i'll start. i buy computer music uk mag once a year it comes with a huge number of synth and fx plug ins. (no silly hardware etc dongles either !!) best deal going imho. http://www.musicradar.com/computermusic/ about 20 buks in north america. ive had lots of fun for 20 buks a year. imho tween the plug ins in this mag and the biab/rb ones its all one needs. NOW POST YOUR BEST GEAR DEALS. hopefully it will help new users to bisab/rb/pt lots. have a great year !!
retd puter engr. daft songs at www.motagator.net/bmanning (songs no 9 n higher use new biab2011.) what is the black art of audio engineering ?. all puters get obsolete in the end..lol.
My choice is the guitar tuner pickup: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/peterson-suction-cup-tuner-pickup?source=3WWRWXMP&kwid=bingproductads-plaid^26563560068-sku^210050000000000@ADL4MF-adType^PLA-device^c-adid^3336427321
I use it to record my acoustic instruments. It was the best $14 USD investment that I ever made.
Last edited by MarioD; 08/09/1401:41 PM.
OK, a random thought; Why does toilet paper need a commercial? Who's not buying it?
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
I think these clip-on SNARK TUNERS are a great value...
in addition to costing less than the average guitar tuner (which only recognizes the notes EBGDAE) this tuner recognizes all notes, which makes it useful with other instruments that aren't tuned like a guitar.
Or, if you want to tune your guitar down a half step to Eb Bb Gb Db Ab Eb, this tuner can do it, whereas a conventional tuner would choke.
And the fact that you don't have to plug unto it makes it perfect for acoustic instruments
this isn't less than $200, but I think the ROLAND GR-55 costs FAR less than the sum of its features:
1) it includes all the great Roland synth sounds
2) It has all the COSM stuff... that's the equivalent of bringing all the classic guitar, bass, amp and speaker combinations ever made along on your gigs or recording sessions
3) It includes the equivalent of EVERY BOSS effects pedal, (except in this environment they're all MIDI controllable!)
4) It contains a looper
5)It provides a way to play backing tracks from a USB drive without lugging a PC around
6) it has a tuner built in
7) it has a whammy pedal/expression pedal/MIDI expression pedal/Volume pedal (totally programmable)
all this and more for less than the price of just one of the guitars it models.
And of course, the synth patches put the sound of just about every instrument in your power. That's a huge bang for the buck... and all of those features are Roland pro quality
i'll start. i buy computer music uk mag once a year it comes with a huge number of synth and fx plug ins. (no silly hardware etc dongles either !!) best deal going imho. http://www.musicradar.com/computermusic/ about 20 buks in north america. ive had lots of fun for 20 buks a year. imho tween the plug ins in this mag and the biab/rb ones its all one needs. NOW POST YOUR BEST GEAR DEALS. hopefully it will help new users to bisab/rb/pt lots. have a great year !!
manning - it warms my heart to see you write this. Back in perhaps 2003/4 time frame, I posted nearly the same thing about Computer Music magazine and the great plugins and fun that I was having with VST/VSTi using the DAW that was included in the cover CD at the time, CMuzys, and not too much later, Tracktion - particularly having fun with the freeware emulations of old-school synths and electromechanical keyboards. Do you recall your replies to those posts?
I just got a great deal on a DVD set including every issue of flatpicking magazine ever published - including all related mp3's and pdf - for $125 sale (normally costs 250). If you have never read this mag - check it out - great articles and transcriptions with analysis. Here's the deal:
"During the month of August we are offering all of our archive discs on sale for 50% off the regular price. This means that you can own every issue of Flatpicking Guitar Magazine, up to Volume 17, Number 6, for less than $0.70 per issue! To receive your 50% discount, use coupon code ARCHIVE when you check out. Click here to find out more:"
Dear scott. Let me respond and defend my position. We are talking ELEVEN YEARS AGO. at that time as I stated at that time; I felt the computer hardware/architecture itself wasn’t up to performing running oodles of plug ins. Even today lots of folks cant afford the lates mac pro’s Or super power latest gen pc’s. The prob is lotsa folks are buying cheapo pc’s, Then expecting them to run a zillion traks and tasks. And plug ins ; thus they become disappointed and get probs etc. . Now 11 yrs later software programming has progressed , And more cpu efficient plug ins are available plus at the higher end pc’s have become more powerfull. However even today if one isn’t prudent in ones plug in use and/or the plug ins folks are using are cpu hogs probs still arise. Thus today even youll see message boards complaining .. “why cant I run 75 reverbs on my cheap laptop” etc etc. lol. All the best.
retd puter engr. daft songs at www.motagator.net/bmanning (songs no 9 n higher use new biab2011.) what is the black art of audio engineering ?. all puters get obsolete in the end..lol.
I'm just glad you are enjoying plugins. For me, 11 years ago, it was like the first time I touched a minimoog or Wurly when I had them responding to my midi controller in real-time.
My perennial freebie favorites (Some I've been using these past 11 years).
Effects: Frohmage Bionic Delay Ariesverb (though the alpha or beta version - the free version - sometimes will put a huge noise spike at the beginning of the rendered audio - not a great endorsement, but it's such a rich reverb) The Kjærhus stuff - available on the acoustica.com website
Instruments: minimogue va arppe 2600 The series of nagware from Genuine Soundware Inc. - used to be soundfonts.it The Elektrostudio pack
Just about any of the under $200 guitars at www.rondomusic.net are great value. There are hundreds of models. I have a bass guitar and a classical guitar that shipped to my house each for well under $200. On the bass, the fretwork and electronics shielding were much better than on my MIM Strat. On the classical, the pickup system that came installed retailed for more than I paid for the guitar, when the system was commercially available (Shadow P7 system).
I was in a Detroit area video and sound post-production facility - one of the nicest ones in the whole city, and there were guitars in each studio that were from Rondo and they do use them to record and let the local talent bang on them when they are in the studio.
Grabbed one of these, still waiting for the 96GB chip I ordered for it. With 128 gig of storage it should be good for a lot of things. W8.1 OS, not much RAM, but SSD drive and SDxC expansion.
When I get around to putting BB/RB on it I'll update. Likely use external for RT /*grin*/ I'm actually hoping to get Visual Studio on it too. I think I have a better chance of installing BB on it than VS (which is a MS product on a W8.1 system)
It seems pretty snappy so far, but drive space is limited with the W8.1 requirements, especially after adding Office 2013 Professional to it. I still need to remove the crapware, but I don't expect a significant gain from that as far as drive space.
I think it's pretty cool anyway. Basically a Win8 Tablet with the keyboard option. One caveat is the USB3 port is on the keyboard, so you can't use USB3 when using as a tablet. Have to have the keyboard attached. The mini USB connection on the tablet is USB2 (I think). Also, it does support Chromecast and (mini) HDMI.
//disclaimer: don't buy it on my suggestion, this thread was about $200 deals and *I* think I got one. Includes rebate. Stock Office install may be 'iffy' YMMV
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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