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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 09:08 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
Posts: 12,840
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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 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: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,891
Veteran
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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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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,891
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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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Posts: 600 |
Did you end up getting the program?
Last edited by earl kirby; 09/05/12 09:59 PM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 803
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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 04:39 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 03:58 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: 622
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 SD90
Aerophone AE-30, Yamaha WX-7
Yamaha RX-v381amp
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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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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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!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
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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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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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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
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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®.
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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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