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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,844
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OP
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,844 |
Has anyone noticed I am complaining a lot less this upgrade cycle?  Oh, I will throw a barb now and then on things like "All Tracks are Equal." But generally, I have enthusiastically embraced one new feature, multiriffs, and moved on. It is a zen thing for me! In the past I have been more than a bit annoyed at new features like custom track names that don't work throughout the program, VideoRealTracks that have almost zero usefulness and BIAB VST that never seems to make it across the finish line. I have complained, (sometimes too loudly) and had my posts deleted! (This one may be next!) But, I am getting old. And tired. I had very little time in 2021 for music. In 2022 I intend to focus more on the music and less on the tools. And I encourage all of you to do the same. So, I will call this Zen and the Art of BIAB. Stressing over features that do not work is mostly in the past for me. BIAB VST doesn't work? I'll simply never try to use it again. Oh, maybe someday, when Pipeline or MusicStudent get in touch and say "Hey, it works perfectly now!", I'll reconsider. But for now...what BIAB VST? Same approach for Utility Tracks, UserTracks and other initially promising features that just never seemed to pan out. And...I Am OK With This! With BIAB 2022 I received the finest set of RealTracks anyone could ever wish for! When added to my 10-year collection I now have a MASSIVE set of instruments that sound amazing and work almost flawlessly in any key across a range of tempos. And with my one new favorite feature, multiriffs, I feel like I have a complete toolkit in BIAB! But even without multiriffs (in case they don't work out) I recently realized I am damned happy to have 4 fully functional tracks plus a drum track to use (even if they are called Bass, Piano, etc.) and almost 10,000 styles made up of a hard drive's worth of REAL instruments that BIAB will assemble for me on demand! Now don't get me wrong, I'm keeping Komplete and all of its amazing instruments and synths and those will find their way into most of my new music. But I won't spend another nanosecond trying to get Kontakt to work inside BIAB or BIAB VST to work inside Reaper. And no Charlie, I won't be dragging RealTracks to utility tracks and then medlyfying-melodizing-audiofying-whatever them; all of that deep technical diving and uncertainty (is it another bug or am I stupid or maybe both?) sucks all of the fun out of music creation for me. So I will ENJOY BIAB 2022 immensely as I explore all of these new RealTracks and styles. And I will use BIAB as sparingly as possible; get in, generate some tracks and get out! And then I will explore adding new stuff from Komplete to see if maybe I can create some modern music using parts from BIAB and parts from elsewhere. This approach may not be for everyone and if not, well, have fun in the trenches fighting the good fight and lemme know if a particularly useful feature suddenly appears to be fully functional! But for me, at least for now, it will be Zen and the Art of BIAB. (And, as I have stated here in the past, I will continue to upgrade every year if PGM continues to provide new and fun RealTracks and styles as they have done in the past!)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,770
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,770 |
In the past I have been more than a bit annoyed at new features like custom track names that don't work throughout the program, VideoTracks that have almost zero usefulness... Ahem.... I presume you mean Video RealTracks ?! Signed: VideoTrack  (I do think I need to change my name  )
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 177
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 177 |
Hello John(cubed). Well I am a complete newbie but actually read your post with interest. I too have come to realize that one cannot possibly do all the things that are offered in life and even cannot do all the things that might be on your top ten list of things you would like to do... or even the top five. Happiness for me seems to involve picking what matters or resonates most and crossing the other things I would like to do off my to-do list "UNDONE". A wonderful new book is out discussing this very phenomenon called "4000weeks" which has helped me learn this lesson and increased my enjoyment of life a great deal. Didn't realize you were going to get such a serious reply didja?!?!?!  Cheers.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,844
Veteran
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OP
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,844 |
In the past I have been more than a bit annoyed at new features like custom track names that don't work throughout the program, VideoTracks that have almost zero usefulness... Ahem.... I presume you mean Video RealTracks ?! Signed: VideoTrack (I do think I need to change my name ) Ha! Indeed, I meant VideoRealTracks! VideoTracks is a quite friendly and enormously helpful member of this community!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,844
Veteran
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OP
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,844 |
Hello John(cubed). Well I am a complete newbie but actually read your post with interest. I too have come to realize that one cannot possibly do all the things that are offered in life and even cannot do all the things that might be on your top ten list of things you would like to do... or even the top five. Happiness for me seems to involve picking what matters or resonates most and crossing the other things I would like to do off my to-do list "UNDONE". A wonderful new book is out discussing this very phenomenon called "4000weeks" which has helped me learn this lesson and increased my enjoyment of life a great deal. Didn't realize you were going to get such a serious reply didja?!?!?! Cheers. Thanks! I bought this book back in September but haven't read it yet.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 177
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 177 |
Oh that is awesome. Well that book is about exactly what you are talking about. If you were serious about what you have discovered about less being more(very Zen), I think you will love it. I am reading it now for the second time. 
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,588
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,588 |
Interesting perspective, I think I've been there before, haha
Latest BIAB version, latest build.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 85
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 85 |
Hello Backing Track,
thank you for making me aware of this book. It hits a nerve.
I just bought it and I am eager to dive in.
Me too, like JJJ, reached a point where this full amount of Functions and Software are not helpfulfull anymore. To much time is spent to care, update, learn and struggle with problems. Just making music, the main reason I have gathered all this tools, is an activity that suffers from so much time and energy eaten up.
So, I was ready for something like this book.
But, having had a glance into it, there seem to be more wisdom revealed than just helping with the issues described above.
“Musicians”: UltraPak 2025
DAW: Studio One Pro +
"Instruments": VSTs and REs
Notation: Notion 6
Interface: NI Komplete Audio 6
Mic: RØDE NT1-A
Controller: Panorama P6/KAWAI VPC1/Atom
OS: Win 10 64 Pro
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,652
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,652 |
I wish you well JJJ. I hope I can find this path of enlightenment in the near future. God knows I have tried, but I keep getting sucked back into this dark hole. Stay in touch buddy and stay on the path.
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,844
Veteran
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OP
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,844 |
I wish you well JJJ. I hope I can find this path of enlightenment in the near future. God knows I have tried, but I keep getting sucked back into this dark hole. Stay in touch buddy and stay on the path. Thanks Dan! I'll still be around. But now I'll prolly be in the Off Topic forum asking Kontakt questions!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
OMG!!! Hell has frozen over!
JJJ, life is too short and I totally agree with you. Unbelievable I know!
Sincerely, the many the discussions we've had over the last few years have been fun and I mean that.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,844
Veteran
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OP
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,844 |
OMG!!! Hell has frozen over!
JJJ, life is too short and I totally agree with you. Unbelievable I know!
Sincerely, the many the discussions we've had over the last few years have been fun and I mean that.
Bob Thanks Bob. The feeling is mutual! And I'll still be here in case you say something I disagree with so I can jump right in!
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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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Video: New User Interface (GUI)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows 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 60 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 Windows and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until December 31, 2025. 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 Windows packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49. Browse the full contents of each package and listen to demos here.
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
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 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 Windows or for Mac.
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.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: 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 because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
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