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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6 |
I treated myself to the band in a box everything pack,just after install last year my world demanded me and I was away from music for half a year,I finally have some time now and want to play with the program. I am usually able to figure things out (eventually) but would really appreciate if someone could point me in the right direction.
My instrument is flute and at this point all I want to do is have pre made songs play that I could play along with. like I said I think its all installed and the sound works but I dont know where to begin. thanks in advance for any help.and you can count on me in the future to contribute
Music is as useless and unimportant as life itself
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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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kaylen, Your choice was excellent for the Everything Pak. As you know some number of videos do come with that. In addition PG folks have put together a great library of additional videos. Does take some time, but well worth the effort. Pick and choose a bit to see what direction you want to go. http://www.pgmusic.com/videos.bbwin.htmAlso welcome to great set of forums and helpful members.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6 |
thank you . I will start there, I am not in a rush ,and actually do play my flute almost every day but I am looking forward to playing with some accompaniment
Music is as useless and unimportant as life itself
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,613
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Posts: 27,613 |
Welcome to the forum.
The way I started with BIAB (more than two decades ago) was to take a song I know very well and enter it into BIAB, then play around with it learning what each change does. Frank's tip about the videos is good and probably makes learning a lot easier now.
By the way, I play flute, and you are fortunate that you play a non-transposing instrument. BIAB handles instruments in other keys very well, but it does add another step to learn that you don't need.
Have fun!
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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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,633
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Hi Kaylen,
I remember when I first started with BIAB (version 2006). From that experience, I can say that there is definitely a learning curve associated with the program but it is well worth persevering. It's a great program. I couldn't be without the program these days.
All the best,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6 |
thanks all, I got it going, played along with a few.thats all I wanted to do for now ,,I plan to explore and try to figure out as much as I can, I feel very lucky that there are people willing to help, I will not abuse that and try my best to figure things out before asking of your time,,,
Music is as useless and unimportant as life itself
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047
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kaylen, We neglected to give you this. It allows a person to zero in on specific subjects nicely. http://www.pgmusic.com/techfaq.htm
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,980
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And..... you an always come to this forum to ask specific questions.
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: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,217
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. Perhaps, to get started, you may just want to have lots of songs to play along with. They are easy to get. A number of users have built websites with lots of songs ready to go. One of them is posted below. Just found it myself a few days ago when I was looking for a particular song for a gig. Should keep you busy for a while... http://www.igidigi.nl/biab/index.html
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,869
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,869 |
The Beauty about Band in A Box (BIAB) is that you don't need to know the program in any depth. I use it every day for years and I simply either 1] select a song using the song select button, or, 2] enter a few chords into a blank screen, define tempo, key, number of bars and choruses (all done just above the chord sheet; choose a style, and off I go. its great for scale practice too, turn solo the drums and you have a great metronome. If your unsure about the difference between Audio and MIDI, learn this first, before you go deeper. Welcome 
Last edited by ZeroZero; 07/09/14 03:17 PM.
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: Nov 2011
Posts: 99
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 99 |
Thanks Flatfoot. Finally a list where someone shares their creations. I love this program, but often I m ask to perform songs for a special event that I just don't have the time to create. I was always hoping for a site where people post songs that we all know, but just needed the structure created as a shortcut. I do use the ACW but it still takes time to correct, get the tempo right, etc... Thanks a ton for sharing. Got any more?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,032
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Thanks a ton for sharing. Got any more? That does look like a large collection. In past years it was very easy to find 1000's of BIAB Tunes on the internet. Today not so much due to, well you know... 
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,980
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.......... I do use the ACW but it still takes time to correct, get the tempo right, etc... Quite often, when I need to input a song into BB to use RB to render tracks, I find that it's just easier and faster to input the chords manually. Depends greatly on the chords used in the song as to whether ACW can figure it out accurately or not. Inputting a song manually is generally a matter of only a few minutes. Since all verses and all choruses (respectively) are the same.... it's just the time to figure them out and then copy and paste. 10 to 15 minutes and I'm done. I have spent way more time than that trying to get ACW to give me something useful on several songs. Switched to manual and was done a few minutes later.
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 2003
Posts: 24,906
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,906 |
I love this program, but often I m ask to perform songs for a special event that I just don't have the time to create. I was always hoping for a site where people post songs that we all know, but just needed the structure created as a shortcut. I do use the ACW but it still takes time to correct, get the tempo right, etc... Thanks a ton for sharing. Got any more? My advice for these situations is download a MIDI version of the request and import it into your DAW. If you don't have a favorite DAW already then use the DAW that comes with BiaB, RealBand. Then delete the lead part and record your flute. Another option is to buy a fake book that Notes Norton has a fake disc: http://nortonmusic.com/Norton fake discs are BiaB backing tracks for all of the songs in the corresponding fake book. The backing tracks are in the same key and use the identical chord structure that is in the fake book. I find these extremely valuable. These save me a ton of time! I hope this helps.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
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: Nov 2011
Posts: 99
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 99 |
Thanks guys. Don't see all the fuss in not allowing us to share - not sell - stuff we build in BIAB. Even cover songs. We all play these songs out - often for pay. That seems more illegal than sharing a BIAB file.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,217
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Posts: 2,217 |
.
>>>....download a MIDI version of the request and import it into your DAW...>>>
If you open up the MIDI in Real Band, it will figure out the chords in a way that BiaB will understand. You can then delete all the tracks from the MIDI that are not the melody, and the chords will be remembered. Save in Realband, then open in BiaB. You will get melody and chords. Pick a BiaB style and you are about done.
Last edited by flatfoot; 07/11/14 11:11 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,217
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.
Oh - and, Kaylen - make sure you understand how BiaB handles transposing.
On any song, find where it gives the name of the key. Click on the letter of the key and you will get TWO lists of keys that you can change to. One transposes and changes the notation. The other just changes the notation - the sound does not change.
Make sure you understand the two ways of transposing before you go much further...
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,032
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Posts: 13,032 |
Even cover songs. We all play these songs out - often for pay. That seems more illegal than sharing a BIAB file. Don't confuse what you may do with what is legal or illegal. In these instances I follow the rules of fight club and we all know the first rule of fight club.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,217
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,217 |
.
>>>...Don't see all the fuss in not allowing us to share...>>>
Fuss? I did not notice any fuss ... what am I missing?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6 |
wow,,I started this thread and didn't know it was still going...I;m impressed with the amount, and quality of the responses,,,I did manage to get started and am looking forward to learning this program in more depth.I have some experience with DAWS, I will take it slow and enjoy as much as I can on the way....thank you all sincerely
Music is as useless and unimportant as life itself
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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!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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 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®.
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, and much more!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed 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 transcribe 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, and much more!
There are 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!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
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!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
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)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
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- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
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- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
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- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
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- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
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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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