It would be really good if Track Names were given a better naming convention.
Each of the tracks should be able to have a user defined name, which is saved with the song.
The confusing part is that I can have Trombone playing on a track called "Piano", and Accordion playing on a Track called "Bass". I can record something that is not a Solo on the track named "Soloist" and play Sax on the "Strings" track.
I know how it all started, and am totally sympathetic to the evolution of this great program, but I'm sure this all still causes confusion, especially for new users.
Isn't it time to let go of this naming convention and introduce one that actually matches the flexibility of the program itself?
Maybe 2015?
Regards Video Track
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
I'd like to see default names like Trk1, Trk2, Trk3, etc. with the capability to rename each track to suit the user. User track names could be saved with each song or perhaps globally as a preference.
Having said that, the current naming convention doesn't take extremely long to get used to.
Last edited by JimFogle; 12/19/1307:15 PM. Reason: additional comment
I'd like to see default names like Trk1, Trk2, Trk3, etc. with the capability to rename each track to suit the user. User track names could be saved with each song or perhaps globally as a preference.
Having said that, the current naming convention doesn't take extremely long to get used to.
Ideas:
1: Probably a permanent T1, T2, T3 etc, with the ability to add your own text. T1 _______ T2 _______ T3 _______ T4 _______
etc
2: If an existing style is loaded with Bass, Piano, Drums, Guitar, Strings, then the Trk1, Trk2 etc can automatically adopt the instrument names: T1 Bass T2 Piano T3 Drums T4 Guitar T5 Strings
3: If the track has any restrictions, then some indication as to what can (or cannot) be placed there.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
The stickers remind me of emulating scribble strips - masking tape we would put on a mixer to label the instruments on the track with magic markers. Mixers now often have the ability to show those track names electronically, picking them up from the track names in the DAW.
We have had a few other discussions about the fact that BIAB has evolved from defined instruments to where we are now, where you can have your choice of instrument on any track.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
The stickers remind me of emulating scribble strips - masking tape we would put on a mixer to label the instruments on the track with magic markers. Mixers now often have the ability to show those track names electronically, picking them up from the track names in the DAW.
We have had a few other discussions about the fact that BIAB has evolved from defined instruments to where we are now, where you can have your choice of instrument on any track.
Hi Matt
Yes, exactly what you say. In the early days I've worked in many studios with masking tape and hand-written names alongside the sliders for kick, snare, floor tom, bass, hit-hats, cymbals, lead guitar, rhythm, vocals, alto sax, tenor sax, and etc etc.
We don't need to do that in studios anymore. These can be all be changed/named electronically. I think We want Biab to move on from the original hard-coded named feature-set, to match the flexibility that the program now actually offers. Not a big ask...
Hope others would agree.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
+1+1 +1. Even if we had to put up with say 10 digits max for each name field (so as not to upset the interface), this would be better than what is clearly Wrong, an ERROR of programming, and a very bad show for newbies trying to think of the as a professional program. It is a pro program of course, but only for the most part.
I just can't see why the TK1... suggestion would not take five minutes to change in the code, there has been a lot of opportunity to fix this..
The 'proper' way to do this (IMHO) would be to have the song file list and save the instrument names, then load these instrument names into the interface so they show both in the mixer, and in the main window on the brown bar (actually the brown bar is now redundant) and, in any other part of the interface they are required.
The text box could show the name of the instrument and the name of the player (why not). If this goes over a given limit (say ten characters) then there would be a drop down of the full name when hovering over, or a tooltip.
had to edit my original reply because I thought it was in the BIAB forum not the BIAB Wish List forum
so as we in my circles : "un-regard all" if you already read it
My apologies to those who read it and thought I was being a utter A.H.
Larry
Last edited by Larry Kehl; 08/11/1401:08 PM.
Win10Pro,i9,64GB,2TBSSD+20TBHDDs,1080TI,BIAB'24,Scarlett18i8,Montage7,Fusion 8HD,QS8,Integra7,XV5080,QSR,SC-8850,SPLAT,FL21&others,Komp.14,IK suite&others, just a guitar player-AXE FX III &FM9T, FishmanTP, MIDIGuitar2, GK2/3'sw/GI20
I'm sure nobody thought anything unsavory. Personally I'd like to thank you for lending your support to this functional change.
Now, if only Peter and the team are viewing this thread...
Cheers
Trevor
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
While this idea looks pleasing to the user, there are some restrictions behind the scenes. In some windows there is a reference to the tracks by their first letter only and there is, in some of them, not much room to expand. Let's see with what we need to pay for this new feature.
While this idea looks pleasing to the user, there are some restrictions behind the scenes. In some windows there is a reference to the tracks by their first letter only and there is, in some of them, not much room to expand. Let's see with what we need to pay for this new feature.
Still +1
Good point but I think Track Numbers could be used OK, and a mouse move shows what the track is used for. E.g. we currently have 'S' used twice (Strings and Soloist) which is a bit confusing.
Track Numbers would be unique. Something like this maybe?
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Anyway, working on a song now, this change is massive. It not only affects BIAB but RealBand as well across all generations of files and program versions.
We all were looking at some obvious aspects, like track names in the mixer, the top instruments menu line, and such. All of these can be changed pretty easy.
But when we enter chords in a song and if select an instrument to be silent in a certain measure, then we draw a different picture. If the designator for, e.g., drums would be changed to "3" then ALL files where a user of BIAB has something like "F.d" in there must be changed or there must be an overlay to interpret the "d" to display "3" and convert a written "3" back to "d" in the files to keep a certain level of compliance among the generations of files and versions of the program.
I believe this will take a while until the developers find a way to have a consistent naming convention within all the respective programs and files -- without burning up a year's output of a power plant to convert all MG?s and SG?s to a new format (world wide).
(That, on the other hand, would provide a whole bunch of new possibilities to write into the file and improve the entire system.)
Actually I would be much happier if the look and feel of BIAB and RB would be more similar than they are now.
You make worthwhile points that I'm sure the incredibly competent developers can resolve (hint hint).
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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.
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 process 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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean