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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 11
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 11 |
Hi all,
New here. I have been writing songs for a lot of years and want to record some. I am hoping that the $129 pro version will have enough bells n whistles to do some simple folk/rock/blues type stuff?
I have not bought yet. Also...if you upgrade eventually to the next level do you pay full price or less the amount of the lower version?
I'm a so so guitar strummer, songwriter, in a worship band for church, Love most music. Love my 12 string guitar too...lol.
Have a good day everybody!
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 393
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 393 |
Welcome, GildfordMusician. The basic program is the same in all the versions, the difference is the amount of included styles and real tracks. BIAB can produce midi or audio tracks - the ability to produce audio tracks is dependent on having the real tracks (including the so-called real drums). The higher packages include more real tracks and real styles. The Pro version is kind of a bare bones package without many styles or real tracks. You're probably better off to get the highest level package you can possibly afford. PG Music does generally offer upgrade prices, but you'll end up spending less if you buy higher level package to start with generally. They do also I believe still offer 30 day money back policy, if you'd like to try the program for 30 days.
good luck
Macbook Pro 2018
2.6 GHz 6-core Intel Core i7, 16 GB RAM
OS Monterey
BIAB for Mac 2022
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: May 2000
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There are upgrade prices, so upgrading to a higher version is not 'full price'. PGMusic is known to accommodate upgrades very fairly. However, many of us here (who learned the hard way) suggest getting the highest level you can afford initially as it saves more $$ in the long run. Yes, you could create 'simple folk/rock/blues type stuff' with Pro, but once you have Ultra you realize how nice it is to have all the extra realtracks for variety. Pro will get you hooked enough to want more.  /I see babarton posted much the same right ahead of me, so I guess I'm just confirming his advice.
Last edited by rharv; 07/04/19 04:54 AM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,312
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,312 |
To hear demos of the RealTracks & RealDrums that are included with the Pro version, visit https://www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.packages.pro.htm#procombos - you may find that these are exactly what you're looking for!
Callie
Marketing Representative
PG Music Inc.
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Apr 2013
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Welcome to the forum. The Pro version will definitely get you started and it's a great place to start if you have no prior experience with Band-in-a-Box because of the 30 day money back guarantee if you find it's not for you. For guitar players and songwriters, unless you also use midi a lot, you'll quickly find you'll want to upgrade to another package. All of the versions have the same core program but differ in additional content and other add-ons. Several of the add-ons are programs for learning and practicing guitar. For songwriting, the more styles you have, the more ideas you can generate and compose demos of.
Future upgrades are discounted for either staying with the same version or upgrading to a higher version.
For many years, BIAB was a midi only program and many thousands of songs have been written and performed using the program. As a songwriter and if you prepare demos only as demos that will be used to take your song into a studio and it will be rerecorded from scratch, the Pro version is all you will ever need. Midi files are easily created in several different ways and there are also tens of thousands of free and commercially created midi files available for you to use or to create a huge data base of BIAB midi Styles as templates for your songwriting. Money you might spend on upgrading to a more featured version of BIAB may be better spent on a high quality external synth or a software VST program to provide high quality, better sounds for your midi files.
Using RealTracks offer many benefits you will find useful. RealTracks are real musicians playing music that will play over any chord progression, in any key and at most tempos. PG Music has bundled many of these instruments together to create RealStyles which are Styles the instruments function well together as a band. There are literally thousands of hours of recorded audio of these musicians playing their instruments at a studio quality level of performance.
The three ways I think RealTracks will help you:
1. You can't play a particular instrument.
2. You can play a particular instrument but a BIAB session player can play it better.
3. You can play a particular instrument but it's inconvenient for a reason you prefer not to play.
At some point you may realize you can create your own backing tracks, demos or even a commercial release using BIAB with quality midi sounds and Realtracks. When that happens, you should upgrade to the highest version of the program you can afford.
Hope you decide to get the program and maybe post some of your originals here on the forum for us to enjoy.
BIAB 2025:RB 2025, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 11
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 11 |
Thanks for the feedback guys!
I'm a so so guitar strummer, songwriter, in a worship band for church, Love most music. Love my 12 string guitar too...lol.
Have a good day everybody!
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 11
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 11 |
Callie...Thank you! I think there is quite a bit of variety there for a newbie! Not being such a quick learner on techie stuff like this...it'll be more than enough to get me going.
I'm a so so guitar strummer, songwriter, in a worship band for church, Love most music. Love my 12 string guitar too...lol.
Have a good day everybody!
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,664
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,664 |
Yeah... I recall one time I bought one of the versions of BB and realized it wasn't the version I thought I had ordered. I called support and they confirmed that the things I needed were in the next version up the ladder. They suggested that if I would pay the difference between the one I bought and the one I really needed, they could get the upgraded version out the door to me that very day.
And that's exactly what I did. The upgraded version came on a hard drive and the cost difference was about $25 if I remember that right.
I've always found their support and customer care to be exemplary and well above what was expected. They know how to take care of their customers.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd 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.
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 11
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 11 |
Downloading now....uhhh...this is a Loooooonnnnnng download...lol.
So...they do payments that start in a month and no interest charged for the payment program....super easy to do! 4 payments...and the wife was balking till she saw that...lol.
I'm a so so guitar strummer, songwriter, in a worship band for church, Love most music. Love my 12 string guitar too...lol.
Have a good day everybody!
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,137
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,137 |
Good advice above. When I first upgraded to 2018 I didn't buy the 'full' package but soon realised I would really benefit from the wider choice of RealTracks. PG allowed me to upgrade by simply paying the difference which was great.
My only whinge is that although I buy everything I never use jazz styles or things like Klezmer - just rock, pop, bluegrass, country and folk but you can't really pick and choose upgrades by genre.
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,340
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You can buy by genre, sort-of, but i think it’s not economical to do so. Much better to upgrade by package.
Several here including me have been astounded by some of the PG Music styles, especially the newer style paks, when a RealTrack is successfully used from a genre we would never have thought to try. It’s not obvious at all. Having all the genres is a huge advantage. And i never know who is going to hire me to work on a song outside of my normal genres.
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.
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Joined: Jul 2000
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 647 |
My take has always been to ignore the styles names. Just consider then as 3/4, 4/4, or 12/8; swing or even; 1/8 or 1/16.
Then based on the tempo, audition for yourself. Often tempo isn't even a factor - sometimes it is great to drop the tempo and see if it works. I have also moved straight rock to a latin style with a lot of success.
Unless you are really insistent on creating a realistic cover version, experiment - you'll be surprised at the results
BIAB for Windows Version 2019 (643)
Windows 10 (1909)
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One of the things I always try to remember to do, is try RTs that were NOT part of the original style. I have some cool stuff (to me anyway) that combines things like Grunge and Bluegrass and Funk. Chances are few have used that particular combination, but doing so taught me to make the effort to experiment with RTs I normally may have ignored. Grunge drums, bluegrass banjo/mandolin, and Funk bass .. I still play it once in a while to reinforce the message. I think it may even have Mason guitar solo RT for a section .. point is, experimenting often makes you realize stuff you didn't think you will use is suddenly seen in a whole different light. I'll see if I can find the link to the reference above; may not fit your taste (which is why I haven't found a real life use yet, I suspect a pretty limited taste palate would enjoy this like I do) but it shows how the many seemingly unrelated RTs can indeed play together nice. found it http://masteringmatters.com/stuff/UrbnM1bc.mp3Sure it's weird, but they all play together
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Joined: Apr 2009
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Downloading now....uhhh...this is a Loooooonnnnnng download...lol.
So...they do payments that start in a month and no interest charged for the payment program....super easy to do! 4 payments...and the wife was balking till she saw that...lol. And that right there is why I'm willing to wait on FedEx to deliver the package. It's a 2 day wait. And at the internet speeds I have the package would get here long before the DL ever finished.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd 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.
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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 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows 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)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
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 PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Video: New User Interface (GUI)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac 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!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 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!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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.
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!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 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.
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!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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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