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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2004
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Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 303 |
has anyone here used Soundblaster soundcards for Biab? Some of the older ones support ASIO and if I am not mistaken these soundcards come with a GM set of soundfonts; would they sound better than the VSC stuff or Coyote Forte? I want the highest quality midi sounds
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I have a pretty sophisticated external Audigy ZS soundcard with two in-build synths, spdf, etc. (This is not to be confused with the Audigy cards that come with some laptops.) While the MIDI sounds are good on the synths, VSC and Forte sound better to my ears.
The advantage of the Audigy is that it can have soundfonts loaded into it (but there is free software that will do that, too; e.g. sfz player). The disadvantage is that whenever I change my operating systems (or upgrade my computer), it usually takes me a day or so to get the card working. I've learned that Creative are not noted for their support. When I changed from XP to Vista, I did not realize that Creative did not make a Vista driver. They do now, but it was very annoying at the time. Although it does a good job, I wouldn't recommend my soundcard from an "ease of setting up" perspective.
Regards,
Noel
Last edited by Noel96; 10/08/11 05:54 AM.
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2003
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A usb type midi module, like the Ketron SD2 (sold on this website under hardware), is better sounding than any software module, unless you WANT to preload sounds one at a time to put into Realband one track at a time using soundfonts, which can be expensive to purchase. Have a look at Garritan, they have sets of sounds.
I'm pretty sure you get a money back deal if you don't like it.
There is also a .pat file to download and then you have all the higher bank sounds in the 'box'. My band in a box uses a box for sounds and a box to mix them. A boxed set.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Quote:
I want the highest quality midi sounds
This is a dangerous statement. The highest quality is something like a Yamaha Tyros 4 or a Korg Pa3x keyboard. Both are right around $4,000. Right below them are some of the high end VST synth/samplers like Kontakt, Halion or Native Instruments Komplete 8 Ultimate that's on sale right now for only $999. These kinds of things qualify for "highest quality". A Soundblaster card, the VSC or Forte DXi are way, way down at the bottom of the list. Even the Ketron SD2 or my Sonic Cell for around $400, are somewhere in the middle.
You have to spend some real money for high quality midi sounds. If you're talking highest quality for around a hundred bucks then yeah, a Soundblaster with some freebie soundfonts you can download, the VSC or the Forte are about it unless you can find a used Roland JV series hardware sound module on Ebay for $100 or so.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 303
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 303 |
Quote:
Quote:
I want the highest quality midi sounds
This is a dangerous statement. The highest quality is something like a Yamaha Tyros 4 or a Korg Pa3x keyboard. Both are right around $4,000. Right below them are some of the high end VST synth/samplers like Kontakt, Halion or Native Instruments Komplete 8 Ultimate that's on sale right now for only $999. These kinds of things qualify for "highest quality". A Soundblaster card, the VSC or Forte DXi are way, way down at the bottom of the list. Even the Ketron SD2 or my Sonic Cell for around $400, are somewhere in the middle.
You have to spend some real money for high quality midi sounds. If you're talking highest quality for around a hundred bucks then yeah, a Soundblaster with some freebie soundfonts you can download, the VSC or the Forte are about it unless you can find a used Roland JV series hardware sound module on Ebay for $100 or so.
Bob
Dangerous? Oh my god, let's hope nothing blows up....quick quick, run for cover 
Kontakt is not GM compatible, since you would have to load a sound at a time for every track of the midi file, which is too complicated because some sounds might not have the full registers as recorded in the midi file, etc...I have already tried it since I have Kontakt as well as some Eastwest libraries, which are def the best ones.
I also have a Tyros 2 of which, yeah it has definitely the best GM sounds I have heard anywhere and a fantastic instrument to boot, the classical guitars sound as good or better than my Eastwest library.
What does JV series hardware have to do with all that? I had a Roland XP80 many years ago (same JV engine), it's now too outdated and the GM sounds on it were like, 1 mb in all, since the whole ROM was 8 mb
I am talking about GM compatible stuff....not sounds that you have to load one at a time. I'll try Biab with my Tyros 2 , that might do the trick
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2004
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Journeyman
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OP
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thanks Noel, I thought that the Soundblasters were way better than the VSC...if that's not the case then I won]'t waste my time
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 303
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Jul 2004
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thanks John, I might go for a used SD2 then, I really don't want to load sounds one at a time....I tried that with my Eastwest Goliath and it was too long winded.
Now that I think of it, I have a fantastic sounding Yamaha Tyros 2, I'll see how it works with Biab as it has a really pretty sounding collection of samples.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 142
Apprentice
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Apprentice
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Posts: 142 |
I use Soundblaster X-FI card for midi. You can create your own soundfonts with Vienna Soundfont studio. Also there are many Soundblaster soundfonts on the web for free on the web.
Vienna Soundfont studio allows you to copy samples from almost ANY synth and create your own custom soundfont bank.
The Vienna Soundfont application is available on the web.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 693
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 693 |
I have found that VSTSynthFont (see www.synthfont.com) allows me to ditch Creative altogether. I am sick and tired of their pathetic drivers and hamstrung, back-level hardware. Creative only cares about the gaming and home-theater market, not MIDI musicians; case in point, notice how many new Creative products do not support MIDI at all. Kenneth Rundt has been maintaining this excellent software for years. VSTSynthFont allows you to use soundfonts without needing a Creative product. This works seamlessly with BIAB.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,772
Veteran
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Quote:
Kenneth Rundt has been maintaining this excellent software for years. VSTSynthFont allows you to use soundfonts without needing a Creative product. This works seamlessly with BIAB.
...and gives you the ability to do direct renders using your favorite soundfonts, since it's a VSTi.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 8TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 11TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting and construction)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 693
Journeyman
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Journeyman
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Posts: 693 |
You are right, John. I apologize for ranting...but I am still smarting from the DanielK incident, if anyone remembers that. It took a hack-and-fix by DanielK to unlock the potential of the PMCIA laptop card that Creative produced. What did Creative do? They went after DanielK on copyright grounds; they should have hired him.
On another note, I have worked with the Creative X-FI Elite Pro with good results. I suppose you get what you pay for.
Anyway, the SynthFont suite of freeware (donorware?) is outstanding. I use it both with PG Music products as well as NoteWorthy Composer with no problems.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
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Quote:
You are right, John. I apologize for ranting...but I am still smarting from the DanielK incident, if anyone remembers that. It took a hack-and-fix by DanielK to unlock the potential of the PMCIA laptop card that Creative produced. What did Creative do? They went after DanielK on copyright grounds; they should have hired him.
On another note, I have worked with the Creative X-FI Elite Pro with good results. I suppose you get what you pay for.
Anyway, the SynthFont suite of freeware (donorware?) is outstanding. I use it both with PG Music products as well as NoteWorthy Composer with no problems.
Bull!
I've been using that Creative card, the Audigiy2ZS Notebook, for many years with KX drivers. The people at KX, Eugene Garilov, specifically, was give the code in order to develop these drivers. I still use this card with KX and it far outperforms and provides features that are not available on any other card except the most expensive.I have 8 analog outs from WDM drivers,bunches of effects, etc. You are right though. I believe but not sure that DanK as you say did not get permission but indeed hacked.That would not be Creative's fault. It's any Co choice to choose whether to continue/not continue support for their products.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 693
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 693 |
"Bull"? What is incorrect in my statements? I tried to use KX drivers numerous times, but the Audigy2ZS support was very slow in coming, well behind the capability of the DanielK drivers at the time. This may have changed by now, but that's moot as far as I am concerned; PCMCIA is faded glory. Creative would not even admit at the time that hardware synth capability was disabled on the card and entirely replicated through a very limited soft-synth that clipped volumes and limited polyphony to 32 voices. The DanielK drivers revealed their misrepresentation, and fixed the problems all at the same time. The least that they could have done was acknowledged this; I suppose turning to KX was their feeble attempt to do so. By the way, the X-FI Pro Elite I purchased would not work without a huge driver download right out of the box, too. Sorry, I'll buy Behringer, but I will not buy Creative (let's open another can of worms  ).
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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The part that was incorrect was This Quote:
It took a hack-and-fix by DanielK to unlock the potential of the PMCIA laptop card that Creative produced.
.KX did this many years ago.If you meant the DanK drivers put back what was lost OK. BTW you can't just try KX. It's very complex and not for the faint of heart.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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THANK YOU MR CRESSLJ!!!
I have been looking for this program for YEARS! (VSTSynth) I have a nice collection of Sound Fonts, but Creative software hasnt worked for quite a while. This is just what I need!
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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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!
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.
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