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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 73
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 73 |
Hi, I retired a couple of years ago and since then have gotten into playing guitar and singing the local bars. Now I would like to get into recording my own songs and to that end have purchased an audio interface, DAW etc.
All good so far but I would like to add drums, bass, maybe some slide guitar etc. all things I can't play, so I started researching the net, which lead me to BIAB and this site.
I have perused the Showcase section and am loving some of the stuff posted, which sound like just what I am after. However I am a bit confused, I appreciate that if I add a chord sequence the software will fill in with a melody but that's not really what I want I can play the rhythm guitar and sing the melody I simply want the software to follow that or at least let me tell it what to play. Can it do that? And can realband also do that?
Also, am I better downloading the software or buying the physical box/harddrive?
All and any advice gratefully received
Cheers Steve
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,706
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,706 |
Welcome to the forum,
I could go on for paragraphs but I won't . . . the answer to your questions is YES. With a little clarification re: the melody question (as it won't fill in "exactly like the record" melodies" but if you want it will fill in "a melody")
I purchase the harddrive as it serves as a back-up "just in case" but over the past decade or so I have never had a "just in case issue."
Bottomline, run to your phone and order as soon as you do that you will start being blown away with your results.
PS: While I do very little with Realband I understand that in itself it is a pretty darn good DAW. Others sill chime in.
Later,
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,276
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,276 |
I agree with Danny. Buy it, as it will do exactly what you are asking.
BiaB will only add melody or solo parts IF you ask it to do so. Personally I rarely use the soloist but on occasion I will use the melodist to generate a melody to get me out of “writer’s block”.
I am a guitarist also, but I am not a singer. What I do is to input the chords to BiaB and have it generate a backing track from any of the many styles. You can use either MIDI only, RealTracks only or a combination of the two, the sky is the limit on what you can do. I then move the tracks to Sonar but many here use the included RealBank DAW. You can move the tracks to your DAW.
Many times I will mute the bass and guitar parts and play them myself while other times I will use what BiaB gives me. Many times I will modify the BiaB parts, I use mostly MIDI but have been known to cut and paste RealTracks to get what I want. I then will add my leads.
If you think of BiaB as a new instrument with a learning curve you will be just fine. Watch the videos, go slow and have fun and you soon be having a ball!
There are functions in BiaB for live gigs however I do not play out anymore. Many others use those functions so they will be more helpful than I can.
I hope this helps and good luck!
I got banned from Weight Watchers for dropping a bag of M&Ms on the floor.
It was the best game of Hungry Hippos I've ever seen!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815 |
That's exactly why I bought BIAB -- to add bass and drums (and other things) to my songs.
So you pick an appropriate "style", pick a tempo and key, add your chord progression (and sections) and voila, you have a backing track for your song.
Picking a style is a trial and error type of thing and you can change it down the road if you need to. Once the BIAB song is done, you follow it and play acoustic guitar and sing. It takes some effort to make the song exactly the way you want it, but it is reasonably easy to get 90% of the way there.
I only use BIAB for original songs and I compromise with BIAB to get the song done -- but it mostly ends up the way I wanted it to. Feel free to peruse my BIAB at the link in my signature to see what I do with BIAB.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047
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Joined: Dec 2005
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Also a nother powerful tool that you simply cannot purchase....
Is the knowledge and help you can garner in the "FORUMS".
There are some outstanding professionals who are great at
helping, and also many others that do contribute to the help sources
also.
And on top of that.. PG Music folks are top dog in sales, tech help
and following up on issures.
One of your own great ideas was to use the ShowCase forum.
Using their experience in music and using PG Music was immense help
to me. Will always be greatful for that.
I had PowerTracks Pro since 2005 then migrated to RealBand when
purchased BIAB.
A pure DAW was sorta new in its use, but Realband is very straight
forward relatively easy to use. Knowledge base determines that.
Results for a newbie in DAW area.
Also did not read the fine print above, but PG has a 30 day trial
period. Even using the basic version will put you into the ballgame.
Select a style, select the key, enter chords and play....
Good luck, and As Dr. Gannon seh's Have Fun
One last thing "when" you drop the hammer, purchase at least Ultra Pak Plus.
It contains terrific amount of styles and other support item.
$$$$ depends on how many "Taco Bell" 89 cent burrito's your willing to eat.
Last edited by seeker; 10/14/13 11:20 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,809
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,809 |
I live in the UK. If I download BIAB then I get regular price. If I get it sent to me on a hard drive then I have to pay 20% VAT and a £10 'handling charge from the post office for the privilege of queuing up in the rain for the package.
Zero
Win 11 64, Asus Rog Strix z390 mobo, 64 gig RAM, 8700k
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,379
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,379 |
Yes, it will do everything you asked about.
Since you have a DAW and an interface, you are ahead of the game...
Listen to my stuff...the top 5 songs on my music page are all excellent examples of what this software will let you do. I use BB to write, and then Real band to create/render the tracks..... I add my own guitars and mandolins and sing in Sonar... all mixing, mastering, and live recording in Sonar X1.
Buy the hard drive version..... it's plug and play and has the real tracks on it. Buy as far up the "food chain" as you can afford to buy. You will not regret that decision.
I started with the lower versions and soon realized I really needed the highest version they had (short of audophile).....
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 10/14/13 12:18 PM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 392
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 392 |
As noted above, the tech/musical support provided here in this forum is unmatched. It is worth at least half the price of the software.
And PG Support is outstanding as well but I find that you will get multifaceted ideas/tips/tricks and advice on MUSICAL issues right here and that makes this forum the "go to" support resource.
It is VERY rare that any questions "stump the band" here...literally or figuratively.
Best,
Jim
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,032
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,032 |
Welcome Steve,
Hope you have a lot of fun here on the forum and with biab.
Only a few months to go now hopefully before the Big PG music annual sale and band in a box 2014 flying off the shelves, either in hard drive or downloadable format, which due to its size requires a good internet connection.
You will not be sorry you bought this software.
Musiclover
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 73
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 73 |
Thanks for all of the friendly welcomes and advice, I was going to get BIAB for Christmas off the missus but is it being suggested that I might be better off waiting for a sale or indeed a new version. Is this an annual thing and is the discount worth the wait? After all I am a pensioner now and making the pennies count.
Cheers Steve
Last edited by Steve Mac; 10/15/13 05:04 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,250
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,250 |
Hi
Around Christmas time the latest version of BIAB comes out andnius usually at a good discount for a short while.
Buy the Download version to save oN Taxes etc. Its a MONSTER DL but it all loaded without any bother - just took a long time. If the pennies matter, and I'm on a pension too now, then that is the way to go.
Cheers
Ian
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,179
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,179 |
If you REALLY need to watch pennies, then the download is cheaper. However, being a computer guy (and relying on the supplied hard drives sometimes) my personal opinion is that the included drive is worth the increase. Easily.
Considering it's a reliable 150 gig external drive (already loaded with PGMusic recording tools) has value. If you can swing it get the hard drive. If things are really that tight, I understand, but I think the preloaded hard drive is more than worth the price difference. I have PGMusic drives, many years old, that have been carried around in cars, etc .. and still work as expected years later. I can go to a new location (or a new computer) plug in the external drive, run BiaB/RB (and add Realtracks!) with very little time/effort getting things set up.
I appreciate the value of the drives.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,379
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AND.... the hard drive isn't 100% full.... so there is even room to set up a new folder to save your finished tunes, and work in progress.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
The problem of the USB Hard Drive choice has to do with some several countries other than USA or Canada and the Import Laws governing them.
There is up to a 100% Import Duty imposed on hardware in these countries.
People who reside in those countries would save considerably by selecting either the download option or the DVD option (or BOTH if they enjoy a fast Internet connection, download and install and get started while awaiting shipment of the DVDs as backup.
They could always choose to purchase a USB drive locally and place the entire program and files on that drive if they wish or need to run the programs from it - and still save quite a bit of hard earned money.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,379
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,379 |
Gotta love those protective import tariffs....
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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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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New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!
Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 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 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
- Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
- Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
- Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
- Playable RealTracks Set 4
- RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
- SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
- 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
- Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
- Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
- RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 9 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.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 9 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.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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