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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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kristen Offline OP
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I recently got one of these android phones (inherited from my son who moved on to iphone) and saw the biab music app. I have biab 2011 but i still can't understand how it works.
Can it actually produce backup music?
Can it do anything "on its own" without a computer? If not, whats the sense in having it?
Is there a video or could someone describe how they would actually use this app?
I do not have it and don't really want to waste any money unless i actually know what it does.

thanks
kristen


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It's 99 cents right?

There is a video here on the website.

Your home computer has to be on.

You need to do some prep work.

I know a guy who uses a laptop and an old version of Band in a Box to input chords in a bar when someone asks for a song. He does it during a break. I've seen it and it scared me, he can just go OH YEA, that song, and in 60 seconds he's ready to play his guitar and it sounds decent.

If I could do that for say, California Dreaming in a bar in 60 seconds I'd be Santa Claus.

From scratch without a book that would take me about 2 weeks. Honest. I could re-shingle my big old house alone faster than figure out those chords. But if his computer was setup at home and he put in the chords and picked a style it would roll his track.

I got the app, tested it, and have it running but I have no use for it. I do however have a free compass app for the wife. She's always telling me stuff. No kidding. This morning she texted me about a rainbow in the east, ....west...maybe north. Lived in the same house for 22 years and she's lost. It was south west, I looked.

I still think I liked my blackberry better. But I can find a website and sort of read it, I still get 2 newspapers and would rather my coffee and paper. Slippers, dog, library, smoking jacket, (without the smoke) and the sun through the trees. Jazz on the radio.


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>>> Can it actually produce backup music?

Yes. WHen it is hooked up to the desktop version (within your house network, or across the network), you can type in chords, generate songs and play them on the Android/Iphone, and they are stored on the mobile device as mp4 files, so can be replayed any time (replay them without a connection to desktop)


>> Can it do anything "on its own" without a computer?

Yes. When you are hooked up to the computer, you can download hundreds of your songs to the device in a single method (Get All Songs). This gets all songs that are present in the c:\bb\bb2Go folder. YOu can have pre-made mp4 files for them (using BB desktop program menu-Windows-BB2Go) , so you won't have to generate them, as the audio is there. Then, on your device you have your favorite songs, and they play instantly (without having to be hooked up to a PC). You see the chord chart, and it highlights the current bar, and the audio plays.


Is there a video or could someone describe how they would actually use this app?

Yes, videos are here:
http://www.pgmusic.com/support.iphone.htm#videos

Once nice thing is that by the songs being generated on the desktop version, they are high quality, as they use the RealTracks and Soloists etc. when they are part of the song.


So in summary, the typical uses are:

1. As a one-time procedure, copy your song library to the Android/iPhone BB version, complete with mp4 audio of the arrangments. You then can play those tunes anytime (without hooking up to the desktop BB) , with the chord progressions, RealTracks, melody etc all heard as you see the leadsheet.

2. WHen you are hooked up to the desktop version, you could redo the arrangments, or type in new songs, if you want to do that on your mobile device (or are miles away from your desktop version)


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Peter Gannon
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I don't care about live playback since I mix everything for MP3/WMA playback. I have a huge library that I have printed out in a large binder so I can read certain charts for melody or chord changes. If the app for Android allows me to view my collection this would be a tremendous feature.

In effect the user would have a "BIAB Fakebook" viewer. Given the huge availability of BIAB songs this would sell like hotckaes as an app. If it could also display lyrics even better! My goal is to ditch the 4" binder and view my lyrics and charts on a device that fits into my pocket. If the playback of a rendered WMA/MP3 were to sync with playback this would be fantastic. I was already thinking about converting all my lyrics to PDFs for easy cartage.

Sounds like the existing app does this? Comments please.

Last edited by dpresley; 06/24/11 02:10 PM.
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As a side note, and maybe Peter can elaborate further, when you use this app. you have turned your computer at home into a server. A sever on the Internet requires a little more attention to security. Just saying.


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To clarify: I am most interested in option #1 above.

So... as a one time procedure can I then view and playback my BIAB files previosly made at home without a connection? Again I would like to use Android as a playback device and viewer for my files when performing them live. I need to check out the demo video above but this would appear to be a break thru application. A friend has a Fakebook app on the Iphone which we have used on occasion for transposing tough tunes like Ipanema when some one wants it in a key other than F.

Again viewing and playback alone would be enough to get me to purchase an Android and leave the laptop/binder at home.

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Changes only. Aside from PLAYING the tune (which admittedly is a neat thing) RealBook Android will show you changes and transpose with less hassle.)


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>>> As a side note, and maybe Peter can elaborate further, when you use this app. you have turned your computer at home into a server. A sever on the Internet requires a little more attention to security. Just saying.

The applet Band-in-a-BoxServer.exe isn't really a server. Its just a communication exchange between the iPhone app and BB. If you're using it on your LAN (within your house), I can't think of any security issues. If you're using it over the internet, you're opening 2 ports on your router - there are already many open ports on the router. We haven't heard of any security issues there either though. If you have AV software running, that should be good enough.


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Peter Gannon
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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
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  • Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
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Video: New User Interface (GUI)

Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!

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You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!

Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

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Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!

Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

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.

Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!

Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

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