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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,791
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OP
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,791 |
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: 20,328
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,328 |
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 & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
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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: 3,791
Veteran
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OP
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,791 |
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: 3,791
Veteran
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OP
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,791 |
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: 1,543
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,543 |
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: 81
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 81 |
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: 12,267
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,267 |
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 – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud (Tip: No need to create a SC account to hear music - just hit ESC ).
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,791
Veteran
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OP
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,791 |
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: 7,693
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,693 |
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: 3,791
Veteran
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OP
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,791 |
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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New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!
Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
- Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
- Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
- Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
- Playable RealTracks Set 4
- RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
- SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
- 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
- Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
- Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
- RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 9 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.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 9 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.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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