|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,086
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,086 |
"they drink at the bar and put bread in my jar and say, man what are you doing here? Oh, lalala la di da..." 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,505
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,505 |
Quote:
<...>
Let's see If Notes is way better than KG, and Leilani is better than Carly Simon, how come it is that Y'all are playing retirement homes, and they are legends!
Opps did I say that out loud! Just kiddin' there Notes ole buddy!!<...>
I know that was in jest. And I took it as good-natured teasing.
...but...
Seriously, it's who you know. Carly is from the Simon & Schuster family - with that money and those connections she could be almost anywhere. However, I read that she wanted to be a folk singer back 'in the day', but the folk community didn't accept her because she was too rich and well-connected, so she decided to be a pop star instead. And she is talented, but simply not the best of the best.
Kenny just happened to be at the right place at the right time and knew the right people. Or perhaps he just has better hair 
I was in the right place at the right time but our band's manager hired the wrong lawyers  and the negotiations between them and Motown eventually failed over money.
We played huge concerts in large venues at the time, including Cobo Hall in Detroit. We opened up for headliners of the day while their records were #1 on billboard. In 1966 I was making $400 per week, playing two 45 minute sets of music per week (That's the equivalent of making $2,890.96 per week today according to the US Dept of Labor). There was even talk about releasing a solo sax LP, since I was playing a lot like Junior Walker at the time. But when the negotiations broke down between our lawyers and Motown, suddenly nobody wanted to talk to us anymore. I don't know all of what happened there, I'm sure the lawyers did the best they could, after all, they were going to get a piece of our profits.
Unfortunately being a star in the music business doesn't mean you are the best of the best. For every Sinatra, Elvis, Aretha and Whitney you have, there are also people with severe intonation problems like Astaire, Fabian, and the modern poster children for auto-tune like Taylor Swift, Britney, Kanye West, T-Pain, and Kesha.
Nobody ever said life would be fair.
And even though most saxophonists on the "Sax On The Web" forum truly believe we play better than Kenny Gorelick, if someone comes up to me and tells me that I sound like Kenny G, I take it as a compliment.
BTW, compliment is a polite expression of praise or admiration
while
complement is a thing that completes or brings to perfection.
And right now I'm playing yacht clubs, country clubs, retirement communities, and other venues for people over 40 years old, but they pay better for fewer nights, and there are no fights on the dance floor - plus, I'm in my 60s so I have no desire to play the top40 market again (even if the kids would accept me - and that's a long shot).
Insights and incites by 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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109 |
Notes,
you have a lot of acquired wisdom. I enjoy listening to your take on life and the music business. Thanks for adding value to the forum and to the world of BIAB styles
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 33
Enthusiast
|
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 33 |
"Well, if we had a link we might giver it a listen, but hey that's just me!"
Yeah, I will refine and redefine my request and repost it later.
Thanks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Quote:
Kenny just happened to be at the right place at the right time and knew the right people. Or perhaps he just has better hair
Kenny Gorelik also had chops back when he played with Jeff Lorber. Unlike today when all he does is show off his circular breathing in EVERY ^#*@^#%^ SONG!!!
I went to see him when he first left Lorber at a beautiful venue here in Cleveland called The Front Row (since razed for a shopping strip mall). It was in the round, only 26 rows, with a revolving stage. Great seat anywhere you were, and awesome sound. I went with 2 other sax players. During the 4th song, I leaned to one of them and said "He already played this lick, but in a different key. 4th song and he is out of ideas already?" As if someone pointed at us and said "Action!" we all stood up and walked out. Coincidently when he was on the part of the stage that was facing us, and he HAD to see my slight "no" shake of the head and the disgusted look on my face.
400 or so measures and already repeating licks? Waste of money for us.
Kenny, if you are reading, you are a fine technician. I am impressed by the circular breathing thing. I can't do it. I wish I could. I wish my fingers moved like yours do. Just don't do it in every song.
You are also the whitest cat in America playing what is supposed to be a soulful instrument. Stop playing with your fingers and try playing with your heart.
That is all.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
I know what you're saying Eddie. One of my organ hero's is Brian Auger. I love his rocking style, completely different from the jazz cats like Jimmy Smith or Joey D but I love those guys too. It's my other side I guess. I learned Auger's versions of Compared to What and Freedom Jazz Dance basically note for note years ago and performed Compared To What for years. Still a fun version to play. Freedom is a bit too out there for a lot of my gigs. I found a bunch of videos of him on Youtube from his old stuff to the 2011 Namm show demoing a new keyboard. Same licks over and over and I learned them already. He's good, fast, has a great jazz/rock feel but same o same o. Dissapointing, I really thought he was more than that. He's a schooled player I'm sure he can do more but must feel his fans don't want to hear it. Kenny G probably feels the same. He's now one of the morning DJ's on KJazz here in LA along with David Benoit. He will name drop with the best of them, talks about how he got started playing straight ahead and big band stuff and who he's worked with in his intros to songs. Listening to him DJ it's obvious he's been around, he can play anything with anybody but he's gone to the bank in his niche and that's where he feels he needs to be in a public performance. Sad to say but you and I are not the ones paying his bills.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
If you can find a copy of Jeff Lorber's "Galaxian" album, there is a track on there called Bright Sky where Kenny G "TO' IT UP!!!!" Amazing runs in the bridge. As tasteful as he ever played and drippin' with down home!
Then he moved to Sell Out City and all that Celine Dion pap....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
I'll check it out, I have most of Lorber's albums. He's another one, I've done several of his tunes over the years too.
Have to disagree about the "sell out" comment. If selling out means I'm a millionaire and still playing, where do I sign up? It's all about making enough money to keep on truckin. If you don't you're out of the music biz and you turn into a tax accountant like me doing occasional gigs and talking about real players with guys like you...
Kenny's a solid legitimate player, maybe if he feels confident enough in his position with the public he'll release a smokin jazz fusion album and blow us all away. It would probably make 1/100th of what one of his big commercial albums makes if he's lucky and I doubt it would help him much with his live shows.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,366
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,366 |
Eddie and Bob.
Don't you think that it's always the case that the longer you've been playing and the more competent you get, the greater the chance that you'll get into a rut. It's easy to find yourself playing the tried and trusted riffs, rather than something dangerous and on the edge and you end up just living in your comfort zone. This must be especially true if you've already made a fortune from it.
I think it's good to listen to the kids who are just starting out. They have no pre-conceived ideas and are happy to break all the rules that tie us down, but they can often use this to turn out something wonderful. Then we can steal it, incorporate it into our own style and call it our own!
When I listen to Clapton playing now and compare it to what he did with John Mayall back in the 60s, there's no comparison. I found myself wondering if it's just an age thing, but then I listen to BB King and realize it doesn't have to be.
ROG.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
Quote:
Have to disagree about the "sell out" comment. If selling out means I'm a millionaire and still playing, where do I sign up? It's all about making enough money to keep on truckin.
I have had this discussion with a lot of people and I will restate what I say in those discussions.
If money is the way you keep score, then I suggest a career in drug sales. You can make a lot of money that way.
If My G really believes in playing scales really fast on that soprano, bless his curly haired heart. However, knowing what he USED to play.....
I always thought that Kenny G and Michael Bolton should only tour with each other. That way there could be one big wimpathon in every major city and all the yuppies could go and stand in the aisles with their hands in the air swaying back and forth to the sweet sounds of The Heart Will Go On and listen to Bolton sing all the songs he stole.
I will continue to go see AWB and EW&F and TOP. You know, music with testicles.....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,086
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,086 |
Quote:
And she is talented, but simply not the best of the best.
Best is a matter of taste and personal criteria. Best at what…. Carly Simon wrote songs that resonate with generations of women. She did not have to rely on vocal gymnastics. Her voice is distinctly recognizable. She is one of the great female singer/songwriters of our time - that’s my POV. Being compared to her by one of her fans is a compliment to any female vocalist in my opinion. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,505
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,505 |
Yes, we all depend on our "favorite 5 licks" but Kenny's are just too sappy and formulaic. Junior Walker only played 5 notes but he knew when and how to play them And I would guess more than half the professional saxophonists on the planet think they can play better than Mr. Gorelick. For that genre of music, I'd take Grover Washington Jr. or Najee any day. And as far as Kenny "Selling Out" - I have no problem with any musician selling out. If you find something that works, and they are paying you to do it, then do it until it doesn't work anymore. Playing commercial music is better than a day gig - and yes you can make more money selling drugs, but that's a very dangerous profession (unless you are a pharmacist). And I play commercial music for a living. I enjoy most of the songs I play, but if I had my druthers, I wouldn't play "Yakety Sax" anymore - but when someone asks for that, I play it the best that I can and actually enjoy playing it in spite of my self. So Kenny is doing what he should be doing, making tons of money, playing to thousands of adoring fans, and enjoying life. And some artists do get "fat and lazy" when they get older, others keep on getting better and better - Jeff Beck is playing better now than he ever did, Jimmy Smith never lost it, neither did Stan Getz. And yes, Carly wrote some very memorable songs, plays piano well, and sings decently, but she isn't the best of the best. There are plenty of singers with better voices, better control, and more versatility out there. That's not to take anything away from her talent. When I was playing at the "Hilton Of The Palm Beaches" saxophonist Tom Scott dropped in after he finished the "Steve & Eydie" concert. We got to talking about talent and Tom said this (and I'll paraphrase), "I know there is a saxophone player playing in a Holiday Inn somewhere like Valparaiso Indiana that can put me in his back pocket. But I was in the right place at the right time, knew the right people, showed up straight and did the job." Tom is an excellent saxophonist, and it is wonderful to hear someone that famous be that humble. In sports, among those who have been scouted, the best rise to the top. But art is not that way. We have singing stars who can't sing without auto-tune as well as singers who are at the top of their craft and talent. The singers who can't sing can actually make more money - depending on promotion. One of the best singers of the last half of the 20th century is Mark Murphy but most non-jazz people never heard of him. But that's the breaks. Same goes for visual arts, Jackson Pollock painted what to me looks like a house painter's drop cloth and because he knew the right people, he got to be famous. I saw a documentary once about a woman who bought a Pollock in a thrift shop because she thought it was the ugliest thing she had ever seen. Someone mentioned it was from Pollock so she took it to the most famous art dealers and critics all over the country. They all said "Definitely not a Pollock, this was done by someone with absolutely no talent." After years of investigation, somebody found Pollock's fingerprint on the back of the canvas, then suddenly the piece of trash was a work of art that is worth millions of dollars. In art, an ounce of promotion is worth a pound of substance. But no matter how good you are, there is somebody better and somebody not as good. That's something we all have to remember. And if somebody comes up to me with admiration in their eyes and tells me that I sound like Kenny G, I'll take it as a supreme compliment. Insights and incites by 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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Quote:
Don't you think that it's always the case that the longer you've been playing and the more competent you get, the greater the chance that you'll get into a rut. It's easy to find yourself playing the tried and trusted riffs, rather than something dangerous and on the edge and you end up just living in your comfort zone. This must be especially true if you've already made a fortune from it.
That is why we MUST initiate and maintain a constant educational/practice situation for ourselves.
No matter what level, every practicing musician can and should be 1) under the tutelage of a competent teacher or 2) engaged in a good self-education situation, which nowadays can really pay off when one considers the various DVD or other media courses offered that represent a lot of bang per buck.
And we must discipline ourselves to spend a bit of time each day, working on both the learning of new things and the practicing of same.
Finally, I am a firm believer that the working musician should also consider *teaching* what they know to others in some sort of organized situation, because teaching is learning. Sometimes having to put something that you take for granted into words such that someone else can get it can really open up new doors for us.
No matter what level your playing, you can find someone who needs to know that which you do, and teach.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac 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)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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 PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,299
Posts802,913
Members40,086
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean