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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 225
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 225 |
While browsing around the Roland site, I came across this new product of theirs: http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.php?ProductId=1141&ParentId=18 , the BK-7m backing module--an all-in-one sound module, auto-arranger, etc. The concept is not new. I still have my old Yamaha QY70 (before that I had the QY10 and 20, never went beyond the 70), and the Roland PM-5, and haven't used them for years. There have been many newer ones since then. But this is the fanciest one I have ever seen. I am curious whether anyone here has tried one of them, and to hear your impressions of it. How would you compare for live performance--a laptop with BIAB, or this new Roland box? Not that I am about to go get one. They sell for about $1,000, more than many laptops with BIAB. (and a laptop could perform other functions as well.) Interesting though, and I would be curious to hear your review, if you have tried one of these.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,511
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,511 |
I'm not familiar with that unit, but I've messed with some auto-accompaniment keyboards before. There are pros and cons to both the keyboard approach and the BiaB approach of doing things. So everything I am writing about arranger keyboards I suspect are also about the BK-7 - but I'm not sure - if you are interested in the BK-7, further investigation is recommended.
The keyboards (and I suspect the BK-7) have great intros and endings, better than what you have in BiaB. But how many times can you use a great intro? I remember working out a cha-cha for ballroom dancers, "Cherry Pink..." and used this great intro from an old Roland auto-accompaniment keyboard. It was great. Then I decided to learn a cha-cha version of "The More I See You" so I used that same, great intro. But when the new song started, it sounded so much like "Cherry Pink" that I wanted to start the wrong song. So there are advantages and disadvantages to elaborate intros and endings.
The arranger keyboards often have more instruments than BiaB. This can make for much thicker background parts.
Also the keyboards work in real time. BiaB wants the chords entered before you hit the play button.
Real time allows the keyboard player to be more spontaneous in their arrangement, but the BiaB method has one great advantage that IMHO can allow the song played to be much more musical. And for me that's what it's all about.
First of all, the arranger keyboards usually have from 2 to 8 bars that they play over and over and over again with variations according to the chord you are playing. BiaB can have hundreds of different patterns and they do not come in the same order over and over again unless the style is programmed that way.
Second and most importantly to me, since you enter the chords ahead of time, BiaB knows which chord is coming next. So a smart style programmer can design patterns that only occur in certain musical contexts. A couple of examples would be the V chord in a typical ii-V7-I progression. Or a IV chord that resolves to the root when the IV is on an odd numbered measure and the root is an even numbered measure. There are dozens of "masks" in the StyleMaker that can allow the style writer to make musical patterns that only occur in the situations that are appropriate.
Third, BiaB can have multiple patterns for the same situation with different probability weights. So for example, if the style writer would create 5 different patterns for a V7 chord that resolves to the root when the root has a part marker on it (measure 1 of the next 8 or so), the writer can put the pattern with the most 'personality' with a low probability number that will surprise the listener every once in a great while and not over do itself.
For me, I like the BiaB approach better, because if the style is written well, the musical output can be more varied and more musical.
If I were a single act doing a "piano bar" type of gig, I might prefer the keyboard approach as it would allow the arrangements to be more flexible.
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
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 928
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 928 |
Well, there really is a new BiaB-type software application.
It is called Songtrix and it is developed by the same company in Australia that produced Chord Wizard (a great application, by the way):
http://www.chordwizard.com/products.aspx
But Songtrix seems to be MIDI only and after Real Tracks, I'm never going back to MIDI.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,466
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,466 |
Not to mention ChordPulse, which is an excellent little MIDI sketchpad. Both programs have some interface ideas I really wish PG would look into -- like the Tab view, the vertical mixer, Chordpulse's pages, right-click context menu and preset progressions....
Best, Tom SmithWin10/64 • i7-8700K • 24 GB RAM BIAB 2026 • Reaper 7.57 • Izotope MPS AKG C1000S • IK iRig I/O Pro
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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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Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
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Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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, and much more!
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Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
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There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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Holiday Weekend Hours
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Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
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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!
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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®!
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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®!
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