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Joined: Mar 2009
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 271 |
I am very interested in buying BB but know exactly nothing about it anymore. I used to use it along with PowerTracks about 15 years ago and loved the way it would put down my bass and drum tracks. But my system has changed since then (hasn't everyone's?) I now have a Roland JV-1010 synth module which I was using with Cakewalk but have found it too time comsuming - ie... bass and drum tracks. Which brings me back to wanting to re-aquire BB and PowerTracks. I'm very confused over how all of this new stuff works now. If I use BB with RealBand, do I still need to use my Roland synth? If I'm using PowerTracks can I record my voice, harmony and accustic guitar? I probably have a lot more questions about this stuff but I figure I'll start with the basics first. Any help that anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated. Bobby bobbyt9999@yahoo.ca
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Joined: May 2000
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Well, if you get BIAB plus RealBand, you won't really need Powertracks as RealBand is based on the PT engine and will do everything that PT can do with the one exception being that RealBand does not include the TC Helicon harmony engine.
As far as BIAB goes, purchase the largest amount of style files as you can, the thing that limits what you can do inside Band in a Box is not having enough styles.
--Mac
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Joined: Mar 2009
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BIAB plus RealBand, huh? OK... I'm starting to understand... but still have a couple of questions. Can I record my voice in RealBand? What about my own harmonies? How about my guitar? Will I be able to put in my own midi tracks in RealBand? What about a mixer - does it have one? I'm guessing that with the BIAB and RealBand apps, I won't be needing my Roland synth module - am I right? So sorry for sounding dumb, but at this stage, I am. Things have changed so much since I used BIAB and PT 15 years ago. Thanks for your help!!! Bobby bobbyt9999@yahoo.ca
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,826
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,826 |
Hi Bobby
Realband is a basic sequencer where you can do all your recording but with realband you can if you want use the real tracks alongside your midi tracks and your voice and guitar or what ever you want to record and you can use Vsti and DXi instruments and your roland modual to play the midi tracks
a lot of people start there songs of in BIAB then port them over to realband to finish them off and mix them so really it would do everything you wanted, although everything has moved on BIAB is still a accompliment program doing what it has always done so it can be very basic or as complicated as any mordern program, with every thing you have a learning curve but BIAB and Realband has a super forum where all your questions will be anwsered
regards Dave Hoskins
I always play the right notes but not always in the right order
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,122
Expert
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Joined: Apr 2008
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The answer to all the "Can I do this" questions is basically yes, yes, yes.
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Joined: May 2000
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Yes, yes, and yes...
What you really need to do is obtain the programs and start getting your feet wet, there is a learning curve, but we are here to help you as you go.
Take advantage of pgmusic's 30-day no questions asked return policy. At worst, it is like getting a full functioning demo for those thirty days. But I think you will keep the programs. They are ridiculously fun.
--Mac
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Posts: 271 |
OK... after hearing about how good BIAB and RealBand are, I'm on the cusp of buying them. However, am I to understand that if I order the UltraPac it would come on an 80gb external hard drive or discs? I'm thinking that if indeed it comes on the HD, that would be the way to go... however, if I ever have to re-install Windows after getting a virus, (this happened to me last year) wouldn't the discs be a better way to re-install BIAB and RealTracks? Is this stuff really THAT big? Wow... How things have changed in 15 years. Back then BIAB and PowerTracks came on a couple of 1.44 floppys.
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Joined: May 2000
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I recommend getting the hard drive and not the DVD install disks.
The programs will run right from the hard drive, no need to install.
(However, if you do wish to install to C drive, the files to do so are also on the hard drive.)
--Mac
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Joined: Mar 2009
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OK... IF I wanted to run it from my C drive... how much room would I need? I have 2 - 75gb drives... one of which I just use for storing stuff... pictures, mp3's etc... If I were to run BIAB from the USB drive... would it be slower than my system drives?
Appreciate all the help!!!
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All programs and stuff included on the 80gb USB drive take up about a little under half of the drivespace, or about 35-40gb.
I don't find that using the USB drive to load BIAB songs and stuff is that much slower than my C drive here.
I suggest that you try it and find out for yourself.
The 30-day no questions asked return policy is a good thing, like getting a full featured demo.
Just do it.
And Have Fun!
--Mac
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1 |
Hi,
I'm considering buying the real band package but I am lead to believe I will need a soundcard for my PC? Forgive me but I'm no computer expert so haven't a clue about this sort of thing I'm afraid. My PC is 'off the shelf' so to speak and nothing fancy so would only have, I assume, a very basic sound card.
I will want to plug in a keyboard, guitar and microphone (not all at the same time !) and I have been warned about latency?
I know nothing about soundcards, what features/specifications should I be looking out for? Any help appreciated and any recommendations form other users what they use etc.
Also with real band - how editable are the styles that are produced? For example, if you selected a style and liked the drum beat and bass line but didn't like the guitar twanning on top -could you either change the levels on the guitar bit so you didn't hear it or delete it all together?
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2 |
Hi,
I would appreciate if someone could advise if BIAB can do the following: to apply the chords "on the fly" - while you play with left hand selecting chords specific notes below the split point on MIDI keyboard, and thus do accompaniment automatically in the real time?
Thanks,
Alexander
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Joined: May 2000
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Quote:
Hi,
I would appreciate if someone could advise if BIAB can do the following: to apply the chords "on the fly" - while you play with left hand selecting chords specific notes below the split point on MIDI keyboard, and thus do accompaniment automatically in the real time?
Thanks,
Alexander
No. BIAB is not an autoaccompaniment keyboard program.
--Mac
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Hi Mac,
Thanks a lot for your prompt response.. I see. I thought that maybe some add-on can add such functionality..
Alexander
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 29
Enthusiast
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 29 |
I'm thinking of purchasing BIAB as well. I've reviewed some of the videos outlining the features. What sort of documentation/manuals come with BIAB? There are a lot of features and you could get really lost trying to find some of the options available.
Thanks
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 70
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 70 |
As a new user of Biab since Christmass, and someone with no music theory background, I play guitar strictly by ear I can honetly say that the biggist hurdle for me was getting the input drivers set up properly. The music making is the easy part. Use the forums and the Live Chat to help solve your questions. It is re assuring that any problem you encounter can be most likely solved. I'm sure that everyone who uses Biab encountered the same issues at one time or another. I don't think you will be dissappointed. One thing I'll warn you is that it is addictive. Have fun!! Get the full blowen real tracks
HI , I'm new here and I love BIAB
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Posts: 29 |
Quote:
As a new user of Biab since Christmass, and someone with no music theory background, I play guitar strictly by ear I can honetly say that the biggist hurdle for me was getting the input drivers set up properly. The music making is the easy part. Use the forums and the Live Chat to help solve your questions. It is re assuring that any problem you encounter can be most likely solved. I'm sure that everyone who uses Biab encountered the same issues at one time or another. I don't think you will be dissappointed. One thing I'll warn you is that it is addictive. Have fun!! Get the full blowen real tracks
Darren-I fall into the category as you. I was mainly thinking of how to even get started. There are so many bells & whistles, how do you even get started with just the basics? I'm pretty "hands on" when it comes to learning. Let me sit down and I'll eventually figure it out. I would like some basics to help get things off the ground.
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Posts: 18 |
The learning curve is steep if you want to know how to use everything real band offers, but then again you don't have to learn everything to really enjoy the program.
It has tc helicon in BB whick is a pitch tracker and harmonizer. You can record with realband and save the track as wave file,(Audio/export audio) then load it into bb and pitch track an harmonize your song. Once you completley learn this haronizer you can create perfectly in tune sounding vocals.
It is a necessity to have good sound card. I use the x-fi elite pro by creative which has a breakout box that you can plug in a mike, guitar, and your midi keyboard. I think there about 300 US now.
I bought a tera byte hard drive so I downloaded realband with everything. It is about a 40 gig download.
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 271 |
Hi... I have been using BIAB/RB since early March and love it even more than the last time I opened it up. The manual for BIAB is FANTASTIC... there aren't many products that come with such an indepth manual. The only thing I wish is that they had the same kind of instructions for RB... buy hey... I guess you can't have everything.  Although you can really become perplexed with all the bells and whistles, I have found that the best way to go about learning this stuff is to simply start off with the basics... do a 3 chord song... if it isn't right, do it again. Once you've done that you should be starting to feel more comfortable within the programs. And once THAT happens you tend to want MORE... and so you start looking at something else you can do with the 3 chord song. In my case, once I mastered the very basics, I started discovering and learning more and more stuff... a lot of it without using the manual. But like someone else said in another thread... you have to be careful because it is VERY addictive. Bobby
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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 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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