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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 47
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 47 |
Thinking of buying a SD-50 (have downloaded all the user manuals from roland website and compared) - anyone got a patch map for it?
What I learnt:
SD-50 - midi module plus usb midi/wav/mp3 player. You can send midi messages to it whilst the usb player is playing - handy if you want to play e.g. a melody line over backing tracks. Can also alter key and tempo. Sounds right for me as I play keyboards in a couple of bands and also do gigs with a sax player where I have done all the backing tracks via BIAB.
Sonic Cell - midi module plus usb midi/wav/mp3 player. Says you can't send midi to it whilst usb player is playing. "Input/output of USB audio and MIDI messages cannot be used at the same time that the SMF/Audio File Player is playing". No key change. Lots of effects and expandable - designed for those who like tweaking sounds. Probably better sounds than SD-50???
BK-7M - midi module plus usb midi/wav/mp3 player plus accompaniment. Last part is like on many keyboards - you choose what style and it reacts to the chords you play, but you can at least set up lots of parameters beforehand and trigger changes with one button. Can't really see the point if you have BIA, where you can drive either of the two above direct from laptop or store midi files on USB stick and play those. I suppose you could argue that the backing will not be so rigid, and you can pop in another verse or chorus if you feel like it, but you're still going to have play all the chords in your left hand (piano/keyboard) and whilst that may be good for e.g. jazz, not so sure it's how I want to play other stuff.
Please shout if you've got one of the above and I've got it wrong or have missed something important!!?? Hope to get down the music store and try them all out soon.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021 |
Have you checked out the Ketron?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 47
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 47 |
Not yet, am downloading brochure now - looks interesting, thanks.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021 |
It's a great sounding unit but have not heard the others though.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 47
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 47 |
Looks good, and people rave about the sounds, but it doesn't have a USB port for playing midi/mp3 from a USB stick and that's high on my wishlist at present to save carrying round the laptop.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 47
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 47 |
Ok, bought the SD-50, and thought I would share some experiences.
1.I have sent patch file to PGMusic and they have put in on the website - thanks.
2.Playing standard MIDI files/songs from BIAB - you can choose between CONTEMPORARY (default) and CLASSIC for GM2 sounds - go for CLASSIC. CONTEMPORARY sounds weird (to me) for playing midi files, and the volumes are all strange, and the whole thing sounds muddy. I was getting ready to take the unit back when I tried the CLASSIC setting and hey presto, all was well. Lots of other sounds on the other banks - still playing with all of those. Guitars and sax all a bit weak (as on many synths) but strings / brass / synth sounds all very good and that's what I need (we have live guitars and sax in the band).
3.BIAB midi driver setup is SD-50 MIDI on the input and SD-50 on the output
4.The ability to change keys / tempo on both midi files and MP3s is magic - bung a USB stick in with the songs you want to play, try a song out and if your vocalist doesn't like the key, just change it. I know we keyboard chaps have transpose buttons, and some of us can transpose on the fly, but this is super quick and neat for agreeing in what key you want. Then you can start worrying about actually playing it in that key!
5.For live work I set up a studio set with 16 pre-programmed instruments (you can have up to 3 studio sets) - load the set, and then just change the channel on my midi ctlr keyboard to choose a different instrument, which gives me a very quick change.
6.You can play live from keyboard plus PC or USB stick playing files at same time. When using BIAB on laptop I use Thru channel for keyboard live. Have to juggle a bit with volumes to get balance right, but I just store BIAB songs now with Thru volume at 127, and I can change that from the keyboard as I'm playing.
Hope that all makes sense!! Shout if you need more / disagree or whatever!
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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 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!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows 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)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
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 PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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!
Watch the video.
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.
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 Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac 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.
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.
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