Windows 10 (64bit) M-Audio Fast Track Pro, Band in a Box 2025, Cubase 14, Cakewalk and far too many VST plugins that I probably don't need or will ever use
Ha Ha. I hope you chose a good one. Go to make the most of things, you know
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.
I typically see this type of 'behavior' when a new motorbike purchase is in the works, but can appreciate the Guitar purchase behavior too! My old roomie from over a decade ago (also an old PG Music employee - who remembers Josh!?) had more guitars than I did shoes... and he still does!
Janice's response to me is, "Bud, just buy the (guitar, computer, mountain bike, new car, etc., etc.).
Hey, as a friend once said to me, "it's just stuff!"
Bud
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
My boss is generally pretty understanding of purchases. Of course, we keep the lines of communication open and don't try to hide anything.
I run everything past her first and she has veto power (which she seldom exercises). She trusts me to make wise decisions and seek out good deals.
I've also gotten her a Rockman and a Korg Monologue of her own.
Last edited by Byron Dickens; 04/25/2208:45 AM.
Byron Dickens
BIAB. CbB. Mixbus 32C 8 HP Envy. Intel core i7. 16GB RAM W10. Focusrite Scarlett 18i 20. Various instruments played with varying degrees of proficiency.
I always ask the wife first too for new stuff. But when something breaks, like the headphones/puppy incident recently, I confess I ask for the new toy before mentioning we have to replace/repair an existing one .. improves my odds for success.
Happy wife = happy life and all that. I also did the daughter's brakes this weekend so it all balances out in the wash.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
My addition to this thread is a sad one that stems from a meeting with reality yesterday.
I had to play a part on a song that was nothing more than an 8 bar complimentary line to a lead line. I struggled with that simple part for an hour. My hands and fingers never followed what my brain was telling them to do, and the pain in my hand was extreme to a level that it still hurts me right now, over 24 hours later. And now I have to finally say it out loud.
I just can't do this anymore.
I simply have to admit that old age and arthritis has defeated me. I have decided that I will keep the Telecaster, the Jazzmaster, and the St Vincent because they have personal meaning to me, but the other 7 guitars will go either on Craigslist or to my local music store for consignment sales. The pain in my fingers and wrist was so bad that my eyes were tearing up. I lied to myself for the last few years that I was just out of practice, but the truth is what the truth is. And being of the school that instruments are supposed to be played and not displayed, it's time to move them along into younger hands that still actually play.
FWIW I gave up on playing Live a few years ago .. pretty much same issue, just can't do it up to my own expectations anymore .. but recording lets me try multiple times (and edit) so I haven't given up the ghost quite yet! I always preferred recording/writing originals anyway. More satisfaction (and less stress and physical labor). For me the arthritis isn't so bad yet, but early Parkinson's can make it a hit/miss day. Try again tomorrow.
Weather in our area may have been a factor for you. I know it affects the wife more this time of year, with snow last week, then a sunny 75 degrees Saturday, then cold & rainy last night .. that can be brutal, but may not be a reason to give up, just a reason for more patience to hang onto what you love doing. I posted this as much for me as for anyone else It sucks getting old (it's not for the faint of heart), but you haven't lost the battle until you give up
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
This is why I thank a deity in which I don't really believe that there is such a thing as PG Music. I can still write, I can still sweeten with keyboards (which doesn't tax my hands nearly as much as the squeezing required by the guitar), and take advantage of the good folks here who are happy to collaborate with me and add parts. That last song I posted, By The River, was 100% Real Band outside of the guitar solo work by Dave Snyder. On past works, Rog has also supplied guitar work. Without this software and these people I would have nothing. My CD from 2015 was 90% Real Band!
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677 BiaB 2026 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
Something else worth a try for arthritis is Glucosamine. I've taken it for some time and think it helps. When I said to friend who is a family doctor that I wasn't sure whether it really did any good as "opinions are divided", she asked, "have you tried stopping taking it to see if you notice any difference?". I said I hadn't, she said she had and was soon taking it again. YMMV.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2025 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
Here is my regimen for arthritis. I have tried these individually and they helped a little but together they has been a tremendous help. No more painful or deteriorating joints. I can feel it when I miss one or more of these.
Sadly my doctor has made glucosamine off limits to me. I am going to get a referral to see a doctor at the VA that specializes in this soft of thing. Of the 8 fingers I have (minus thumbs, of course) 3 of my middle knuckles "snap" and lock and I have to manually unlock them.
I don't even know of there is a "arthritis doctor". Rheumatologist sounds right.
I am going to preset Mario's exact regimen and see what the doc says.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows 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!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
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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)
Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
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)
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!
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