|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,699
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,699 |
Hi guys is anyone using disk nine of Norton styles and do you like it thanks Eric
AMD (TM) 5950 4.9 GHz 16Core Processor 64 bit 32 bits of ram windows 10 pro 64 bit os. sound card Antelope ZenQ guitars Ibanez 2202a 1968 les Paul Custom and Cavin ae 185 Guitar boss Gt-100,GT1000 pedal Yamaha HS8 studio monitors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
In all these years I've yet to hear a single complaint concerning Notes Norton's styles. There must be somebody somewhere, likely under a rock...
What you hear in the demos over there is what you get.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 129
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 129 |
Norton are very good quality.
I've bought them years ago before BIAB had real styles.
Many of the Norton styles I've never had in BIAB.
-Roy
BIAB user since version 5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 716
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 716 |
I have hundreds of Norton styles in BIAB so I have been a very good customer. I have found that I am very happy with the styles that attracted me to a Norton disc in the first place but when you have a lot of the styles they all have a very similar feel. I suppose this is inevitable since they come from a single mind. The BIAB styles on the other hand are very varied. When I am now searching for a new style for a new song I usually end up with a BIAB style rather than a Norton.
My advice is to just buy the single Norton style that sounds right for the song you are working on.
Tony
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,699
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,699 |
hi tony disk 9 work out good for me great quality however single styles would be the way to go for the music I do biab has great styles many which I use thanks eric
AMD (TM) 5950 4.9 GHz 16Core Processor 64 bit 32 bits of ram windows 10 pro 64 bit os. sound card Antelope ZenQ guitars Ibanez 2202a 1968 les Paul Custom and Cavin ae 185 Guitar boss Gt-100,GT1000 pedal Yamaha HS8 studio monitors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,471
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,471 |
Thank you all for the kind words about my styles. My name is on them, so I make them to the best of my ability. It's good to hear that others get enjoyment from my work (it's like the applause when playing live).
As a lifelong gigging musician and multi-instrumentalist, I try to make styles that I would like to gig with and I try to stretch the limits of BiaB.
Due to the economics of running a small on-line business, single styles are more expensive per style than a "disk" (they used to be on physical disks). Each order means the authorization company, the merchant's account and a few other people need to be paid. In other words, the "silent partners" need to be paid.
So if you are looking for only one or two styles, buying by the style is a good option.
However if you find 6 styles that you need on one disk, you've hit the break-even point on cost and it's better to buy the disk. The disk can have up to 30 styles on it, so for the price of 6 you get a lot of 'free' styles.
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 137
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 137 |
Hi Mr. Notes Norton,
Thank you for your very detailed explanation about your BIAB styles. I have visited your website and plan to buy some styles in the near future.
If I have any constructive comment, I would say that I wish the demo could sound better. Maybe I'm wrong, but I feel that the sound fonts you use could be replaced by other sample libraries so that they sound great to the potential customers.
Regards,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,449
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,449 |
Just wanted to add support for the quality of the styles produced by Notes. I've bought a few collections.
I also chatted with Bob (Notes) when I needed to get chords for a song I didn't know, so I could perform it at a wedding the next day, with no time to transcribe it. Bob was very helpful, and the cost to solve my problem was minimal.
ps Notes has been doing this a very long time. I first saw his yellow classified ad in an issue of Recording Magazine back in the early 90s. It said something like, "Put a better band in your box".
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,471
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,471 |
For years I've put low-quality demos on my web site. Why? I figure a lot of the musicians shopping for my styles are going to use their computer's sound card or built in software synth to play them back.
If my demos sounded much better using a decent synth than the end user's sound card, he/she might think I was cheating.
Lately I've been re-evaluating that approach. I'm in the final process of making 4 new style disks, and I might use my SD-90 to make the demos and rip them at a higher bit rate.
Would that be cheating?
The SD-90 is a decent sound module, not top-of-the-line but definitely not the bottom either. On the other hand, I could use my entire array of sound modules and get the best sound, but using just one seems like a reasonable compromise between ultra-lo-fi and ultra-hi-fi.
What do you all think?
If you sampled a style demo done on a decent module, and then played it on your Windows or Mac built in soft-synth would you think I'm cheating?
This really concerns me as I would prefer the styles you purchase to sound better than the demo file and I definitely would not want the end purchaser to think I cheated on the demos.
Thanks,
Bob
Last edited by Notes Norton; 03/11/14 05:24 AM. Reason: typo (I even have Type-O blood <grin>)
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Well, you might roll a demo file using one of each for your newer offerings, and use that to show potential customers what the differences in using MIDI synths is really all about.
A little extra worktime to do that, but may just help out better for all concerned in the long run, your sales bottom line inclusive.
Just state that neither of the two files is "tweaked" and that both were made in exactly the same steps, with the only difference being the MIDI synth used.
I don't have to tell Notes that the well-informed or better educated customer is good for bidness.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,286
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,286 |
Notes, no I do not think that would be cheating. As far as I am concerned you could even use the best sound source that you have. Every other MIDI style demo that I have heard uses the best sounds and techniques available, ie http://www.producerloops.com/or http://www.midisamples.com/or http://www.groovemonkee.com/en/ etc. If you are worried about it you could include the fact that you are using the SD-20, or whatever you decide to use, for these styles.
Principal: Your child always causes trouble in school.
Me: My child causes trouble at home, do I ever call you?
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,022
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,022 |
Bob,
I have reviewed your comments as objectively as I can.
Frankly speaking, the better the demo's sound, the more impressed potential customers are likely to be. I think all product promotions use that technique, why shouldn't you do the same?
If a prospective customer didn't like the demo's because the instrument sounds let it down, they might just keep looking elsewhere for better sounds.
As long as your product - given the right equipment - can genuinely deliver what your demo's describe, then make your demo's the best sounding demo's possible. After all, you are only selling MIDI, not the instruments they connect to - that bit's up the the end user.
If your demos sounded anything like those Ketron SD2 demo's, I'd have the plastic out quicker than you could count in the next song.
My advice? Re-evaluate your approach. Make your demos the best possible.
My 2 cents
Regards
Trevor
PS: yes, I do have some disks of your very early styles, from the 90's (somewhere)
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,449
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,449 |
I concur with the others: use good sounds. It's easier to hear the demo clearly, and far more inspiring. Mac's suggestion is more work but very educational; customers would quickly learn that MIDI has no sound on its own, and they have to do something if they expect to hear better than cartoon quality from most built-in soundcards.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,471
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,471 |
Thanks y'all.
Perhaps I'll do one demo in a conspicuous place with a comparison between a few sound sources and then start making some good demos.
I could duplicate the comparison on all the pages that have style demos.
What do you all think of that?
Of course, many will miss the comparison, but although I love Mac's suggestion, I really don't have that kind of time.
Between being a gigging musician (that's what makes my styles sound so professional), being the 'band salesman', running the day-to-day operations of the Norton Music biz, spending time with my wife, and 'gabbing' on the Internet, there isn't enough time in the day. I haven't even watched a single TV show since the mid 1980s - zilch - nada (that's not a complaint).
There are a lot of demos to replace on my site - so it won't be instant at all.
There just isn't enough time in the day to do all I want to do. But I guess that's 'job security' as I'll have something interesting to do tomorrow.
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,699
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,699 |
hi bob I would use the best sound module you have it would not be cheating in my book I agree with the many comments here and thanks for the comparison on single styles thanks for your hard work eric
AMD (TM) 5950 4.9 GHz 16Core Processor 64 bit 32 bits of ram windows 10 pro 64 bit os. sound card Antelope ZenQ guitars Ibanez 2202a 1968 les Paul Custom and Cavin ae 185 Guitar boss Gt-100,GT1000 pedal Yamaha HS8 studio monitors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,471
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,471 |
I'm definitely leaning towards higher fidelity demos.
I'm thinking 128kb mp3s and toying with the idea of ripping them in mono for better fidelity at that bit rate with the trade off of losing stereo separation. Any thoughts on that?
I'm also going to use my SD-90 on the newer files, and I'm thinking of putting the term Hi-Fi before the demo to separate them from the hundreds of old demos that will take some time to convert.
I'm looking at a lot of work (although I don't like calling it work) that will consume a lot of time. But for me, doing something is better than being idle or watching TV (turned that off in the 1980s).
Right now it's the busy gigging season, I'm putting the finishing touches on 4 new style disks and working on 3 new fake disks, so it isn't going to happen overnight (job security).
And any more and all other suggestions are more than welcome.
Thanks,
Bob
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,449
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,449 |
Hi Bob. Working backwards, if you are going to call them HiFi, then I would do just that. I would make a stereo MP3 at 192 or 256, so no artifacts are heard. With today's download speeds and a short demo, this should not bother anyone.
I had an SD 80, which had the same MIDI engine as your SD 90. The files should sound great.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,733
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,733 |
There are a lot of demos to replace on my site - so it won't be instant at all.
There just isn't enough time in the day to do all I want to do.
off the wall idea you could outsource some the task if you rewarded the person helping with some style\fakebook disks and they had the appropriate biab version quality MIDI sound sources
Last edited by pghboemike; 03/13/14 08:03 AM.
Lenovo YOGA 900 Window s 10 Home 64bit M4 pro Mac mini 1tb HD 24GB mem casio wk7500 presonus audiobox i2 usb interface
casio wk-7500
biab & realband 2025 everything pk both with Current builds
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,471
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,471 |
Outsourcing isn't a bad idea. Food for thought anyway. Other than style picking for my fake books, I've never outsourced anything. I don't know, my name is on it. And even in the fake disks, Leilani often overrides the styles picked by the contractors and comes up with something grand. She has been called the "Band-in-a-Box goddess" by some of my customers. Check out the demo on this page http://www.nortonmusic.com/fake32.html - look in the right hand column under the D heading for the link. Her work on this is amazing. Style changes throughout, changing the instruments of the styles so that they all sound like the same band, and doing other things to make this demo sound fantastic. It's in SGU format so you can even analyze how she did it. Back to style demos. I'll think about outsourcing, I've had a couple of PM offers. Right now it's the very busy gigging season for my duo. Between Halloween and Easter all the northerners are down here, tourists and winter residents, and the one-nighter bands make most of their money. Life is good!!! - So progress will be made after Easter. Notes
Last edited by Notes Norton; 03/14/14 05:22 AM.
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,971
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,971 |
Bob,
While I agree with others in principle that you want to make the best sounding demos possible I also believe that customers want to be able to duplicate the sound you achieve in your demos.
Not every potential customer has access to outboard equipment like a sound module or arranger keyboard but, each potential customer does have access to the softsynths included with BIAB. For that reason alone I suggest you limit your demo sound sources to those that ship, or have shipped in the past, with BIAB.
I'd rather hear a demo that sounds great with all BIAB stuff under the belief that I might be able to achieve similiar results.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 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®
With your version 2026 for Windows 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)
- 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®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,741
Posts795,651
Members39,946
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean