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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Quote:
I think the the free trial has a much bigger beneficial offset.
Oh, I agree with you 101%! I'd much prefer to try before I buy.
Hey, I'd be interested in your first impressions of the user interface. I have heard it is a bit, well, non-conventional! And from viewing the videos here it seems pretty much unlike every modern Windows program I've used. I guess you just get used to it if it is delivering the music though!!! 
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Hi JohnJohnJohn,
I think you are into this so much that you should just go for it. Forget the money. BIAB has value. There is no doubt. My friend uses BIAB, RB and also Abelton Live. He does not worry about the cost because feels he anything could happen and he could be dead tomorrow. He has the money and he just does not want to miss out on what is available. He criteria is "will I use it" not "will I use it perfectly or will it be perfect for me". There is a big difference. if you figure you will use 10% of BIAB the reality is once you know it you are likely to use 20% of it or more. You do not need to use 100% of it. The key is that he uses BIAB and RB then imports into Abelton Live and uses some of it too. Okay so maybe he has spent $1,000 on all of it. So make up the test plan and if it does 20% of that plan then buy it and find the programs that doe the other 10%. Sure take your time but make it a 20% usage rather than 100%. Importing into other programs that do the rest seems to be the key to this. As far as the 30 day trial goes, I now believe they they will return it if you do not like it. Once you believe this there is no difference except your money is tied up a little longer if you return it (so what). Calculate the interest on that. It is probably $5.00 difference at todays crazy low interest rates. Your education even if you do return it far exceeds that. Here is the bottom line. Your dwelling on it tells you very clearly that BIAB has a lot of value and the only thing holding you back is fear. Trust me, I know from trading "FEAR IS THE ENEMY" IGNORE FEAR AND GO FOR IT. Easier said that done but you really have nothing to loose the way I see it. I went for it and it worked out. My belief is your subconscious which keeps bringing you back to BIAB/RT is what is correct and your fear is what is wrong. Maybe I found it easy to see this because of my work "trading". It may not be as easy for you. I do not know. Whatever. It is all good. But I really do believe that 99% of the time the only thing we need to fear is fear itself. PG-Music could take years before they realize that having a free trial is good. That is their problem. I realized that then made the decision with that realization. If you have problems after buying it appears that there are a lot of great people here to help, It makes it easier.
Give this view point some thought. It may make the decision easier. If you have a test BIAB plan and it fails that is okay to. Just return it.
John
Last edited by bowlesj; 09/06/12 08:08 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Good God John, what happened, wasn't it just a day ago you were reluctant to even consider purchase?? It sounds like you have drunk the koolaid.  Of course, nothin wrong with that, just seems like an instant conversion.  Welcome to the club. 
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2000
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Hi, John Bowles -
Welcome to the fold. I hope you continue to learn and use BIAB. It's a great program.
I just checked out your songs and really enjoyed what I heard.
Before long, you'll be offering advice and help yourself.
Welcome aboard.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 8TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 11TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting and construction)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,853
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Quote:
Hi JohnJohnJohn,
I think you are into this so much that you should just go for it. Forget the money. BIAB has value. There is no doubt. My friend uses BIAB, RB and also Abelton Live. He is 60 now. he does not worry about the cost because he is at the age where he could be dead tomorrow. He has the money and he just does not want to miss out on what is available. He criteria is "will I use it" not "will I use it perfectly or will it be perfect for me". There is a big difference. if you figure you will use 10% of BIAB the reality is once you know it you are likely to use 20% of it or more. You do not need to use 100% of it. The key is that he uses BIAB and RB then imports into Abelton Live and uses some of it too. Okay so maybe he has spent $1,000 on all of it. So make up the test plan and if it does 20% of that plan then buy it and find the programs that doe the other 10%. Sure take your time but make it a 20% usage rather than 100%. Importing into other programs that do the rest seems to be the key to this. As far as the 30 day trial goes, I now believe they they will return it if you do not like it. Once you believe this there is no difference except your money is tied up a little longer if you return it (so what). Calculate the interest on that. It is probably $5.00 difference at todays crazy low interest rates. Your education even if you do return it far exceeds that. Here is the bottom line. Your dwelling on it tells you very clearly that BIAB has a lot of value and the only thing holding you back is fear. Trust me, I know from trading "FEAR IS THE ENEMY" IGNORE FEAR AND GO FOR IT. Easier said that done but you really have nothing to loose the way I see it. I went for it and it worked out. My belief is your subconscious which keeps bringing you back to BIAB/RT is what is correct and your fear is what is wrong. Maybe I found it easy to see this because of my work "trading". It may not be as easy for you. I do not know. Whatever. It is all good. But I really do believe that 99% of the time the only thing we need to fear is fear itself. PG-Music could take years before they realize that having a free trial is good. That is their problem. I realized that then made the decision with that realization. If you have problems after buying it appears that there are a lot of great people here to help, It makes it easier.
Give this view point some thought. It may make the decision easier. If you have a test BIAB plan and it fails that is okay to. Just return it.
John
thanks John. you make some good points. for me the $500 vs $150 is also a bit of the criteria! :-)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Quote:
Good God John, what happened, wasn't it just a day ago you were reluctant to even consider purchase?? It sounds like you have drunk the koolaid. Of course, nothin wrong with that, just seems like an instant conversion. Welcome to the club.
that was fast! must be a great program!!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 600
Journeyman
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Journeyman
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Did you end up getting the program?
Last edited by earl kirby; 09/05/12 08:59 PM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Quote:
Hi, John Bowles -
Welcome to the fold. I hope you continue to learn and use BIAB. It's a great program.
I just checked out your songs and really enjoyed what I heard.
Before long, you'll be offering advice and help yourself.
Welcome aboard.
Thanks guys and thanks Jford for listening to my playing from 32 to 35 years ago. It is nice to hear someone enjoys it. I wish I had that energy and drive again. I also wish I was rich and could Practice 8 to 12 hours again as I use to in those days. I would do 4 hours on flat pick and 4 hours on finger picking. Lots of fun.
http://www.reverbnation.com/johnbowles
Maybe BIAB will inspire me to put some of my current stuff out there. By the way, I just noticed we have the same first name. I think they need to call this forum the "Lots of Johns forum" :-)
I got together with my friend last night who has BIAB and who actually is playing on two of the songs on those tracks from 32 years ago ("Racing" and "Space Is Revolving"). He and I met in the computer programming course. We had a few beers and talked about BIAB some of the time. I was correct, he has had BIAB for more than 10 years. He was telling me that some of the solos that BIAB creates are really good. Actually he said he was amazed at how good some of them are. I can see it now. Thanks for tuning in folks, you are listening to BIAB top 40 radio :-)
Last edited by bowlesj; 09/06/12 03:39 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Hi Earl, Quote:
Did you end up getting the program?
Assuming you are referring to me yes I did. I took a day off work to download it, back the files up to DVD (an almost perfect fix on a 4.7gig DVD) then I did the play test and the record test. The record test did not work until I set the driver to RealTek which came with my motherboard which has the sound card built right in.
More for (JohnJohnJohn) I picked up a few tips from my friend last night. He has had it for over 10 years and has been telling me about it all this time. He said BIAB can only record 1 track even if you remove the BIAB generated guitar track. He said to record both your guitar accompaniment and also your melody/solos you have to use RB as I was told on this forum as well.
Last edited by bowlesj; 09/06/12 02:58 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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You can just use Real Band for it all, there's a lot of people here doing just that. It will generate music the same way as Biab. Usually I start in Biab and use Real Band afterward, but I have made songs only in RB. I got sent a song from another user in 7/4 time and found it was impossible to alter the style in Biab, but very simple in RB. The main reason I use Biab is auditioning styles, because you can hear the song faster. It plays while the song is generating, and RB plays afterward. I make a 4 or 8 bar 1 chorus test song and find a style suitable for use, and it will play almost immediately. Answers to any problems are found in search the forums, if you don't want to wait for a response. Best music forum on the web and company support too.
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Thanks Tommyc. I will have to try the search some time and try to get in the habit of keeping it up. I did not realize RB can generate songs. Lots to learn.
Time to start work. Most of my BIAB time will be weekends. The BIAB vacation day is done :-(
John
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 611
Journeyman
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Journeyman
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P.G. Customer Service is without peer in the software industry. They will even cut you a break if YOU made a mistake. No fear...
Jan - 12 Core AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
32GB DDR4
Win 10 64-bit
Samsung m.2 SSD Boot drive,other SSD internal and USB drives.
MOTO 2
Ketron SD4,SD1000
Yamaha RX-v381amp
VB-Audio virtual cables
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Hey BowlesJ
For Gods sake or goodness sake if that makes you feel uncomfortable......This isnt like getting married or considering a new job!
There are a Million if not more people including myself that have this program and love it.
Dont make things more complicated than they need to be. Buy It You will love it....its that simple!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Anonymous
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Quote:
This isnt like getting married or considering a new job!
In fact I would RATHER buy BIAB than get married..... With software, you only pay once and you can stop using it anytime you choose to.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Hi Triple John, Just checking old threads and ran across this one . . . Come on man, I can't believe you have still not made a decision. With this said, you did get me to thinking (tongue planted firmly in cheek) that if it is taking you this long to make a decision to purchase how long is it going to take you to pick styles and real tracks for your creations? Man you may never finish a tune! Decisions decisions? Come on man you are wasting precious time . . . BUY IT NOW! Later,
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Quote:
Hi Triple John,
Just checking old threads and ran across this one . . . Come on man, I can't believe you have still not made a decision. With this said, you did get me to thinking (tongue planted firmly in cheek) that if it is taking you this long to make a decision to purchase how long is it going to take you to pick styles and real tracks for your creations? Man you may never finish a tune! Decisions decisions?
Come on man you are wasting precious time . . . BUY IT NOW!
Later,
Danny...bought it a couple of weeks ago...am in hog heaven...convinced it is not really software...more like a drug...cannot stop messing with it...
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Don't stay up all night. I used to do that all the time. Addictive for sure.
If you fish enough there are about 10,000 songs in Band in a Box format lurking.
If you didn't yet, try google and
Allanah Band in a Box mgu
as the search string. You should find a whack of stuff.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Great news! All I will add is that from the length of this thread and all the convincing it took from the members, if this was a commission sale for the PG Rep did not get enough money. As our old friend Russ says . . . Good On You! Welcome aboard,
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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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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®!
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.
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