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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 22
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OP
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Posts: 22 |
I have a 2004 version of Band in a Box, that I have only been able to scratch the surface of.
I have used it mostly to play Midi files and follow along with my Bass guitar. I am contemplating buying the 2014 version, and since I am retired, I have the time to learn the program. I am trying to get my guitar playing polished and I need software to help me out!
Is there a good structured way to learn this program (2014 versionb)?
The help file hasn't been much help on the version I have. I would guess the newer versions help file is also in a foreign tongue (to me).
The new program would not be much use to me if I cannot get good sounds from the instruments, So I would need some type of tutorial that would take me from start to being able to get the most of the instruments that are available in Band in a Box.
Roy
Roy
Les Paul Standard
Taylor 416 ce
Ibanez Musician Bass
Deering Sierra Banjo
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2005
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There are tutorials in the Support Section that will help. You can ask in this forum for specific info. Later, Ray
Asus Q500A i7 Win 10 64 bit 8GB ram 750 HD 15.5" touch screen, BIAB 2017, Casio PX 5s, Xw P1, Center Point Stereo SS V3 and EWI 4000s.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2007
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It would be great if there was a course that showed you how to use BIAB, but there really isn't. One reason is that BIAB is used in so many different ways by different people. Ray's answer is the next best thing. There are tutorials on the PG Music site and on youtube, and the forums here are a fantastic resource.
I would add one thing. BIAB is the ultimate shiny object. An organized approach works best, at least for me. I have found that it helps to state goals and questions in writing to help focus on them as I search for answers. As new questions arise (and they will, believe me) I write them down, too, to pursue at a later time.
BIAB has always been the tool to do what you are looking for, and 2014 does it better than ever. Welcome to the community. We look forward to helping you grow!
Richard
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,071
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And Roy, Besides all of the excellent individual Video Tutorials and integrated help, there is a fantastic community on this Forum, willing to assist others wherever possible. You are not alone. Good luck! Trevor
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.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 22
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OP
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Posts: 22 |
Thanks Folks! Thanks a lot!
Roy
Roy
Les Paul Standard
Taylor 416 ce
Ibanez Musician Bass
Deering Sierra Banjo
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,802
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I have a 2004 version of Band in a Box, that I have only been able to scratch the surface of.
Is there a good structured way to learn this program (2014 versionb)?
Roy Royz, the biggest problem with trying to answer your question is that there are simply so many different ways that you can use this program. That makes it a very difficult question to answer. There are, in fact, a number of tutorials and youtube videos to help on various issues. I can describe how I work with it. Some others here follow a similar path, but many others go a totally different route as well. I compose and write in BB. I work out the song structure, tempo, key, etc in BB and save it. I open that file in Real Band and use RB to render ALL the tracks into the real player's audio files. I import those audio tracks into Sonar and add my own live tracks for guitar, mandolin, and vocals there. Mixing and mastering are also completed in Sonar. That's "in a nut shell" how I work. Like I said, there are many other ways to get to a finished song while staying totally inside BB with or without using Real Band. If you are coming from 2004 to 2014, I think you will be very pleasantly surprised and satisfied. Lots of major improvements. I think the first version I started with was 2009 and what a huge difference since then. My suggestion: look up the tutorials and watch and or work thru them and learn as much as you can in a general manner about this program. Then, find the single path that works best for you. Your general knowledge will come in handy when you need to venture off that single path to do something else on those occasions when you need it. I normally follow that same path every time. Occasionally, I make a side stop or a detour. BTW: here;s the PG tutorials page: http://www.pgmusic.com/howtos.htm
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 03/11/14 05:12 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38
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There is a "Band In A Box Made Easy" DVD available ► HERE
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2006
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There is a "Band In A Box Made Easy" DVD available ► HERE Anyone got it and is it any better than our dozens of videos which I think are excellent?.
Last edited by sixchannel; 03/13/14 02:44 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 99
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Hi Royz,
Welcome! I had a hard time in the beginning and could not seem to get going. Someone in the forum recommended to me to take a simple song I know well and build it in BIAB. Once you complete the song structure, change the song with different styles (jazz, bluegrass, country rock, etc.) and change the tempo. With the newer versions and all the real tracks, this is lots of fun. Add some solos, extra instruments and set it to loop so you can play along.
I started with something that had only a few chords - like Amazing Grace. You can make it New Orleans Jazz with some horns, coffee shop quite with some strings, old time country with bluegrass, heavy metal with screaming guitars, Texas Blues with a slide, etc - just what ever style you like or don't like. Gives a good idea do the program's capabilities and may also give you some ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
Best of luck and hope you find this as rewarding as we all do on this forum. I just hope there is someday a way to meet these great people face to face.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,736
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The new program would not be much use to me if I cannot get good sounds from the instruments,
Roy
realtracks sound great! midi, depends on your midi sound device some tutorials that may be helpful https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfpd1dp6SywiAJI88A5SXT-gEJAzLZk1g
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
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 273
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 273 |
There is a "Band In A Box Made Easy" DVD available ► HERE The last post there seems to be from 2012, as far as I can tell. Is the offer still active? If so, specific instructions on how to get the DVD seem a bit unclear (or at least possibly outdated.....)
Kawai VPC1 MIDI Controller; Asus A53E Laptop running Windows 7 - 64 bit; BIAB 2017 UltraPlusPak (upgraded from 2014 EverythingPak), running from Laptop's Hard Drive.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 22
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OP
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Ditto on "Band in a Box made Easy"..I would like a copy and would be willing to pay by paypal (or whatever).
Roy....And thanks for all the tips and helps!
Roy
Les Paul Standard
Taylor 416 ce
Ibanez Musician Bass
Deering Sierra Banjo
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
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Roy, there's lots of great advice above. You should enjoy the newly organized video page Videotrack linked to above, but however you learn best, there should be something for you.
However - I wanted to return to your original question and comment on "good sounds", since you asked specifically about that.
Around 2007, 2008 BIAB adopted a whole new way of making sound and added this to the still excellent MIDI handling it has always had. These new sounds are called RealTracks and RealDrums, and they are audio snippets of actual performers (good ones, too). What I'm trying to point out is that you can now get some great results from BIAB without even using MIDI. This may change your thinking a bit. If you would like more details about anything I said, write back.
And if you do still use MIDI, as many of us do, there have been lots of improvements in both hardware synths and software synths. More recently, BIAB began offering enhanced MIDI sounds and a limited set of software instruments to play them (HiQ, SampleTank).
I've tried to keep this simple, so just tell us what you'd like to know more about.
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.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,802
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To follow up on the point Matt Finley makes about the sound quality.....
Simply go to the User Showcase forum and listen to some of the music people are making using 2014 and those who are still using the older versions.
Also hit the website pages for Floyd, Tommyad, Janice & Bud, and of course, mine as well, to see the superb quality that is possible with the current crop of real tracks in this very cool program. (not slighting anyone else not mentioned..... )
The quality speaks for itself.
I have had people tell be they "can hear the rosin on the fiddler's bow", and others ask all the time "who is playing" that instrument. It's that real. Nowadays I just tell people it's my studio band and a few close friends.
EDIT: I, and some others here, take the music outside of BB/RB into a 3rd party DAW where we do the mixing and mastering with some finishing plugins to give the music a polished and smooth finish. But... it all starts with the superb quality of the RB sampled tracks.
I don't think you will be disappointed. Besides, they still offer the 30 day unconditional return guarantee, in the unlikely event that you are.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 03/14/14 05:18 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,530
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Herb just gave you some excellent advice. I will add to that is also listen to some of my music as I use a mostly MIDI, as do a few others. Also read what styles and instruments are being used as many, including myself, combine MIDI, RT and RD.
I would like to stress the fact that it is not either MIDI or RT/RD. BiaB excels at both and it is very easy to use both in a song.
I also think that you will not be disappointed.
Good luck.
The bumper sticker said "I'm a veterinarian, therefore I can drive like an animal".
Suddenly I realized how many proctologists are on the road.
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: Jun 2000
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.
Part of the challenge is that BiaB does so many things. Musicians with different needs are able to make it do lots of different jobs. Before you go much further, make sure you can say exactly what it is that you want it to do.
I have sent you a PM. Click under the "My Stuff" menu.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I have the Band-In-A-Box Made Easy video CD mentioned earlier. I can't say it's any better than any of the other video tutorials but it is convienent to be able to view offline, rewind and repeat as needed or for viewing on a portable viewer or entertainment system.
The basic premise is how to build a song from scratch. A familiar country gospel song, I'll Fly Away, is used as an example. The methods presented make sense to me.
The cd's biggest asset is it helps a newcomer quickly get comfortable with BIAB.
The link given earlier is to a specific posting which has not been updated for some time. The forum itself is very active with one section devoted to BIAB. It is one of the few musical forums I've found where musicians will admit to using and liking BIAB.
The BIAB Made Easy cd costs $5 US to cover duplication and shipping. PM me for contact information.
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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® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
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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®.
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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
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