I use the Windows version so I'm not sure my comments will apply. If you use "Ctrl+T" it hides many of the toolbars, if that's helpful. Plus, there's even a way to customize what's left, to show only the icons you need.
Otherwise, I don't see how you could simplify it much more. No matter how you use the program, you're going to have to: - pick a style - pick a key - pick a tempo - set the song length - type in the chords
I only use BIAB on occasion, so I don't consider myself a "pro" at it. But once you learn where the buttons are for those functions, it's certainly not hard to type in the chords of a song. I'm guessing there are plenty of users here that, even though they're fairly new, could easily enter a song in under 30 minutes, and some in under 10.
What part of your process in BIAB is slowing you down? Finding the right style? Getting the right chords into the right "boxes"? Let us know, and there's likely people here who can speed up your "process".
If you are just simply generating tracks, there is the DAW plugin version of Band-in-a-Box. It has fewer features than the main program because it is assumed that you would also be using the editing features of your DAW program. So it is similar to a "lite" version.
too many dialog boxes and options. too many non musical decisions.
what I, and probably a lot of other pros want as well, is a simplification.
Maybe if you want it to be simple then don't use all the dialog boxes and options, for goodness sake.
All you need to do is enter chords, and choose a style from the Style Picker if you want to have a song generated for you. How much simpler and easy could it be? There is no need to go any deeper unless you want to fine-tune things, which is what all those dialog boxes and options are for.
I am a new user . I found it very difficult to understand all the functions. Now I understand I use only the basics. This was a painful process !
While the videos are helpful they are not logically presented ( which one to watch first ?) . Many of videos are created using old version, this it makes it hard to relate to current version 2022.
It’s simple to say just don’t use them but when you are new you don’t know what’s important. I have been around computer programs like this for many years. This one is a challenge . I am still finding function that are new to me .
My Korg PA keyboard had a simple function that hid all menus and option other than the basics . This was very helpful for a new user. If you are just starting you don’t need many function like harmonists, Melodist etc.
I think this a wonderful program but it really needs a redesign . I tried to find a flow chart on line on how all the function fit to gather with out luck. It tried draw on my self as I was learning but could not come with anything that helped me lay it out logically.
I would like to know more about this daw plug in version mentioned by Chantelle
snip ... I would like to know more about this daw plug in version mentioned by Chantelle
The plugin is a free standalone application included with all Band-in-a-Box packages. The plugin MUST be installed on the same computer as the main Band-in-a-Box program or it will not work. Version 4 is available for both 2022 Windows and Macintosh platforms. The plugin is available in both 32 and 64 bit formats and follows all plugin standards including VST, VST3, AU and AAX.
+++ HERE +++ is a link to the plugin support page. The plugin page link is also available at the top of each forum page as shown in the screen shot below.
"This one is a challenge . I am still finding function that are new to me ." LOL! After few years, I am too PGmusic packed some pretty cool / inventive stuff that you will discover if you are willing to invest some time into it.
I agree that some dialog menus can be consolidated, simplified and even made non-modal + overall workflow improved. 100%.
If you have not already, I would start, as was suggested with minimalistic view (Ctrl+T). Makes things much cleaner. Also "Mixer tab" on the upper right corner acts as a button and "hides" and "reveals" mixer.
Video - Agreed. There are too many old/new videos intermixed. I think we need a single beginner video covering making basic song from start to export. (perhaps intermediate and advanced later)
PG forum is a great place to get help with BIAB related issues. Usually folks who know software reply within hours if not sooner.
I'm very much inclined to agree with the stated header, +1 on that. Case in point: I gave my dad, a musician of over 60 years himself, a copy of BBox 2020 - He's never even used it once, citing "too complicated" as reason.
I for one would've loved to see the creation of something like "BBox Lite" that would be a highly reduced price, barebone midi only and/or even a trialware (another thing in on itself that is sorely missing!) ... but I'm certainly no longer holding my breath for any such thing or it would've happened decades ago I'm sure
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
I make my living from music, and have for 50+ years. speed and accuracy are paramount. BB slows my workflow down to a crawl. too many dialog boxes and options. too many non musical decisions. what I, and probably a lot of other pros want as well, is a simplification. I mainly just use BB to make mock-ups BGs quickly and non critically. in the end, i'd like to see a stripped down edition with no bells and whistles.... mac friendly.no dialog boxes like there are now. just "input the data" and port to the DAW. the musicianship is wonderful, but the interface is 20 years old. please, a stripped back PRO version.
thanks and regards, robbo.
"..speed and accuracy are paramount.. BB slows my workflow down to a crawl... what I, and probably a lot of other pros want as well, is a simplification... the musicianship is wonderful, but the interface is 20 years old.. please, a stripped back PRO version..."
That is NOT me posting, I swear. Though I have spent the last 13 years here trying to get BB there
Originally Posted By: musocity
The Plugin/Standalone with self contained code playing back tracks direct from the source files each track can open to display the waveform sections that can be all edited non destructively (NDE) the same as other multitrack VSTs and DAWs. If you drag the green WAV button only then will it render the sections to wav. This will give better editing control and faster generation than the main Biab app, so the Plugin Standalone could become the better way to go. Allowing real project time signatures, real tempo maps and 48khz 24bit audio. It can be released at the same time for Win & Mac (not 6 months apart). Band In A Box Lite® a self contained Plugin or Plugin Standalone.
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 .
Yes, I think they should put a copy in the C:\bb root with the bbw64.exe and have a different icon for it. They should do that now before the "new" release.
I've worked as a software designer and remember one of it's inspirational quotes: "A design is not finished when there is nothing left to add, but rather when there is nothing more you can take away." I've been using BB for about 3 years now and it's incredible in what it does but also has suffered a bit too much from adding, if not squeezing, new features into an interface originally conceived decades ago. I can build and export backing tracks rather quickly now and then move over to Ableton Live, but there are numerous times where I can't remember where a certain setting or feature lives and have to click through ten or more popups before I find it or give up.
We may forgive BB because at the end of the day, the output (music) is all that really matters, but first impressions and feedback from new users is something important not to be dismissed. Then again, if I see BB as a best-kept secret then maybe I don't want too many new people discovering it. =)
"A design is not finished when there is nothing left to add, but rather when there is nothing more you can take away."
Nice philosophy.
AFAICS BIAB has had many things added over the years and they're usually "tacked on" to something that already exists in what is reasonably logical way and place at the time, but if often feels like nobody stands back from it all and looks how to rationalise things. The longer that continues, the harder it becomes to do any rationalisation. It all becomes "too difficult", so one lives with the status quo.
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 .
too many dialog boxes and options. too many non musical decisions.
what I, and probably a lot of other pros want as well, is a simplification.
robbo, FWIW I've been using BiaB for about 2 years and when I first started I was overwhelmed with the dialog boxes and menu choices too, so I can relate. And I still consider myself a newbie.
What I have learned with this and other software is to make your progress incrementally. Start simple and ignore all the bells and whistles. Establish a comfort level with the 3 or 4 basic tasks that you need in your workflow. Then ask yourself "I wonder if it can do such and such?" Spend a little time searching for the such-and-such in the program and in the videos. If you come up dry simply ask the question at this forum. There are many friendly experts here that can answer most any question you have. I think you will find that it is a very capable program.
Could the program be simplified? Absolutely, but the key is when you are trying to get something done, stay focussed on that task and don't get distracted by the many "shiny objects" in the dialog boxes. You may also want to type up a series of "How To" sheets so that when you forget something you once knew you just look at your sheet. For me, re-learning something that I once knew how to do is more frustrating than trying to learn it the first time, hence, How To sheets make sense for me until it becomes second nature.
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677 BiaB 2025 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.
Cari amici
È stata aggerate la versione in Italiano del programma più amato dagli appassionati di musica, il nostro Band-in-a-Box.
Questo è il link alla nuova versione 2025.
Di seguito i link per scaricare il pacchetti di lingua italiana aggiornati per Band-in-a-Box e RealBand, anche per chi avesse già comprato la nuova versione in inglese.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 pour Windows est disponible en Français.
Le téléchargement se fait à partir du site PG Music
Pour ceux qui auraient déjà acheté la version 2025 de Band-in-a-Box (et qui donc ont une version anglaise), il est possible de "franciser" cette version avec les patchs suivants:
Band-in-a-Box 2025 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!
Die deutsche Version Band-in-a-Box® 2025 für Windows ist ab sofort verfügbar!
Alle die bereits die englische Version von Band-in-a-Box und RealBand 2024 installiert haben, finden hier die Installationsdateien für das Sprachenupdate:
Update Your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 to Build 1128 for Windows Today!
Already using Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 1128 now from our Support Page to enjoy the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.
Already using RealBand® 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 5 now from our Support Page to ensure you have the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.
PowerTracks Pro Audio 2025 is here! This new version introduces many features, including VST3 support, the ability to load or import a .FLAC file, a reset option for track height in the Tracks window, a taller Timeline on the Notation window toolbar, new freeze buttons in the Tracks window, three toolbar modes (two rows, single row, and none), the improved Select Patch dialog with text-based search and numeric patch display, a new button in the DirectX/VST window to copy an effects group, and more!
First-time packages start at only $49. Already a PowerTracks Pro Audio user? Upgrade for as little as $29!
Video: Summary of the New Band-in-a-Box® App for iOS®
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new Band-in-a-Box® app for iOS®! Designed for musicians, singer-songwriters, and educators, this powerful tool lets you create, play, and transfer songs effortlessly on your iPhone® or iPad®—anytime, anywhere.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
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One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
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PGmusic packed some pretty cool / inventive stuff that you will discover if you are willing to invest some time into it.
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