Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#501340 11/14/18 04:36 PM
Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,449
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,449
I've been following the news reports about the tragic fires in California, as I have some friends there - thankfully they're okay.
I know that Bob (Jazzmammal) recently moved from LA to the country; has anyone heard from him? He hasn't been on the forums for a while.
I hope he & his family are okay.


Cheers,
Keith
Off-Topic
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,086
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,086
I sure hope so. The news reports are beyond awful. The death counts rising - whole city burned to the ground. Horrific stories of survival and death. All those burned out cars on the highway. it's just beyond imagination.

At my house we're praying for CA and everyone affected there. So sad.

Off-Topic
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 8
M
Newbie
Offline
Newbie
M
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 8
The worst fire in CA history. One of my good friends I play music with(we live by LA) had a best friend musician of 40 years who lived in Paradise 40 years of life guitars amps musicianship 3 pets gone entire home in an instant. They were lucky to get out alive they are searching for temporary housing in Sacramento. Last I heard still only 40 percent contained Prayers are much appreciated

Off-Topic
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 11,034
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 11,034
Sad..... prayers for the people involved and affected.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add 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.
Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 25,065
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 25,065
Originally Posted By: Guitarhacker
Sad..... prayers for the people involved and affected.


Yes prayers for those people.

I have a friend whom had a good portion of his home lost in the fire about 6 months ago. He is living with one of his children in northern California and says the air quality is absolutely terrible.

I have two friends that I have not heard from and pray that they are all right.


Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Off-Topic
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,096
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,096
Some of you may remember user, Seeker. He posted links to more than 500 UserTracks he created. He lives about 80 miles from Sacramento, CA.

I know in years past fires have been a problem for him. Unfortunately the telephone number I have for him has gone straight to voicemail for many months as I've attempted to periodically contact him.

The stories coming out of California are both horrific and inspiring. Hopefully the state will get a break soon as resources are stretched to the limit.


Jim Fogle - 2026 BiaB (Build 1249) RB (Build 10) - Ultra+ PAK
DAWs: Cakewalk Sonar - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8
Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD
Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
Off-Topic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,344
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,344
Originally Posted By: Jim Fogle
Some of you may remember user, Seeker. He posted links to more than 500 UserTracks he created. He lives about 80 miles from Sacramento, CA.

His old web support page places him down in Bangor, which is about 50 miles south of Paradise. So hopefully he's far away from the disaster.

Like everyone else, I've seen the pictures - it's unreal.

I'm down in Sacramento - over 100 miles south - and the smoke here has been pretty heavy. They've been cancelling schools and telling people to stay indoors. He's got to be pretty miserable up there, closer to the fire.


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?

BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
Off-Topic
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 483
J
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
J
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 483
We are 200 miles from Paradise CA. and the air quality here Is listed at 185 (ppm), unhealthy. The foothills which are less than 5 mi. are barely visible. The mountain ranges within 20 mi. cannot be seen.
As bad as it is today, the number for yesterday late afternoon was in the low 300’s.
Eyes and throats are burning and people can be seen with masks.
A high school friend and my son’s landlord lost their homes.
Just few observations.

Off-Topic
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
I've been following those stories closely, it's unreal what's happened up north but don't overlook Malibu. Yes, those are very rich people but still hundreds of big, expensive homes gone and those folks care about their personal lives too. Luckily only a few deaths there. Up in Paradise it's the perfect storm of isolation, very old wooden buildings, lots of hoarders with flammable stuff all over the place, poor internet or cell service and a whole forest backed right up to your porch. Oh, and one narrow winding road south and one north, that's it. That's why so many died in their vehicles. Too many switchbacks they couldn't make much headway away from the fire.

I moved the other direction to Warner Springs. It's in N. San Diego County about 40 miles from the huge fire around Julian 3 years ago. The weather here all week has been exactly the same as around Malibu. 8% humidity and Santa Ana winds blowing from the desert at 20-50 mph.

Everything around here is bone dry tinder. The electric company shut off my power from Tuesday morning until yesterday late afternoon. I was in LA last week and got home Tuesday afternoon to find no power. That totally sucked believe me. I just moved in last May and I'm still not completely settled yet. There were no fires anywhere around me and it didn't occur to me they would shut off power to this entire area as a precaution. Just to rub it in, this community was the very last to get the power back late Thursday.

I'm a big city boy, not a mountain man but up here I'm becoming one that's for sure. I had to run back into town Tuesday afternoon and I bought a 1600W generator. I know squat about them and got back after dark so I was unpacking it in my driveway by the lights on my car and a flashlight. Then I'm running extension cords all over my place in the dark but I got it all set up and saved the food in the fridge and put the lights on. Fun times. I'll be better prepared next time. At least I didn't get burned out or killed like so many have in other parts of the state.

Talking to other residents here there has never been a fire in the community but there have been plenty over the years in the general area. There's a Naval training base just a few miles down the road and I hear choppers frequently so that probably helps with fire control too. I'm told that when there's any little hot spot from a lightning strike they're on it immediately.

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.
Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 25,065
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 25,065
Bob, first I am glad that you are safe.

Second, with all those forests gone will there be a lot more mud slides when the rains come? I would surmise yes. Would that hamper rebuilding?


Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Off-Topic
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 483
J
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
J
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 483
Mario,
“Would that hamper rebuilding?”
I believe that it was the mayor of Paradise who told TV reporters
that since so much was lost, many residents would not be returning
therefore taxes needed to rebuild the city’s infrastructure would not be coming in.
The mayor indicated 80-90% of the homes are gone!

Last edited by jazzsax; 11/16/18 12:17 PM.
Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 25,065
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 25,065
Originally Posted By: jazzsax
Mario,
“Would that hamper rebuilding?”
I believe that it was the mayor of Paradise who told TV reporters
that since so much was lost, many residents would not be returning
therefore taxes needed to rebuild the city’s infrastructure would not be coming in.
The mayor indicated 80-90% of the homes are gone!


Thanx for the info. It could take a long long time for the city's infrastructure to be rebuilt if a lot of tax money is gone. I never thought about that possibility.


Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Off-Topic
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,096
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,096
The updates concerning the California fires continue to get worse and worse each day. The poor Sheriff of Butte County (where the town of Paradise use to be) almost looks to be physically sick as he issues the ever increasing toll of dead and missing. More than 1,000 people are "living" in a makeshift tent city built in a Walmart parking lot. The air is unfit to breathe in much of the state. It's grim beyond anything anyone can imagine.


Jim Fogle - 2026 BiaB (Build 1249) RB (Build 10) - Ultra+ PAK
DAWs: Cakewalk Sonar - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8
Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD
Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
Off-Topic
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,008
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,008
My best friend lives incredibly close to the fires going on. About 3 hours by car away from Paradise, and about 5 hours away from Malibu. She has been incredibly sick from all the smoke. I've been really worried about her, but there's not much I can do for now but hope she's alright. It's just awful what's happening to everyone in those areas. All my thoughts are with them.


Cheers,
Ember
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
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!

XPro Styles PAK 11 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!

Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!

All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 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!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!

No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!

In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!

Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 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.

Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!

XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!

Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!

All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 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!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!

No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!

In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!

Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 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.

Peter Gannon Talks Band-in-a-Box with zplane

zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!

Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.

Check out the full interview here: https://products.zplane.de/blog/peter-gannon-interview-pg-music

Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!

Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!

We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

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 amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.

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!

Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!

Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac 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 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.

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,634
Posts807,767
Members40,179
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
Newest Members
RAYPA, Neveralull, alebasa, Shegzy Empire, JAZZ72
40,178 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 88
rsdean 80
WaoBand 48
DrDan 42
vicarn 41
Today's Birthdays
Grahammk1
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5