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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 114
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OP
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Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 114 |
I have used the customer chat service the last few days with Catherine.
It's like puling teeth to get answers. And then she changes the terminology when she answers and wonders why I am confused.
It's like this every time I have chatted with her.
Unbelievable.
I'm hoping someone from management will see this.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,195
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I suspect you are asking questions for which there is no easy or "definitive" answer. And regarding terminology; BIAB is filled with the most obscure and obtuse terms and abbreviations accumulated over the past 20+ years. That's the product. Don't blame it on the sales/support team. It is just the way it is here.
Try asking here in the forum and if the only response you get is to contact PGM, then likely there is no definitive answer to be found anywhere.
Cheers,
Dan
BIAB – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, 1TB WD Black NVMe SSD, 2TB WDC Blue SSD, 1TB WD Blue, 2 TB SK NVMe, 6 TB External, Motu Audio Express 6x6
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 26,958
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You've asked some very interesting questions that are perhaps outside the norm, like focusing on Ableton Live. I still don't know what you would like your method of composition to be. There also appear to be some unresolved questions about styles versus bonus paks versus RealTracks etc. and I can see where this might lead to an impasse. How about trying your questions here again?
Dan is right, we can only be stumped at worst, but collectively we are pretty good.
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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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,796
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,796 |
Well, honestly .. PG has one of the best and fastest support departments IMO. And to boot that; there are quite a few forum experts willing to help out.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 114
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I have heard that. However, that has not been my experience.
I asked very simple and clear questions, just about what was included in a particular package. What I got was an argumentative response. Perhaps it's just the one person. I have had good luck every other time in the past. But it's annoying when I keep getting the same person, who almost seems like she is going out of her way to be combative and adversarial.
Either she is trying to do too many things at once, not doing any of them well. OR she is untrained.
I mean when I ask a question comparing to things, using BIAB terminology and then she changes the terms I used when answering it does not make it easy to understand.
The forum has been great. I just had a few basic questions before purchasing. Really didn't expect the response I got.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 114
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Thanks Matt. I appreciate that.
I am just trying to get some clarity on whether or not I need to spend an extra $200 to get the Xtra Styles Paks 1-10.
The sales page does not specficially say anything about the number of Real Styles included. It only mentions 2000 (I think) of the Midi Styles.
Assuming by composition...I mean the straightforward recording of backing tracks that are good enough sounding to put out commercially, not necessarily on a CD though.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,106
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yes if you want to have all the styles PG have created you need the extra styles discs.
mind you if you asked 'do i need to buy the extra styles' the answer might be 'what do you want to do?' rather than yes or no and things might get more complicated.
Last edited by Bob Calver; 12/28/20 11:34 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,732
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Keep in mind that like most businesses this time of year, they are probably working on a very small staff as people take the holidays off. The person you worked with may have been inundated with calls/chats.
 Steve BIAB/RB 2022, Pro Tools 2020, Korg N5, JBL LSR 4328 Powered Monitors, AKG/Shure Mics.
PC: Win11 PRO, 4 TB M2 SSD, 2 TB HD, 128 GB Memory
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 114
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 114 |
I suspect you are asking questions for which there is no easy or "definitive" answer. And regarding terminology; BIAB is filled with the most obscure and obtuse terms and abbreviations accumulated over the past 20+ years. That's the product. Don't blame it on the sales/support team. It is just the way it is here.
Cheers,
Dan
That was not at all the case in this situation.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 114
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 114 |
Keep in mind that like most businesses this time of year, they are probably working on a very small staff as people take the holidays off. The person you worked with may have been inundated with calls/chats. I understand that. I understand busy. I don't understand argumentative and completely failing to address a very simple tangible question. It was such a bad experience over a few different chats, that I am considering not making the purchase at this point. Not sure that I want to have to deal with that ever again.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,659
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<< I am just trying to get some clarity on whether or not I need to spend an extra $200 to get the Xtra Styles Paks 1-10. >>
If that is your simple question and "Assuming by composition...I mean the straightforward recording of backing tracks that are good enough sounding to put out commercially, not necessarily on a CD though."
The answer is clear..... Yes you do. As a composer that uses BIAB, you will find these Xtra Paks essential over time. The versatility of BIAB depends solely on the amount of content you have to work with. The core BIAB program is the same across all versions.
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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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 114
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 114 |
<< I am just trying to get some clarity on whether or not I need to spend an extra $200 to get the Xtra Styles Paks 1-10. >>
If that is your simple question and "Assuming by composition...I mean the straightforward recording of backing tracks that are good enough sounding to put out commercially, not necessarily on a CD though."
The answer is clear..... Yes you do. As a composer that uses BIAB, you will find these Xtra Paks essential over time. The versatility of BIAB depends solely on the amount of content you have to work with. The core BIAB program is the same across all versions. Someone had told me they do everything in MIDI Styles to start with, NOT REAL Styles. I guess that is what confused me. It sounds like you are not one who uses the MIDI Styles?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,261
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I am just trying to get some clarity on whether or not I need to spend an extra $200 to get the Xtra Styles Paks 1-10. I don't understand all the fuzz. Xtra Style Paks 1-10 are explained in extenso even with examples here -> https://www.pgmusic.com/xtrastyles.php?os=win.These sites are self explanatory - why would you need to call anybody at PGMusic? On a more personal note, I do suggest you refrain from acting ad hominem - otherwise you should consider getting rid of those letters 'gentleman' somewhere within your handle.
Martin
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 114
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 114 |
I am just trying to get some clarity on whether or not I need to spend an extra $200 to get the Xtra Styles Paks 1-10. I don't understand all the fuzz. Xtra Style Paks 1-10 are explained in extenso even with examples here -> https://www.pgmusic.com/xtrastyles.php?os=win.These sites are self explanatory - why would you need to call anybody at PGMusic? First, that's NOT why I called PG. It was a simple question about how many REAL Styles are included in the Ultra Pak Plus. Second, I asked the question about Style Paks, because I don't yet have a good context of understanding since I havn't had a chance to really use the program much. Third, why would you post something so completely unhelpful to someone asking for help?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,261
Veteran
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Posts: 5,261 |
. . . why would you post something so completely unhelpful to someone asking for help? Because the referred website tells you all you were asking for? All you need to do is some reading and listening . . .
Martin
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 114
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. . . why would you post something so completely unhelpful to someone asking for help? Because the referred website tells you all no were asking for? All you need to do is some reading and listening . . . I disagree.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,659
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<< I am just trying to get some clarity on whether or not I need to spend an extra $200 to get the Xtra Styles Paks 1-10. >>
If that is your simple question and "Assuming by composition...I mean the straightforward recording of backing tracks that are good enough sounding to put out commercially, not necessarily on a CD though."
The answer is clear..... Yes you do. As a composer that uses BIAB, you will find these Xtra Paks essential over time. The versatility of BIAB depends solely on the amount of content you have to work with. The core BIAB program is the same across all versions. Someone had told me they do everything in MIDI Styles to start with, NOT REAL Styles. I guess that is what confused me. It sounds like you are not one who uses the MIDI Styles? Yes, I start nearly every project with a midi style. Especially covers or a song I'm trying to "in the style of". I do this for several reasons. For covers, a good midi file gives the expected riffs, phrases, timing, melody for a guide, as well as the feel and groove of a song. It is infinitely easier to audition and select a RealTrack to an existing and accurate production than the opposite. Almost always a midi song is easier and faster than working with an MP3. It's faster and normally more accurate in populating the chord chart with the chords and midi generations are faster than RealTrack generations. I don't worry about the accuracy of the midi sounds initially and that's an issue only if I retain a midi patch in my project.
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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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2020
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Thanks Charlie. Much appreciated.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,369
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,369 |
In rough numbers there are about 2000 MIDI styles, and 3000 RealStyles in the UltraPAK, and 2000 other RealStyles that are available in the Xtra PAKs.
"RealStyles" are .STY files (like MIDI styles are), but they are made up of real audio recorded instruments (RealTracks) instead of MIDI parts.
If you have the 2021 UltraPAK + the bonus 49PAK, and have installed the latest update patch, you have all of the RealTracks available at the current time.
Xtra Styles are additional STY files that we've been making over the last few years, that are made up of RealTracks that already exist in the UltraPAK. Indeed, you could make your own Xtra styles if you were dedicated and have a lot of free time.
Andrew
PG Music Inc.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 114
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Thanks for the info Andrew.
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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 2025 Italian Version is Here!
Cari amici
È stata aggerate la versione in Italiano del programma più amato dagli appassionati di musica, il nostro Band-in-a-Box.
Questo è il link alla nuova versione 2025.
Di seguito i link per scaricare il pacchetti di lingua italiana aggiornati per Band-in-a-Box e RealBand, anche per chi avesse già comprato la nuova versione in inglese.
Band-in-a-Box 2025 - Italiano
RealBand 2025 - Italiano
Band-in-a-Box 2025 French Version is Here!
Bonjour à tous,
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 pour Windows est disponible en Français.
Le téléchargement se fait à partir du site PG Music
Pour ceux qui auraient déjà acheté la version 2025 de Band-in-a-Box (et qui donc ont une version anglaise), il est possible de "franciser" cette version avec les patchs suivants:
BIAB 2025 - francisation
RealBand 2025 - francisation
Voilà, enjoy!
Band-in-a-Box 2025 German Version is Here!
Update Your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 to Build 1128 for Windows Today!
Already using Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 1128 now from our Support Page to enjoy the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.
Stay up to date—get the latest update now!
Update to RealBand® 2025 Build 5 Windows Today!
Already using RealBand® 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 5 now from our Support Page to ensure you have the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.
Get the latest update today!
PowerTracks Pro Audio 2025 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks Pro Audio 2025 is here! This new version introduces many features, including VST3 support, the ability to load or import a .FLAC file, a reset option for track height in the Tracks window, a taller Timeline on the Notation window toolbar, new freeze buttons in the Tracks window, three toolbar modes (two rows, single row, and none), the improved Select Patch dialog with text-based search and numeric patch display, a new button in the DirectX/VST window to copy an effects group, and more!
First-time packages start at only $49. Already a PowerTracks Pro Audio user? Upgrade for as little as $29!
www.pgmusic.com/powertracks.htm
Video: Summary of the New Band-in-a-Box® App for iOS®
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new Band-in-a-Box® app for iOS®! Designed for musicians, singer-songwriters, and educators, this powerful tool lets you create, play, and transfer songs effortlessly on your iPhone® or iPad®—anytime, anywhere.
Band-in-a-Box® for iOS® :Summary video.
Check out the forum post for more information.
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