|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,504
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,504 |
Now that we seem to be coming to an end with the Covid pandemic, I'm thinking about reviving an old thought and playing live on the nursing home circuit. My mom really enjoyed the music when she was in a nursing home and I hope someday that would be available for me as well.
As you can see from my sig below, my system is setup for studio work. So the question is: How do I convert over to live work with minimal equipment and cost?
I recently acquired an Electro Voice Evolve 30m that has an 8 channel Dynacord mixer with bluetooth built in. For live use, I'm thinking about a keyboard, an external synth module with DIN from the motherboard, a couple of mics and an acoustic guitar. All audio outs would feed the mixer and I would run USB between the computer and the keyboard and module.
So my questions are:
1. How do I get away from the desktop computer? Laptop, notepad, chromebook? What processor (i5 or i7) is needed and what type of storage? I'm thinking SSD for programs and mechanical for RT / RD.
2. Since I'm running live and using a mixer, would my MOTU 828 interface even be needed since no recording is involved?
3. How would I run my saved songs with RT / RD's out of the computer with no interface, currently its all USB to the interface? Headphone jack out to the mixer? Bluetooth to the speakers? MP3 player?
Would appreciate some thoughts from some of you live players.
Jeff
Win11, Intel i7 7700K 4.2Ghz, 32Gb RAM, 2x1Tb HD, 500Gb NVMe, BIAB/RB 2026, MOTU 828MK3 audio, MOTU Midi Express, Yamaha Montage 7, DX7II, TX802, Motif XS Rack, Roland Fantom XR Rack, Oberheim Matrix 1000, VoiceLive3 Extreme, Kontakt 6, SampleTank 4.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,504
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,504 |
Kinda stuck here guys. Anybody have any thoughts on how to make this happen?
Jeff
Win11, Intel i7 7700K 4.2Ghz, 32Gb RAM, 2x1Tb HD, 500Gb NVMe, BIAB/RB 2026, MOTU 828MK3 audio, MOTU Midi Express, Yamaha Montage 7, DX7II, TX802, Motif XS Rack, Roland Fantom XR Rack, Oberheim Matrix 1000, VoiceLive3 Extreme, Kontakt 6, SampleTank 4.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
I have always asked this one question and the answer has always been "Because."
Here's the question.
WHY do people feel the need to run DAW type software in live situations? Just think about that for a minute. If you are playing live, and you are playing (just to name a song on that HATED list) Mustang Sally. You get a sense that the bass is not loud enough. What are you going to do about it? You are playing live. You can't tell the crowd "I am going to stop the song so I can boost the bass track and start over." The mixing aspect of the song is over with when you play live. You are going to play whatever it is. That being said, why not just compile them into good quality WAV files and play whatever you are going to add live to the WAV that you play back through the PA? Success comes from simplicity. The more variables you can remove, the less chance you have for failure. Why play drum tracks through a drum machine when they are the exact tracks that you recorded? That introduces the possibility of a drum machine failure to your process. And if you decide the bass on ol' Mustang Sally is too quiet, live with it that day, go back to your tracks in your home studio, boost the bass, render it again, and replace the one you don't like. Is it just a matter of thinking that the crowd will be wowed by the amount of gear you bring in?
My suggestion, my opinion (how sad that I have to add that disclaimer) is to dump those songs into WAV files, put them on a hard drive, and play them back through a powered mixer feeding 2 cabinets. The places you said you want to play simply won't care about anything other than you providing some much needed entertainment to break up their daily routine.
One of my friends, in fact the guy who engineered my CD, played shows for YEARS with an iPod of some flavor (a Nano maybe) that sat on his music stand and he played guitar and sang. The tracks he had created were as lush as any live performance I ever heard. He did a cover of Walk Away Renee with 8 layers of BGV, 4 synth tracks... The sound was huge. From his iPod. The HARD work was in his home studio where he recorded it all. but that really doesn't impress anybody. (He told me he spent 3 days JUST on the harmony singing on Walk Away Renee.) Now, this particular guy plays drums, bass, guitar, keyboards and has a 4 octave vocal range and has won some local award for his production and engineering, and his standards are so high that I would offer the opinion that the backing vocals were probably fine after 2 takes, but that is just an aside to explain how good you cam make things sound and play them from an iPod.
I once went with him to play in a place that wanted a duo, and the deal was that if I didn't know the song, I would just turn the volume on my keyboard down and fake play. The same with vocals. If I didn't feel comfortable hitting a note, I just silently mouthed it. AND at the end of the night I got paid!! LOL
Bottom line, KISS applies. Do your hard work at home.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 330
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 330 |
This is the way I've been doing it for 10+- years.
I create my backing tracks in BIAB, and then move them as WAV files onto an SD card in my JamMan looper. The looper then gets plugged directly in to my Bose L1.
I have about 80 songs on the looper. Each song has a number, which I can scroll through using the looper's foot pedal. As a guitar player, I like having this "hands free" feature at gigs. As a back-up, I have all the songs on a small MP3 player, just in case.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,566
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,566 |
I record backing tracks to my SONY portable recorder (which takes WAV and MP3 files). It’s an older unit that has RCA output jacks, because the one thing I will not do is run from a small headphone jack into my PA. Too much chance of loud crackling noises from those jacks.
Computer to the job? No.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,503
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,503 |
I've been in a duo making my own backing tracks since 1985. Here is how I do it: http://www.nortonmusic.com/backing_tracks.htmlEddie, Frank and Matt are doing it similarly. The idea is to make your rig as fail-safe as possible. IMO Running BiaB live or a DAW is asking for an eventual crash. Insights and incites by Notes ♫
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,860
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,860 |
It's been a long time since I played live.
But my advice is very similar to eddie's.
Keep it simple.
Nursing homes don't require big or complicated.
A simple mixer/amp combo, with a single speaker or perhaps a pair of small speakers.
Plug in a guitar or maybe a keyboard. If you play both.... I'd opt for the guitar. Straight to the board.
For the backing tracks, a simple iPod or mp3 player will work. Or, a decent laptop and play the waves. Mix the songs with the missing parts you're going to provide.
Keep it simple. I don't think anyone will complain.... Well, let me rephrase that... At least not about how you are doing the gig.
If you can't set up in less than 5 to 10 minutes and tear down in under 5.... You're doing it wrong.
The simple fact that you are willing to play in the nursing home is all that matters.
Keep it simple and go have fun.
Edit. I played with a prison ministry once a month for a few years. The church provided a small PA. I carried my mp3 player and my acoustic guitar with a piezo. I plugged both in and did my musical part.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 03/30/21 10:40 AM.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,504
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,504 |
This is great guys, really appreciate the input!
I'm hearing two take-aways here: use MP3's and use an USB audio interface rather than the computer's headphone jack.
Notes Norton's excellent write-up is based on his use of Lenovo laptops. That makes sense to me: running from the laptop to an audio interface. I like the idea of getting away from the computer all together as I only have a desktop computer. But that brings up a few more questions:
1. Can anyone make a recommendation on MP3 player units...I know nothing about these.
2. How are you running an MP3 player into your audio interface or are you going from the MP3 player directly to a small mixer or bluetooth to a mixer by passing an audio interface altogether.
Appreciate everyone's advice.
Jeff
Win11, Intel i7 7700K 4.2Ghz, 32Gb RAM, 2x1Tb HD, 500Gb NVMe, BIAB/RB 2026, MOTU 828MK3 audio, MOTU Midi Express, Yamaha Montage 7, DX7II, TX802, Motif XS Rack, Roland Fantom XR Rack, Oberheim Matrix 1000, VoiceLive3 Extreme, Kontakt 6, SampleTank 4.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,503
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,503 |
The nice thing I like about laptops as opposed to an iPod or other tablet, is I can go from song to song instantly.
While playing a song in Windows Media Player I can hit Alt+Tab which brings me back to the File Explorer. Type a couple of letters and the next song is highlighted. Then when the song I'm playing is done, I hit Enter.
Between songs are as important as during songs, and this leaves me free to go to the next song immediately, make an announcement, or interact with an audience member between songs without my nose buried in a tablet or iPod type device.
When my mother-in-law was in a nursing home, we played a few gigs there. Play music that they like, probably Sinatra or Elvis era songs. Watch their reaction and go older or newer accordingly. Play songs they know by heart, and you will see a lot of them come alive while you are playing. It's heartwarming when that happens.
Dress neatly, be kind and courteous to everyone, ask the management to let you know about volume and other advice as they know their clients better than you do.
Pretty much the same as any gig, but with older tunes.
Insights and incites by Notes ♫
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,566
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,566 |
Zoom makes good units now. I like one that takes a WAV file as well as MP3 but it's not critical.
I just run the output of my MP3 player into my PA amp. The connections of course depend on what you have. That amp has two channels, one for my MP3 player and one for my mic, and so I just 'mix' with that.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 2,766
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 2,766 |
I think Matt is talking about the Zoom LiveTrak, right? I've used the Zoom R8/R16/R24 in the past which are quite similar, and they would probably be the kind of device that would suit Mountainside's needs.
I work here
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
If I was doing this I would absolutely use a player rather than a computer. Why you ask? Okay, since you asked...
The computer is subject to internal processes which sometimes call an IRQ that for a tiny fraction of a second interrupt the stream of whatever is running. Even that quarter of a blink of an eye interruption is audible when what is running is a music player. An external player is not subject to that. However, you also then face the requirement of buying a high end enough stand alone player that has RCA outs because really, don't use a headphone jack if you can avoid it. I believe Matt said his has RCA outs to go to his PA system, so that model would be a great option. I'll just never forget how I went to play that gig with my friend. We started at 8. We arrived at 7:45, and we were ready to start on time. 2 speakers on fly poles, 2 power strips, his iPod, guitar and our 2 keyboard cabling as well as 2 mics, and we started. I knew about half the songs, more I was able to fake and play, but for maybe 25% I knew zero of it and faked it with either volumes off or lip syncing harmonies, and nobody in the crowd knew a thing. And at the end of the night he handed me 100 bucks and I went home. I'd do that 7 days a week if they were all like that!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,792
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,792 |
I used to mix my own songs and ply them from my laptop, now I only do that for when I do a song or two as part of a show with multiple players. To play a full set I use my iPad attached to my Mike stand bluetoothed to a Gemini tower speaker. The iPad has an app called Jamzone I have about 133 songs on it from old standards, to country to pop even a few rockers. They come with scratch vocals I drop the volume on lead vocal and the acoustic guitar. The program is kinda like a karaoke type song with the exception that it has a mixer for each instrument . It scrolls the lyrics and chords. So you can reference the verses if you get lost. Sound quality is great and you can setup set folders if you want. https://www.jamzone.com/
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,867
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,867 |
< 1. Can anyone make a recommendation on MP3 player units? > Tascam vd-400U CD/SD/USB Player with Bluetooth https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/CD400U--tascam-cd-400u-cd-sd-usb-player-with-bluetoothThis will run your show using most of the popular audio formats while recording your show. It has XLR balanced and RCA unbalanced analog outputs and an AM/FM tuner. It's cheaper than the cost of a laptop and audio interface while saving setup time.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
Will you guys PLEASE showing me all this great stuff??? I need to find a stopping point on this quest to be the guy who dies with the most toys!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,566
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,566 |
This isn't as easy as I thought. I just looked on Sweetwater at some portable Zoom recorders. I could not find one that did not have a 1/8" headphone/line out jack, and I personally would never buy that. My 12-year old SONY has RCA output jacks, and USB to load songs as .WAV files from my computer, so it still does what I want. Looking on Sweetwater was disappointing. I want a unit with a nice easy-to-read multi-line display, with a menu system where I can easily and quickly find things, and a simple transport button system. I think if my SONY broke today, I would buy this, but it's pricey: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PSD450mk2--superscope-psd450mk2
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,094
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,094 |
I definitely agree with avoiding the use of 1/8" audio jacks. Asking for trouble, no question. RCA is probably the most reliable and compact option.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,566
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,566 |
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,173
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,173 |
I use a pretty simple setup.
I have my songs in MP3 format on a laptop. I also have an amp sim (Overloud TH-U) on the laptop as well as a program called Songbook. The songs in Songbook have the lyrics and chords as well as a pointer to the MP3 file. Simply press start on the song and then the MP3 (from within the song) then sing and play along.
I have Songbook setup to scroll through lyrics and chords in time with the audio file that way I know where I’m at. (I’m getting old and might lose my way).
I have an audio interface (Presonus 24C) between the laptop and a PA System and a Behringer FCB1010 MIDI Foot controller hooked into the laptop (to control stomp boxes and volume into TH-U).
I plug my guitar into the Audio Interface. All my volume levels are sorted as well as the level of the guitar to backing. I usually have the songs I want for the gig in a folder in Songbook so it is a simple matter of going from song to song.
So the gear: a laptop, PA, Audio Interface, the FCB1010, guitar (Telecaster) and microphone (Shure SM58) , the stands and cables. And these days a chair as I have difficulty standing for long periods. Some of the gear is fairly new (I gave away most of my gear thinking I had retired) but the guitar for example is over 50 years old.
All quite simple and seems to work fine for my needs.
Tony
Last edited by Teunis; 03/31/21 03:55 PM.
HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home,
Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612
BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 103
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 103 |
Dear all, I have just the same plan (playing in nursing homes). Playing is singing to a half-playback.
I do have some on an android tablet that have been made like a karaoke version (CD+G), where the lyrics scrool along in sync. No crap but made with Biab and a DAW.
I use the headphone jack to feed my small mixer that takes my mic on a second channel. The mixer employs an effect processor (mainly reverb and compression for my voice). The mixer feeds my power PA (amp build in).
This works well, at least in my garage.
I could use bluetooth to connect Tablet to mixer, but I preffer the cable. Having read all this good advice to avoid the tiny headphone connector, I started thinking about some interface that would use the usb connector of the tablet and provide more stable jacks on the other side.
Does such a device exist? Would the small usb jack be more reliable than the headphone jack? And wouldn't such interface add complexity and another point of failure?
What is your take?
Last edited by Uncle Paul; 04/01/21 02:36 AM.
Band in a Box UltraPak 2026, Fender Studio Pro, Fender Notion, NI Komplete Audio 6, Nektar Panorama P6, KAWAI VPC1, Presonus Atom, Win 10 64 Pro
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: 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.
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.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
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.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Holiday Weekend Hours
As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:
April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours
Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
— Team PG
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,199
Posts801,860
Members40,065
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean