|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2
Newbie
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2 |
Hi,
I currently have BIAB 2008 Windows, am looking at upgrading to 2011, because of the "real" bands. I play jazz piano, and want to create bass and drum backing tracks, for a jazz trio sound. I really won't be using the non-jazz styles at all.
Question: To get a workable selection of jazz "real" band options, what do I need?
- Is the basic Pro version adequate?
- Do I need the MegaPak? Seems like with the MegaPak I'm paying for a lot of styles I don't want/need.
- Pro version plus some particular jazz style sets or RealPaks?
OR, with RealPaks or sets, do I even need to upgrade to 2011?
Thanks for any thoughts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,157
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,157 |
If you want the best sounding instruments, you will need the Real Tracks. My advice is to buy as much of a Biab package as you can. I upgraded to the Ultra HD pack and it comes with ALL of the Real Tracks, including Smooth Jazz. Check out my demo song I made yesterday. It is one style with 5 Real Tracks, SmJzPop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POyWq8ih95cTrax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 300
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 300 |
Sounds awesome, could you share the procedure you used, like maybe a mini tutorial 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,157
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,157 |
Layout your song structure/chord sequence in Biab. Selected the SmJzPop style. Generated the tracks and saved. Opened in Realband, selected bars for Sax solo and generated, then same for the Guitar.
I selected about 4 bars of the guitar part and used the audio harmony in Realband to generate a 1 up harmony.
In Realband, I set the "default track category" (they are DX Plug In effects) for each instrument and adjusted to taste via the mixer. I added the Tremelo Plug In to the E Piano and Rhythm Guitar as well. Then I added a PG Reverb in the Aux 1 slot. That gives all of the instruments the same Reverb setting. Adjust knob 1 on each track for amount to be applied to each track.
It took me about 40 minutes to have a WMA file of the song and 3 hours to make the video, lol.
Trax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2
Newbie
|
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2 |
Quote:
If you want the best sounding instruments, you will need the Real Tracks. My advice is to buy as much of a Biab package as you can.
Thanks. Nice track.
But ... as mentioned above, I have a particular objective in mind, and my question is what I need for that specific purpose. Buying everything isn't really what I'm looking for.
I'm interested in: bass . . . drums . . . jazz
Thoughts?
Thanks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
It's cheaper to get more in the end.
I've found that often starting with a style that is not real tracks and adding and trying out different things is the best in the end. That said there are some styles that cross over, and many realtracks that cross over. In a lot of the styles when you choose jazz it suggests a certain country or rock style. With a pencil and paper you make note of the tracks that might be good, say a guitar. You keep your jazz style and do a sort of fusion with the suggested guitar track and often the result is great.
I play piano. I like a certain jazz style a lot, it has electric guitar (jazz) plus bass and drums. I find myself filling in the melody on keys, then improvising over it for the 2nd verse, and back to the melody. When I was playing in homes for older (or people like me who've aged early), I found you had to play the actual melody and if you spent too much time away from it they didn't like it. So take "White Cliffs of Dover" though not a very vintage Jazz tune, a good one, and they like the tune and croon away, same verse 3 times. It's cute until Wanda hit me because I didn't play Fur Elise 3 times, and man that cane hurt.
I hear what you are saying. I'd also talk to the sales department at PG music, and specify what you want, and see what they say. I'm sure they will be of great assistance. BTW, I think Monday is a holiday even out west, we call it Family Day.
John Conley
Musica est vita
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,653
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,653 |
Simply do the math. Even if all you need is the Jazz RT's - if you get the striped down Pro versions and then buy your RTs individually the price for the 5 sets of Jazz tracks is $420 alone. So getting the more inclusive packages is more cost effective.
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,384
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,384 |
These guys speak from experience, many of us have been down that road...
If you truly only want swing jazz (or whatever) you can look at what come in each pack and decide, but most of us ended up hearing something someone else did, and realized we would have liked to have that option.. the larger packs are the better deal as opposed to eventually buying a bunch of realtracks.
The megapak does seem to include a number of additional jazz styles and realtracks compared to pro.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 23
Enthusiast
|
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 23 |
Like you I'm a jazz-only guy. I tried first upgrading to BiaB 2011 and buying a couple of add-on jazz RealTrack packs, but I found that left some useful styles incomplete (the vibes comping, for instance, had no bassist). I could have overcome the problem by loading a different bassist manually, but I figured it wasn't worth the hassle. So I upgraded again to the UltraPlusPak. I reckon it's worth it.
The RealTracks are a vast improvement on the old midi tracks. I was getting depressed about my little GBD trio going down the tubes and not being able to find pro-level players to jam with, especially on my own compositions and arrangements. Now I've been able to create good backings for them, which inspire me to work on them again. I'm particularly pleasantly surprised at how well the vibes comping works on some modern compositions of mine (unusual progressions with slash chords). The B3 comping is great fun too.
Keith Freeman
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-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)
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)
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,307
Posts790,763
Members39,855
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean