I was looking @ the programming language of band in a box & real band they use delphi if they changed to c++ would get less errors and run smoother. They seems very outdated - looking on google most audio applications use c++ with better gui's and less bugs. There are programs that will convert 80% of delphi to c++. They could keep the existing band in a box how it is 32 for the older users that have been accustomed to it's interface for the last 20 years and make a new modern version that can be used like band in a box but in an audio workstation like real band in a new c++ 64 application. They seemed to be able to port it to the Macintosh ok so I do think they would be able to accomplish this sometime soon hopefully.
I didn't understand why the video link to a 1997 video on Generating Solos?
You mentioned
Quote:
There are programs that will convert 80% of delphi to c++.
Have you used these programs successfully (like 80% successfully)? No, I guess not.
Whatever development environment BiaB is produced in has no relationship to its output functionality. Most modern development systems - whether it is Pascal, Java, C++ or C# etc - are all capable of producing the same results, (well, maybe not Cobol...)
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
The output from the Delphi Compiler is just as compact and efficient as any C or C++ or C# compiler. Smooth running is a function of the programmer's effort.
BUT... to change from one language to another for a mature program is asking for trouble.
I know I am a programmer that uses Delphi primarily. It has grown up and kept on a technical level on a par with any other language.
Whatever development environment BiaB is produced in has no relationship to its output functionality. Most modern development systems - whether it is Pascal, Java, C++ or C# etc - are all capable of producing the same results, (well, maybe not Cobol...)
He he. I have been doing many things in COBOL but I wouldn't say that COBOL is modern. It is a nice language, quite speedy, quite comfortable to write and read but verbose. StylePicker and its fellow Pickers would probably be faster in COBOL and because of the file system the maximum number in the Style Picker would have never occured. But for the mathematical equations in the nusic files FORTRAN would be much much better.
Interesting topic. But, why would we end users be concerned with how or why the program is developed, programmed and compiled?
Because of the resulting size of the program and the speed it runs. The smaller the program the faster it loads. The more compact the code, the speedier the program is.
It is a [*****] to program, but written by very good programmers in Assembler the program would be much smaller and faster. The problem with third, fourth, fifth generation program languages (#GL) is that they are often very comfortable to use for the programmer but also create a lot of bulky overhead within the program. In Assembler you would have to program the GUI, in a 4GL you select the features and the appropriate module is loaded.
But in general: I don't care -- as long as my computer is fast enough and the necessary memory can be accessed.
(In the times when Bill Gates had said: "640 KB of memeory should be more than enough for everybody.2: The smallest program I've written in Assembler has had a size of 9 bytes. It gave back an errorlevel number indicating which key was pressed to control DOS batch programs. This program would have never been so small using another language except machine code.)
Interesting topic. But, why would we end users be concerned with how or why the program is developed, programmed and compiled?
Exactly! With today's fast computers and oodles of memory I have zero concern about what programming language PG might choose to use! No one would ever program a Windows application in assembler. Delphi, C++, who cares? Just get that GUI fixed! Better yet, get the whole thing converted to a VSTi that I can use in my DAW!
BUT... to change from one language to another for a mature program is asking for trouble.
Yes, agree 1000%. Big trouble. Huge trouble...
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
Well, I would say you have it backwards. Go onto your DAW's forum and ask them why can't they be a slave to Biab's host?
My point is DAW's along with Biab have always been master host programs. They're not designed to be slaves.
Bob
Baloney!:) there is no need to ask a DAW to support my Kontakt instrument library because it is already designed to a standard! if PG designed the RealTracks to be a VSTi it would become something universal that would work with any DAW!
The programming language has nothing to do with it, the Delphi compiler is quite efficient, what slows BIAB down is it uses a lot of resources which need to be loaded into memory. You could program it in Assembly language or even machine code for that matter it the increase in speed would be minimal. What it needs is a streamlining of the GUI to be less taxing on the system
""They could keep the existing band in a box how it is 32 for the older users that have been accustomed to it's interface for the last 20 years and make a new modern version that can be used like band in a box but in an audio workstation like real band in a new c++ 64 application. They seemed to be able to port it to the Macintosh ok so I do think they would be able to accomplish this sometime soon hopefully.""
Sorry was trying to emphasize for a new version but keep the old delphi32 biab for those existing users. The delphi just seems very dated to be still using so I did a list of what others are using for good reasons I would expect. C++ is simply portable to just about any platform and it seems everyone was complaining about the gui problems and syncing to other daw's and vst syncing. Sorry it was just something I had noticed.
I'm totally out of my depth here, but I'm curious. I read through the list and saw that all the "Brand X" programs used C/C++ except for Sonar, which uses MFC. What's that?
R.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
MFC is an object oriented library it stands for Microsoft Foundation Classes, Delphi uses it's own object oriented library "VLC" which stands for Visual Component Library, it's far more sophisticated than MFC and now delphi is focusing on a vector based library called Firemonkey that is used for cross platform development on Android and IOS.
The problem is not in the language or in the libraries; it's in the code efficiency and baggage. You can easily port Delphi to C++, since they are basically the same language aside from the syntax, but all you'll end up with is the same exact program running with code compiled from C++ instead of Object Pascal. Band In the Box was written back in the DOS days and ported to Windows, but for all intensive purposes it still operates like a DOS program. It reminds me of the earlier versions of AutoCad for Windows before they rewrote it to function like a windows program. One thing that would speed it up is to lose all of the unnecessary bitmaps and 3D bevels on the buttons and controls that not only eat up resources but make it look like a program out of the 1990s
It wouldn't be a total rewrite, unless the GUI code is mixed in with the analytical and music processing code.
Typically all of the GUI code should be in the units which contain the forms that use them and all of the non GUI code such as the music generation should be in separate units.
If everything is in one big main unit and the GUI elements are being accessed from within the procedures which do all of the musical functions then yes it would be quite an undertaking and a nightmare to maintain.
Band In the Box was written back in the DOS days and ported to Windows, but for all intensive purposes it still operates like a DOS program. It reminds me of the earlier versions of AutoCad for Windows before they rewrote it to function like a windows program. One thing that would speed it up is to lose all of the unnecessary bitmaps and 3D bevels on the buttons and controls that not only eat up resources but make it look like a program out of the 1990s
Thank you roslon for that - that's what I'm trying to convey - that's why that old video was posted. ""make a new modern version that can be used like band in a box but in an audio workstation like real band in a new c++ 64 application - and keep the existing band in a box how it is 32 for the older users that have been accustomed to it's interface for the last 20 years"" Maybe not tomorrow or the next day but sometime soon would be a good thing.
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 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 21 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.
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XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
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