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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I have a digital piano (Yamaha DGX640) and I have BIAB software on my laptop. Other than enabling BIAB-generated sounds to play thru the Yamaha keyboard's speakers, are there any other reasons for connecting the two via MIDI? Wouldn't it be just as good to play BIAB songs thru the laptop (with external speakers) and to just play along on the Keyboard independently?
I'm not trying to be difficult or a troll, but I'm not sure I see any other reason to connect the two (laptop and keyboard) except for playing BIAB sounds thru the keyboard. Perhaps I'm missing other reasons to connect the two?
Thanks!
Kawai VPC1 MIDI Controller; Asus A53E Laptop running Windows 7 - 64 bit; BIAB 2017 UltraPlusPak (upgraded from 2014 EverythingPak), running from Laptop's Hard Drive.
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Quote:
I have a digital piano (Yamaha DGX640) and I have BIAB software on my laptop. Other than enabling BIAB-generated sounds to play thru the Yamaha keyboard's speakers, are there any other reasons for connecting the two via MIDI? Wouldn't it be just as good to play BIAB songs thru the laptop (with external speakers) and to just play along on the Keyboard independently?
I'm not trying to be difficult or a troll, but I'm not sure I see any other reason to connect the two (laptop and keyboard) except for playing BIAB sounds thru the keyboard. Perhaps I'm missing other reasons to connect the two?
Thanks!
This will have to do until others...who actually know what they are talking about...chime in.
You ask for a reason "except for playing BIAB sounds thru the keyboard" but I think that's a big reason. I would imagine that the output of BIAB music through your digital keyboard would be significantly superior to the same sounds playing through you laptop sound card...even plugged into quality external speakers.
Lots of folks pay serious money for an external "midi box" which...unless I am mistaken yet again...is the purpose that your keyboard serves and probably at least as good if not better than all but the most expensive external midi hardware interfaces.
Best,
Jim
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If you can play MIDI sounds on BiaB from your laptop, there is no reason you HAVE to connect your keyboard. There is a parallel argument about whether one needs MIDI at all if you're using RealTracks...
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
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Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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The MIDI synth in your yamaha keyboard has some really good sounds in it. Not only that, use of the hardware MIDI synth inside the keyboard allows near zero latency at all times, something unobtainable when using software MIDI synths. This is likely of importance only if you are recording your keyboard playing in realtime. The luscious sounds inside that keyboard are reason enough, though, you have them and might as well make use of them. Connecting the MIDI to the computer and selecting the proper Input and Output to send what BB plays as MIDI to that keyboard's internal synth is a different world of sound from using internal software synthesizers for MIDI.
Looking at the Yamaha DGX640's .pdf manual, available on the yamaha instruments website, I see that all you need is a single USB cable to attach this keyboard to the computer. You must install the USB drivers that are provided on the CD that shipped with the keyboard. If that's lost, it likely can be downloaded from the yamaha support site.
There are about 500 different MIDI voices in your piano, and 11 MIDI percussion banks. You will likely want to have a Patchmap to drop into the BB folder and select inside BB so that you can access all those by name using the + button to the right of the standard GM patches already listed in the dropdown. Check the PGMusic Support Pages, under Patchmaps to see if someone has already written and posted one to download. If you don't see one for your 640, don't despair, there's a wizard inside BB that can convert a Cakewalk .ins file to a bb patchmap with a single mouse button push. Websearch engine should bring up a cakewalk .ins file for this popular instrument.
Other than that, there's no hard pat reason to have to hook it up to the computer if all your needs are just to be able to play piano along with Band in a Box.
Have Fun,
--Mac
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Quote:
.....There are about 500 different MIDI voices in your piano, and 11 MIDI percussion banks. You will likely want to have a Patchmap to drop into the BB folder and select inside BB so that you can access all those by name using the + button to the right of the standard GM patches already listed in the dropdown. Check the PGMusic Support Pages, under Patchmaps to see if someone has already written and posted one to download. If you don't see one for your 640, don't despair, there's a wizard inside BB that can convert a Cakewalk .ins file to a bb patchmap with a single mouse button push. Websearch engine should bring up a cakewalk .ins file for this popular instrument.
Other than that, there's no hard pat reason to have to hook it up to the computer if all your needs are just to be able to play piano along with Band in a Box.
Have Fun,
--Mac
Thanks to everyone for your responses. I already have the laptop connected to the keyboard via USB cable and the USB-MIDI driver has been installed. Not sure whether MIDI is set-up correctly in BIAB to have it play thru the keyboard though. Does anyone know the exact settings to use for that? (Sorry for the newbie question....)
Also, I just checked the Support files here and didn't find a patchmap for my keyboard. Googling for a cakewalk.ins file came up empty as well. So how critical is it to have/use a specific patchmap for your keyboard? (This is all very new to me....)
Thanks again!
Last edited by newbert; 01/20/13 08:25 PM.
Kawai VPC1 MIDI Controller; Asus A53E Laptop running Windows 7 - 64 bit; BIAB 2017 UltraPlusPak (upgraded from 2014 EverythingPak), running from Laptop's Hard Drive.
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To start out, you could just use the first 128 voices, which correspond to the GM bank most likely.
To see if that's the case, go to Options->MIDI/Audio inside BB.
In the window that opens will be two smaller windows.
LH side is where you should see the INPUT from your keyboard. Click that to highlight it.
RH side is where you should see the OUTPUT from bb to keyboard, click that to highlight as well.
UNcheck the 'Use DXi" button, say Okay to close that window, then load a BB song that uses MIDI in the style and hit Play, see if the MIDI is now being played by the keyboard.
--Mac
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Perhaps Luddites prefer it. The basis is the same on most keyboards to an extent. I have made it redundant, I use RealTracks.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Quote:
To start out, you could just use the first 128 voices, which correspond to the GM bank most likely.
To see if that's the case, go to Options->MIDI/Audio inside BB.
In the window that opens will be two smaller windows.
LH side is where you should see the INPUT from your keyboard. Click that to highlight it.
RH side is where you should see the OUTPUT from bb to keyboard, click that to highlight as well.
UNcheck the 'Use DXi" button, say Okay to close that window, then load a BB song that uses MIDI in the style and hit Play, see if the MIDI is now being played by the keyboard.
--Mac
Thanks for the tips on setting up the MIDI, Mac. Works great.
Kawai VPC1 MIDI Controller; Asus A53E Laptop running Windows 7 - 64 bit; BIAB 2017 UltraPlusPak (upgraded from 2014 EverythingPak), running from Laptop's Hard Drive.
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Quote:
Perhaps Luddites prefer it. The basis is the same on most keyboards to an extent. I have made it redundant, I use RealTracks.
....Which begs a (probably basic) question..... Is it only MIDI sounds that transfer to the keyboard thru the MIDI connection? If so, I assume that the only way to play along with Realtracks, and use headphones to hear both the Realtracks and my playing on the keyboard, would be to use a mixer?
Thanks.
Kawai VPC1 MIDI Controller; Asus A53E Laptop running Windows 7 - 64 bit; BIAB 2017 UltraPlusPak (upgraded from 2014 EverythingPak), running from Laptop's Hard Drive.
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.
The so-called 'first 128' sounds are not the best sounds in your Yamaha. The 'first 128' are a set of standard instruments that make up a protocol called General Midi, or GM. The good thing about them is that they are standard, not that they are outstanding.
The patchmaps will enable you to tell BiaB to call sounds outside of the 'first 128.' These include the ones called 'Cool' and 'Live' on your keyboard. Once you get the patchmap working the difference will be like night and day.
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Quote:
....Which begs a (probably basic) question..... Is it only MIDI sounds that transfer to the keyboard thru the MIDI connection? If so, I assume that the only way to play along with Realtracks, and use headphones to hear both the Realtracks and my playing on the keyboard, would be to use a mixer?
Thanks.
A mixer can be handy, but in this case is not needed. The proper adaptor cable from the Phones/Output jack that terminates at the other end with the proper connection to fit your computer's sound device stereo Line Input jack can be used to have both any output from the piano and any output from Band in a Box, such as Realtracks and Realdrums, all come out via the computer's speaker or headphone system. If using a Laptop, may be problematic as many laptops leave out the needed Line Input, though. Investing in an aftermarket Sound Device for recording music can solve that problem nicely, picking the right one to suit your needs can also yield the mixer and microphone preamp inputs right there on the aftermarket USB sound device's panel as well.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Quote:
.
The so-called 'first 128' sounds are not the best sounds in your Yamaha. The 'first 128' are a set of standard instruments that make up a protocol called General Midi, or GM. The good thing about them is that they are standard, not that they are outstanding.
The patchmaps will enable you to tell BiaB to call sounds outside of the 'first 128.' These include the ones called 'Cool' and 'Live' on your keyboard. Once you get the patchmap working the difference will be like night and day.
Hey Flatfoot, I believe that you stated in another thread that you own a DGX640. Do you have a link to a patchmap for it? I'm coming up empty so far.....
Thanks!
Kawai VPC1 MIDI Controller; Asus A53E Laptop running Windows 7 - 64 bit; BIAB 2017 UltraPlusPak (upgraded from 2014 EverythingPak), running from Laptop's Hard Drive.
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Newbert, I've done a search on the internet too and cannot find a pre-built patchmap for the DGX-640's 535 voices. If FlatFoot doesn't have one available, follow these instructions and you can make one yourself pretty easily: http://www.pgmusic.com/tutorial_bbwpatchmap.htmHere is a link to a instrument definition (patchmap) for a Yamaha GDX-630...not sure how close that would be, but perhaps you could modify it or use it as a template: http://www.jososoft.dk/yamaha/ins_files.htm .
Win11, Intel i7 7700K 4.2Ghz, 32Gb RAM, 2x1Tb HD, 500Gb NVMe, BIAB/RB 2026, MOTU 828MK3 audio, MOTU Midi Express, Yamaha Montage 7, DX7II, TX802, Motif XS Rack, Roland Fantom XR Rack, Oberheim Matrix 1000, VoiceLive3 Extreme, Kontakt 6, SampleTank 4.3
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Quote:
Perhaps Luddites prefer it. The basis is the same on most keyboards to an extent. I have made it redundant, I use RealTracks.
I have to jump in here. If you call the top recording studios in LA, New York and Nashville Luddites, perhaps you are correct. MIDI is 30 years old, and according to Alan Parsons and quoted by Craig Anderton in EM Magazine, MIDI has become embedded in the DNA of every pop music production since then.
I like the RealTracks and have some fun using them. When they work, they are great. But there are still quite a few editing functions in MIDI that can be used to customize or improve a song that are impossible with the RealTracks. And if you have good MIDI synthesizers, the sound is almost as good as the RTs (yes even the GM bank of a high quality synth).
So I'm using a combination now. RTs for the tracks that don't need editing and MIDI tracks for those that do. I dump all my BiaB projects to DAW software where I can combine the best of both, change whatever I want, and add anything that BiaB doesn't provide. If my artistic judgement and skills are used well, the final product should be something that I couldn't have done without BiaB, but is better than what BiaB alone can provide.
MIDI is a tool, and like any tool, it has it's place in your tool box. Furthermore, it is a very versatile and still relevant tool and will probably be embedded in the DNA of virtually every pop song for years to come.
Just because I have a new tool, and enjoy the new tool, still using the old tool where it is appropriate does not make one a Luddite.
OK, I'm off my soapbox now.
Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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To add to Notes point, midi is as good as the effort , and synth quality you insert with it. There are time that RTs rock the song, and times i can't find a single one to fit in with the tracks i have. While working in an original song i might be able to use a set of RTs or a mixed bunch either way, and nail it. But when working on a cover tune, if I want to get the original feeling of the song, like signature licks, or grooves, midi is the tool set of choice. I might add one or two RTs to give the song a newer flavor, but midi is still the pony you want to ride.
Right now i use sampletank, Rolands TTS, and Jamstix to fire up the midi a bit. I hope to add a hardware synth at some point, but who knows maybe Kontact or something like that. The very fact PG came out with super midi tracks let's us know Midi is not dead, it is still very valuable. The ability to edit will always make midi a cool thing.
One very good example is with backing ohhs and ahhs in a midi track. open one up and play it and you go hhhmmm that really sucks most of the time out of the box, but open that track in the piano roll, and work for a while with the notes lengths, and see how it can slowly smooth out and actually blend into the song. use a better set of voice patches, and next thing you know it sound like a full set of background singers backing you up.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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The argument about whether or not Real Tracks are sufficient by themselves or whether or not midi is "dead" all boils down to the individual user. This is a worldwide forum and there are people who use this software who are coming from all kinds of different perspectives. The range goes from someone with minimal musical knowledge and ability to to true pro level players. Then there's the computer pro angle. Some limited musicians are pro computer types while some top pro players know squat about computers and digital audio recording.
All this makes trying to answer a broad question about midi very difficult because in a forum like this we can't tell who the poster really is, where they are in terms of musical ability and equally important, computer ability.
For myself, I'm basically a mid level pro player and now after about 10 years of working with digital audio maybe a mid level computer guy. When the Real Tracks came out a few years ago I was absolutely thrilled with them. They sound great and yes, many times they're all I use for routine things like jamming and practicing. I want to work on soloing over Green Dolphin Street for example, I have it all set up using all RT's and it sounds great but it doesn't sound like any of the many commercial versions of that tune. RT's are generic backing tracks in various styles. That's good enough for quick jamming but I also have a couple of very good Biab midi style files too that have some very good arranging elements in them that cannot be duplicated with the RT's. Only midi can do that but then I have to set them up to play using better midi synths than just the basic GM Forte Dxi or my Roland TTS-1. It takes some time to set those up while the RT's simply play with one mouse click.
Since I'm a good player and do these tunes live with jazz groups anyway I'm not so concerned with getting the arrangement perfect at home for jamming along with so most of the time the RT's are good enough. I can tell that the really nice elements of any particular song are missing but I don't care, I get to play along with those when I'm doing a gig with other good players anyway.
But this is just for me. Other people who don't do a lot of gigs maybe do want to have complete arrangements of their tunes and for that the RT's are not good enough because you can't edit them to give you melody lines, certain song specific licks and other things. For those you need midi tracks and like Notes said lots of times the best overall sound is a combination of both.
As as far as midi in the overall music industry is concerned just look at video demos of other DAW software. Midi is huge, not just "a" part of music, no it's the biggest part of much of current song creation from pop music to movie soundtracks. Midi is far from dead, if anything it's getting bigger. I have been watching videos from Winter NAMM 2013 and the Midi Association had a booth there and the guy is talking about how Midi 2.0 is in fact being developed right now due to demand from software and music producers. There have been insider rumors about this for years but this is the first time I've seen them at a NAMM show so that tells me progress is actually being made.
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.
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Tools.
The wise user of tools does not throw away his hammers because of the introduction of the Nail Gun.
Keep your tools, all of your tools, in good working order and keep learning how to use them, for there are certain tasks that each will excel in doing and it therefore falls on each craftsperson to strive to not only understand how each tool works, but to understand the process of tool selection when confronted with a project.
The advent of a new tool does not necessarily indicate the demise of the older tool.
Those who take that stance should ask themselves why they have chosen to limit their possibilities.
--Mac
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As a keyboard player, MIDI captures what I play. RealTracks doesn't do that, because it's the rendition of what someone else has already played. So, I need MIDI. Sure, I could mic and record my piano, but then I would have to deal with the other noise generated, since my piano sits in my living room, that's not optimal. So MIDI is necessary for capturing what I play, whether it be the main melody part, or just additional accompaniment, and the only way to achieve different types of sounds.
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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MIDI or Real Tracks: it's NOT the hammer, it's HOW you use it... 
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Definitely how you use them.
When most people dis MIDI or GenMIDI it is not the fault of MIDI or GenMIDI, but the fault of the person who hasn't acquired the skills to use it and/or the synth to render it properly.
If a person hasn't learned to play drums, piano, or guitar well, it isn't the drums, piano, or guitar's fault. Like any other musical instrument, MIDI requires learning and practice to become proficient. And like any other musical instrument it requires a well built instrument to get a good sound from (your laptop's built in soft-synth will not do).
So many workmen blame the proverbial hammer.
Like everything else about PG Music, the RTs have gotten quite a bit better than they were when they started out. And I do find uses for them -- but I haven't found that they replaced the MIDI tracks at all, they have just added more choices for me.
Like the MIDI tracks, if a RT works for my particular song without editing, I just use it. However if either one doesn't quite fit, I can edit the MIDI tracks in many ways that are impossible for me to do in the RT domain. Therefore, both are useful.
I don't watch TV at all (no cable, no antenna, no digital converter) but I do watch a rented DVD from time to time. Often I like to watch the extra features on the disk (I call them BVDs because they are shorts) -- especially if they concern the music and aren't just the "Isn't everybody wonderful" reels.
I have seen a number of high-budget, major studio movies that had the sound track done entirely with MIDI synthesizers. I don't consider that obsolete. Others have used symphony orchestras. Thankfully they aren't obsolete either.
I still enjoy a symphony concert and will be attending two different concerts by the Russian National Orchestra later this month. Sometimes these world-famous touring orchestras bring MIDI synths along with them to play the parts of the instruments that are difficult or impossible to take on the road (like pipe organ, celeste, etc.).
My wind synthesizer didn't replace my saxophone, it just added to the sax-like tones I can produce. The Fender Rhodes did not replace the acoustic piano, it just added to the tones the pianist had access to. Audio loops did not replace MIDI, it just added one more thing we can use to make music.
Not that every tool should be used by everyone. I don't play trumpet, I tried but didn't want to invest the time and effort to develop the lip. I don't play oboe, I know the fingering but don't like the double reed embouchure. My brother-in-law, an excellent trumpet player doesn't use the computer for his professional music career, but he does occasionally play with other people's backing tracks.
My tool box included the computer (with audio and MIDI), wind synthesizer, sax, flute, guitar, keyboard synthesizer, bass, drums and voice. When I get more comfortable with all of these, or when something new comes along that catches my ears, I'll add something else. But I won't discard any of the others.
YMMV
Insights and incites by Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed 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 transcribe 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, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
Holiday Weekend Hours
It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:
Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Don't wait - order today!
Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac 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)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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 PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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