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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 5
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 5 |
The only practical way I have been able to find to use BIAB is with the Microsoft Synth. The other stuff takes for-e-ver to get ready to play *every* time. Has that been fixed? I really do appreciate this product and have used it a lot over the years. What can I use that has pretty good sound, or do I have to keep using the old synth sound when I want a glorified metronome for practice? I have used the Real Whatever bass sound on recordings. I played it once, recording it out to my standalone digital recorder. That's the only use I've gotten out of the Real XXX stuff.
Last edited by bugbuster; 01/01/12 02:46 PM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,407
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Bugbuster,
I'd check this with the PG Music sales staff but if memory serves me correctly, in 2009, the RT generation was completed before play started. This meant that there was a waiting time. These days, there's an option in the RT preferences called "Speed up generation of Realtracks". What this does is that it allows the song to start before the full RT generation is completed. Once the song starts, the RTs continue being generated in the background. To use this feature to full advantage, though, the computer needs to have sufficient processing power. There is also a new audio stretching and shrinking procedure that PG Music use in 2012.
To give you and idea of starting time, I just generated a 69 bar song of mine that has four RTs and RDs and it took around 5 - 6 secs for the count-in to start.
What are the specs of your computer (processor speed, memory, operating system)? Also, how long does it take a typical song to generate and start on your present set-up?
Regards,
Noel
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,808
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I do believe that the "Freeze" Option is new since 2009. This was one of the biggest impacts to loading RT time since now it only loads onetime when the file is first created, after that its immediate. 
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,471
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I agree with Noel and Dan. There's no question in my mind that RealTracks load faster now than they did in version 2009, providing you are using a reasonably fast computer. There are now several "speed settings" in the Preferences, RealTracks dialog.
For the ultimate in speed, the audiophile version loads somewhat faster than the regular version, since uncompressing of .WMA files is not required.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10
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Newbie
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10 |
Loading times for RealTracks appear to be much improved in 2012 vs. 2009
I just upgraded from 2009 to 2012, and the loading times for RealTracks are quick enough now that I can work with them full time. In 2009, they were slow enough that it was very frustrating. I would seek out MIDI tracks to avoid the wait. So close, and yet so far.
Freeze was handy for things that were 'in the can.' But I always felt boxed in when I froze a track, so I avoided it whenver I could.
Just looking around the preferences menu, I can see that the 'speed up generation of realtracks' option is checked in the RealTracks preferences, so it's enabled by default on installation. If that's the secret in the sauce, it's working.
Depending on your computer, YMMV. But I don't feel hampered by the load times for 2012 like I did for 2009.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,407
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Hmm... anther acronym!
Doug, what does YMMV mean (for future reference)?
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,616
Expert
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Expert
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,616 |
I've gotten amazing performance boost on my 7 year old XP machine by doing the following:
- Decompress the RTs that I use
- Enable the +/- RealTracks option (the newer RTs don't have these)
- Decompress the RDs that I use
- Defragment the RD/RT drive(s)
A 4 minute song containing two RTs completely generates in about 8 seconds. Before, it took about 30 seconds. You can speed this up further by Freezing the RTs. Granted this will gobble up disk space but, if available, well worth it.
Speed up generation and tempo stretching RT options are disabled.
R
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2000
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YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,407
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Quote:
YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary
Thanks, John. I would never have managed to work that one out!
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
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kilomeratige outside of the u-essay.
Give him a centimeter and he'll take a kilometer.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 348
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 348 |
I run a Windows XP machine, and have noticed a marked improvement in loading times of songs using RealTracks. I find I'm more willing to choose a RealTrack style now then I was in the past with older versions of Band In A Box. A question though. How much more space do the RealTracks take up uncompressed? Even though the RealTracks load much faster, even faster would be better.  Tim
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,471
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I think it's about 10 to 1 in size, .WAV to .WMA. It's hard to say exactly since the compression seems to vary instrument by instrument, looking at a sample of the RealTracks I have.
By the way, Rachael mentioned uncompressing the .WMA files. Although by doing this the quality of the sounds does not change, you do benefit from the same small speed boost that the audiophile version would give you. BIAB looks for a .WAV file and uses it if it finds one; otherwise, it uses the .WMA file, which takes a bit of time to uncompress.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 581
Journeyman
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Journeyman
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Posts: 581 |
Keep in mind also, that once a generated part is a 'keeper', freeze the track(s) you like and next time it loads, will be much faster since no regeneration occurs on frozen tracks.. but I'm guessing you already knew this ?
oops... Jazzmandan already posted this... sorry.
Last edited by MitchC; 01/02/12 10:24 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2011
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Mine sure loads faster or starts playing sooner while it's regenerating .
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
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Quote:
kilomeratige outside of the u-essay.
Just remember that satellites got lost due to this outdated u-essay idiosyncrasy ...
Martin
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
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What is odd to me, is that the USA, severed all TIES to Britain, the King was a tyrant and despot, so there was a revolution.
In the mean time countries started doing metric, and now only the USA and maybe 1/2 of another country use BRITISH measure, called Imperial measure.
That's plain weird. Of course if we buy something made in the USA, like a car, they have to make it metric to sell it here.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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We do what we want down here. No standards and measures needed, as it detracts from the confusion. Selling a car that gets 40 MPG is easier than selling one that gets 17 KPL
Last edited by rharv; 01/02/12 12:56 PM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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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!
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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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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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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.
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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.
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You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
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- 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.
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- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
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Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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