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Joined: Nov 2000
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 196 |
To settle a bet, I've been trying to track down some information on BIAB's history, and finding surprisingly little on the web. WikiPedia says BIAB was introduced in 1990, running on the ATARI ST. I guess I knew that already, but my immediate question is: was there ever a version for Commodore (either the Amiga, based on the same processor as the Atari, or earlier machines)? I had bet there was, but I could be wrong about that.
That question got me wondering about some others. For example, PG's web site says the company was founded in 1988. So...
- What was PG and Peter doing in the two years before BIAB was introduced in '90 (other programs? Did BIAB take two years to write?)
- When were the BIAB Mac and Windows versions introduced, and which came first?
- How many styles were originally offered in the Amiga, Mac and Windows versions -- just the built ins, or more?
- How much did the program originally cost?
- Was there ever a version of BIAB for the Apple II (they were still being sold as late as 1993, five years after PG's founding).
- When did PG stop shipping BIAB on floppy disks, and go with CDs?
- Did PG have any real product flops (programs other than BIAB that, like New Coke, are best forgotten)?
- Are there any discontinued BIAB or PG products that might be available somewhere, and still useful? (I seem to recall a certain "fakebook" that shipped with BIAB, maybe back in the floppy days, that I didn't see in later releases, and missed).
- What's the most commercially successful recording (if any) to use tracks or other material generated via BIAB (assuming the artists would admit it)?
Anybody have the answer to any of these?
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Joined: Sep 2007
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I got my copy of BIAB 7 on two floppies, along with a copy of Power Tracks (which was then included), also on two 3-1/2" flops. I don't recall whether it was for DOS or Windows 3.1.
I also own a Power Pack, which included BIAB Pro 11 and PTPA version 7; 2006, which still came on CDs; and 2009 (upgraded to 2009.5), which came on DVDs. In a precursor to Real Tracks, PTPA version 7 included three "Multitracks(tm)" Play along CD-ROMs in three flavors: Jazz, Blues, and Rock.*
As recently as last summer I had version 7 installed on a little laptop with a Pentium Nada, Win2K, and 96 Mb RAM (that's MEGABYTES, for those of you in Rio Linda). I had to find my old Soundblaster 16 driver disk to get the sound to work. Ah, the cheeziness of it all!
R.
*Is there some way I could get a copy of the Rock disk? I lent mine to my son and never saw it again.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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I purchased BiaB way back then for my Atari ST. I think it was in around 1988-89 but I could be wrong as I suffer from CRS.
It takes courage for a man to admit his wife was wrong.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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I'm a BABI when it comes to BIAB. I think, I started with 2007.
Cheers, Mike My Music * Asus ROG Strix G15CF 32 GB DDR4 4TB HDD + 1 TB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 8GB Win 11 AKAI EIE PRO Sound Interface. BIAB/RB 2024 UltraPak Build - Latest
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on the support page it traces the company history thru updates back to the late 90s http://www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB 2025, Realband, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 9 32c , Melodyne 5 editor, Presonus Audiobox 1818VSL, Presonus control app.
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Oh yeah, voyetra drivers.
Those were the daaaaayyyyysssssss....meatheads. LOL
John Conley
Musica est vita
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I guess gramma's player piano don't count, but it is the device I first cut my multitrackin' teeth on, figuring out the matrix and punchin' holes to make it play a song.
Paper tape and glue to cover up the holes and try again. My "editor"...
Yeah, I was a strange kid.
--Mac
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Posts: 812
Expert
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Posts: 812 |
I bought my version of BIAB for Atari in November of 1990. I don't recall it being available for Amiga. I also had the first version of Mastertracks Pro. I used it with my Yamaha DX-7 and I thought I was WAY cool. Since then I have purchased just about every product that PG music has made. I recall seeing an add in the back of Keyboard Magazine. I still think the midi timing of the Atari version has never been equaled either on the PC or Mac platform...
Ed
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 196
Apprentice
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Posts: 196 |
I think I started with BIAB (Mac version) in 1993 or 1994, using an early version of Passports' MasterTracks Pro as my sequencer and later investing in Passport's Encore for notation. I used a Roland sound canvas hardware box as my general midi synth, and recorded the final result, with vocals, on a Teac 8-track. I recall thinking that the midi files I generated with this software and hardware seemed pretty stilted and mechanical -- on the other hand, they did a better job presenting a song than what I could do with my limited keyboard skills. Too bad the current version of BIAB with realtracks, etc., wasn't available then... I'm sure I'd be famous... 
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Mac,
I did the same thing. The neighbors had an old player piano in the barn and I used to make wholes to see what would happen. I then got the bright idea to make an automated light show using a "hot" 120vac bar and a bunch of spring wires that would contact this bar if there was a whole in a punch card I'd make. Once I had it all together I went into test mode. That was the day I found out you don't work in the basement barefoot playing with 120vac. I almost died that day. When I passed out I fell and pulled the plug out of the socket. True story.
When my dad was at work I'd come home from school and play records over his 6Meter rig.
Last edited by silvertones; 01/29/10 05:58 AM.
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I built a carbon arc light in the garage with rods from D batteries. Melted nails, way cool. Until I blew all the spare fuses and ended up with a red backside from a willow stick.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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I still have some floppies with MIDI tracks I created with Master Tracks Pro, including at least one I created in BIAB 7, ported into MTP and edited into a brilliant (I thought) vibes solo a la whoever that was being emulated. Some were done as backing for the Christian rock I was playing at the time. If I find them and they sound any good, I'll post them.
Still have MTP in storage somewhere. I recall wishing that it recorded audio, but on a 486 SX with 16 Mighty Megs of RAM, it's probably a good thing it didn't. I eventually graduated to an HP Pavilion Pentium with (gasp) 96 Mb. Digital audio was still almost 10 years in the future* for me (2004) with whatever version of Cubase light that came with my SB Audigy. Fully functional but only one level of undo (sound familiar?). LOTTA saves under different filenames. Ooh, and Sound Fonts.
R.
*Or six years in the past, if you count music that I programmed on my Radio Shack TRS-80 Color Computer III. Boopedy beepedy, Canon in Deepedy.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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I started on the Atari, but I think that BiaB started on the PC in DOS.
I bought a PC to sell my styles to PC users, and at that time, BiaB was only available in DOS. Windows came later.
Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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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 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!
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!
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-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
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-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)
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- 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)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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.
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