LOL That is the very thing I thought yesterday, was going to say something then thought why bother the ToDoList is too long and may never get done ! I though of a Tab at the top for Prefs or a button. YES that logo takes up sooooo much room, for a billboard like that the cost is too high ! Everything is so crammed that's why we don't have solo/mutes buttons but try to cram it all into to one icon instead of having solo/mute and drag the track name to export, also that Play button is useless it should be Sync to Host button. When you right click on the chord sheet it should give the menu from the Master track but at the moment after a while the BBW4 F5 Bar settings comes up. I think with the ToDoList it needs more Doers to Do it, as this could drag on for years down the track ?
When you right click on the chord sheet it should give the menu from the Master track but at the moment after a while the BBW4 F5 Bar settings comes up.
This is IMHO what should happen. Right clicking should always invoke the context menu. As they name implies it is about the item you just have clicked.
OTOH, the menu of the master track available with the downward arrow is for me pointless. It just duplicates the settings and menus that belong elsewhere. But I donÄt mind as right-clicking does the right thing
It's hard to please everyone
Originally Posted By: Pipeline
I think with the ToDoList it needs more Doers to Do it, as this could drag on for years down the track ?
This one is just "a nice to have". Though IMHO after fixing the bugs of existing features, there are a few tasks that need to be addresses to make the plugin shine.
Thanks Masi! I agree with the points you've made regarding the possibility of changing where the preference option is located. However, changes to any aspect of the GUI requires thoughtful consideration and development because users who are familiar with the current layout will have to adjust to these changes as well. I will add this to the to do list but I will have to discuss this change with my colleagues to determine if the change is worth the potential confusion that some users may experience. If we choose to implement this change than it will likely only be before a new major release.
The logo could be resized to make more room for a preference button however, I don't believe that the size of the logo has anything to do with getting solo/mute buttons working properly or that any of this has to do with keeping/removing the Play button (which actually has a very definitive purpose). I chose to launch the bar settings dialog by right clicking a cell in the chord sheet because at the moment there is no use in showing a context menu with one item that would launch the bar settings dialog. I appreciate all the great feedback!
potential confusion ? that's all the plugin has been ! I have been saying this for over a year to get it right the first time, but I agree it's too late now to change things as it's so set in with guides and videos of the half baked ways of doing things, it has no skins where you can set the layout, buttons, graphics up how you like. I don't think I have the energy to go through another year of it. I can only blame myself, if I was not here there would be no Plugin in the first place. I tried really hard to get PG out of the past, it's all just too draining. That's why I say about the RapidComposer Beta Testing Development forum, when I first went there I fell off the floor because suggested ideas where implemented overnight virtually, things that take up to 10 years in other forums. The energy flowed and was not blocked from idea to implementation, it was a pleasure, how things should be. But when you give out so much and it goes nowhere it is disheartening and draining.
potential confusion ? that's all the plugin has been ! I have been saying this for over a year to get it right the first time, but I agree it's too late now to change things as it's so set in with guides and videos of the half baked ways of doing things, it has no skins where you can set the layout, buttons, graphics up how you like. I don't think I have the energy to go through another year of it. I can only blame myself, if I was not here there would be no Plugin in the first place. I tried really hard to get PG out of the past, it's all just too draining. That's why I say about the RapidComposer Beta Testing Development forum, when I first went there I fell off the floor because suggested ideas where implemented overnight virtually, things that take up to 10 years in other forums. The energy flowed and was not blocked from idea to implementation, it was a pleasure, how things should be. But when you give out so much and it goes nowhere it is disheartening and draining.
Pipeline,
I felt genuine anguish reading this.
The time, effort, and sheer ingenuity you poured into this is immediately evident, and you deserve accolade upon accolade for it.
There's no conceivable reason you should be beating yourself up. You basically carried this whole thing on your shoulders. If BiaB had the audience, userbase, and forum participation of the type you have with Cockos Reaper, the sky would be the limit.
There are so many suggestions I have for the plugin, and its integration with yours, but I keep quite because I know that there is such a small incentive with the current userbase being what it is, instead of what it should be. And that will probably never happen, because, IMHO, BiaB is not being used the way that 95 percent of the active music producing community worldwide--professional, amateur, and hobbyist alike [although, tbf, I have over time come to agree with those in these forums who asserted that BiaB was a secret weapon employed by many a professional chart-topping producer).
It's funny. When I originally discovered BiaB, I was simply searching the internet for something to generate backing tracks to play guitar and bass along to. When I initially bought the entry-level version, I remember thinking that $140 (I think that's what cost then...) was expensive for just something to jam along with, but whatever. I enjoyed the program so much that I upgraded to the full version and kinda balked at the price, but whatever. I also upgrade every year--pretty much for the features, and used to think that was expensive as well.
A few years have passed since my initial purchase, and I have been getting much more into the production side of things with MIDI, VSTs, DAWs, and all that. And what I've discovered is that BiaB--at least in it's entry level version, is pennies compared to the amount of cash forked out by millions of users for plugins, software, and sample packs the majority of which may get used a couple times (if that). Hell, people will pay upwards of $200 for a freaking compressor plugin when they already have 2 dozen.
The fact that BiaB does not have millions of users (yes, millions!), used to astonish me--especially because there is nothing like it around.
I realize now what the issue is, and PG Music can only be blamed up to a point, because the program and its users (and, more importantly, USES) have become a closed loop of sorts.
For a dozen reasons I'm not gonna even bother going into now, I think that the plugin, with yours, along with a few enhancements can change absolutely everything. EVERYTHING!!!
I admit, when the plugin came out last year I thought it was pretty much pointless because I would simply export individual fragments/track sections into Reaper as needed. But now I realize that it is capable of so much more. Sooooooo much.
So please keep your chin up, Pipeline, and be proud of all you've accomplished.
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Pipeline, I think I see the source of the confusion. Although I am very surprised I did not notice this in the past. It may help explain why you are getting frustrated with your slow progress in effecting change here in BIAB. So please clarify or correct me if I am wrong. But could this picture be true???
Heck, if so (and with all respect) - you are a relative newbee here . Stick around guy and keep up the good effort, after a few more years you will come to realize what you are up against, find peace and learn to just enjoy this place and BIAB for what it is and what it does. Oh and if I forgot to tell you in the the past... thanks for bringing the BIAB chord sheet to my Reaper projects . <<all commentary said with a big smile>>
The logo could be resized to make more room for a preference button however, I don't believe that the size of the logo has anything to do with getting solo/mute buttons working properly or that any of this has to do with keeping/removing the Play button (which actually has a very definitive purpose).
The Play button has a purpose but it's the Play Demo Button that serves no purpose, you don't go into the Style picker, pick a style, close the window, Play Demo, go back into the style picker, pick the next style, close the window, Play Demo.......
But if you want to leave it there just put the Sync to Host button on the head of the sax player in the Big Logo, so when you double click his head it will turn green and when you double click the head of the double bass player it will turn yellow and solo sync/play the current selected slightly darker track.
I have been through this a thousand times over the year I must be pretty darn stupid to keep at this I will have to try a cold turkey with it I think.
I made a new Reaper Skin with the single mute solo button, just got to upload it and see how popular it is
Pipeline, I sincerely apologize for any frustration that this development process (or myself) have caused you. I am doing my best to address all the issues and suggestions that you and other testers have made, and I believe that in most cases I try to include user requests in the following build.
Some suggestions or bugs can be fixed by myself relatively quickly and in those cases I always ensure that they are fixed in the following build, others such as the suggestions about design and specifically the track table design/functionality have taken longer because they require an overhaul of certain components and such drastic updates should only be included in major releases. Every point you mentioned is something that I agree with and plan on fixing. I agree that the demo button can be removed and plan to replace it with a "sync to host" button. I plan on reworking the whole track table to function more like a traditional mixer, keeping in mind all the suggestions you and other testers have made regarding the solo/play/mute buttons, etc. I will reiterate that I do not believe the logo size interferes with any of the UI and that everything (IMO) fits nicely in the space. If there is a need to update that then I am open to hearing about it but for now I believe that once we fix these more important features, the layout of the plugin will be fine and allow for a logo of that size. All of these changes, and others you've suggested are coming but at the moment I am prepping for the 2020 mac release while also sending out updates for the windows version.
All this to say that I am hearing all of your suggestions (which I completely agree with) and I am doing my best to implement user requests but these features will take time to update so please continue to be patient while we work things out.
It's interesting to see how a small feature requests evolves into ... something else, something very emotional.
Anyway, I understand that there are some top priority issues for the plugin at hand. Yet I don't think that this means we should not bring up new ideas for the plugin. Or at least we should take notes and post them when the time is ripe. Whenever this will be
Adar, you are a great asset to PG ! what you do is great thanks ! But if you had some help it would be great as it seems like so much to take on yourself with all that massive ToDoList, and you need to wait for Peter when he has spare time away from the main BB to work on the BBW4 helper for your plugin to communicate. I feel powerless as the only thing I can do is make suggestions and nag, nag, nag if I could do something to help I would be right in there but I can't as I have no C++ know how. I can make AutoHotKey GUI's for Biab and reaper scripts but that's about it. In Reaper a lot of users contribute to create functions and things get done pretty quick. It's just stressful when day in day out you have to sit and wait and watch over the year the very slow progress, and I know you are flat out on it and back n forth from Win<>Mac but as I said if you had a twin.. The beta was just dumped with a few days to test and everything I said would happen has happened, there was no pre-beta feedback.
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
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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.
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.
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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
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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)
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
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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.
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With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
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. Stick around guy and keep up the good effort, after a few more years you will come to realize what you are up against, find peace and learn to just enjoy this place and BIAB for what it is and what it does. Oh and if I forgot to tell you in the the past... thanks for bringing the BIAB chord sheet to my Reaper projects 
I will have to try a cold turkey with it I think. 
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