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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577 |
I thought it might be useful to have some kind of tool built-in to BIAB to aid with composition.
For example, I am writing a Pop Ballad and have decided on the key of Em. I have entered the first chord Am and would like to play around with different ideas for the next chord. Based on the key and style when I hover the mouse to enter the next chord BIAB could automatically display possible chords based on various rules (chord wheel, style etc) which could then be selected by the user or maybe even generated randomly.
I can imagine a more complex development on the random option where this could be used to generate an entire verse, chorus or even song. A dialog box would pop up and allows the user to set the degree of randomness of various parameters e.g. how many bars, how often to change chords (maybe based on a list of patterns), type of chords - simple, jazzy, extreme (!), random.
BIAB 2022 UltraPAK, CbB, Studio One 5 Pro, Fender USA Tele, Harley Benton Fusion & others.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 647
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 647 |
Have you tried Melodist?
Having set the key to Em, and the style to POPBal or equivalent, let BIAB generate some songs for you. You might find something you like
BIAB for Windows Version 2019 (643)
Windows 10 (1909)
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,839
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Posts: 19,839 |
There are also the reharmonist and chord substitution options where-in BIAB will take an existing melody and offer suggested chords based on the melody and key signature.
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058 |
Along the lines of the above answers, take a look at the Window menu. You will see:
Chord Substitution Dialog
Auto-Generate Chord Substitutions
Chord Reharmonist Dialog
Auto-Generate Chord Reharmonization
This is the way it looks in BIAB version 2014. The chord substitution has been in BIAB for over a decade at least. You enter a simple chord progression and it will suggest alternatives. Some are quite advanced. Very powerful tool.
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; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577 |
Thanks for all of the replies which are very helpful.
I should have said that I don't yet own BIAB as I am waiting for the December sales/BIAB 2015. I did buy it many many years ago when it was a much simpler program (I think it was version 5) but it is almost unrecognizable now. I certainly didn't realise that it already had many of the features mentioned in your replies.
By the way, some great work on your compositions Noel96 and Matt Finley.
BIAB 2022 UltraPAK, CbB, Studio One 5 Pro, Fender USA Tele, Harley Benton Fusion & others.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,058 |
By the way, some great work on your compositions Noel96 and Matt Finley. Much appreciated! And, you will be amazed at the improvements to BIAB if you haven't used it in some years. There are several levels of purchase now. Be sure to get as much as you can afford, so you get lots of RealTracks.
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; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,379
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,379 |
Yes, Melodist is a real cool feature. I used to use it a lot back when I first got BB several years back. I used it to create quite a few pretty cool songs. Of course, it works best when you go in after it does what it does, and edit the chords and song structure a bit. I think I've only used one or two songs that Melodist created straight out of the box.... (pun in ten did) .... but in all, it's a really good way to see what BB can do, and it's so easy..... if you don't like the results.... just click on Melodist again. Here is one of those songs: EMERALD EYES I added live guitar and some real tracks (trumpet)
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 11/14/14 03:07 AM.
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 Wishlist
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 174
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 174 |
Guitarhacker: really nice song. Congrads.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,827
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,827 |
I thought it might be useful to have some kind of tool built-in .... Based on the key and style when I hover the mouse to enter the next chord BIAB could automatically display possible chords based on various rules (chord wheel, style etc)...
The Keyless Entry option sounds great ! especially if you are on a tablet. 
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577 |
I thought it might be useful to have some kind of tool built-in .... Based on the key and style when I hover the mouse to enter the next chord BIAB could automatically display possible chords based on various rules (chord wheel, style etc)...
The Keyless Entry option sounds great ! especially if you are on a tablet. Hey solidrock that looks great - is it a mock-up that you have created in a drawing package or an existing piece of software? If the former then I hope PG use it as part of their new features in BIAB 2015 (you should also get commission)! Nice work on Emerald Eyes guitarhacker - the guitar/trumpet combination works great. I would never have guessed about it's BIAB roots.
BIAB 2022 UltraPAK, CbB, Studio One 5 Pro, Fender USA Tele, Harley Benton Fusion & others.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6 |
A built in Chord Wheel is a great idea!
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,839
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,839 |
By the way, some great work on your compositions Noel96 and Matt Finley. Thanks receder. I didn't see this comment until just now. Apologies for that. I hope you're having fun with BIAB! Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 11
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 11 |
This is where a small amount of music theory can set loose your creativity. In about 30 minutes of googling "chord progression theory" or "diatonic chord progressions" or "circle of fifths chord progression" will generate all kinds of ideas for you. And the great thing is that Band-in-a-Box will give your ears immediate feedback on whether your idea works.
Another good starting place is to use some of the demo songs included with Band in a Box as a starting point. Erase the melody, transpose to a different key and start writing melodies. You can't copyright a chord progression, so you can even take your favorite group's songs, erase the melody and use their progression as a starting point to write your song. It is a great way to learn what works in almost any genre of music.
Good luck.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,809
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,809 |
Last edited by ZeroZero; 01/04/15 08:53 PM.
Win 11 64, Asus Rog Strix z390 mobo, 64 gig RAM, 8700k
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,330
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,330 |
ZZ, I like the new Avatar. Works well!
BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577 |
By the way, some great work on your compositions Noel96 and Matt Finley. Thanks receder. I didn't see this comment until just now. Apologies for that. I hope you're having fun with BIAB! Noel Sorry Noel, I hadn't looked at this thread in a while. Yes the more I use it the more I find out and these forums are a goldmine of information. I also thought my music theory was pretty good but I am finding out new things from these forums and using BIAB. Just saw another thread here where you mention Nashville Notation in BIAB which also looks v useful. This is where a small amount of music theory can set loose your creativity. In about 30 minutes of googling "chord progression theory" or "diatonic chord progressions" or "circle of fifths chord progression" will generate all kinds of ideas for you. And the great thing is that Band-in-a-Box will give your ears immediate feedback on whether your idea works.
Another good starting place is to use some of the demo songs included with Band in a Box as a starting point. Erase the melody, transpose to a different key and start writing melodies. You can't copyright a chord progression, so you can even take your favorite group's songs, erase the melody and use their progression as a starting point to write your song. It is a great way to learn what works in almost any genre of music.
Good luck. Some great ideas thanks songwriterbob. Interesting, thanks ZeroZero. Cubase has certainly improved since the last version I used a long time ago! Rec
BIAB 2022 UltraPAK, CbB, Studio One 5 Pro, Fender USA Tele, Harley Benton Fusion & others.
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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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New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!
Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
- Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
- Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
- Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
- Playable RealTracks Set 4
- RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
- SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
- 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
- Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
- Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
- RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
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.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
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.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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