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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 26
Enthusiast
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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!
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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 |
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
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 123
Apprentice
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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
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 113
Apprentice
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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
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5
Newbie
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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
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,446
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,446 |
Never too late. Welcome, L5Lover!
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944 |
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.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 123
Apprentice
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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
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 123
Apprentice
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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
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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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.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 123
Apprentice
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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
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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 |
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
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
Veteran
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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."
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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!
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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!
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- 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)
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- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
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- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
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- 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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