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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I have not seen any blurb for BnB 2014 that says it is 64bit, so I must assume, until told otherwise, that it is still 32 bit. If the 2014 version was 64bit I think there would have been a lot of bragging about the benefits.

This would be a terrible disappointment, because many of my plugins simply refuse to work with 32bit programs, and a lot of people have been praying for and expecting a 64bit version of the program.

I am also further disappointed by most of the new Real Tracks Jazz styles. While the Top Downbeat Jazz Styles sounded intriguing, once I listened to the demos I did not find them all that different from previous styles.

The Bossa Nova styles would be of far more interest if the guitar was Acoustic/Nylon rather than Electric. The Acoustic/Nylon guitars work a hell of a lot better for authentic Brazilian Bossa Nova. We already got some in the past, but could always use more.

Nor do I see any jazz Horn sections, nor any styles for Classical music, nor Tango, nor Flamenco etc. which some of us have been asking about time and time again.

Overall, unless got my information wrong, this is a disappointing upgrade, although the new 2014 GUI interface may make this a more worthwhile upgrade after all.

Don't get me wrong, I love BnBox, my absolute favorite music program, but I was expecting a lot more from this latest version, so I'm hoping I'm wrong about a lot of what I talk about above.

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Dan,

From my understanding of what I've read, most of what you say seems correct.

Keep in mind, too, that the ability to create User Realtracks have been introduced into this update. This may give you a lot of the versatility you are after.

I believe that PG Music are also going to be creating a forum on here for people to swap and work together to create their own, personal User Realtracks.

Thus, if you can play the nylon guitar, or know someone that can play it for you, in a style(s) that suits your bossanovas, you should be able to create your own Realtrack(s) for them.

This development sounds incredibly powerful!

Regards,
Noel


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Dan, you are correct, version 2014 is 32-bit. The GUI is revised, including a more powerful mixer. The UserTracks address one of the most frequent requests, to be able to make your own RealTracks. There are some fine new Bossa tracks in MIDI that should not be overlooked, and many of us did really like the new RealTracks by these exceptional artists.


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.
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Noel96 and Matt,

Thanks for your replies. It's sad about still having to wait for 64 bit, because in addition to the plugin compatibility, all of the RAM that many of us have with Win7 machines is sitting there, unused by BnBox. I suppose a RAM disk may be of some use.

Don't mind my instant opinions about the new jazz styles. It's based solely on a perfunctory listening to the audio demo's on the web. It's not that I don't like them, simply that they do not sound all that different (in the demos) than the existing ones. I had hoped for some really different sounding styles. The Bolero styles were really fantastic for example and truly new.

In any case I bought the Plus Pak + Bonus 2, and I may change my mind once I start playing with the new Jazz styles. I was very, very glad to hear that the new version boasts of better compatibility with Garritan JABB. That should be really good. I got that going one time, but found it the switch back and forth cumbersome. The velocity fix should make a huge difference too.

The Legato Strings feature is one I'm really looking forward to trying.

The User Tracks are potentially extremely nice, but I don't have buddies who play the instruments that I would want for accompaniment, but a pgmusic web exchange would be great.

Last edited by Dan Tong; 12/01/13 03:12 AM. Reason: added stuff
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I'm having a lot of fun with strings in this new version. Like others before, there are a lot of improvements that aren't flashy but that make a real difference. Enjoy!


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.
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Dan, even though the program is still running at the 32 bit level, I noticed some rather striking improvements with things like the loading of RealTracks taking less time than before, also it seemed like the ability to handle Effects improved even though the ram addressability may be at the 32 bit OS level.

All things considered, this new 2014 Band in a Box version has so many great features now, I feel it is a Must Have anyway.


--Mac

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It is unbelievable that such software is still 32 bit only.

I was looking forward to a 64 bit release.


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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 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.

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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)
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  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
  • Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
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