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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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OP
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I was recently cleaning our my Band in 3 Boxes (too many disks for one box) and I came accross a few of these supplementary disks. Perhaps a bit of nostalgia from, I think, 2000 or 2001.  My, how times have changed.
Cheers,
Keith
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Not me my senior friend, but I do have version 9 somewhere. Now if I had discovered this forum a year or so earlier I would indeed have an older version. I guees that means I may be the senior in this discussion.   Later,
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Somewhee around here I've got Band in a Box complete installation files from old versions when the entire thing fit onto two floppies...
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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What Mac said!
I also remember getting a 3.5" floppy UPDATE/patch at least once (I think a few times in the early DOS days) in the mail at PG's expense without asking, calling, or knowing there was one available!
I knew from then on it was going to be a great customer experience with PG.
Larry
Win10Pro,i9,64GB,2TBSSD+20TBHDDs,1080TI,BIAB'24,Scarlett18i8,Montage7,Fusion 8HD,QS8,Integra7,XV5080,QSR,SC-8850,SPLAT,FL21&others,Komp.14,IK suite&others, just a guitar player-AXE FX III &FM9T, FishmanTP, MIDIGuitar2, GK2/3'sw/GI20
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I’m not that old but I remember seeing something like that on a rerun  My TV at the time was an Atari How come my nose is longer 
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2004
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Quote:
Somewhee around here I've got Band in a Box complete installation files from old versions when the entire thing fit onto two floppies...
--Mac
Mac,
Is there any truth to the rumor that you actually used the "Abacus" version of BIAB?
Yes I can duck very well sir, thank you!
Later,
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I've still got BIAB version 7 on a couple of floppies. It was bundled with PTPA version 1 on a single floppy! But extra Styles? I don't even remember how I got hold of BIAB in the first place. I was still in my computer music infancy. I don't think I even had a GM soundcard at that point. (Even I fell victim to the fallacy of "BIAB's cheesy sound.")
I did have a copy of Passport Master Tracks Pro, a great MIDI sequencer, into which I learned to copy and paste MIDI tracks from BIAB for editing, which was the seed of what I do now with BIAB and Reason. Bob Norton still raves about MTP. Somewhere I still have some 50 to 80 Mb drives around with some pretty good MIDI files from that time. I wasn't bright enough to back everything up to floppies.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I'll admit... I remember. I mentioned in a recent post that I started on Version 5 and got my Version 6 upgrade on 5 1/4 inch floppies (still got 'em). Stopped there - until I bought 2012.5 a couple of weeks ago...
My only other music program was - Master Tracks Pro...
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 693
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 693 |
Quote:
Mac,
Is there any truth to the rumor that you actually used the "Abacus" version of BIAB?
Yes I can duck very well sir, thank you!
Later,
No abacus version, but I believe a slide rule had to factor into the initial software development cycle somewhere...
Joel
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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OP
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If any person is brave enough to mention the words "Stone Tablets" they'd better be able to run, duck & weave. Mac's an old hand with firearms.
Cheers,
Keith
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 693
Journeyman
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Journeyman
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Quote:
If any person is brave enough to mention the words "Stone Tablets" they'd better be able to run, duck & weave. Mac's an old hand with firearms.
Are you suggesting that Mac is as old as Moses? 
I remember well the days that Band-In-A-Box was one of the very few music applications running on an IBM PC. It seemed that Macintosh, with MOTU, and so forth was the only way to go to record music. I actually had to write my own low-level software interface (not quite qualified to be called "drivers" yet) for the IBM PCM audio card. What a pain! Microsoft Windows 3.0 was a godsend; and who could beat that awesome "Hot Dog Stand" color scheme?
Joel
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,462
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Band In Box not made for TI-99/4A, so Ugg not have early version. Ugg code notes in TI Basic, though.
Ugg not like.
Abacus and slide rule much better for Ugg's music career.
Best, Tom SmithWin10/64 • i7-8700K • 24 GB RAM BIAB 2026 • Reaper 7.57 • Izotope MPS AKG C1000S • IK iRig I/O Pro
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
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mac lived 900 years
mac lived 900 years
who calls that livin' when no gal will give in
to no man who's 900 years
It ain't necessarily so
It ain't necessarily so
The things that you're liable
To read in the Bible,
It ain't necessarily so.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 236
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 236 |
I was gettin old when I bought my first BIAB this past March! What does that mean for me? I guess BIAB 2025.5 will be on my bucket list.
Todd
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 236
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 236 |
OH, and maybe I will have a forum title by then instead of my "________"
Todd
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,509
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Somewhere I have BiaB disks for the Atari/ST, Mac with a Motorola CPU and PC DOS. When I started selling my aftermarket styles in 1992, I offered my styles either on 3.5" or 5.25" floppy diskettes! It was all mail-order back then, as the Internet wasn't even a dream for most people, and the first Windows version of BiaB hadn't come out yet. The program has grown up with the computer industry, and has gone from its humble beginnings to a very powerful piece of software. I've seen a couple of competitors to BiaB come and go, or hang on by a thread with a small portion of the software auto-accompaniment market. PG has stayed ahead of the pack by being innovative. Insights and incites by Notes ♫ Brand new 2012.5 updates from Norton Music:- 2 new style disks for Band-in-a-Box
- 2 new free (with a purchase) fancy intro/ending disks for Real Band and other DAW's
- The Ultimate Gospel Fake Disk
- The Real Rock Fake Disk (plenty of classic rock in this one)
- The Beatles Fake Disk
- And an updated Christmas Fake Disk
Hundreds of Free .sgu and .mp3 demos for the above at: http://www.nortonmusic.com
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,161
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I still have version BIAB version 6 on CD plus manual and styles on rigid 1.25 mbyte floppies. As these drives were omitted from PCs some time ago, I converted the styles to a CD Disk just in case. I have never had to use them.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 625
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 625 |
I still have a DOS version running on a Compaq III portable (amber screen and all) with a Turtle Beach card, and Stacker to compress the 5MB disk to look like 10 !!
Jan - 12 Core AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
32GB DDR4
Win 10 64-bit
Samsung m.2 SSD Boot drive,other SSD internal and USB drives.
MOTO 2
Ketron SD90
Aerophone AE-30, Yamaha WX-7
Yamaha RX-v381amp
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,499
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Stacker!
Now there is a program I haven't thought about or used in a LONG time. I use to swear by it, along with Multi-Edit (which I STILL swear by) and a few other moldy oldies
Larry
Win10Pro,i9,64GB,2TBSSD+20TBHDDs,1080TI,BIAB'24,Scarlett18i8,Montage7,Fusion 8HD,QS8,Integra7,XV5080,QSR,SC-8850,SPLAT,FL21&others,Komp.14,IK suite&others, just a guitar player-AXE FX III &FM9T, FishmanTP, MIDIGuitar2, GK2/3'sw/GI20
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,848
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Posts: 12,848 |
I used to use Stacker (to double the size of my Seagate RLL hard drive on my Kaypro PC).
I didn't use Multi-Edit, but I did use a nice TSR editor called QEdit, which eventually became "The Semware Editor", which I still use to this day, even though it hasn't been updated in probably 10 years or so.
I didn't start using BIAB until version 8, where I bought the basic Pro package. As soon as version 9 came out, I went for the MegaPak (which was the most you could get back then, other than the EverythingPak) and have upgraded to every version and half version ever since. Nothing compares to these PGMusic programs. Nothing!
I have installed all of the versions (for nostalgia more than anything), but some of the installers won't work with 64-bit Windows, so I have to do them in an XP virtual machine. Windows 7 XP-mode works fine for that.
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)
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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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Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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 amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac 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 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed 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 transcribe 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, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
Holiday Weekend Hours
It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:
Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Don't wait - order today!
Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac 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)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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 PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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