|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4
Newbie
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4 |
I'm getting conflicting information from PG Music. I'm running 2011 and this is my problem (trying to find out if 2012 rectified the problem):
I create a song... then halfway through, for example, I want to change the style. I go to the 'change style' process and I'm able to select any style. However, I want to know what that style sounds like to see if it works with the original style. In version 2011 you cannot rehearse/hear the intended style change. You have to make your selection and then play your song... and if you don't like it, you have to go through the whole process again to listen to the new style.
Did 2012 fix this... can you change style at any point in the song and rehearse any new style before saying "yes, that's what I want at bar 42 (or wherever)... or do you have to do the same thing... pick a new style, exit to the original song window and listen... or can you rehearse/hear the intended style change first?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
To me that's a workflow question. If I had a song I was serious about, I'd audition the styles all first, write it down, and then do it.
Secondly it only takes a wee moment to click save as, give it Version1mytune as the name, then open the first file and mess around, save version2, etc. All in a new folder.
I also chop the song up so that I don't have to listen to more than I want, nor do I want it to take a long time to make my tracks, just work.
I doubt you are going to hit nirvanna with this, simply by the upgrade. But heck, maybe that's the ticket.
It's been a while since I really got into the song production mode. I did use Band in a Box and some great tricks to get Holst's planets for a soundtrack I needed on a video. But I design the potential workflow questions on paper, sketch the requirements, and often hand write parts of the score before I open Band in a Box.
On any big project my 'office' was lined with those flip chart pages hung with masking tape, and big points and flow charts and information all around me. I even papered over the windows in my office a few times. Of course I'm NUTS and know it.
Good Luck.
John Conley
Musica est vita
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 410
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 410 |
Quote:
........or can you rehearse/hear the intended style change first?...
2012 has a web demo button on the style picker. So if they have a demo, and if you have net access on your music computer, then you can audition the style lol. I'll have to say that when it works, it does connect and stream very fast, making for a much quicker audition than any render could provide. I don't think they have all styles available tho, because I sometime get a file not found error.
I think it would be great if they had a four bar render that you could listen too. Something for the wish list I guess.
Still, 2012 is a great upgrade imo. All the new features are great. The direct input feature supplies a clean track instead of a driven or heavily effected sound and makes over a hundred tracks far more usable.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4
Newbie
|
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4 |
I can demo it no problem... pick the style, go back into the song, and listen. But if it doesn't work, you need to go through the process again. What I'm looking for, if it exists... is to pick a new style (a change a bar # whatever) and listen to it to see how it sounds to save 2-3 steps and to save time, considering all the possible styles.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,486
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,486 |
Hi BDJ, If this was my problem, what I'd do is ... - Save the file with a new name.
- Open two instances of BIAB.
- In the first instance of BIAB, I'd load the orginal file and in the second instance of BIAB, I'd open the newly created file.
- I would then use that second instance of BIAB to audition the styles. When I found one that I liked, I'd go back to the original first instance of BIAB with the original file and modify the changing of styles.
To get this working, you may need to check that multiple instances of BIAB is activated in preferences. See yellow cross below.  Hope this gives some food for thought, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
Good work around. I have opened 2 at once a few times but...never crossed my alleged mind.
John Conley
Musica est vita
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,840
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,840 |
Don't forget the setting in StylePicker to play the style when double clicking it. That regenerates your arrangement, but leaves StyleMaker open to double click on another style. I've used this technique for many years.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,598
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,598 |
Quote:
If this was my problem, what I'd do is ...
- Save the file with a new name.
- Open two instances of BIAB.
- In the first instance of BIAB, I'd load the orginal file and in the second instance of BIAB, I'd open the newly created file.
- I would then use that second instance of BIAB to audition the styles. When I found one that I liked, I'd go back to the original first instance of BIAB with the original file and modify the changing of styles.
To get this working, you may need to check that multiple instances of BIAB is activated in preferences.
Noel
That's a good idea, thanks!
Quote:
Don't forget the setting in StylePicker to play the style when double clicking it. That regenerates your arrangement, but leaves StyleMaker open to double click on another style. I've used this technique for many years.
The problem here is that you actually load the style you're previewing, and you can't return to your previous arrangment without saving the file previously, or using Noel's workaround. I think it would better that, if you press CANCEL after previewing styles the way you explain, you simply return to your previous arrangment because no style was loaded. That would be a simple and very useful "preview" system, IMO.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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!
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,048
Posts799,343
Members40,015
| |
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