Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 63
hannay Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 63
Hi

I had fun with bb2008 in the past, though used it less and less and then went off travelling for a couple of years.

I came back a couple of months ago and since then I have picked-up a little with it again, and after upgradinmg it to 2008.5 I have recently started to get more involved. And now I am aiming to try doing more so I felt I should give myself the best start, and have bitten the bullet and purchased the MegaPak 2013 upgrade.

I'm making this post just to check my thinking on a couple of things, and I would be grateful if someone who is more familiar than me with BB - and more expert too which isn't difficult! - could just advise on the following couple of points.

After the purchase I received a download link to 12 .exe files, which are now on my computer:

amplitude 3.9.1 setup
bandinabox realband 2013 mega
bb2013 new features video
hi-q instruments sampletank 01
realtracks mega 2013 1
realtracks mega 2013 2
realtracks mega 2013 3
realtracks mega 2013 4
realtracks pro 2013 1
realtracks pro 2013 2
realtracks shots holds loops combos
sampletank 2.5 setup

So firstly, I assume that what is required is to run all of these, presumably starting with the *bandinabox realband 2013 mega* .exe file, that one updating my 2008.5 to 2013, and then the others dropping content in to various bb folders after that, or creating new ones if needed.

- Correct so far?

So I ran that first one and found afterward a nice shiny 2013 waiting! smile

I had expected to find *some* realtracks installed as I thought 2013 was supposed to ship natively with a selection in place which of course 2008 never had, however the appropriate folders were empty so I guess ALL of the realtracks within the upgrade are in the 6 realtrack mega and pro files listed above.

- Would that be correct?

I just don't want to be missing a number of realtracks if there should in fact have been a starter selection installed when running the core-upgrade exe first.

In any event however I have now run all 6 realtracks .exes, though when I clicked the first file to launch it nothing happened - or so I thought ... then literally 5 minutes later it started!!! By that time I was already sure the files had been corrupted! Then the rest all did the same, took 5-6-7 minutes to launch. Disconcerting for a while.

- My last question concerns the remaining exe files ... I have no familiarity at all with them, don't know enough yet to be able to recognise what they are - but I am thinking I will be seeing a big change from 2008.5!

So, are these last few files still essential, or maybe optional but not affecting the use of BB?

I see for example that one is a tutorial video so I guess that could be left out if anybody wanted to ...

I have no idea what "sampletank" is and whether I need the two files that refer to that, though presumably the "shots holds loops combos" install is needed?

If I do need to launch any of those others, do they need to be in any particular order?

Forgive the very basic questions, I just don't want to have to battle the computer first before being able to battle my BB learning-curve smile

Any comments/advice would be very welcome, thanks!

H.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,572
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,572
Welcome (back), Hannay.

It sounds like you are doing things correctly. I understand it may seem overwhelming.

It is normal for the installation files of RealTracks to take a long time, as they are extracting compressed files and then installing many many gigs of files (if your install choice was to put them on your internal hard drive). If you look at your hard drive light, you should see activity, which will tell you something is indeed happening, and if so, let it finish.

Briefly, Sampletank can give you better sounds on your MIDI tracks (the Melody and Soloist tracks, plus any other instruments not using the RealTracks).

Amplitude is a way to improve the sound on certain guitar and maybe piano files.

For now, I suggest you not worry about Sampletank or Amplitude and concentrate on viewing the videos and getting your bearings on the basics of the upgraded version of BIAB.

Work with things a bit, and ask us specific questions as they arise. And don't forget, you can always give PG Music a call if you get confused.


BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 63
hannay Offline OP
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 63
Thank you Matt, and for the welcome!

All appears to have gone fine, and I'll take your advice regarding sampletank and amplitude for now ... plus I have a heavy aversion to the sound of midi voices anyway so won't often need/want to look in to using sampletank if that's its association.

No doubt I'll end up scratching my head over things as I move along, however from my earlier read-through this forum seems to be a good place with helpful people and knowledgeable advice!

Thanks again.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 110
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 110
There are some pretty good sounds in Sampletank, so I wouldn't rule it out without at least giving it a shot. I especially like the grand piano.

I also agree with Matt, watch the videos. They'll give you a leg up on the learning curve.

Good luck


Rich

Windows 10, 64 bit | BIAB 2019 PlusPak | Studio One 2 Artist
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!

All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!

It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.

What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?

XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!

Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!

The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.

The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.

The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.

Note: 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.

The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos

With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.

Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.

Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.

Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.

2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.

Holiday Weekend Hours

As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:

April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours

Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!

— Team PG

Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!

If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.

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.

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,223
Posts802,062
Members40,070
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
Newest Members
Orchestr8, dimtass, Quamido Pirendo, Allan63, isledge
40,070 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 125
zedd 110
DC Ron 93
rsdean 87
Noel96 76
Today's Birthdays
flashlarue, gary133, kirbonite
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5