a crowded field of products that all do basically the same thing.
It DOES something!
A lot of things, actually.
BiaB 2024
Reaper v7.15
Melodyne Essential 5.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Okay let me toss my dime in about the concept of it being "amateur".
When I go up to my studio, I have an idea in my head. Only I know what that idea is, I can't explain that idea in words, but I will know it is right when I hear it. There are 2 options. I can bring in people to play and try to explain what I want, and 50 takes later have something close, or I can use BIAB and in 2 hours have it tracked, recorded, vocals layered in, supporting drums played in from a drum machine, harmonies layered on with my vocoder, supporting keyboard and guitar parts done, saved out to mp3 and sent in an email to the people who are going to play it live.
Sounds like "efficient" would be a better word to me than "amateur". And I would probably NOT have any issues playing a small club gig using it as my band and playing solos live over it. None at all. As it is, there are dozens of people doing a solo around here using iPod tracks as their band. (I saw one last month using his iPhone, and in the middle of a song the phone rang....LOL!!)
I just got this thing 3 days ago. I have 3 songs done. I also use Sonar. The learning curve with Sonar is SO HUGE, AND it requires playing the parts in again and again until you get a take with no clams, something that gets increasingly difficult as I get older and start to deteriorate physically. Arthritis in the hands is a really band thing for guitar and keyboard players, my eyes are starting to go....
I spent WEEKS learning how to use Sonar just well enough to record ONE TRACK. And in fact had to call a friend in for lessons.
For making demos to send out to players for learning purposes, this is the best thing going.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 123
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 123 |
Quote:
And I would probably NOT have any issues playing a small club gig using it as my band and playing solos live over it. None at all. As it is, there are dozens of people doing a solo around here using iPod tracks as their band. (I saw one last month using his iPhone, and in the middle of a song the phone rang....LOL!!)
Down the road I would like to do just that, although not with an iPhone since I don't have one. Is the iPhone app for BiaB really that sophisticated?
Besides the ease of putting tracks together, I've really enjoyed all the instructional stuff in the PG music folder- classical guitar lessons, jazz guitar lessons, blues piano lessons...I've spent more time with those than anything else, and it feels like I've just broken out of a ten-year rut.
Also, there are like 10,000 styles in there that have really brought me back to a lot of styles I've overlooked in the past. The sheer musicality of the program is making me think about stuff for the first time since piano lessons in grade school or trumpet in the stage band in Jr. High.
BiaB 2024
Reaper v7.15
Melodyne Essential 5.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Quote:
Besides the ease of putting tracks together, I've really enjoyed all the instructional stuff in the PG music folder- classical guitar lessons, jazz guitar lessons, blues piano lessons...I've spent more time with those than anything else, and it feels like I've just broken out of a ten-year rut.
Also, there are like 10,000 styles in there that have really brought me back to a lot of styles I've overlooked in the past. The sheer musicality of the program is making me think about stuff for the first time since piano lessons in grade school or trumpet in the stage band in Jr. High.
Absolutely!
BiaB and its music education stuff is worthy.
Just don't be surprised that you sonn find out just how the live cats and chicks you've been playing with can wander meter, drop beats, play at different times and a few other things that will GLARE after working out with BiaB for awhile *grin*.
Workout and practice sessions using what BiaB has to offer can improve *any* serious musician at any level IMO.
And BiaB use can put the kabosh on that ancient "teaching an old dog new tricks" saw, as well.
Have Fun,
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926 |
Quote:
Workout and practice sessions using what BiaB has to offer can improve *any* serious musician at any level IMO.
And BiaB use can put the kabosh on that ancient "teaching an old dog new tricks" saw, as well.
--Mac
That's a BIG 10-4. After 40-plus years, BIAB utterly transformed my electric guitar playing. I was even starting to make some progress on the fretless bass. Time to get back to them both.
Richard
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,216
Posts802,019
Members40,070
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean