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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I purchase Biab pro last February after seeing a friend with it.
So right from the start I had trouble activating it, with the help from pg. support after 3 weeks we got there. I was happy.
Since then I purchase a number of style set and packs only to find that nearly all styles are ladled (RT/na) in the style picker window.
And can not be generated. I was lucky to find 1 style complete and useable out of 100s of styles.
Has anyone else had this issue and is there a solution ?

Thanks in advance Ajag.

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Most of the styles you can purchase require that you have the Ultra pak or audiophile version, so that you have all the RealTracks used by the styles.


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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The answer to all you problems / questions is here in forum with other users. This software can be a mine field but with the help of folks here we can keep you safely moving forward.

As Matt indicated the Xtra Styles PAKs require certain RealTracks (RT) - see the small print. What you have reported is a common newbee issue. Either return the PAKs within 30 days or buy the full RT libraries. We generally recommend the latter, but only during the annual sale.

Welcome to the forum

Dan


BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.

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What Matt and Dan said is true - the Xtra Styles PAKs require an UltraPAK at a minimum. I can see from your account that you have a Pro package, which will not work with the Xtra Styles PAKs. You can either upgrade to an UltraPAK, which will allow the Xtra Styles PAKs to work, or you can request a refund for the Xtra Styles PAKs through sales@pgmusic.com as you cannot use them with the Pro or MegaPAK.


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Originally Posted By: Simon - PG Music
What Matt and Dan said is true - the Xtra Styles PAKs require an UltraPAK at a minimum. I can see from your account that you have a Pro package, which will not work with the Xtra Styles PAKs. You can either upgrade to an UltraPAK, which will allow the Xtra Styles PAKs to work, or you can request a refund for the Xtra Styles PAKs through sales@pgmusic.com as you cannot use them with the Pro or MegaPAK.

Hey Simon, could I make a suggestion that Xtra Styles PAKs not be sold to folks who don't have the RealTracks? Or maybe a warning could be issued at time of sale? This seems like something that could really upset a customer.

Last edited by JohnJohnJohn; 04/26/21 11:14 AM.
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JJJ, yes, that would be a good idea for sure. At least some form of alert to remind a user to check the pre-requirements for successful use of the Styles.
+1


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.
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As stated on the site for purchase of these sets: "Note: These Xtra Styles require Band-in-a-Box® version 2020 or higher and use RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition."


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Yes, we’ve had this discussion. I didn’t want to discourage the poster so I just answered his question.

Perhaps this notice could be even more prominent: Don’t buy this unless …

For a more elegant solution, since we can purchase the base program from other vendors, I wonder if PG Music’s store could query the activation info before selling an add-on that requires a different level?


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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This bring up a point that I have said before and that is PGM should combine everything into one package. No extra this or that but one complete package each year. That would eliminate this kind of confusion. YMMV


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I do know that after all these years of purchasing and loving BIAB I find it a bit confusing to buy.

...Deb

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Originally Posted By: DSM
I do know that after all these years of purchasing and loving BIAB I find it a bit confusing to buy.

...Deb


I agree. The Pro connotation for all other software is the top of the line while here it means entry level. Plus none of the packages contain everything. Very confusing indeed!


Principal: Your child always causes trouble in school.
Me: My child causes trouble at home, do I ever call you?

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Thanks to every one and your comments, Did not expect it to expand into
More comments.
I had my answer from the first two replies.
I do agree with every one view.
There room for improvement on the advertising of Band in a box.
I think the warning at checkout is a must.

I am new to Biab, I've use Power track pro for 16 years.
Biab has come a long way since then.
Now I'm addicted to it and Real Band.

Thanks again to all. may we speak again soon.
Ajag
Alan

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You're welcome. I think the situation you reported is one that could be improved and this thread may help.


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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Alan,
Sorry that you had that misunderstanding. The Xtra styles sets do require the ultra, ultra + or audiophile. We will make that notice more prominent in the description.

On the brighter side, due to requests, we are making some xtra styles sets for the pro and mega, they should be released within a month.


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I think it would be good PR for PG Music to rename the Pro version to something more indicative of its limited, entry level capacity.

For myself, this is the best software of its type because it seems to be the only one available.

It is relatively expensive software given the ongoing annual cost to keep up to date, whereas Logic Pro e.g is updated without further cost.

Despite having used this program for three years I do not utilise some features, such as shots, holds and fix sour notes, because they don't work as expected. They seem to be bug ridden to the point of annoyance, thus unreliable.

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Originally Posted By: Bunyip
I think it would be good PR for PG Music to rename the Pro version to something more indicative of its limited, entry level capacity.

I certainly agree that the 'Pro' name in not appropriate. It should be called 'Essentials' or 'Lite' or something similar that indicates it is something less than the 'Professional' version.


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.
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Or even 'Starter", as there are more levels and add-ons to this software than most.


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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Yes, agreed. 'Starter' would be an ideal reference to give to this version.


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.
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Morning Peter

Hope your well and safe ( when will this covid 19 be over ? )

Just wanted to say I've seen the new footnote warning with the new released Xtra Styles Pak 11.
And it is much more understandable for me and hope others will too.

I've been using Power track pro for a number of years, I remember seeing BIAB back in the 1990s,
And today it's come and long way and now I'm learning to use it. And I love Real Band it's FAB.

Thanks again Peter.

Ajag is short for

Alan Aquilina-Gray. the J is for john. I'm from the Uk.

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