Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 2 of 2 1 2
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 22
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 22
Quote:


I have never reached near 255 bars for any song I have done within Biab.
Trax




I reached it the day one.

Maybe it's me, but I really cannot get used to that repetition system....

In fact BG-help topics (within BIAB) suggest to make your songs as a whole, not using repetitions at all.

I miss a lot a good marker system, and repetitions referred to them.

...one more for my wish-list

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,598
C
Expert
Offline
Expert
C
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,598
Quote:


I miss a lot a good marker system, and repetitions referred to them.

...one more for my wish-list




Sometime ago I made a "demo" of what should be, IMHO, a must-have feature of the program:



Working with structures without a proper marker system built-in BIAB is in some cases really annoying.

PS: The request was already posted here

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
I made a similar post. Have intro, outro, and Parts A - Z.

Each part starts and stops at the predetermined point.

You then have the ability to write the final product as

Intro A B A A B C Outro

Now that would be cool.


John Conley
Musica est vita
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 22
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 22
That's it !!

That would be the 10 for BiaB.

1) No bar limits.
2) Markers.
3) Easy song structure construction via text files o direct text editing within BiaB.
Using text files would allow to work on structures without the use to have BiaB available, and after that cutting and pasting or opening a text file.... mmm, great.

These are the "urgent" issues IMHO.

Added to these (I can live with that by the way)

1) Re-design of the user interface making it less sophisticated: less icons, smarter functionallity grouping, etc...)

2) Ease the use of the piano-roll and allow patterns to be edited with it.

=============

Around that it would be great that PG would leader a repository (or the links) to a huge musical database made by users and professionals including all type of styles (classical, hardcore, dance, house, D'n'B, etc...), and all type of BiaB elements: patterns, styles, songs (if copyrights permit...)

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,604
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,604
Alberto, I can not get used to the way BiaB wants songs structured either. Yesterday I extended a song in RB, adding a new section that started on the 'B' pattern and ended on A before going back into a verse. It worked really well in RB, but would have been a pain in BiaB.

I'm mentioning this because you (like me) *may* be one of the people that finds things much easier in RB. You can still generate like in BiaB (both MIDI and realtracks) but it removes some of the restrictions you dislike and adds some other benefits that really make it much better in my opinion. Just a different way to work.
Not as fast, but more control.


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,975
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,975
>>> 1) Re-design of the user interface making it less sophisticated: less icons, smarter functionallity grouping, etc...)


Have you tried the existing configuration options? For example, you can customize the icons on the toolbar to show/hide icons (click arrow key at right of toolbar). In addition, they are floatable/dockable.

Also, you can change toolbar size/text and hide piano window, Prefs-Display


Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,598
C
Expert
Offline
Expert
C
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,598
Quote:

You can still generate like in BiaB (both MIDI and realtracks) but it removes some of the restrictions you dislike and adds some other benefits that really make it much better in my opinion. Just a different way to work.




Yes, but the point is that Realband still lacks a lot of BIAB features that are very useful when working with songs, specially when working in the chord view: transposing chords, preview chords, Jazzup/down chords, Search/replace chords, reduce/expand duration of chords...

In addition, the program can't export songs (chord progressions with bar changes, style changes, etc.) back to BIAB and, at least in my experience, is considerably slower and more unstable than BIAB.

For these reasons, although theoretically it would be easier using RB when working with song structures, I've finished working exclusively with BIAB, a much more powerful program IMHO.


Latest BIAB version, latest build.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 85
jhg Offline
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 85
I hit the 255 bar limit at 128 bars in my song when I tried using Realtracks in double time. I had to replace them with less favorable substitutes that used normal time to get them to last the whole song. I could cut and paste sections in Realband, but I want to go directly from Band in a Box to Sonar, starting with a complete song.

---- Jim Green

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 23
E
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
E
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 23
Hi All,

I'm a BIAB 2014 Mac user with the Everything Pak which I've had for about a month. This is my first version of BIAB.

Just checking to see if this 255-bar limit is still there in the 2014 version. Is there an adjustment to be made to expand the number of bars, and if not now, is this something that can be incorporated in future versions of BIAB?

I encountered the limit for the first time today when programming a RealTracks accompaniment for "Piano Man" which is a fast waltz and over 300 bars long, running about 5 1/2 minutes. Although the song seems relatively straightforward, because of the lack of uniformity to the form of the song, it's impossible to use the chorus repetition feature as an approach in this case.

Because I'm on a Mac I'm not able to install RealBand. It would have been convenient not to have to create a song in two parts and complete it in a separate program - e.g. Logic - because all I'm looking to do is create a simple accompaniment track, which BIAB would be able to do a magnificent job of on its own if not for this imposed bar limit.

Looking forward to any updates on this issue from fellow BIAB users...

Thanks!

Last edited by edwardjc; 08/10/14 08:02 PM.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,503
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,503
Originally Posted By: Muzic Trax
Alberto,

<...snip...>

I have never reached near 255 bars for any song I have done within Biab. Maybe at a tempo of 300 it will go through them fast, but you can set the number of chorus' and playback as well.

Trax


I write fake disks for BiaB, based on popular off-the-shelf music books, and I've hit that 255 brick wall limit dozens of times.

I'd love to do a disk that corresponds to the Sher "Latin Real Book" but unfortunately too many songs in that book need more than 255 measures to do.

Also, some songs need more than 4 chords per measure, or a chord both on the beat and the upbeat before it. To solve this problem I invented EXPANDED styles. They turn two BiaB cells into one bar of music, thus allowing up to 8 chords per measure. The problem with that is that it cuts the 255 measure limit to 127.5 measures.

Personally, I'd love to see the 255 limit doubled.

Now don't get me wrong, I absolutely love BiaB, and it has steadily improved since I discovered it in the Atari/ST, IBM DOS5, Mac OS6 days. I hope to see more improvements in the basic structure in the future, and I would be delighted if expanding the 255 measure limit was one of them.

Insights and incites by Notes


Bob "Notes" Norton smile 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
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To
Page 2 of 2 1 2

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!

All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!

It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.

What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?

XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!

Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!

The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.

The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.

The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.

Note: 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.

The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos

With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.

Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.

Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.

Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.

2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.

Holiday Weekend Hours

As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:

April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours

Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!

— Team PG

Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!

If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!

If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!

Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,199
Posts801,867
Members40,065
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
Newest Members
Mando Kat, GlennMans, François Sohm, Armando D'Errico, PhilinPhil
40,064 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 129
zedd 109
DC Ron 101
rsdean 92
Noel96 88
vicarn 64
Today's Birthdays
Jay Street, JazzLOCO Almenas, smallchamber
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5