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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 90
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 90 |
Hello,
I have band in a box 2012 ultra plus pak, and pretty happy with it, seems quite a mature product, loads of realtracks and styles that I can choose from.
Other than the just realeased realtracks and new midi sets with band in a box ultra pak 2013 is there anything else that really blows you away?
I have looked at the new features list but can't see anything really.
I just feel that I have more than enough realtracks already to choose from, though I realise that opinions can vary on this.
Is there anything else in 13 that really stands out as a great feature?
Thanks for any advice.
Martin
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
It all depends on what you do and how you do it. Do you ever post your songs on the internet like Soundcloud or Dropbox? Ever print to a PDF? If so there's some cool stuff with that.
A big one to me is Sampletank with PG's new Hi-Q instruments. Those load from the Biab instrument buttons and don't require you to configure ST to play. Very cool. If you want to use any of the huge library of IKM sounds with ST then you do have to configure ST first. But, if you never use midi synths and only use the RT's then this won't matter to you.
Second is the new A,B,C,D song sections. Very cool, this is something that's been asked about for years.
Another big thing to some people are the reverb defaults. All tracks including RD's load with some reverb on them but people who like to work with raw tracks and mix and master later don't like that. They want all the tracks dry so there's a default option for that. Again, maybe that matters to you, maybe not.
If you've read the new features doc and nothing jumps out at you then you're set for now.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944 |
Hi Martin, I'd recommend watching the video for BiaB 2013 video, it shows you the new features, and plays some of the RealTracks. http://www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.demos.htmRemember that there was a 2012.5 update as well, which had 101 RealTracks on it. So that's a total of 202 new RealTracks. It depends what style of music you are playing, but there are lots of great blues/rock/jazz/country players in the newest RealTracks. As for the new features, here are the ones that I use the mos for BiaB 2013 (compared to BiaB 2012) : Hi-Q MIDI sounds: The piano in particular is real nice and better than our existing sounds. Also nice strings (about 20 sounds total) MIDI SuperTracks (like RealTracks, except for MIDI)... added in 2012. They are most effective for piano (when combined with the Hi-Q Piano sound), and work at any tempo/key, and you can edit them. Horn Section RealTracks. We added 202 RealTracks since 2012, but the Horn RealTracks are something new, that work in Jazz, Blues and Rock tunes. Horns also work with other styles, like Bolero http://soundcloud.com/tobinthegull/band-in-a-box-bolero-with-r-bArtist Performance Tracks: Mainly Jazz, also Celtic Pick "best" soloist RealTracks: This new dialog shows you the best soloists that match the genre, tempo, feel of your song. The list is displayed from best to worst. For example, if you have a Jazz Ballad style loaded (tempo 60), the list will show jazz Soloists that will work well at a tempo of 60 at the top of the list, and something like a fast, Heavy Metal Guitar Soloist at the bottom of the list. Favorite RealTracks, Favorite RealDrums list to quickly access your recently chosen RealTracks. ... all these features are demo'd on the video. http://www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.demos.htm
Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,251
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,251 |
Quote:
Another big thing to some people are the reverb defaults. All tracks including RD's load with some reverb on them but people who like to work with raw tracks and mix and master later don't like that. They want all the tracks dry so there's a default option for that.
Bob,
If this is pertinent to my post here about "Why all the reverb",
http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=388108&an=0&page=0#Post388108
......then please elaborate.
I know some folks are "reverb sluts", but I'm not one of them. It should be minimal to non-existent for basic tracks.
But my problem only occured after the 363 patch.
Reverb is something that should have to be added, if wanted, ... not something you should have to "take away".
Last edited by bobcflatpicker; 12/05/12 03:10 PM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,161
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,161 |
Bob,
Reverb level selection can be made in Preferences > RealTracks or the option unchecked until you need to "Return to Factory Settings". I have unchecked it for now but will revisit later. The standard level of reverb setting for GM Synths is 40 on a 0 to 127 scale and perhaps 30% should be used here as a default.
Thanks for posting information.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 392
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 392 |
The first time ever Horn Section by itself would have done it for me. But Memphis Horns style R&B/Blues and Big Band styles are really important to me. Maybe not so much for others.
Best,
Jim
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,471
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,471 |
A good reason is that your update pays the salaries of the people who work at PG Music and that helps them stay in business and keep up with the evolution of computer operating systems so that our favorite software app doesn't become a dinosaur some day.
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
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 90
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 90 |
Quote:
A good reason is that your update pays the salaries of the people who work at PG Music and that helps them stay in business and keep up with the evolution of computer operating systems so that our favorite software app doesn't become a dinosaur some day.
Notes
Thanks for replies everybody.
Notes, I notice your signature and the midi styles you offer. Are they somewhat similiar to PG's new midi styles?
Thanks
martin57
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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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Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
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- 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)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
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 PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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