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Beginners Forum
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2 |
Hello everyone
A little about myself
I'm retired and decided to learn to play guitar...I have bought a electric and an acoustic. Learning to play both....
I have a Roland amp with 3 channels ... just bought BIAB for windows 2018.
Only play for family and friends..but want to be the best I can...don't have a lot of money ..on a pension but we are comfortable... ...
my questions are:
After i get the track I want ..the equipment I need to use it live... switches etc....the different types mp3 etc I should use.
As you can tell I'm a complete newbie
I appreciate any help you can offer.
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,999
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,999 |
Not sure exactly what your question is? Also, to be the old guy around here you got to be in your 80's. I suspect you will have to clarify your question. Exactly what advice are you soliciting? You are not asking how to start a career in music, are you?  BTW, welcome to the forum.
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 728
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 728 |
Welcome to the PG Music forums. You're learning a lot at one time, an instrument, AND Band-In-A-Box (BIAB) so I'd suggest you start with the BIAB videos that come with the program. Also there are tons of videos on on the PG Music website and YouTube on different aspects of using the software. You don't need to play an instrument to learn to use BIAB. You can create music with the players on RealTracks and do quite a fine job. However, you do need a bit of music theory to create your own songs in BIAB, which I assume you'll get as you study your instrument. If you're getting lessons your instructor can help you get going with some music theory, or you can buy a book on the subject. A little bit of knowledge in that area goes a long way. Your learning curve will be pretty steep at first. So don't get discouraged. Just carry on and learn a little each day, and also practice your instrument daily. It will be rewarding to watch things come together over time. Have fun! Bob 
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2 |
I have to be in my 80's...changing my name to young guy...LOL
sorry should have been more precise...actually I must have done something wrong submitting my question ..dang I'm going to need help with everything..Maybe my mind is 80...hmmmmm
Thanks for your reply...you made me laugh..always a good thing
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 117
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 117 |
Welcome to the forum, and congratulations on your purchase. I only wish BIAB was one of the first things I purchased, so I think you're in good company.
The programs are packed with a lot of useful features, and the people in the forum are very helpful.
It's a lot to take in but at the same time you'll also learn a lot. Have lots of fun, and don't be shy about using the search function on this site to search for tips and solutions. You'll find some really good stuff to help catch you up to speed! :-)
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,633
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,633 |
For family and friends, you may be able to simply play your BiaB file through speakers and play along on your guitars and sing in the room.
If you want to mix it all together ahead of time, and play them a recording, you may need more stuff. As mentioned above clarify your end goal. Even if it may change.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,163
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,163 |
Once you have the basics down on how Biab operates, you can dive into using the "Conductor" feature for using Biab live.
Biab is a very powerful tool for making music/playing along with in real time.
If you have any questions or get stuck, this forum is the best place to get answers.
Trax
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
The Old Guy. Haha, this whole forum is mostly old guys as in 70ish. I'm 72. There are younger folks around but alas not a whole lot at least on this forum, I don't know about the wider customer base.
Anyway to your questions. No need for mp3's as long as you have a sound system to plug the output of your computer into. NOT your Roland guitar amp. That's for guitars only, it sounds like crap if you try to play a CD through it for example. Like lots of old guys are you a stereo person, did you have a good system back in the day? You need something like that to play Biab through. A modern home theater system can work too. Or of course, powered studio monitors but that's a whole different discussion.
Do you know anything about music at all? Do you know what a chord chart is? Do you know what 1-4-5 means? Do you know what a 12 bar blues is? Do you know the difference between C7 and Cm? These questions are as basic as it gets. If your answer to these questions is no, then you really do need some musical help because you need at least that much info in order to create a new song in Biab but don't worry, those questions are pretty easy to learn. When you start a new song in Biab you're creating a chord chart (Biab calls it a chord grid, same thing) which is why you need to know those basics.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 7
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 7 |
Hello everyone. I am also new to the forum and this site. I look forward to gaining wisdom and insight from the forum and possibly add my opinion every once in a while.
During my younger times, I struggled at times playing solo until bands were formed and went from there. During break-ups of bands was when I first learned of backing tracks and BIAB. I used BIAB when the first editions came out because I was solo at that time, but migrated away from it once another band of the day was formed. So now that I am solo again and retired (looks like I resemble that pseudo "Old Man" genre at 63...LOL).
I do have all the stage equipment and in past doing solo performances I have been using my Yamaha with highly modified MIDI files for my accompaniment, to which I normally play my LP's and Tak's to. I carry my entire library (677 files) around with me on two USB flash drives (once one breaks at a performance, you learn really quickly to have a back-up, which that night I didn't...VERY awkward indeed).
Anyhow, I look forward to all your posts and comments. Thanking you all in advance for any insight.
Cheers,
Don
BIAB 2018 Mega Pak
Takamine elec/acous 12-string G-series
Takamine elec/acous 6-string G-series
Les Paul 6-string Classic Signature Series
Les Paul 6-string (in open G tuning only)
Les Paul 12-string Classic
Yamaha PSR-S710 keyboard
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,063
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,063 |
Don,
Welcome to the forum and once again to Band-in-a-Box!
Band-in-a-Box has added many features since it's beginning. I hope you enjoy the changes.
I hope you'll post links to your compositions in the User's Showcase so everyone will have an opportunity to hear your songs.
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 7
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 7 |
Hi Jim,
Thanks for the warm welcome. Yes, you are quite right, things have changed not quite a bit...but IMMENSELY, since I used BIAB years ago.
Looks like I will have to go through all the tutorials and videos and go 'back to school' again to learn how to effectively use this new 2018 version.
Sure, I will post to the users forum with songs once I get onto getting some good and worthwhile music outta this...lol. It does appear there is a plethora of info available from all fronts on how to get moving and composing with BIAB 2018. Hopefully the process wont be too lengthy.
Take good care Jim..hope to talk and share with you more in future.
Cheers,
Don
BIAB 2018 Mega Pak
Takamine elec/acous 12-string G-series
Takamine elec/acous 6-string G-series
Les Paul 6-string Classic Signature Series
Les Paul 6-string (in open G tuning only)
Les Paul 12-string Classic
Yamaha PSR-S710 keyboard
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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® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed 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 transcribe 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, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
Holiday Weekend Hours
It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:
Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Don't wait - order today!
Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac 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)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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 PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: 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.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
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