Hey, I don’t know if it is just me, but I think the BIAB manual could use one simple overhaul for something that seems to be missing in almost any query or content search—THE BUTTON IS HERE, and it looks like THIS. Here is a RED CIRCLE around the button, and HERE IS WHERE YOU WILL FIND IT.
I will give one example of something simple that made me want to smash myself in the head with a hammer, but I have seen many, many more.
I wanted to transpose a midi melody in the melody track—just that, down an octave.
So, I look at the screen, my eyes get crossed, and I go to manual. There is page after page of text telling you all the things you can do with references to submenus, but nothing with a picture of the button and how you get to it from the main dashboard. As in WHERE IS IT??? And WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE????
Oh wait, it's not a button, it is actually on the main screen, I think, is that it, under "melody," in 6 pt. type? Should I have guessed???? Hmmmmm. Should someone have said "Main screen, across the top, look for drop down menu, before you get to the rows of buttons?" Should that have been intuitive???
Ok, maybe being goofy, but it is very easy to go blind looking for stuff, and the wording of the manual is not super user friendly at times.
Just one example, but I have found in the majority of major function searches, I just want to know what the button looks like (or, which menu are you talking about and WHERE IS THAT???) and where you access it, and I can take it from there. That instant specificity really seems to be missing most of the time and it drives me nuts.
Am I being the cranky old guy who just needs to shut up or does anyone else go nuts trying to use the manual???
But, I love me some Band-in-a-Box though!!!! Don’t want to be a whiner!!!
If I am being unreasonable, just let me know…
David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers
When I first bought BIAB in 2012 I was thrilled to find it had a HUGE PDF manual. I am old school. I LOVE big, thick software manuals.
But I quickly soured on the BIAB manual because 1) I could never find what I was looking for and 2) I would find plenty of things referencing obscure functions that no longer seem applicable to the modern versions.
I finally gave up and now I have a 3-pronged approach to using BIAB,
1) try to muddle through and figure it out
2) ask in the forum
3) give up, settle for some great RealTracks and do the heavy lifting in my DAW
If anyone at our beloved PG Music is tuning in, please consider pictures under every major topic.
Like, TRANSPOSING in music, or TRANSPOSING MELODY is one of the top 5 things done in music.
SO--give us a picture or two, show us the dashboard, how you go from Button A to Button Z, circle the knob in red with an arrow.
This applies to most major topics. There is a TON of text, but at the end of super long sections you are often left without the answer to this question:
SO WHERE IS THAT BUTTON, EXACTLY???
Help us PG Music! Please help us!!!!!
David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers
Like this. This is what I'm talking about. This is not a button, and it isn't clear where you go, until you guess. Oh yeah, the little main menu across the top. Oh Doh. Now I get it, and I'm squintin'.
I KNOW IT MAKES ME LOOK STUPID WHEN I FINALLY FIND IT, but it is easy for eyes to get crossed, and this might be a bad example, I dunno.
However, some little pictures with an arrow or two pointing to where you go, on any given top would be very helpful, as things can get real confusing real fast. More visuals.
A simple picture with drop downs would help. This is the case throughout the manual. It seems like such an easy/fix.
David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers
I think the problem may have to do with things moving every year. Every year people want a GUI makeover .. so stuff moves. And yes it can be frustrating sometimes.
I remember one year I was looking for the millisecond clock in RB where I expected it to be, and emailed dev telling them it was missing .. and their reply was 'you don't see it in the tiny bar just above the Taskbar?'
Well not until you told me where you hid it! The option used to be by the from:thru, now it's a tiny clock way down in bottom left corner .. almost looks like it is somewhere between RB and the Taskbar.. dang near on the Start button for Windows <grin> I got used to it eventually, but I agree the unclear changes every year can be frustrating at times
Last edited by rharv; 06/07/2101:19 PM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
There is page after page of text telling you all the things you can do with references to submenus, but nothing with a picture of the button and how you get to it from the main dashboard. As in WHERE IS IT??? And WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE????
Great dragons above, David, you're singing the song of my people!!!! The manual makes my eyes cross and I never do find what I'm looking for. SO much easier (and faster!) to ask here in the forums.
Love is always worth the risk.
HP laptop; Windows 10 Home 64 bit; core i5; 2.40 Ghz; 8 GB RAM; 256 GB hard drive; BIAB 2021 Build 835.
> Like, TRANSPOSING in music, or TRANSPOSING MELODY is one of the top 5 things done in music. SO--give us a picture or two, show us the dashboard, how you go from Button A to Button Z, circle the knob in red with an arrow. This applies to most major topics. There is a TON of text, but at the end of super long sections you are often left without the answer to this question: SO WHERE IS THAT BUTTON, EXACTLY???
David, You don't need the manual to get answers to questions like this. Use the Feature Browser. Inside the program, from a screen that you type chords, instead type '/' and hit <ENTER> (or press the (?) Feature Browser button on the main toolbar), and you will enter a world where you can find out where/how to use a feature by typing word(s) that describe the feature.
For example, start to type the word "transpose" and you'll get shown how to do it.This will list the menu items, hot keys etc. to help you transpose the melody. For example, it will tell you that there are hot keys to transpose the melody up down an octave (Ctrl-Alt-1) or up an octave (Ctrl-Alt-2).
But wait.... there's more!
For many of the items, in addition to telling you how to do it, there is a Do-It button. And there is for the transpose, so you just press that "Do-It" button.
The Feature Browser is also available from the main screen toolbar, with the word "Browser" on it and a "?" icon, and a tooltip that tells you the same information I'm providing in this post. To see this graphic, click on "featurebrowser1.jpg" below.
Thanks Peter!!! Ha ha ha, I didn't mean to bother such a high level authority with my boneheaded question, but I will check that out!!! Maybe by tomorrow I will be a true expert.
On a happy note, BIAB 2021 is smokin'! There is some CRAZY cool stuff in this addition soundwise and I am loving it!!!
You guys and gals have really outdone yourself with 2021.
David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers
Every four or five years I'll order a hard copy of the BiaB user manual. You get one with your initial PG Music order but upgrades do not include a hard copy.
The last few times I've ordered a manual the cost is about $15 US including shipping.
I checked this out and I think it is a really cool feature. Thanks!
For the future an idea or two:
If you see the links below I still think it would be helpful in the online manual (and the print too I guess, if people still use it) to see a picture similar to what I pasted in one of my post replies above (the one with the attachment) as a refresher. From these links, you now know what you CAN do, but if you are trying to remember a lot of BIAB functions, you would not necessarily remember that "melody menu" refers to the tiny type at the top of the GUI. Know what I mean?
For every major function, I think a small simple orienting screenshot back to the dashboard would be helpful.
Also, if you click the "Do It" button on transpose, it gives you one option I can see, but not the myriad, which you would see if you were to go to the drop down menu on the melody menu, which you need to be reminded of. Make sense?
I have no idea how you would address all of this though, with all of your major functions--the program is now so deep and rich and does so many cool things, it might actually take another staff to describe it all in a way that mortal human beings can absorb.
There are A LOT of tools now!!!
David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers
Use the Feature Browser. Inside the program, from a screen that you type chords, instead type '/' and hit <ENTER> (or press the (?) Feature Browser button on the main toolbar), and you will enter a world where you can find out where/how to use a feature by typing word(s) that describe the feature.
Oh my gosh!! Thank you, Peter!
Love is always worth the risk.
HP laptop; Windows 10 Home 64 bit; core i5; 2.40 Ghz; 8 GB RAM; 256 GB hard drive; BIAB 2021 Build 835.
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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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!
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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.
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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!
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!
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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.
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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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!
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This Free Bonus PAK includes:
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-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
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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
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)
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