|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,915
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,915 |
It has been over three months since we got BIAB 2014...I sure would like to get a complete 2014 PDF User Guide (and yes, I know I can use the 2013 PDF along with the new features PDF but I am hoping for an updated PDF for the updated software!)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,167
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,167 |
Well biab14 is perfectly usable, what I can see from the little I have used it so far.
But great things were promised back in December as a work in progress, ability to add/remove icons etc and unless I am mistaken nothing so far in that regard or bugs that were pointed out in other threads on forum.
Ok you may well say we have had a number of updates, but the way I look at it is and its my personal opinion, biab14 should never have been released with the new GUI the way it was.
To be honest looking back it came across to me personally as a bit of a half finished mish mash job.
Just my opinion.
Musiclover
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,586
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,586 |
John,
A manual will eventually be available. This time around, the task of creating one would involve a huge amount of updated graphics to reflect the 2014 release. I'd imagine that that's very labour intensive.
Also ...
Since first buying the program back in 2006, one thing I've come to really appreciate about BIAB is that it is continually a "work in progress". And that's a great thing in my book!
I've also come to appreciate that PG Music are the most honourable company that I have ever dealt with (either in person or over the internet). They are amazing!
My experience is that PG Music have never rested on their laurels. Peter Gannon and his crew have constantly worked on BIAB to take it to where it is today. However anyone looks at it, the program is spectacular. I use it every day to write and record songs and it never ceases to astound me that I can sit here on my computer in Australia, type in some chords, and have some of the best musicians in the world helping me put together some incredibly amazing sounding works.
Personally, I find BIAB 2014 intuitive, and a delight to use. It does everything I need (and truckloads more beside). I disagree with musiclover. BIAB is most definitely not a "half-finished mish mash job" from where I sit. It's awesome!
Just my 2¢ worth of opinion.
Best regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,094
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,094 |
Hi Noel
I think Musiclover was referring only to the rushed 1-December release, when there probably were known problems with the actuation of the new mixer display etc. I'm only presuming this because of his comment "biab14 should never have been released with the new GUI the way it was."
PG Music were quick with two follow ups (379 and 380) that same month, that fixed these problems and added new features.
I don't think Musiclover generally feels its a mish-mash program, but he'll be able to clarify.
(Also, I think PGM were nervous there would be a lynch mob coming over the hill if they didn't have something ready for Santa, especially as there had been a drought all year.)
Regarding that pdf manual? Yes, I'm still waiting too.
Regards
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,167
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,167 |
Hello Noel,
As Trevor says I am referring only to the initial release of biab14 and how it came across to me. This was my first impressions of biab14.
I also feel that (though others companies may not do so) it would have been very helpful if PG would have taken on board how the new GUI would comes across to people with poor eyesight such as myself. As a lot of older users are over 50 and maybe in same position, some input from us such as a few screenshots might have been helpful.
As I said in first paragraph of my other post I find biab perfectly usable, but hope that in the future (in my opinion) that the initial yearly releases don't require as many fixes.
I always appreciate your posts Noel and learn something from them. Thank you for all the help you have given me in the past.
Musiclover
Last edited by musiclover; 03/09/14 10:38 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,607
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,607 |
I also feel that (though others companies may not do so) it would have been very helpful if PG would have taken on board how the new GUI would comes across to people with poor eyesight such as myself. As a lot of older users are over 50 and maybe in same position, some input from us such as a few screenshots might have been helpful. This should have been addressed better during beta testing. The complication with that is these testers are probably trying (testing) new features and learning where things got moved to, so 'color' probably comes in at a lower level of concern during beta. It is good to have these forums as a second shot at these type of items. I'd suggest a Wishlist Forum entry.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
We DID cuss and discuss the difficulty in viewing - and seeing - things during the Beta testing.
One of the issues we found out at the time was that people with different computers, different size screens and also the newer Windows Operating Systems seemed to report more screen space and more ability to adjust screen resolutions to where things onscreen in BiaB were larger and easier to see.
We did that by posting screenshots of what each setup looked like. There were quite a few who participated in that, as I recall.
Bottom line is that most of the reports from those using the older systems (XP, Vista) and smaller laptop or monitor screens showed less real estate available when Screen Resolutions were set large enough to really be able to see things, when resetting Screen Resolution higher, BB shows more of the Tool Icons on the smaller screen, but at the expense of everything else, Chord Sheet, Notation, etc. getting even smaller.
Win7 and Win8, on the other hand, coupled with the newer and larger screens and drivers, yields an easier to see Display IMO, having used both an XP and a Win7 laptop during the Beta.
Fast Forward to today, some three months or so of usage on, I now find that I can hook my BB USB drive up to the old XP laptop and find and see everything a LOT easier due to more familiarity with the new GUI and these several months of working with BB on a daily basis.
Display could still be bigger and better, though. Maybe that's something for a future version release, at least I'm hoping. By then XP and/or smaller screen sizes and resolutions is likely to be relegated to the same place where Win95 now resides.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,569
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,569 |
Yes, as Mac said, there were some conversations about color and appearance. One of my children is colorblind, so I'm always on the lookout for issues that might be harder for others with this condition. Also, we noticed that the Windows font size can cause problems in dialog boxes if you go above the Windows default. The number of combinations of settings that PG Music has to accommodate is very large, yet they respond well to our reports during testing, and continue to improve the program throughout the year.
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: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,915
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,915 |
Excellent inputs from everyone! But...my original question still stands...we are three months since release so when will we get a complete 2014 PDF User Guide?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,610
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,610 |
I hope you're not ignoring the manual in the help menu. Later, Ray
Asus Q500A i7 Win 10 64 bit 8GB ram 750 HD 15.5" touch screen, BIAB 2017, Casio PX 5s, Xw P1, Center Point Stereo SS V3 and EWI 4000s.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,915
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,915 |
I hope you're not ignoring the manual in the help menu. Later, Ray Thanks Ray but the PDFs in the Help menu are the same as the ones in the folder, 2013 full and 2014 new features. I guess I don't know if the Help system itself has been updated but I doubt it because if it was they could release the complete 2014 manual.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,610
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,610 |
It seems to me that BIAB 2013 manual along with the 2014 New Version Features, essentially is a BIAB 2014 manual. None of the basic workings of BIAB are changed and the new features seem to be self-explanatory. Anything else that needs explanation could be answered by some of the experts here on this forum (not me!)! Later, Ray
Asus Q500A i7 Win 10 64 bit 8GB ram 750 HD 15.5" touch screen, BIAB 2017, Casio PX 5s, Xw P1, Center Point Stereo SS V3 and EWI 4000s.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,569
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,569 |
About the original question, if I recall correctly, PG Music did say a full 2014 manual would be forthcoming. I'm sure as in the past they will announce it when ready.
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: Jul 2003
Posts: 141
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 141 |
The BIAB 2014 PDF manual is part of the new 381 build!
Last edited by Ed J.; 03/14/14 06:41 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,569
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,569 |
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: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,094
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,094 |
The BIAB 2014 PDF manual is part of the new 381 build! 641 pages. Someones been busy!
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 for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,950
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,950 |
Just to emphasize the point, now no excuse for not reading the manual, although this does bring to mind the new acronym, TMTR ( too much to read )  : 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
The next excuse will be that it isn't on paper, Later,
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 273
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 273 |
The next excuse will be that it isn't on paper, Later,
--Mac I would guess that a printed manual will shortly be (or already is) available, now that the PDF manual is here. Back in December, when BIAB2014 was released, I was quoted $10 (over the phone) for a printed manual - once it's available.
Kawai VPC1 MIDI Controller; Asus A53E Laptop running Windows 7 - 64 bit; BIAB 2017 UltraPlusPak (upgraded from 2014 EverythingPak), running from Laptop's Hard Drive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,206
Posts801,938
Members40,068
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean