Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 824
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 824
I am sorry to ask this question yet again but, after a fairly comprehensive search on the PG Music website, I am still unsure if there is such a thing as a complete, comprehensive BAND-IN-A-BOX USER'S GUIDE for Version 2014 for Windows.

The best advice I could get from this forum was to look on my E drive (I use a PG Music External Drive) for the heading 'PDF Manuals'. Listed in that heading is:

RealBand User's Guide (It is the 2013 Version)
RealBand 2014 New Features Guide
ReadMe - Additional Documentation
Band-in-a-Box 2014 Upgrade Manual
Band-in-a-Box 2013 Manual

Someone on the forum did advise there was such an item as the 2014 User's guide and it came with the 381 Update but, if it did, I cannot find it. I have taken all the Patches and Updates more or less as soon as they were available and there is no mention of a User Guide in any of the notes for the updates.

So, the questions remain:

Is there a comprehensive User's Guide Version 2014 for Windows?

If there is, where is the file located in the software?
Or alternatively, where can I download it?

Also, can one purchase a printed version and how does one order it?


Grah Jive Talk
"Don't worry baby, they'll swing their arses off."
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,610
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,610
In Win Explorer I typed manual in the search box and BIAB 2014 pdf came up. 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.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 174
S
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
S
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 174
Yes you can buy a 2014 BIAB printed manual. Send an email to sales@pgmusic.com and they'll quote you a price (about $10 plus $5 for shipping both in USD.

PS: the manual is great!!!! so much better than the Help and PDFs.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,891
J
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
J
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,891
Originally Posted By: Graham Martin
I am sorry to ask this question yet again but, after a fairly comprehensive search on the PG Music website, I am still unsure if there is such a thing as a complete, comprehensive BAND-IN-A-BOX USER'S GUIDE for Version 2014 for Windows.

The best advice I could get from this forum was to look on my E drive (I use a PG Music External Drive) for the heading 'PDF Manuals'. Listed in that heading is:

RealBand User's Guide (It is the 2013 Version)
RealBand 2014 New Features Guide
ReadMe - Additional Documentation
Band-in-a-Box 2014 Upgrade Manual
Band-in-a-Box 2013 Manual

Someone on the forum did advise there was such an item as the 2014 User's guide and it came with the 381 Update but, if it did, I cannot find it. I have taken all the Patches and Updates more or less as soon as they were available and there is no mention of a User Guide in any of the notes for the updates.

So, the questions remain:

Is there a comprehensive User's Guide Version 2014 for Windows?

If there is, where is the file located in the software?
Or alternatively, where can I download it?

Also, can one purchase a printed version and how does one order it?


In the program choose Help from the top menu and then select "Display Program Manual...". It then displays a PDF that is 641 pages and it says "Band-In-A-Box Version 2014 for Windows". I did not compare that to the old 2013 manual but I would guess this is what you are looking for.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 824
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 824
Thanks guys. Yes, that is what I am trying to locate but the 2014 User's Guide is just not in any of the places you suggest - only the old 2013 User Guides and the '2014 New Features Guide'.

I am wondering if maybe the audiophile updates, which is what I have, somehow failed to include the new User's Guide, or perhaps they were added after the initial BETA update releases, which is what I took.

Even if the above is the case, I find it a bit strange that there is not somewhere on the PG Music website where you can download just the 2014 User Guide?

I guess I will have to contact Support. I will eventually get that printed version you say is available but I would like to have a download right now to check up on a few things that I am now trying to do that I have never done previously in over a decade of using BIAB.


Grah Jive Talk
"Don't worry baby, they'll swing their arses off."
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,505
Veteran
Online Happy
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,505
I thought the full PDF came with the 381 Build, and it was a build where it didn't matter whether it was audiophile or not. The file I have (the 641 pages mentioned above) is one of just a few PDF files in the /BB folder. It has a size of 17 million plus bytes and a file date of March 12, 2014.


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 2001
Posts: 824
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 824
Thanks again for the responses, and to those people that contacted me by email. However, I am a little confused because I am assured by Support that there is in fact no such thing as a 2014 PDF User's Guide:

"Sorry, there's isn't a full 2014 PDF manual yet, just the 2013 one and 2014 upgrade manual. Once manuals are ready, they're included in the update patches on our website. Printed manuals are available for $10 + shipping, but they're not a thick as the ones in previous years, only about 60 pages.

If you'd like to order one, you can contact us through the Live Help (chat) feature on our website to pay with a credit card."

That is really what I had concluded from my own failed searches but it was the information on this forum that there was such a beastie that caused my further enquiries. I do have the 2013 PDF manual and the 2014 upgrade manual.

I will certainly get the printed version.


Grah Jive Talk
"Don't worry baby, they'll swing their arses off."
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,891
J
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
J
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,891
Support is wrong! I downloaded the last update,

Band-in-a-Box Version 2014 Update - Build 381 (March 10 2014)

and in my bb folder is a PDF named,

Band-in-a-Box 2014 Manual.pdf

and it is 641 pages with a March file date. And inside it are plenty of 2014 references and screenshots of the latest BIAB!

So, if you download and install Build 381 you should get this unless they have removed it for some reason!

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,891
J
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
J
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,891
and why would the printed manual only be 60 pages? Really, they print less than 10% of the manual and sell that to you? How do they know which 10% I want? laugh

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,891
J
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
J
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,891
Graham, I just sent you a PM...

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 348
B
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
B
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 348
Hello to all...

I am following the new developments and download immediately when there is a new patch. This has been the case with patch 381 which I downloaded on March 10th.

After having checked, this morning, I did not have the Instruction book 2014 in my BB file, as it seems to be the case for some of you...

I have now downloaded patch 381 (just now)again,installed it new, aaaannd...
The instruction book with 641 pages is there! Yeeaah!
What do we learn? Just try and try!!
Bernard

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,891
J
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
J
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,891
http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=225493#Post225493

Summary of changes for Build 381

Added: Full Band-in-a-Box 2014 User Guide

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 612
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 612
Here's something to consider. BIAB upgrade 381 was released on 3/10/2014. I downloaded it on 3/11/2014. After reading this post I looked for the 2014 manual and didn't find it. So I downloaded the same update today and reinstalled. I now have the 2014 Manual in my Biab Folder. It's dated 3/12/2014! Must have been omitted in the original release.

Last edited by Robert Coy; 06/14/14 01:43 PM.

Bob Coy
HP Desktop
Windows 10 Home, AMD A6-7310, 6GB Ram 1TB Hard drive. Radeon Graphics & Sound
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,505
Veteran
Online Happy
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,505
This is the reason I believe any change, no matter how small, deserves a new build number.


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 2001
Posts: 824
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 824
Originally Posted By: Robert Coy
Here's something to consider. BIAB upgrade 381 was released on 3/10/2014. I downloaded it on 3/11/2014. After reading this post I looked for the 2014 manual and didn't find it. So I downloaded the same update today and reinstalled. I now have the 2014 Manual in my Biab Folder. It's dated 3/12/2014! Must have been omitted in the original release.


Snap! I came to the same conclusion as my dates are the same as yours. To be fair, I think that first download was marked as a BETA. Anyway, I got my manual from another kind user. I will still purchase a printed version as they are much easier to handle than the A4 single-sided output from my printer. crazy Or maybe I will just print the topics that I particularly wanted for the new things I am trying to master.

I am wondering if there other changes between those 381 releases that I don't have. Did you find any?


Grah Jive Talk
"Don't worry baby, they'll swing their arses off."
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
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!

Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.

Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!

Order now!

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

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,048
Posts799,356
Members40,018
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
Newest Members
kimmolsn25, addsomebottom, m3talmud, Chunie, Karandeep
40,017 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 148
DC Ron 104
rsdean 103
DrDan 74
WaoBand 70
Today's Birthdays
dipalma18, Joey45, Karantois
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5