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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 392
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 392 |
OK...here's the BIG QUESTION. Should I upgrade from 2010.5 UltraPlusPak or not.
Here is the background.
My wife is a professional jazz/blues singer. I sit in on guitar and percussion and run sound.
So, the MAIN use is to create arrangements that exactly duplicate her charts so I can practice. (I'm basically a Blues Dog on guiter but can get away with jazz rhythm and some lead fills if I PRACTICE)! (-:
Also since gig money has shrunk so much...with duos/trios getting most of the gigs, we could also use BIAB in live gigging situations but would likely limit the output to drums and bass if we have keyboards or drums and keyboards if we have a bass.
What I am really interested in is what you think are MUST HAVES in 2012 and/or what is expected in 12.5 vs. 2010.5. Features that SIMPLIFY BIAB functionality would be major selling points for me. On the other hand, I would not care about "recording studio" type functions or those that relate to classical music (no disprespect, I love it...just don't PLAY it due to a shocking lack of talent) (-: In addition any meaningful benefits in terms of more easily creating printable charts would be great too.
Finally, anything that would upgrade how RealTracks SOUND without external sound cards/synths would be a big deal for me.
Please don't feel disloyal to PG if you don't encourage the upgrade...I may well get it anyway...just because I like new, new things. (-:
And I CERTAINLY will buy whatever new jazz/blues RealTracks are being made available...assuming they are compatible with 10.5.
THANKS!
Jim
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,486
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,486 |
Jim,
BIAB has changed considerably since 2010.5. I always upgrade (mid-year and end-of-year) to the latest UptraPlusPAK and find that the changeover price is brilliant for all the extras that I get. While I don't use every Realtrack nor every Realdrum that I have, the UltraPlusPAK is still the most economical way to go in my opinion.
Regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,157
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,157 |
Jim,
If you intend to upgrade at end of 2012 anyways, you can save yourself $59 waiting until then as that $59 is the small/large cost (depending on your circumstances) to have the extra benefits about to be released in .5 which you will get at the end of the year anyways.
I won't go into the maths of how I worked it out as I have already done so a few times in the past.
Musiclover
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 392
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 392 |
Quote:
Jim,
BIAB has changed considerably since 2010.5. I always upgrade (mid-year and end-of-year) to the latest UptraPlusPAK and find that the changeover price is brilliant for all the extras that I get. While I don't use every Realtrack nor every Realdrum that I have, the UltraPlusPAK is still the most economical way to go in my opinion.
Regards,
Noel
Thanks Noel,
Right...my last purchase was the UltraPlusPak. I guess I'm still interested though in a list of MUST HAVES for the purposes I used BIAB for that are absent in 10.5 since upgrading from that version is not NEARLY as economical as upgrading from the 1 year or half year old versions.
Best,
Jim
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,840
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,840 |
There's been a alot of changes since 2010.5, most notably the introduction of Elastique Pro which reduced the size of the RealTracks by aruond 70%; the new mixer which allows you to specify different soft synths for each track; the ton of new RealTracks; and of course the more than 147 new other features. Since you have 2010.5, I extracted the new features from the manual for 2011, 2011.5, and 2012. Who knows what 2012.5 brings. Hopefully this helps, though. BIAB 2011 New FeaturesBIAB 2011.5 New FeaturesBIAB 2012 New Features
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: Sep 2004
Posts: 392
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 392 |
Quote:
There's been a alot of changes since 2010.5, most notably the introduction of Elastique Pro which reduced the size of the RealTracks by aruond 70%; the new mixer which allows you to specify different soft synths for each track; the ton of new RealTracks; and of course the more than 147 new other features.
Since you have 2010.5, I extracted the new features from the manual for 2011, 2011.5, and 2012. Who knows what 2012.5 brings. Hopefully this helps, though.
BIAB 2011 New Features
BIAB 2011.5 New Features
BIAB 2012 New Features
Thanks for taking the trouble to do that. The comments about substantial improvements in how RealTracks sound is probably enough to get me to purchase!!
Best,
Jim
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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® 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!
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PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
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The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
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We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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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If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
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®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
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
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