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I emailed the following to your company, and they suggested that I send my question to this forum. Here is a copy of my email. I look forward to hearing from you. Karen.
"I have been using your program for a number of years now (I have BiB 2010) and have done some nice backings for midi files from the web or from written music files I have converted through Finale Print Music. I am a singer not a musician."
However, my one wish is that you had more styles for middle-of-the road songs, musical theatre songs, non-jazz ballads and light classical music. With this in mind I contacted Garriton Music who have music styles available in the genres I am looking for in their “Instant Orchestra” program. Garriton is available in the Finale Pro series which is too expensive and too complicated for my use. If I bought their stand-alone Instant Orchestra package, would I be able to use this with Band in a Box, which I am now comfortable using?
I am trying to do backings for “Nella Fantasia” and “Memory” at the moment, as well as Agnus Dei by Bizet.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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You absolutely can use GIO with BIAB, and I'm champing at the bit to get GIO myself. I've also put in a request to create BIAB styles specifically for it -- I think we can come up with some fantastic stuff. Since GIO uses the ARIA player, it's very easy to use with BIAB. Here's a tutorial page all about doing so: http://www.pgmusic.com/tutorial_garritan.htm . The most important thing, I think, is to set the ARIA player as the default synth (which will open one instance of ARIA), rather than setting it individually for each instrument (which will open an instance for however many tracks you use it on). Note also that setting ARIA as your default synth does not preclude your using other synths, e.g., Addictive Drums, Alchemy, Rhino, WusicStation, SampleTank, etc., on any given track. (Cue Tim Taylor: "We wanted Band In A Box to have MORE POWER! So... we REWIRED IT!")
Best, Tom SmithWin10/64 • i7-8700K • 24 GB RAM BIAB 2025 • Reaper 7 • Izotope MPS AKG C1000S • IK iRig I/O Pro
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Hi Karen, Welcome to the forums  Given the wording in your letter, I'm not sure if you're aware that these forums are for users of the PG Music suite. People who reply to your post (like me) are not PG Music staff. The answers given are thus based on personal experience. I mention this just so there is no potential for misunderstanding. When you said ... Quote:
I am trying to do backings for “Nella Fantasia” and “Memory” at the moment, as well as Agnus Dei by Bizet.
To do backings for these songs, you'll need to find either a suitable style in BIAB or a suitable midi file that could be used as the basis for the backing. If you intend to use a pre-existing midi file, it's likely that Realband will be more useful to you than BIAB.
The reason for the above is that Garritan provides sounds and midi information is required to play those sounds. BIAB can provide that midi information in the form of a style and since each track in a style (piano, guitar, strings, etc.) has it's own midi channel, it's possible to define a sound for each track. Similarly, if you have a midi file, it possible to define a sound for each channel in the file.
From your post, I formed the impression (probably incorrectly) that you may be expecting Garritan to provide backings in the same way that BIAB does. It will not do this.
Hope this information helps,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2024
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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" I am a singer not a musician."
Wow. Just Wow.
And those who graduated in voice from Julliard or elsewhere, with perhaps a Phd are what? Scholars? Students? not musicians?
John Conley
Musica est vita
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I suspect she really meant to say she is a vocalist and not an instrumentalist.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA BB2025/UMC404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/MixBus/Notion/Finale/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com
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Quote:
I suspect she really meant to say she is a vocalist and not an instrumentalist.
I agree. And I also agree that Real Band may be more what you need, Karen.
The nice thing about DAWs like RB is that you can goof with the MIDI files as much as you want. The Classical Music Archive has the Bizet on this page, and the other two are popular enough that you can just Google them by name and "MIDI".
You can then load the file into RB, and transpose it, assign whatever instruments you want to it, speed it up, slow it down, etc., etc. You can even supplement it with a few tracks of BIAB-generated backing instrumentation.
(I do not mean to condescend to you, and I hope it doesn't sound as if I am. But sometimes, people simply don't know what the software can do, in which case I try to state a few of the basics. Just call me Obvious Man or Exposition Lad.  )
Best, Tom SmithWin10/64 • i7-8700K • 24 GB RAM BIAB 2025 • Reaper 7 • Izotope MPS AKG C1000S • IK iRig I/O Pro
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Hi Karen and another welcome to the forum . . . If I am duplicating an answer already posted please forgive me as I am too lazy to read all the responses above.
If you are looking for good midi string sections for your backings the pickings with BIAB are slim. But with that said I have quite a few "show tunes" on my playlist, including Memory from Cats and have received good responses from audiences where I have performed them. In fact I am putting the finishing touches on Last Night of the World from Miss Saigon as we speak. With all this said I guess the short answer is that as BIAB stands you will not get an exact copy of any backing track, especially the ones requiring string sections but you can arrange some very good backings to every song ever written.
Later,
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Thank you all for your comments.
Yes I am a vocalist not an instrumentalist. I have basic music training and sing mostly by ear, which is why BiB is wonderful for someone like me to do backings with. There is a lot of technical stuff that I don't understand, (Band in a Box for Dummies anyone?) but I have learned so much just by experimenting and tearing out lots of hair!!! However, I love the program and all your comments are very helpful.
I have been in touch with PG music staff and they advised me to bring my query here to this forum.
Singing is my hobby and having the freedom to use my own backing tracks rather than always having to find an accompanist, (good ones are as rare, and as expensive, as hen's teeth here in South Africa), is wonderfully freeing.
I am also 63 and still singing and still learning! Isn't music wonderful?
Karen
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Thank you for your comments. I have also asked PG Music for some classic styles. I am going to have a look at the tutorial link you have given me.
Kind regards
Karen
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Thank you for your reply. I have never used Real Band, but I'll certainly give it a go.
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Ooops! New to forums so posted my previous reply to the wrong person.
Thanks for taking the trouble to reply. Didn't mean to sound arrogant. To me musicians are people who play instruments. Thanks for correcting my perception.
Karen
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Thank you, this is what I meant.
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Karen,
If you go into your other post, then choose "Edit" (up the top of the post and slightly to the right), there's an option to delete. If you do it now before anyone replies to it, it will disappear.
For future reference, the "Edit" option is available 24 hours after a post is submitted.
All the best,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2024
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Thank you for commenting. New to forums but all these replies have been very helpful. I have requested some classic styles from PG Music so hopefully these will appear in time. The staff of PG Music seem to be very helpful and efficient. I am going to have a look at your website.
Kind regards
Karen
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I am very much a "learn as you go along" person. The software is amazing but a lot to get my head around sometimes, so any tips or comments are very weldome.
I have never used real band, but I will certainly try.
Thank you
Karen
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First and most important thing: TAKE YOUR TIME AND HAVE FUN. You will not break anything, there is no "wrong" way to do anything. I do not say this to be facetious or condescending. BIAB and RB are complex hunks o' code, and it's very easy to get lost in all the options. Figure out what simple things you wish to do first, and learn how to do them. Other details will follow. The tutorial pages and videos really can help a lot. We're lucky to have such a supportive company, and an equally supportive community. Ask us questions -- we want to help. And... SAVE FREQUENTLY. Save different versions, preferably at really good stopping points (i.e., just after you've nailed one thing you really wanted to get right and are moving on to the next). We'll be here for you. 
Best, Tom SmithWin10/64 • i7-8700K • 24 GB RAM BIAB 2025 • Reaper 7 • Izotope MPS AKG C1000S • IK iRig I/O Pro
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I have gained a LOT of respect for people who mix and split and woof and whatever! I think if you are performing live and using all the goodies available in BIAB - WOW!
I have loved the journey from complete stranger to anything vaguely technical to being able to listen with pride to some of the songs I have done. I have left my hubby sleeping on his own until the wee hours of the morning trying style after style until I find the right "fit". Then I have had to face getting up and dragging myself to work only a few hours later.
Saving - ah yes - saving! I have burnt my fingers here and lost hours of work.
Thanks for your encouraging words.
Karen
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Hi Karen, I recently bought Instant Orchestra. Haven't had a chance to use it yet. Certainly some interesting sounds. There's quite a few classical & soundtrack styles that I'm hoping to try with it. Certainly liked to see more of the type of styles you mentioned. Quote:
I
However, my one wish is that you had more styles for middle-of-the road songs, musical theatre songs, non-jazz ballads and light classical music.
best wishes
rikki
BIAB 2025
Korg PA5X
Yamaha sx900
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Hi Rikki
Please let me know how easy/difficult it is to use Garriton with BIAB and how you do this. Before I buy, I would really like some input from someone who has used Garriton.
Thanks.
Karen
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I just recently installed my 2012 BIAB Everything pak (hd). Last night I skimmed through the new features guide. Now my head is really swimming due to all the new stuff. Anyway, of particular interest to me is pg. 22-25 that explains how to add a synth. (e.g......Garritan Aria...) to a midi track. However, even though I've been using BIAB for a few years, I still consider myself a rookie. It does appear, to me, that you can now use instruments from the Aria player. I would think that this would really increase the number of strings available for use in BIAB/RB. But, I'm not totally sure that I'm reading/understanding the Guide correctly, so I'm not running out to get Garritan Instant Orchestra yet. More experienced folks please chime in here. Thanks.
Stan
Cornet Curmudgeon
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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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Holiday Weekend Hours
Our Customer Service hours this weekend are as follows:
Friday, April 18: 8:00 - 4:00
Saturday, April 19: closed
Sunday, April 20: closed
Monday, April 21: Regular hours
Thank you!
Band-in-a-Box 2025 French Version is Here!
Bonjour à tous,
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 pour Windows est disponible en Français.
Le téléchargement se fait à partir du site PG Music
Pour ceux qui auraient déjà acheté la version 2025 de Band-in-a-Box (et qui donc ont une version anglaise), il est possible de "franciser" cette version avec les patchs suivants:
BIAB 2025 - francisation
RealBand 2025 - francisation
Voilà, enjoy!
Band-in-a-Box 2025 German Version is Here!
Update Your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 to Build 1128 for Windows Today!
Already using Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 1128 now from our Support Page to enjoy the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.
Stay up to date—get the latest update now!
Update to RealBand® 2025 Build 5 Windows Today!
Already using RealBand® 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 5 now from our Support Page to ensure you have the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.
Get the latest update today!
PowerTracks Pro Audio 2025 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks Pro Audio 2025 is here! This new version introduces many features, including VST3 support, the ability to load or import a .FLAC file, a reset option for track height in the Tracks window, a taller Timeline on the Notation window toolbar, new freeze buttons in the Tracks window, three toolbar modes (two rows, single row, and none), the improved Select Patch dialog with text-based search and numeric patch display, a new button in the DirectX/VST window to copy an effects group, and more!
First-time packages start at only $49. Already a PowerTracks Pro Audio user? Upgrade for as little as $29!
www.pgmusic.com/powertracks.htm
Video: Summary of the New Band-in-a-Box® App for iOS®
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new Band-in-a-Box® app for iOS®! Designed for musicians, singer-songwriters, and educators, this powerful tool lets you create, play, and transfer songs effortlessly on your iPhone® or iPad®—anytime, anywhere.
Band-in-a-Box® for iOS® :Summary video.
Check out the forum post for more information.
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