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Joined: May 2005
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OP
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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 08:40 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.
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 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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Journeyman
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Journeyman
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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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Newbie
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Newbie
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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 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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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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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)!
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- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- 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)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- 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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