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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5 |
(I've already posted this subject on two other forums, but at the advice of the veteran forum contributor, Richard L. I'm posting it here on the BFW forum because he said there are several/many active members doing things very similar to what I want to do. I do not want it to seem like I am plastering the forum with the same question. Here goes...)
I am thinking of buying BIAB for Mac and would like your advice. Recently retired, I'm now living out my passion as a singer. I don't play an instrument, but use an iPad to supply my song tracks. I'm a tenor and sing mostly Irish ballads, inspirational, old time sing alongs, patriotic, religious, and similar songs, all loved by seniors, my main audience. I need BIAB to help me create the tracks I need as quickly as possible. I want to put in the melody line (either import a MIDI melody line or enter the notes) put in the chords, select a style, key, tempo, etc., then either output to Garage Band or iTunes. What do you people think? Can BIAB do it for me? Is it overkill for what I need?
Up to now I have been downloading mp3 instrumental and karaoke tracks from the internet. Then I usually have to edit the song with an app called the Amazing Slow Downer for the key and speed I want. Often I have to try to edit the song in Garage Band as best as I can. This process is slow and oftentimes is not what I really want, but it's all I have.
I really want an easier, faster, and more efficient way of getting the nice sound that I need.
I thought you would have the experience to give me the straight talk and maybe even help me learn how to use BIAB I'd that's what I get.
Thank you all in advance,
JohnO
Mac User: Macbook Pro; BIAB for Mac. Singer (tenor) who uses BIAB to create background tracks moved to iPad for performing; use BOSE Model L1 tower sound system. Website: www.johnosings.com
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,633
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,633 |
Hi JohnO, Welcome to the forums  BIAB certainly has the potential to accomplish what you want. All you need to do is to type in a chord progression (obtained from the sheet music) and select a suitable style. BIAB will then generate the accompaniment for you and the job is done. Do you have any understanding of music? Kind regards, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 413
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 413 |
Hi JohnO, maybe it's a good idea to start with viewing the productvideo's here: http://www.pgmusic.com/videos.bbwin.htmI agree you can accomplish everything you need within band in a box if you buy the version with the real tracks in the styles you need. Fill in a leadsheet with your chords and your arrangement is finished greetings from Holland
Rob de Klerk, Dutch singer-songwriter https://www.robdeklerk.nlBiab 2023, Cakewalk, N.I. Komplete 14, Win 10,64, Ozone 9 elements suite, Presonus studio 24c
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,976
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,976 |
I;ve heard some folks say there is a difference between the Mac version of BB and the Windows version.
So I also understand that the Mac has a windows operating system option..... your choice.
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: Dec 2005
Posts: 493
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 493 |
Welcome to the forum and possibly the BIAB world.
BIAB will do just about anything you would need done to accomplish your goal. You can get as simple or as fancy as you dare - it is all possible.
That being said, expect a little learning curve and perhaps some frustrations along the way, but when you need help this forum is the place to find it. I don't use the Mac version but I gather from the post here that it functions in a similar if not identical way as the Windows version. Somebody here will have the answer to your question and the help you need.
Good luck and when you get a song recorded post it and let us hear what you have created. I'd give about anything to be a tenor.
Last edited by BarryKJ; 10/31/13 06:31 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5 |
Thank you to everybody for your support and encouragement. I did buy the BIAB Pro version and will upgrade to Ultra after my 30 day try it out period. Noel asked me if I have any understudying of music. I have a little but not enough to say I understand chord theory and all that. I used to play the guitar but can't anymore because of a bad trigger finger on my left hand. I am mostly a classical tenor kind of guy; I love that orchestra sound in some of my songs. I can and do sing folk songs, ballads, and sing alongs for Seniors. But, when I can I'll do songs like Gounod's Ave Maria, Franck's Panis Angelicus, The Prayer (like Andrea Bocelli sings) and other songs like the Irish Tenors sing. I like that big, full, rich sound. What styles in BIAB can do this? I know it can do the more pop stuff. I don't know if it's proper to give my website; I only want you all to hear the kind of voice I have and not to buy anything. I have samples of songs on my albums and a few videos of my singing at Fenway Park for the Boston Red Sox. You can hear me at www.johnosings.com.I'll be working with BIAB during the next few weeks to read as much as I can of the manual and I know I'll have a lot of questions for you guys. Thanks again, JohnO
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,217
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,217 |
.
You will be able to do some things in BiaB right away, but to master it there is quite learning curve. At the same time, BiaB is a learning tool in itself. It comes with lots of songs that you can study. As you work with them and make changes and experiment, you may find that a lot of the theory becomes clear. It is not instant, but it is very gratifying. Soon you will be able to enter your own songs and gain control over what you get. In time you will be able to create backing tracks in BiaB of a quality level about equivalent to what I hear on your MP3 samples.
You will find lots of support on this forum. Good luck, and be patient.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926 |
JohnO,
Look for a private message (PM), indicated by a small flashing envelope at the top of any forum page. Click on the envelope to go to the post. (It goes away once you read the message.)
R.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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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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Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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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!
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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!
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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)!
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- 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
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- 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
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Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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