|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,504
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,504 |
As many of you know, I'm a MIDI person. I have no use for the Real Tracks and feel that I can make a much better song by exporting MIDI tracks to a good MIDI sequencer, tweaking the music in that sequencer a little bit and playing it with good sounding MIDI modules. I think that using this method, I can take the very good output from BiaB and turn it into something truly excellent. Like many other people, I've made my MIDI suggestions in the wishlist LINK. Unfortunately, all of my wishes haven't been granted yet. But again, I'm not complaining. Through the years since I was introduced to BiaB on the Atari and later Motorola Macs and DOS PCs (we called them IBM compatibles back then), many features have been introduced that I have absolutely no use for; notation (I have encore), the visual drum window, melodist, soloist, Real Band (I find MTPro an easier sequencer for me to use YMMV), Real Tracks and others. I just figure the features that I don't use are for somebody else. Like the songs in a fake book. I buy the book for the songs I want to play, and I figure the songs I don't want to play are just extra. Like the Internet itself, I visit the sites that interest me, and the other sites are for other people. I have no problem with PG adding features for other people. I have also seen the core BiaB program grow through the years. When I started there were only 3 instruments, (piano, bass and drums) with the 'built in' 24 styles, no endings at all, no user styles, very limited chord selection choices, and absolutely no other features at all (no harmonies, melodist, soloist, etc.). It was what it was originally intended to be, a rough, practice tool. Through the years I have also made quite a few suggestions, some of them have been implemented, some of them have not. I don't know the reason behind this because I'm on the outside looking in. I've also made some innovations on my own that PG Music has later included in the core program like shots, multi-styles, EXPANDED, REDUCED, etc. I saw the demand, implemented them on my own, PG saw that it was a good idea, adopted them, and everybody benefits. I am hoping that after the initial love affair with new Real Tracks cools down, PG will be adopting more of the requested innovations in the MIDI part of the core program itself. I don't know which ones can be implemented, which ones PG feels are good suggestions, and which ones they will adopt. Again, on the outside looking in. Like everyone else, I'm like a hungry little bird peeping away to PG, "Feed me! Feed me!". I want my suggestions implemented. But PG has many customers, each peeping away and wanting their own developments. I would assume that the loop people are peeping for more loops and PG is responding. So we MIDI fans need to peep too. Make your suggestions, affirm the suggestions that others have made and you agree with. Do it on the PG Music forum, post them on the wish list, and let PG know what we want. If we peep louder than the others, perhaps we will be fed. Even though I haven't gotten all that I wanted out of BiaB, I still feel it is the best auto-accompaniment program out there. What Peter Gannon and crew have done is truly remarkable. They started out ahead of the pack with BiaB/DOS, long before there was anyone else. They have grown through the years as computer technology has grown. I am a happy BiaB user, and hope to be even happier in the future. I have nothing but admiration for what PG Music has done. But I will continue to put in my requests in the hopes that some of my wishes come true. Hopefully I will make my requests in a friendly, gentlemanly manner and although I will be disappointed if they all don't come true, I will be understanding that I don't know enough about the inner workings and the demands of other customers to know why my requests aren't the most important in the world to PG Music. Thanks Peter Gannon for a great product, thanks for the improvements you have made that I have enjoyed, thanks for the features that make other people happy, and I hope your product will continue to evolve in the future and that some of my wishes will come true. Sincerely, Bob Norton
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,950
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,950 |
Notes, you get award for longest post name! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,610
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,610 |
I know we've had this conversation before. But for my purposes, since the advent of Real Tracks, there is no comparison. I am a jazz pianist and EWI 4000s player. My limited use of BIAB consists of RT bass, RT drums and B3. For my ears, doing an a/b comparison, the feel of the RTs is far superior to midi. I purchased a couple of your midi styles a few years ago before Real Tracks, but once Real Tracks came out midi just didn't cut it for me. This pertains to me only, the same way you feel about midi. Maybe if I were a pop player or in a cover band I would feel different. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone. Later, Ray
Asus Q500A i7 Win 10 64 bit 8GB ram 750 HD 15.5" touch screen, BIAB 2017, Casio PX 5s, Xw P1, Center Point Stereo SS V3 and EWI 4000s.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,703
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,703 |
Notes, very well stated!
By the amount of midi requests that have appeared in Peter’s midi request thread there are lots more midi users of BiaB than I had imagined. I thought I was one of the last of a dying breed but it appears that I’m not alone. Midi is alive and well in many other software companies such as NI, all hardware MFG, Roland, Korg, Akai etc. I hope Peter can incorporate many of the requests that have been listed.
OK, a random thought;
Why does toilet paper need a commercial? Who's not buying it?
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,568
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,568 |
You're right, Mario. There is life in the old standard yet.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 260
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 260 |
Hi ,
I luv the Real Tracks, they sound fantastic.
With midi tracks though, you can have exactly the accompniament you want.
So yeh for midi.
best wishes
rikki
BIAB 2025
Korg PA5X
Yamaha sx900
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815 |
To sound good with midi, you have to be a good composer, take time with editing staff notes, have excellent soundfont libraries (which can be pretty pricey) -- all in all, the skill level and tools required to get midi to sound excellent is pretty high. With realtracks pretty much anyone can sound good! Of course, songwriting is still the key ingredient in having good songs -- but for the masses, realtracks win out over midi (in my opinion).
If I was trying to compose for music libraries, I would have to become a midi expert, but I am not. Midi is great, but I think there is more money to made for PGM with the real tracks stuff.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109 |
Just projecting here, but I think it's significant that many items on the "unfulfilled wish list" actually HAVE been added to Real band. (Higher resolution, multiple midi ports to name 2)
I noticed today for the first time that RB can now generate a whole song from the styles as easily as BIAB can.
It will be interesting to see if RB gets an 8 chord cell anytime soon.
Or a stylemaker for high resolution styles, as requested by Notes.
Hmmmm
STANDARD DISCLAIMERS APPLY-O-METER
0_______________________/_100
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,844
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,844 |
Well, I like MIDI and I like RealTracks. I don't see them as mutually exclusive, but as complementary. I could never notate the riffs that a number of the RealTracks do; but likewise, I still need note control on other tracks - so I need MIDI for that.
RealDrums are great, and I use them, but there are several songs where I used BIAB generated MIDI drums, because I couldn't find a RealDrum that worked better with the song. So, I need MIDI there, too.
So, as Mac always says, I see both as nothing more that more and better tools in my music making arsenal.
I thank Peter for being forward looking enough to provide both.
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)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,163
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,163 |
I am curious  Which specific midi implementation would you like to see Mr Norton? More then one driver in/out has been one of mine for a while. PG & Team have fulfilled one of the best functions in a DAW: Instrument sounds/patches. People save money by not having to buy expensive midi sound modules in order to produce life-like backing tracks with Biab now. I would guess that was the #1 complaint about Biab, for those who thought Biab produced the actual instrument sounds in of itself. I had to sell my Tyros a few months back. I haven't lost any joy with Biab, due to the advent of the Real Tracks. I am also a midiot and will purchase another sound source to use with the Biab midi styles, they are too good to ignore. Having the ability now to assign separate VSTi's to any midi track in Biab is like having multiple midi in/out drivers. It is amazing what the major midi manufacture's are coming up with these days for their sounds/patches. Most have now implemented their patches to sound like real instruments as well. Same with the VST market. Trax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 716
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 716 |
The problem is that BIAB's midi resolution and 2 bar pattern limitation isn't up to capturing the performing dynamics and subtleties of phrasing you can achieve with Real Tracks.
For this reason and want of a more expensive midi module with larger samples, Real Tracks will always sound better by default to many people.
But this isn't some immutable truth; it's just the way PG have chosen to develop BIAB.
If midi patterns of 4 or 8 bar length were achievable as standard without the need to use bar masks then this would allow for more natural sounding comping patterns to emerge in midi without the clunkiness, lack of continuity and random quality you get with a two bar limit.
I guess it's the question of whether BIAB wants to become a true arrangers platform as opposed to mainly a performer's instant practice tool. Most people are happy with the ability to generate an instant sketch or 'arrangement' of sorts, even if the dynamics and variation of a real band are often missing. Shots and holds and pushes help but are not the whole answer.
Midi styles need to be more internally varied mirroring real practice in a performing situation. User defined chord voicings should be achievable and the oft-asked for ability to have chords entered on an eighth note time base .
These are the kinds of arranger-friendly possibilities BIAB has shied away from in the past five or six years since real tracks/real drums first became available. Questions of sound aside, audio loops are a done deal editing-wise and they can take away as much in creative flexibility just as they add in authenticity.
Regards
Alan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 260
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 260 |
Hi, true the real tracks sound better than midi tracks, but there's a number of styles that aren't covered by real tracks and may not be worth pg's while doing. There's no clasical, there's no soundtrack styles just to name a couple genre's. Ok, probably most users don't delve into midi style creation or style editing, but the functions do exist. Editing a style to make it a bit more suitable, shouldn't be all that difficult. I've edited a few. Quote:
To sound good with midi, you have to be a good composer, take time with editing staff notes, have excellent soundfont libraries (which can be pretty pricey) -- all in all, the skill level and tools required to get midi to sound excellent is pretty high. With realtracks pretty much anyone can sound good! Of course, songwriting is still the key ingredient in having good songs -- but for the masses, realtracks win out over midi (in my opinion).
If I was trying to compose for music libraries, I would have to become a midi expert, but I am not. Midi is great, but I think there is more money to made for PGM with the real tracks stuff.
best wishes
rikki
BIAB 2025
Korg PA5X
Yamaha sx900
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,869
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,869 |
Well Alan some interesting points. I dont use the MIDI side of BIABand I dont use RealBand.
The addition of VST plugins has opened up a new world here
Given good plugins a lot can be done, but your point about mirroring the slight ideosynchacies of a performance is also important. If you play eight notes in a row its natural to play the first and fifth notes louder and the third and seventh also to a lesser degree (assuming its nto reggae of 3/4).
Another problem is that MIDI instruments function with note off. Some real instruments function this way, and its also possible to let a note decay, but the passage from one note to the next on various acoustic instruments is by no means clear cut. Some instruments have a muted characteristic transition at least in legato playing - I am thinking of valve instruments, some insturments like guitar have some notes that often continue (the open strings) and others that rarely do - the fingering of guitars can also vary from note to note, from ghost notes to more staccato attacks, strums sound some notes more than others, and this all adds to the character of the sound.
Each instrument has its unique characteristics in this repsect and emulating them makes for a more authentic performamce. To do this one must know how the instrument operates and also how to achieve this using MIDI and the actual sample set you have
Win 11 64, Asus Rog Strix z390 mobo, 64 gig RAM, 8700k
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 152
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 152 |
Hi All,
I don't want to be rude or disrepsectful or detract from the superb work that Notes Norton have done with band in the box midi styles and fake books and improvements. But I do think Notes Norton are reliant on midi for sales of the packages they offer for sale and as I would too, tend to be a little biast towards wanting more developement and promoting of midi, so I do see the point.
I suspect that PG can't do everything at once and spent a lot of developement time on new features for the latest upgrades to keep the company running. I'm sure it will all fall in to place in time and MIDI & Realtracks will be PERFECT.
I recently bought some NN Fake Book biab songs disks and although very good I found afterwards I really needed the Style disks to go with them to do them justice which I can't afford at the moment so was a little dissapointed as it will turn out to much more expensive than I first thought.
I certainly think any improvements to MIDI will be greatly received by all that use it including myself. I love the quality of the Realtracks and drums but I also love the versatility of midi and providing you have a good sound bank/keyboard or whatever the midi can be just as good.
I tend to mix and match and use both often depending on the type of project I am working on. There is room for BOTH realtracks and MIDI. I don't think you can favour one over the other, it's down to what people find the best tool for the job they are working on. I would think though that many new to biab these days would possibally not be into midi or know much about it with the changing times and equipment so are being introduced and using only realtracks.
It's brilliant that we now have the choice thanks to PG and the team's insights and hard work that biab has come so far since those old Dos days.
Can't get enough.
Regards. Jeff
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 303
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 303 |
generally, for composing quickly, I prefer MIDI too. The realtracks sound great but they are too slow to work with, there's no easy way to discern where is whatever you are looking for, and cannot be edited easily if they have something in them that you don't like, .e.g. too many passing notes, etc
The problem with MIDI...the sounds suck so bad. But for writing music without taking 1 day it's still the best way to go.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,163
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,163 |
If you are wanting band dynamics, you'll definitely need a midi sequencer for post edits. Voila: RealBand. I usually use Bass, Drums and String parts from Biab midi styles and "build" from there recording the other parts. It can be done though. I have heard midi songs for sale that have been made with Biab. I can't remember if it was Midi Hits or not, but I immediately recognized the Biab styles used to make the songs with. If you spend some time with Biab, you will recognize parts in peoples songs.
Trax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259 |
I'm wondering if one reason that real tracks seem to be the currently more popular "tool" is because of the expense of buying a hardware midi synth. I realize that there are expensive software synths also, but there are many decent free and/or good inexpensive ones such as Coyote Forte. I like to work with notation and midi just seems easier for me as an amateur. I've purchased a number of Note's FB disks and they have saved me a lot of time. However, I have also downloaded some freebie midi files and have edited some arrangements to suit our needs. I could not have ended up with the same results with an audio file. I'm thinking that PG Music provides products that appeal to customer popularity and provide the best sales volume. That's what being in business is all about.
I have been curious as to how an all-midi PG Music BIAB/RB package might sell, but I'm not sure I'll ever see that. While I have no quality complaints relating to Notes' style disks, I would like to see a discount package deal for Norton's styles including on a particular fake books disk. I would be willing to pay for such a package if the price is reasonable. Of course "reasonable" is a relative term. I have actually ignored choosing certain fb tunes because the style used for it was not readily available. Just sayin..
Stan
Cornet Curmudgeon
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
Expense is not a consideration for me.
Don't drop that dime.
I used midi since day 1, and am into RealTracks now. I have a few times I want midi, but not often.
There's a program, get with it!
John Conley
Musica est vita
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,504
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,504 |
Quote:
Notes, you get award for longest post name!
I'd like to thank the academy, my booking agent, my fans, and especially my mom
Quote:
I know we've had this conversation before. But for my purposes, since the advent of Real Tracks, there is no comparison. <...>
Sounds like you need a better MIDI synthesizer. I have sounds that are 95% as good as the instruments they emulate, and with the editing ability of MIDI, I can easily surpass what the RTs offer.
Quote:
Notes, very well stated!
By the amount of midi requests that have appeared in Peter’s midi request thread there are lots more midi users of BiaB than I had imagined. I thought I was one of the last of a dying breed but it appears that I’m not alone.<...>
From the feedback I get, it seems like most professionals and dedicated hobbyists seem to prefer the MIDI styles for the reasons I describe here: http://www.nortonmusic.com/midi_vs_loops.html
The fact that MIDI has survived so long and is still used in so many contemporary recordings are credit to the versatility of the format and the insight and foresight of the developers. There have been entire major motion picture soundtracks done with MIDI, every modern synthesizer has MIDI at it's core, and I would guess the majority of major studio recordings include some MIDI.
Quote:
To sound good with midi, you have to be a good composer, take time with editing staff notes, have excellent soundfont libraries (which can be pretty pricey) -- all in all, the skill level and tools required to get midi to sound excellent is pretty high.<...>
I respectfully disagree. One good sound module is all you need, sountfonts or not, most sound cards are pretty lame by comparison. So with a good MIDI sound module you get 95% as good sounds as the RTs, and with some tweaking in a sequencer, you can surpass the musicality of the RTs by editing, adding song specific licks, etc. And didn't we buy BiaB to play with the music anyway? If all you want is a backing track like the record, you would be better off with karaoke files.
And without any editing at all, take one sound, clean guitar and one sound module, my SD-90. Say I am happy with the guitar part, but I'd like to change the sound. With a few mouse clicks and no editing skill at all I can choose between: Clean Rear Pickup ... Telecaster Rear Pickup ... Strat Rear Pickup #2 ... Old Clean Gt ... Clean Half ... Telecaster Front Pick up ... Chorused Clean ... Jazz Chorus ... Mid Tone Gt ... Telecaster Front Pickup #2 ... Gibson ES-335 ... 335 drive ... and that's just for the clean guitar patch. Other guitar patches have as many variations.
That doesn't mean RTs are bad. I'm awed at what PG has done with them. It's just that they cannot be edited and improved. Auto-accompaniment is generic by its nature -- and it has to be. A little editing in a MIDI sequencer can turn the good but generic output of BiaB into something song-specific and more musically satisfying.
Quote:
I am curious Which specific midi implementation would you like to see Mr Norton?<...>
Check out the link in my original post, they are listed there.
Quote:
Hi All,
I don't want to be rude or disrepsectful or detract from the superb work that Notes Norton have done with band in the box midi styles and fake books and improvements. But I do think Notes Norton are reliant on midi for sales of the packages they offer for sale and as I would too, tend to be a little biast towards wanting more developement and promoting of midi, so I do see the point.<...>
That's a fair statement and yes I do depend on MIDI sales. On the other hand, I have lots of software that can manipulate audio loops, and I have lots of loops. I spent some time playing with that format. But I found that loops are good for parroting what others have done, but you cannot take them any farther. With MIDI I can be much more creative, and I also can be creative by modifying what others have done to make it more personal and express my own creative insights.
Quote:
<...>The problem with MIDI...the sounds suck so bad. But for writing music without taking 1 day it's still the best way to go.
MIDI has no sound. The sound depends on your synth. So it isn't MIDI that sounds bad, it's the synth or soundcard synth you are using to play them.
Quote:
I'm wondering if one reason that real tracks seem to be the currently more popular "tool" is because of the expense of buying a hardware midi synth. <...>
Another good point.
However, through the life of a good MIDI sound module, they aren't that expensive at all. The synth modules I purchased in the 80s and have been under daily heavy use since then are still operating flawlessly. They worked under DOS all versions of Windows, Motorola Macs, IBM Macs, Intel Macs and all versions of the Mac OS. If there is a hard drive that has been used 8 or more hours per day since the 1980s, I want to see it. Those RT Loops take up a lot of hard drive room, and that hard drive will eventually crash, so you had better have a second hard drive as a back up, and it too will eventually crash. Although the initial expense of a good MIDI sound module can be a couple of hundred bucks, in the long run that can run less than $25 per year.
Now in conclusion to this lengthy post. I'm not dissing the Real Tracks. As I said this is a supportive post. PG Music has done some fabulous things with them. And there is more than one right way to make music. Some people will use all RTs, some with mix RTs with MIDI and some will use MIDI exclusively. I think the suggestions that I and others have made will help the latter two groups if they are and if they can be implemented.
There are features that I will never use in BiaB. Those features are for other people. I have no problem with them being there. On the other hand, the features I use involve MIDI and there is nothing wrong with me making suggestions to PG Music to improve the part of the program that I use most. Peter Gannon and crew have always been very receptive to the wishes of their customers, it's one reason why BiaB is still number one. I can't say enough good things about PG and BiaB.
But since PG has already put in place a lot of the innovations that we have asked them to, I think I correctly assume that PG cares what their customers want and is eager to satisfy their customers. I want PG to know what they can do to further increase the usefulness of BiaB to the core of MIDI users of the program. I feel confident that PG will listen to the suggestion of the MIDI and other users, and make decisions for the future path of BiaB according to the wants of all their customers.
If PG continues to develop both the core MIDI functions and the RealTracks, it becomes a win/win situation for all the BiaB users. So I feel it's important for all of us to tell PG where we want to go. That can do nothing but help PG Music keep BiaB as the number one auto-accompaniment app on the planet.
Insights and incites by Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259 |
Yes Bob, your point is made that when you average the cost of a synth over it's life, the annual cost is not much. The problem for some of us is that we don't have the big bucks to invest in an expensive synth to start with.
Also a good point about hard drive crashes. That's why we use Carbonite even though I have a hard drive that I could use for backup. Carbonite is transparent so I don't even have to think about backing up.
Stan
Cornet Curmudgeon
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
Topics86,203
Posts801,925
Members40,067
| |
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