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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 326
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 326 |
I think this year may be the very first time I will bypass any update to Band In A Box.
I think each year we see more and more Real Tracks whilst midi seems to lack development. In reality I've never found a Real Track that is able to really be manipulated to write what I'm looking for.
Let's take a look at Strings.
They are impotent at best. No feeling, no counterpoint, backing strings only, no feeling. Imagine opening an 8 bar intro with a stunning fingerstyle and emotional string ensemble. Or maybe a Uilean pipe and Irish whistle intro leading in to a beautiful ballad.
Don't get me wrong. I like pop, rock etc. but todays 'music' isn't music. I admire a rap singers ability to utilise vocal slang in a song but this is NOT music. I can't justify the way digital 'cleverness' can [*****] tracks in the so called Billboard top 100. Who really buys this crap.
Real music comes from the desire to put down a meaningful lyric that is complimented by brilliant musical accompaniment. I know a catchy tune with silly lyrics can also make a poular way forward but it soon runs down the river in to the sea. Look at History. If we really want to listen, write, compose etc. we turn to Claasical or those Artists from the raw 60's, 70's and maybe some 80's. I'd go so far to include the 30's, 40's and 50's too.
I don't know what your looking for but are you getting what you think will help you write what you want with BB?
I'm frustrated by the complexity. If, as I have done., Learned guitar and keyboard, wrote lyrics and put instrumentation together and spent 10 years learning the hard way how to mix and master then I would hope for software that makes that journy easier. Band In A Box goes a good distance toward that but come on guys. Could you please stop throwing yet more and more Real Tracks at us that can only be utilised if we use your brilliant demos.
Crucify me if you must but throw me some constructive also. :-)
Mal
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,045
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,045 |
Mal,
I am trying to understand your frustrations. I will add some thoughts later, but can you clarify a few things.
When you talk about the "strings" are you talking classical, traditional or synth in BIAB?
Strings range from Andy Leftwich to Ed(Oz)...
Have you experimented with 2022 Multiriff and MicroChords features to make Tracks more flexible and to fit better into the idea?
Have you tried Tin Whistle (RTs 3770,3771,3876,3877)?
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What I like about BIAB that they are open to quite a few genres, but to your defense, I do feel that some styles / genres are being way under represented. For example Ska, Reggae, Surf Rock, Tango, Punk, Bossa and others. Also, I do believe some effort could be made in recording extra material specifically designated for intros, bridges etc.
I don't know what you mean by this:
"Could you please stop throwing yet more and more Real Tracks at us that can only be utilised if we use your brilliant demos."
I almost never use premade styles and/or demos. I use them to get a feel of the tracks, or a starting point and then would change them from ground up. Mostly I would just assemble my own "band".
As with anything, there are never "all hits". Almost any good music album will have 3-4 strong tunes, others would be pass throughs. Same here.
I honestly believe you have to put more focus on your request. Be more specific. For example: I want strings in style of Jascha Heifetz or Vanessa Mae, give links to examples. I have seen such requests that got attention from PG team.
As you said, "Band In A Box goes a good distance". Give specific examples of what you think can be done to improve it.
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My biggest frustrations with BIAB was limited number of tracks and unpredictable "generations".
Multiriff feature of 2022 solved unpredictable generations and extra tracks, which still need some work, gave the creative variety I was looking for. Believe me, I do have bag of my "wishes" for improvements, but overall I am happy with what BIAB has to offer. Especially at the price point.
P.S. There is a member on the forum / musician from Japan. He posts his music in the Showcase. What is interesting, sometimes he would offer two versions: One made with BIAB and the other of same composition played by real musicians. To me, most sound pretty close.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 326
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 326 |
Thank you Rusty. You make valid points and I agree with most.
What I'm trying to do is ignite debate that may highlight improvements to unique software, that really stands apart from any other I have ever seen available.
May I say that any one person who sits and opens BB with the intention of creating a song will immediately be confronted with an extremely complex array of possibilities on how to proceed. Could an introduction of some (AI) tools be available to assist in the arduous process of putting together a song? Just as a photographer can use many AI plugins to shorten the process of achieving a successful end result. This is only one idea.
I don't want to draw attention to specific improvements, though they have been given much thought and implemented. I would rather ask those who use BB what they think could be implemented in updates to the software that would make significant improvements in making the programme better than anything else on the market, (I know it to be the best and only software that does what it does), that's why I want to strike a debate for developers. I would hope that includes making it easier to use.
Very grateful for your response.
Mal.
Mal
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,721
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,721 |
May I say that any one person who sits and opens BB with the intention of creating a song will immediately be confronted with an extremely complex array of possibilities on how to proceed. Could an introduction of some (AI) tools be available to assist in the arduous process of putting together a song? Just as a photographer can use many AI plugins to shorten the process of achieving a successful end result. This is only one idea.
I can relate to this. My proficiency with BiaB is probably at a level 4 on a scale of zero to 10, and as you point out there is a complex array of possibilities every time you open the application. The main frustration I experience is having a groove/feel in my head that I just can't seem to replicate in BiaB. So I resort to living with the gap between what is desired and what I can achieve. Don't get me wrong, IMHO BiaB is in a class all it's own and is a fantastic tool. My frustrations may be due to not having the additional add-on paks that are available, so next year I'll probably pay for one of the paks with the hope that I can produce arrangements closer to what I have in my head. But regarding AI, are you familiar with AudioLM recently developed by Google? Perhaps something like this could be incorporated into BiaB at some point. https://ai.googleblog.com/2022/10/audiolm-language-modeling-approach-to.html
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677BiaB 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.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 326
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 326 |
Thank you Bass Thumper.
Yes I am familiar with Google's AudioLM. I find it exciting and maybe a great tool for lyrics too, as well as musical phrases. I was recently trying to extend an 8 bar piece of amazing fingerpicking in Nuendo but it was really hard work. This kind of AI would be able to handle it maybe. As with all new developments I would expect hiccups especially with the art of music.
I have all that BB has to offer but the complexity of putting together songa always leaves me frustrated and I generally just get the guitar or keboard and put things together with my lyrics instead.
I do agree that the new Multiriff and Microchords was a huge leap forward as mentioned by Rusty above. Intros also do need some more thought though.
There is an instrument I would dearly love to see. The Uilean Pipes. I can listen to a Gaelic/ Irish intro and be reduced to tears before the lyrics even set in. That is why I was disapointed to see so many reels, uptempo jigs etc. I hope there never is a Rap Real Track in the pipeline. Not dissing the Genre, it's a clever way of talking slang, rather than real music. That will no doubt cause a stir amongst many.
Seriously though, maybe some of the compilers, coders, would join in the debate, or maybe keep us hanging on in there till Xmas. Those with creativity and imagination in their genes are DIAMOND.
Mal.
Mal
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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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Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
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If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
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!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 process 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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
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Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
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.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- 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)
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- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
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- 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)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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