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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 28
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 28 |
Hi all!!!!!!
My apologies if I've posted this in the wrong section.
A number of members responded to my first post with some very helpful answers and suggestions, which I appreciated very much. Today, I have listened to a number of songs in the 'Users' Showcase' and I'm very impressed! There are some really talented people on this forum.
I'm currently working towards purchasing either the Everything Pack or most probably, the Audiophile Edition of BiaB 2012. Why the Audiophile Edition? 1) Because I don't want to have to download any files; 2) Because of the uncompressed files. I have a friend who said she would like to work on a few songs with the view of producing a professional - type CD in the future,(her CD, not mine) so this is where I feel the uncompressed files of the Audiophile Edition would be the better option at this point ... and, I believe uncompressed files are quicker and easier to work with. Some say they can hear the difference between the compressed and uncompressed files; others say they can't hear the difference, but I feel the uncompressed files would be better to work with in regard to a pro-type CD. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong regarding this.
I have a few more questions I want to ask in the hope of being guided in the right direction. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. As far as software / hardware, all I have so far is:
- Pending purchase of BiaB.
- Roland A90 EX Master MIDI controller - 1997 model. MIDI connections = In: 2, Thru 1, Independent Out: 4. It has a sound card but no recordable device on it like a Hard Drive for example.
- Kontakt 2.
I will need to get some kind of Audio / MIDI Interface and a Microphone because I will be using acoustic instruments and voice on a number of tracks as well as soft synths, sound libraries etc. I was just wondering what else I will need in order to fully utilize Band-In-A-Box and incorporate BiaB into a fully - functional DAW.
I was also curious as to what other people are using in the way of:
- sound cards / Audio / MIDI interfaces ... (brands and why you chose them ... pros and cons)
- type of keyboards
- studio monitors (speakers)
- type / brand of microphone and why you chose it... pros and cons. (I've worked with Senheiser microphones before and really like them but they cost a lot of $$$$, but I guess you get what you pay for.
I took note of a couple of users suggestions to my first post and checked out the KVR home page and the free downloads. (Many thanks for including the link to KVR). I will be downloading the following from their site sometime soon: Audacity, Crystal and a few others.
I look forward to hearing from anyone who can offer some assistance.
Kindest regards,
Dome
BIAB Audiophile, Reaper, Kontakt Full Edition, Roland A90-EX Master Controller MIDI keyboard, Windows 7 x64
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
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If you don't want to download any large files, you still have the option of ordering the Standard edition of BiaB, just ignore the Instant Download and wait upon the company to send you everything already installed on the USB hard drive.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,179
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Quote:
I was also curious as to what other people are using in the way of:
- sound cards / Audio / MIDI interfaces ... (brands and why you chose them ... pros and cons)
- type of keyboards
- studio monitors (speakers)
- type / brand of microphone and why you chose it
Soundcard - M-Audio 1010LT, becuse of number of inputs and reliability
Keyboards - various Rolands just because I like Roland interfaces and I'm used to them
Monitors - right now M-Audio BX8a deluxe, cause I like the clarity, and Blue Sky 2.1 for second set
Mic - I always suggest starting with SM57 or 58, but depends on what you are recording. These two mics are long lasting workhorses that serve well for many purposes from vocal to snare drums. They even catch the snap of a bass drum pedal fairly well, but lack the very low end for some applications. Then for intimate vocals I suggest a large diaphragm mic (later as a second one) if you want to capture every nuance.. but they need a good room and clean performance as they pick up every little sound.
One thing you may have overlooked is a good preamp. Many soundcards have fairly good preamps, but a nice dedicated preamp can make any mic sound better.
StudioProjects VTB1 is pretty affordable for this application.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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This is a Ford or Chevy discussion, but I will pile on anyway.
M-Audio Fast Track Pro is my interface. Honestly, though people will weigh in with different opinions, when you think about what it does, outside of form factor they are not really all that different. There's a lot of "soundcard" discussion, but this hardware is essentially playing back recorded sounds, not generating them. Just translating the math involved with recreating/interpreting what is already there.
My keyboards are all OLD. I use Ensoniq keyboards. The company went out of business in the late 90s, so that gives you an idea how old they are. However, another matter of taste. I like the way they sound. Harv mentioned the interface. Well, as deep as I get into it, it's the bank button, and the patch button. I don't tweak sounds, don't bother with MIDI at all because of something I will mention later.
My mics are all Shure M58. I have one M57 that is a carryover from my live days and that was used to mic instruments.
I have powered Wharfedale monitors. 100w and teh slew rate is great so they can burst and recover without any lag.
Depending on how you choose to roll, your "off sound" gear is important. I just changed to a Behringer control surface so everything I do is digital now, but for years I was all analog so I have a ton of gear. I have 4 Alesis digital reverbs, 2 Behringer 31 band EQs, a drum machine, a vocoder, and a MIDI patching system that allows me to change master and slave at a touch. Too much to explain here, but I will say that after some programming it makes it very simple to change master and slave configurations. I have MIDI controllers but I rarely use them. All M-Audio, a 61 key, a 49 key, and a 25 key. Also a MIDI drum pad controller that I rarely use. I buy a lot of gear for a specific reason and then it sits in the corner when I'm done.
I haven't mentioned 6 guitars and 4 saxes....
All a matter of what you want to do and what you need to get it done.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,348
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I'm using Focurite for the audio interface, because I like the pre-amps, but there are lots of other good ones around. Midi is taken care of by an Alesis Q49 keyboard connected via USB. Most of my sounds are from VSTi now, but I do still have a DX7 and a Korg Poly 800. (Eat your heart out Eddie!)
I agree with rharv about mics. An SM 57/58 plus a decent condenser will see you through most tasks. Monitoring is Yamaha/Tannoys, but once again, most modern monitors will sound ok. It's all down to personal preference and what you've got to spend.
ROG.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Anonymous
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Quote:
I do still have a DX7 and a Korg Poly 800. (Eat your heart out Eddie!)
I used a Poly6 for YEARS!!! My first road rig was a Mirage, a Roland Juno 60 and a Korg Poly6. LOTS of sound possibilities.
Much to be said for the analog days!!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
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Poly800 was one of the early digital synths, not analog. Had one for many years, my friend still has it, and it works. I recently put the Juno 106 back out, had to make sure it was still working. I don't miss the analog days much; VCF and VCA had a lot of 'slop' depending on power and conditions. Digital is much more reliable. That said, the moog is still around.  Fun to tinker with.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Anonymous
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Okay, without getting into a pi$$ing contest, this is from the Korg rep who I know from his days when he was the Ensoniq rep. Thankfully he keeps everything.
Note what I have made bold.
Features at a glance
Year of release: 1984
Polyphony: 8-voice
Presets: 64
Keyboard: 49-keys (four octaves)
Responds to velocity: no
Sound generation method: analog
MIDI: yes, in-out
The rest cut for lack of relevance. His reply contained this quote: "I might give you 'hybrid' because it did have some digital features, but it was really an analog sound source."
Buckeye Nation wins again.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 101
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Apprentice
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Posts: 101 |
Ditto on the M-Audio 1010LT. Very reliable.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
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Learn something new every day. It was DCO but has VCF, so indeed a hybrid. "It also stood out from many other synths at the time by operating like an analogue synth but had digital oscillators," I don't miss it. 
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Anonymous
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I DO, however, miss my Poly6. The strings and clavinets were brilliant. And the organ in the Roland Juno 60 was great.
The organ in the Ensoniq ESQ-1 is great though. That synth was a gem and I will always have one. I am on my 3rd and I am always looking for another to have in the background. I also have the EPS16+ sampler and a rather big sound library, and that really covers me for sounds when I need something to sweeten what Real Band gives me.
Back to the original post though, it is important to a prospective buying to understand that I sweeten just because. Most of what I turn out is just Real Band. It sounds that good. This is why I continue to steer you toward Real Band. When you start creating parts from Real Tracks you get high quality clips to paste together performed by top dudes.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
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If you are considering an SM58 you should consider the Behringer XM8500. I own both and I gotta say, at 25% of the SM58's price, the XM8500 is an awesome value!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 28
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 28 |
Hi guys!
Not sure if I'm doing this right by posting this reply here, as I'm new to forums in general and not sure of the proper procedure. I have PM'd all of you to thank you for your help and suggestions. Your knowledge and experience are a great help to me. I will be checking out all of the equipment you mentioned as soon as I can. Thank you all again for taking time out to assist me.
Kindest Regards,
Dome
BIAB Audiophile, Reaper, Kontakt Full Edition, Roland A90-EX Master Controller MIDI keyboard, Windows 7 x64
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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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Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!
We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!
Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:
Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana, Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes, MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano, Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7, Playable RealTracks Set 4, RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark, and more!
Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!
Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!
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These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
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- The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
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-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
- Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
- Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
- Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
- Playable RealTracks Set 4
- RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
- SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
- 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
- Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
- Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
- RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
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Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
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Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 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.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 9 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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