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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Hi all.
BIAB and Realband = great programs. Use them every day; have made a lot of music with them.

I have to say, however, as a not-terribly tech savvy musician I do find, at times, PG Music's approach to releases bordering on the amateur.

So, now I have a 64 bit version of BIAB but only a 32 bit version of Realband.

If I want to run the 64 bit version I have to hunt around for the exe file and set up my own shortcut on the desktop.

I flash the cash for the new realtracks and extra styles but find some of them don't have audition files yet.

And, most confusingly to me, while everyone goes wow the 64 bit BIAB can load 64 bit VSTs, there don't appear to be any version of the BIAB Native Plugin FX available to the 64 bit version.

I've only tried the VST BIAB plugin once, so far, in Reaper. On the face of it is sounds great but the operation - particularly how multiriffs are approached - feels enormously clumsy.

BIAB is like a terrible aunt who you love despite her being a total social nightmare.

I love it and hate it in equal proportions!!

Rant over

Bestest all

Phil

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I hear you, Phil. But this is all new and they clearly wanted to get it out in time for Christmas. I know they will continue working the issues over the next month, so patience is in order.

FWIW, you can still run 2018 alongside 2019, if you wish, so you don't lose anything. But by having 2019 installed, all you have to do is apply the patch updates as they come.

The native PGMusic FX are all DX effects and actually haven't been updated in about a decade. But, I understand that they are looking them to modify and recompile as 64-bit plugins, so we should see them; we just don't have them now. Of course (and I know this doesn't help), most of the world has moved away from DX/DXi in favor of VST/VSTi, and even that is evolving as things are moving away from VST2 in favor of VST3. Nothing stays still, does it?

I also understand that we will hopefully get a new 64-bit Coyote synth (both the WT and the Forte), which you may or may not use.

I've found my BIAB 64-bit works nicely with my 64-bit Cakewalk TTS-1 synth (which you can get for free by installing Cakewalk by BandLab, which also gives you the DAW too).


John

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Quote:
BIAB is like a terrible aunt who you love despite her being a total social nightmare.

I love it and hate it in equal proportions!!


Thanks !! I had a good laugh, still laughing as I'm typing, it's true.
But yeah, I can see it was a big year of change, a Quantum Leap !!! and yes getting it out there was the priority and a lot of things still need doing that would of been done if there was not such a big change. As Johns says it should all be done soon.
I usually give them a hard time and gave a lot of nagging for 64 bit and a VST, so with this release I'm very proud of the Quantum Leap they have achieved and the new website to go with it.
Buy yes lets get them fixes happening and that VST working like gold.
In all the years from RealTracks till now I think this is the best and biggest.

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Everything you say is right. I know I'm just having a whine. Over the years BIAB and Realband have become my most useful tools for putting together show music at low cost for small theatre companies - and I do treasure them.

But every year PGMusic drive me nuts with an enormous fanfare at release time, making claims of exciting developments some of which take a full year of support updates to try and achieve.

Because they make such useful tools I'm in for the long haul with PG Music, but it can truly be an annoying ride sometime.

Ah well, my wife's new car is being delivered today. I'm looking forward to telling her that the wheels should be available soon when the company get round to releasing support upgrade 691e.

Kind regards to everyone!

Phil

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Great info here by Jford. Phil, keep in mind that you can open a song with either the 32 or 64-bit version, and even alternate if you wish. At some point PG Music will either update those effects for 64-bit, or perhaps even come up with something better we didn’t expect.


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; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Originally Posted By: Phil Babylon
..... Ah well, my wife's new car is being delivered today. I'm looking forward to telling her that the wheels should be available soon when the company get round to releasing support upgrade 691e. Phil

Its the same with Steinberg usually, and Toontrack ... only the wheels come around the bend a lot faster when you drive a PG, sometimes even a personally adapted spare, even still square, wheel is sent in advance .. F

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They need to have a gap year, where all they are doing is FIXING things for the whole year. I'm just trying to create some UserTracks at the moment but still so many problems, I remember now why I gave up on UserTracks and they were released in 2014.

Band-in-a-Box® with RealBand 2020 for Windows is here!

500 exciting new fixes !
All things working how they should !
No time spent on new features, ignoring the existing problems !
We spent the whole year playing catch up doing nothing but
fixes, YES the whole year !

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Pipeline, You got to be fair.
Considering and comparing features of past updates, this one is huge as an elephant. I initially lost the hope for serious change from PGmusic except for new RTs and minor fixes. This update proved me wrong. I am sure this release will have a hefty load of bugs, but at least now I can see where it is heading and the dark scary unknown became a much friendlier place.... at least to me smile

Best regards,
Misha.

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Originally Posted By: Pipeline
They need to have a gap year, where all they are doing is FIXING things for the whole year. I'm just trying to create some UserTracks at the moment but still so many problems, I remember now why I gave up on UserTracks and they were released in 2014.

Band-in-a-Box® with RealBand 2020 for Windows is here!

500 exciting new fixes !
All things working how they should !
No time spent on new features, ignoring the existing problems !
We spent the whole year playing catch up doing nothing but
fixes, YES the whole year !


Absolutely.


Latest BIAB version, latest build.
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Yes, that's what I said in my previous post, it's a Quantum Leap, the best release since RealTracks, the happiest I've been, but now a year fixing things is needed to get it all working like it's color, GOLD.

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If they have a year of just fixing everything so it is perfect are we all happy to pay for it though? They do need some income to support the whole operation.

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Yes 200 more RealTracks with only a few cosmetic changes to the software.

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PG Music News
New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!

We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!

Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!

Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.

Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles

Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)

And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.

You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.

Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!

The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!

Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!

With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 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 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK: -For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles. -For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles. -For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
  • Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
  • Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
  • Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
  • Playable RealTracks Set 4
  • RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
  • SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
  • 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.

Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:

  • 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
  • FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
  • Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
  • Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
  • Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
  • RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe

Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!

New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!

Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.

New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!

We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!

If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!

Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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.

New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!

Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.

New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!

We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!

If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!

Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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.

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins

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