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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 05:54 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
Posts: 8,888
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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 2026:RB 2026, 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: 10,980
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,980 |
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: 2,149
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,149 |
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: 27,610
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,610 |
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 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 647
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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Joined: May 2000
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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
Posts: 10,980
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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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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.
Holiday Weekend Hours
It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:
Saturday, May 16: Closed
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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®!
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