|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 392
Journeyman
|
Journeyman
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 392 |
FWIW...I'm somewhere in the middle of...the post is OK and the post is BS.
We really can't complain about a lack of new features when we admit from the get go that we haven't read the MOUNTAIN of Users Guide and tutorials.
I don't recall exactly but I think the User's Guide is like 300+ pages and there are HOURS of tutorials.
From what I can tell on this forum...the advanced users who have taken the time and trouble to REALLY dig into the software know pretty much immediately what the new features are...i.e. they GET IT...but have invested a BUNCH of time in getting as good as they are.
So, I think it is unfair to criticize the functionality of the software unless and until we have figured out how do use it.
And as others have pointed out, the additional RTs and the new Super Midis are worth the price of the entire upgrade. (I'm waiting for 2013 so I can't testify to the new midi tracks but even the 2010.5 RTs I have are KILLER in most cases.
On the other hand...twice a year upgrades my dilute the IMPACT of the new version vs. the existing. But keep in mind that a LOT of people (hopefully) are first time buyers and aren't "upgrading" at all.
So, as has been pointed out...if 2 a year doesn't float your boat, then don't buy 2 a year. I've bought in about every second or third year and haven't had any seizures in the meantime! (-:
Finally, in the price is the FABULOUS tech support from the PG folks which in my rather broad experience with tech support...being essentially a tech nincompoop...is THE best of breed...and I can't think of any other company that is even CLOSE.
That would be good enough but when supplemented by all the really talented and experienced users on this forum...it's just game, set and match for BIAB from a tech support point of view.
That is to be appreciated AND supported financially whenever doing so makes any sense at all for the user.
Best,
Jim
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
Quote:
im sure there are other features that I would love if I knew what and how they work.
I think there are probably MANY people such as myself that dont want to publicly embarrass themselves that arent aware of the capabilities of the program.......and how to use it.......
a Band In a Box For Dummies Book or Tutorial would be great!
Band In a Box for Dummies is basically this forum.
My advice is don't worry about it right now. All the latest upgrades, RT's, Supertracks and whatever the Next Big Thing happens to be will be available in all the subsequent versions and you can get completely caught up later. I agree with you, this is a daunting program, there's tons of features when you start digging beyond the basic "enter the chords and hit play" thing. The beauty of the program is pretty much anybody can do that in the first five minutes but, once you've done that and your musicians ears tell you something is missing, that's when the really deep stuff begins to emerge and that will take time for you to learn. After you've learned that then you will begin to think, gee, can I make it do this? That's when somebody will say oh yeah, that was introduced in the last update and then you can decide if you want to pay for it or not.
This program is a continual work in progress that is heavily influenced by us users. PG really does read suggestions here and will implement a lot of them but then they also come up with brand new things we never thought of.
The thing about computers is the programming. Biab is totally musical in that PG pretty much follows classical music concepts but due to computer and programming protocols things are done that while the end result is very musical, the way you have to accomplish it may not make immediate sense.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 904
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 904 |
How can there ever be too many styles???
All it needs is to have a good style picker and search options, so the wanted style can be found easiily. This can always be improved - d`accord.
You wouldn`t ***** about having too many different car brands on the market, would you? Of course, we can always go back to the old German Democratic Republic times and drive Trabants only. But I doubt, that`s what you really want.
So just benefit from all those styles and try to filter your search results. Dig into the programm and you`ll soon find your favorite styles. And even if there are only 10 styles you`ll like and/or need, they probably weren`t there, if the programm had only, say, 20 different styles.
Enjoy the programm.
Sandra
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 600
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 600 |
I personally consider the upgrade a buy if I get one decent usable real track from it. The way I figure it is it would cost me a minimum of $50 per hour to get someone in to play a part for me. Two hours in the studio and it's cost me $100. I get the real tracks (101 every update) and use just one for my track and I'm even. Of course I get more than one useable real track in every upgrade so the others are just bonus. Now all of the other upgrades from upgrade to upgrade are also just gravy for me. If I don't use a thing in the new upgrade now I may later. I love BIAB. Don't use Real Band. So what? It's still there and someday I might.
I'm sorry but I can not NOT justify buying the upgrade every 6 months. I would probably buy an upgrade of BIAB every month if it was offered that way. And I really don't use it that much because I'm to busy with everything else! But when I do use it, its there and every thing that comes with it is there. I don't drink or run women so the wife lets me do BIAB. What a deal!
Dell 610 dual Monitor, win 7-10, Sonar Plat, ProTools 10 & 11, Reaper 4, BIAB/real Band 2022, Easy Drummer, Superior Drummer, Kontact Essentials, Personnel Orchestra, Korg Legacy Analog & Digital
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 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!
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!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
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
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.
Watch the video.
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.
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®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,737
Posts795,482
Members39,942
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean