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If BIAB were to create a full fledged notation system, I have no doubt that the prices would go up. BIAB is still basically an auto-accompaniment program. The notation part was a BONUS to create your own simple lead sheets. Works great for me. If the stand-alone notation apps are difficult to use, why add that difficulty to BIAB. IMHO only. Later, Ray
Last edited by raymb1; 01/10/15 07:40 AM.
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.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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If BIAB were to create a full fledged notation system, I have no doubt that the prices would go up. BIAB is still basically an auto-accompaniment program. The notation part was a BONUS to create your own simple lead sheets. Works great for me. If the stand-alone notation apps are difficult to use, why add that difficulty to BIAB. IMHO only. Later, Ray This is one of my pet peeves with today's software, that is they all try to become all inclusive. How many CD or mp3 burning programs do I really need? BiaB as well as some DAWs have included a simple notation section for convenience. It is not a full-fledged notation program. The same can be said of BiaB's so-called sequencer; it is not a full-fledged sequencer. Like you said BiaB is an auto-accompaniment program. Let's leave it at what it does the best and forget all the peripheral add-on semi-programs. PS - If BiaB added all of the suggestions (notation, sequencer etc) and RB was like the big boys (Sonar, Cubase etc) then I would guess that the cost would be in over $1,000 USD.
I think my wife has started to show the first signs of dementia.
She said she can't remember what she ever saw in me!
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 Wishlist
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+1 Mario. I'll bet that there are many more BIAB users who feel the same way! 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.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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By that argument we can get rid of Real Band, as it is not part of the auto-accompaniment functionality.
That's just not going to fly. I don't use it, but I don't begrudge it to those who do. And I expect it to work all the time.
I also feel the same about notation. By adding notation, especially the fake sheet capability, PGMusic should be committed to "getting it right". I think, however that it is just too hard to fix. Better to find a way to interface to a dedicated product.
BIAB for Windows Version 2019 (643)
Windows 10 (1909)
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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...
I also feel the same about notation. By adding notation, especially the fake sheet capability, PGMusic should be committed to "getting it right". I think, however that it is just too hard to fix. Better to find a way to interface to a dedicated product. Like Music XML...
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.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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RB exists to fine-touch your backing tracks. As far as the notation goes,like I said, "a simple lead sheet". 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.
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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.
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I would have to agree with this too. I am a 25 year veteran of Band in a Box. I use BIAB for what it is excellent at, that is, generating accompaniments.
I have never used Real Band - instead I use Pro Tools where I do all my audio recording and plug-in work.
I have never used the notation system - I tried it out in the beginning, found it too clumsy and stuck with Finale and more recently with Sibelius which interfaces well with Pro Tools.
I have never used the piano roll window - I used to use Cakewalk Pro which was superb, but now that it does not exist anymore, I use Pro Tools, which is less superb, but still quite good.
I never use BIAB to generate melodies or chord progressions - I compose my own.
I have never used the CD burning capability of BIAB (I didn't even know that you could do that until recently) because there are so many other programs which specialize in this.
I have sometimes generated mp3 files when making rough arrangements to evaluate and compare different styles without having to use extra programs.
What I use BIAB for is to generate MIDI and WAV files, often in several different styles to export and mix and match in Pro Tools to eventually end up with an arrangement with 16 or more tracks, not all of which are played simultaneously and some not at all, but extracting several BIAB arrangements into Pro Tools gives me the freedom and flexibility to create a sophisticated arrangement far beyond what is possible with the limited number of tracks which can reside within a BIAB arrangement. However, Band in a Box is the tool I use to create all the tracks before I add vocals or live instruments.
Having said all that, I think that BIAB serves as a relatively low cost alternative to having expensive programs such as Finale, Pro Tools, Sibelius, WaveLab, SoundForge, Nero, etc. in addition to BIAB for those who cannot afford or justify the extra expense.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Like you Bob, I enter my own chords for my songs and don't use any of BIAB's generation of chords or melodies. I was criticized a few years ago for saying that BIAB users should have a little musical knowledge and not depend on BIAB to create a song for them. I still believe that. 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.
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SongwriterBob, just a quick note that what was once Cakewalk Pro Audio (which I also used) is now the SONAR series.
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.
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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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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®.
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
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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®.
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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.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
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- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
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Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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