I know that its hard to please everyone and a lot of people have been crying out for a new GUI for band in a box for a long time. So the best of luck to them that really asked for this feature and I hope they have many happy hours with it.
I myself have fairly poor eyesight (nystagmus) no where near been classified as blind though and to be honest I find the new GUI hard to see, its uncomfortable squinting at it all the time trying to make out the type etc.
I do use a resolution of 1280X960 and I set display to 150%. I found that the old GUI was brilliant in that if you increased the resolution or magnification of monitor, some of the biab icons might disappear but you could easily access them with the > buttons. Everything was so easy to see as well there.
Probably I will use the old GUI most of the time now both in biab and relaband, and just use the new realtracks that kind of thing that came with 2014. I hope I wouldn't be loosing too many things feature wise if I do this.
I might put it on wishlist forum if it would be possible for PG to add a few buttons to one of the older biab GUI so that visually impaired would have access to a few of the added 2014 features but sill be using the easier to see GUI.
This is not a rant or anything, indeed a lot of the other DAW software companies have the same problems for me, a bigger monitor is not always the solution as people with less than perfect eyesight like to sit close to it, and it involves too much head turning in that position.
I would just like to add that when the mixer was introduced a few years ago Dr Gannon and PG team fixed a mixer problem that was relevant to the screen resolution I was using. I was so grateful for that, and the mark of such great customer service that Pgmusic offer
Your comments are worth noting for visually impaired folk, such as you describe yourself. Yes, I can understand that larger screen fonts, icons etc can be a tremendous aid. I also understand that these features can be difficult to deliver without creating undesirable issues elsewhere.
I do hope you can find a suitable configuration of the new version that caters for your needs.
Kind regards
Video Track
BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
I THINK I like the new GUI but am disappointed that the "buttons" and gubbins now takes up so much space at the screen top that there is little room at the bottom to put chords in!! I liked the old GUI because it gave me more bars of chords so I could sit and view what I had done without scrolling around. I too have a sight problem but so far havent found the new GUI a hindrance. However - onwards and upwards PG - there are new bits of BIAB in this Release that I'm already enjoying messing with. cheers ian
Old Guys Rule.The older I get,the better I was! BB2023 ULTRA, 1013, Win 7 and 10
If you revert back to 2013 so that you have the old GUI, you should still be able to use all the new Realtracks and Supertracks. As far as I'm aware, no new engine of any kind was introduced in this update.
If I were you, I'd drop support@pgmusic.com an email and ask them. They'll soon let you know.
Peter is aware of these issues and said there will be new user controls coming in a near future update. I don't have any details but he implied it would help this a lot.
To be honest even if it was just to use the old GUI with the 14 biab buttons added or even hidden such as user realtrack buttons would leave me very happy and have confidence to upgrade on a regular basis
Here are screenshots of both the new and the old at resolution of 1280X960 and display set at 150%, as you can probably see a better layout for people with vision impairment on the old GUI, though I do realise everyone is different, most users will love the new GUI
I notice that the old mixer is still available, however it just floats on top of the new expanded mixer. I think a good option would be that if you choose the floating mixer, then the fixed panels also drop off and leave you with the old adjustable toolbars. That would help those with sight issues and also those who prefer the extra working area. Col
I don't have a vision problem, but still prefer maximum space to see the chord chart for live gigging. I just discovered this 2014 upgrade a few minutes ago. My first reaction, before hearing any of the demos, was the amount of stuff at the top of the screen that I don't need or want to see. That's a downer for me. Hope there's a solution for that.
We are adding a patches tab to the Mixer, that displays the patch names in as large a font as possible.
Keep in mind that the previous version (BB 2013) displayed a single tracks' patch name on the main screen, in a small font. This version lists all track's patch names
Also, the last version had no text for most buttons, so there was nothing to squint to read. This version has text for all buttons, and it is the same point size as typical windows buttons.
There is the ability for us to make different skins of this GUI in the future, and a 'easy to read' big font version would be one consideration. Though it is hard to please both sides - "make the toolbars smaller" and "make the toolbars easier to read"
Thanks a lot Peter for looking at this issue. I really appreciate it as I would think many with less than perfect eyesight do on here, your desire to help everyone.
I understand that it is early days yet and more changes are in the pipeline via updates.
In my posted attachment of 2014 a lot of the buttons are missing, perfectly understandable considering that I am using 1290x960 resolution at 150% diplay magnification on windows 7. As long as there is an alternative way to do a certain thing if a button is not able to be shown through a menu or right click then I'm more than happy. The ability to add/remove buttons would be a great help too.
Maybe a "switch to classic GUI view" if it was not too difficult to implement, might be one of wishlist items for people like me who sort of knew and even liked the old GUI.
Thank you very much Peter for all your help and your great software.
I'm running 2013 so I have not seen the new GUI yet. I guess this may have already been mentioned but what about being able to add your own toolbar options according to need? Some prefer this or that while other may not want this or that etc. Customisable toolbars? I know for myself there are many buttons I never use cause I don't understand them yet?
I'm running 2013 so I have not seen the new GUI yet. I guess this may have already been mentioned but what about being able to add your own toolbar options according to need? Some prefer this or that while other may not want this or that etc. Customisable toolbars? I know for myself there are many buttons I never use cause I don't understand them yet?
That also is in the pipeline for future Update delivery.
There is the ability for us to make different skins of this GUI in the future, and a 'easy to read' big font version would be one consideration. Though it is hard to please both sides - "make the toolbars smaller" and "make the toolbars easier to read"
My eyesight is perfect but I'm also having trouble reading the new GUI An easy to read big font version would certainly help
With the next patch (build 376, out later today or tomorrow), we added a feature where the "patches" tab of the mixer (ie press the Patches tab of the mixer) will show the patch names in the largest font possible. That's helpful to read the patch names.
Peter, in looking at your screenshot, why is there anything in the three unused tracks? They say Not Used, Not Used and the Soloist track says Empty. All have a patch name assigned. I noticed this earlier and forgot to ask about it. Where is the patch names coming from if that song and style are not using those tracks? If they're not part of the style why is there anything there at all, shouldn't those tracks be blank until the user decides to add them? To me it clutters up the mixer and causes confusion.
I did not receive my hard drive yet but can anyone please clarify this for me? Does the "chord chart" in the new gui have smaller font than 2013, and if it is can it be adjusted larger?
I did not receive my hard drive yet but can anyone please clarify this for me? Does the "chord chart" in the new gui have smaller font than 2013, and if it is can it be adjusted larger?
Thanks,
Font is about the same size when opened at he default settings, but we also have the same options we've always had in Custom dialog, to set fontsize ourselves selecting from a list of various Font sizes. You can make the Chord symbols larger.
Once you get the program and install it, start a new post to find out the exact commands to do that if you can't figure it out.
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
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!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 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 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-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
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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