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I used to operate a limousine service. My regulars knew I was a musician, so they appreciated the name—Roll Star (with a star logo between the two words).  Richard
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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Well, I know exactly one guy who uses TAXI, the aforementioned Steve Guiles, and TAXI has gotten him placement in several TV shows and commercials. That said, Steve's abilities are deep and wide and his hook-writing is pretty amazing. Any manner of pop/rock is in his wheelhouse. He is a prolific songwriter. I'm talking 100+ songs a year. As a hobbyist. Steve is still employed as a middle school teacher - that's his main paying gig. To say that once TAXI gets you a placement, that it eliminates the need for the service itself because you have a relationship with the end client, that isn't necessarily true. These clients have access to thousands upon thousands of songs as source material and what you were able to provide to fit the mood of a shot of a certain commercial does not mean that you are now going to be employed forever by that client. I'm thinking of famous song placements for a particular end customer. Volkswagen is pretty well versed in this arena. In the past 15 years or so, there are some brilliant song placements by VW's ad agency ranging from Nick Drake's "Pink Moon" https://youtu.be/BIOW9fLT9eY to Clannad's "Theme from Harry's Game" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KpNzalFKPo to Da Da Da by Trio: https://youtu.be/jdccNAOvPHg to Molly's Chambers by Kings of Leon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKOnYX05btM to Fly By Night by Rush: https://youtu.be/V57v_UlaZP0Pretty hard to think of a more diverse sounding group of songs placed in commercials. Yet, each song fit the theme and mood of the commercial. I'm guessing they will continue to make great matches. Anyways, Steve has had pretty decent success with Taxi, and now he's known by Taxi and they consider him a go-to guy for simple straight up pop stuff.
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You had mentioned some things to me in some post of songs that I had written and I made the changes that you suggested. I cant remember what songs they where, but you where right. I changed it for the better and it became a better song. If you have the old post of that could you repost it so I can see what song it was, and I will post a link to where it's located? The first draft, and the second draft. Well, I hope you can find this and let me know. Thanks.....
Music is an expression that is a universal language, Never criticize anybody to harshly. They need time to grow but when they do, they do. Always be kind in what you say and do because the man upstairs is watching.
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For some of you that missed this, here is a song that I wrote "At The Foot Of The Cross" My verse sounds the same as the chorus, I am thinking about re-writing this because of that flaw in my song. After I took the Coursera course, I noticed this right off the Bat. So you tell me what you think, Should I re-write it and make the course different, or should I just leave it the way that it is, it is a pretty song. Here is the link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyHBDjLk42Q
Music is an expression that is a universal language, Never criticize anybody to harshly. They need time to grow but when they do, they do. Always be kind in what you say and do because the man upstairs is watching.
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Occasionally you have to let one through -- so she or he can say: TAXI helped me, I made it.
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Just like most musicians will never be stars, although some will gain some local or regional fame of sorts.... so too with writers.
Out of a few thousand writers, a small handful will write tunes good enough and be in the right place with the right people and turn it into a career. Out of all the TAXI people, there's a small handful who are full time and paying their bills and taxes from writing for film & TV. There are a greater number who are part timers and make a few thousand dollars a year from placements. There's an even larger group with one or two placements and signings..... and who haven't covered their costs at this point quite yet.
Obviously if you're making money and that covers your dues, you would stay. There's a pretty heavy turnover rate in the music publisher/library world..... new ones come and old ones go all the time. Some of the libraries I am signed to have been sold to other companies. I get updates and listing emails from the libraries I am with. That's where I now work on placing my new cues.
There's more than one road to the destination. Taxi is but one of those roads. Call it a toll road if you like.
After thought to edit:
DO the math..... you want to make a full time living writing cues for film & TV? What does that mean? For sake of discussion... lets say $50,000 gross a year. That's reasonable.
With a cue price payout of $5 a play for a short spot in a TV show, that would require 10,000 plays a year or 27.4 plays a day 365 days a year. Throw in a few cues that pay out $200 or more a play and you can reduce the $5 plays a bit. Obviously, to reach that level of plays, you need thousands of cues out there signed, and being used daily. Anything less and you will not be able to pay your bills. So, if you have a few hundred cues, and think you're going to make a steady income.... think again.
The big dollar payouts are normally one time license fees. TAXI loves to advertise them but in all the time with TAXI and even now just getting their emails, I do not think I have ever heard of a single TAXI member scoring one of the big payouts of $25k or more on a national TV commercial.... I might be wrong, but I can't recall hearing that news. So you write a song for a big name car commercial that is going to run nation wide in a publicity campaign. They will buy the rights outright for a one time payday. It might be $25,000 or it might be $5000.... split that with the publisher 50/50 if there's one of those representing the song.... or keep the full amount on a direct to end user deal and split it all with the tax man.... however, those deals are few and far between and are akin to winning the lottery because the competition for those spots is brutal with a foot in the door going to any writers who have already worked with the company in the past.
Got to go to my day gig, which does in fact pay the bills.... TTYAL....
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 09/10/15 02:07 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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Well, I know exactly one guy who uses TAXI, the aforementioned Steve Guiles, and TAXI has gotten him placement in several TV shows and commercials. If he is writing hundreds of a songs a year, and he has been with them for years and has gotten "several" placements...
Steve is still employed as a middle school teacher - that's his main paying gig.
Enough said. To say that once TAXI gets you a placement, that it eliminates the need for the service itself because you have a relationship with the end client, that isn't necessarily true. These clients have access to thousands upon thousands of songs as source material and what you were able to provide to fit the mood of a shot of a certain commercial does not mean that you are now going to be employed forever by that client. You are misunderstanding that statement. It's saying that you no longer need taxi for THAT client. Why would you? Are you under the impression these end line clients use taxi exclusively? Anyways, Steve has had pretty decent success with Taxi, and now he's known by Taxi and they consider him a go-to guy for simple straight up pop stuff. If he is a "go to guy", I would assume he's not the only person who is decent at what he does. They would have a roster of great writers for their clients. I just really haven't at all heard that to be the case. Again, I may be wrong. I'm just giving my opinion of what I've seen. Perhaps you have seen much more than I have. I think Herb about summed it up for me. He made some GREAT points...again in my opinion.
Last edited by HearToLearn; 09/10/15 01:53 PM.
Chad (Hope that makes it easier)
TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
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Trapper, TAXI does a live show about once a week or so that you can watch for free. Watch the ones with Robin Frederick - she literally wrote the best selling book of all time on songwriting. (And just so you know in her book she recommends BIAB.) She also wrote the first definitve book on tv/film songwriting. Watch the videos with Jason Blume and the ones with Suzan Koc. The one with Kara DioGuardi. Rob Chiarelli. Too many good ones to mention. It's a great show. Michael is quite informative and entertaining all on his own. He didn't engineer gold records or build TAXI by being a duffuss or a con artist. These are big time major leaguers sharing their knowledge. There are also videos about what new members can expect, videos with members, videos with screeners, videos to teach you different genres. Watch them when you have 90 mins to spare, then decide for yourself. Here's the youtube link for TAXI TV Live videos. Click the "more" button at the bottom for more videos. You can also watch on ustream live and see the chatroom but I like the youtube videos because I'm not available when it's live from LA. It'll usually be on youtube by the next day. https://www.youtube.com/user/taximusic/videosI am not a member but Ian was. Ian was also a former forum member here who passed away suddenly. (God rest his soul. I still think of him and miss him very much.) Anyway Ian was a member of TAXI. He told me that he absolutely loved it and it made him a stronger songwriter. He had renewed for another year when that terrible accident took his life. BTW, the LA workshop that comes free with membership - that alone would cost as much as the yearly membership when compared with most other big name workshops. Out of my budget at the moment to fly across country but great deal for those who can afford the airfare, meals and lodging.
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Plus 1 to Josie's comments and not to overlook that your chance to actually get a placement increase 100% when you become a member and can actually submit a song....
BIAB 2026:RB 2026, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
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A few comments....
Yeah, the LA convention is free with your membership... 2 tickets. However, in my case, it was around a thousand dollars for airfare and hotel and food.
NSAI also has a similar event in Nashville. The tickets are not free.... a couple hundred bucks and, you still gotta get there and have a place to stay and eat. I was getting set up to go to one of those as well but the costs were still near a thousand dollars and I was planning to drive the 500 miles. I never did go to that one.
Once you get signed with someone..... that person may not call you back or send you the new listings they have, so, theoretically, you would want to keep membership to pick up those listings.
Yes, there are several libraries who use TAXI members exclusively. 100% of their listing requests go to and through TAXI and they do not accept any submissions of songs from any other place. One of these just happens to be the guy "catherder" who has or had (at that time) a lock on several of the biggest daytime TV shows on the air. He was using just over 100 TAXI members with a handful of those getting 90% of the placements in those shows.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 09/11/15 01:30 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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Hahaha....my hair was starting to hurt reading all of this. Now it was worth it.
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
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For the record, there would be nothing wrong with looking at it as in investment, much like college. The college would more than likely never pay you, yet what you learn there may serve you a lifetime.
Last edited by HearToLearn; 09/11/15 10:15 AM.
Chad (Hope that makes it easier)
TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
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Once you get signed with someone..... that person may not call you back or send you the new listings they have, so, theoretically, you would want to keep membership to pick up those listings. I'm repeating myself a bit, but here it goes for clarification... If party A loves your work and wants to work with you, at that point, you get to have direct contact with party A. From that point on, taxi is no longer needed to work with party A. I'm NOT saying party A no longer will need to use taxi to find additional talent. I'm saying to work with YOU they would not need to. I'm also NOT saying that YOU will not need to work with taxi for projects from parties B, C, D...you would. I am simply saying that you and party A would no longer need taxi to work together. Yes, there are several libraries who use TAXI members exclusively. 100% of their listing requests go to and through TAXI and they do not accept any submissions of songs from any other place. One of these just happens to be the guy "catherder" who has or had (at that time) a lock on several of the biggest daytime TV shows on the air. He was using just over 100 TAXI members with a handful of those getting 90% of the placements in those shows. As so it is marketed. This is what I know. Michael Jackson was paid millions to drink Pepsi in their commercials. Wait...not ACTUALLY drink...give the appearance that he did. He didn't drink Pepsi! I'm not going to explain endorsement deals as I'm sure you all understand them. I work day in and day out with people who are "exclusive" but do A LOT of work with people "on the side." They are high level, currently in demand, musicians. Not a musician that toured with a band from the 70's. Musicians who are on tour or record for the musicians you hear when you turn the radio right now. I'm not saying that happens at taxi, I'm just saying it happens everywhere else in this industry.  I would also like to state, I am not anti-Taxi. They bring some great resources to people who can truly use them. I just wish they were a bit more transparent with how they fund themselves. I think I will back out of the conversation now, as I feel I am coming across (again) as having no clue what I am talking about. Write on!  (or re-write if necessary)
Last edited by HearToLearn; 09/11/15 10:17 AM.
Chad (Hope that makes it easier)
TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
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I work day in and day out with people who are "exclusive" but do A LOT of work with people "on the side." They are high level, currently in demand, musicians.
Not a musician that toured with a band from the 70's.
Musicians who are on tour or record for the musicians you hear when you turn the radio right now. DAMMIT!! I had my resurgent, back to my youth career all planned out and you just shot me down! No musicians who toured in the 70's??? DAMMIT... NOW what am I gonna do? What WILL I do??? Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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DAMMIT!! I had my resurgent, back to my youth career all planned out and you just shot me down! No musicians who toured in the 70's??? DAMMIT...
NOW what am I gonna do? What WILL I do???
Bob
Ha! Hang here with me my friend! I'm not sure how my comment will be taken. Just meant it as they weren't people who USED to tour and now look for side projects. Just saying they are the current "in demand" people doing side projects. Notice, I did NOT lump myself in as being one of them. I will just say...they make me sound WAY better than I am! Personally, I am a HUGE fan of the musicians from that era!
Chad (Hope that makes it easier)
TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
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Caaron, you have misunderstood nearly the entirety of my post. While Steve writes hundreds of songs per year, very few are written for the purpose of submitting to TAXI. Steve writes for the joy of it, and if there's something that piques his interest on TAXI that he thinks he can fill, he submits. It's a very small fraction of songs that he writes. Last year, he wrote a whole bunch of songs about Minecraft - for the fun of it. He might do 10 submissions a year through TAXI - why not ask him yourself? He's had placements in commercials, TV shows. He has a very wide variety of styles. Here's his soundcloud page, you can contact him through there: https://soundcloud.com/newcoolnowmusicNow, let's get to how TAXI works. It's purpose is not to connect music supervisors with ARTISTS, but rather to connect those folks with SONGS. Songs to fit a particular mood, style, purpose, etc. etc. etc. https://www.taxi.com/industry.phpJust like the paint chip displays at Home Depot give one choice of thousands of potential colors. Once you get a color that you like, you don't even have to use the brand of paint that posted the color. In reality, TAXI is even more like taking an object in to Home Depot to be color matched. The paint chip analogy is more like a music library or licensing service like Tune Society and the like. TAXI takes it one step closer to customization - music supervisor posts a listing looking for a whispery male vocalist with ukulele backing and twee glockenspiel melody doubling, with hand percussion rhythm tracks - and you as the supervisor will get to pick from a bunch of different artists submitting songs fitting that description. Your next placement might be needing a dark symphonic bed with an Enya-like haunting vocal over top. Music supervisors have little reason or intention to deal repeatedly with an artist - that would be akin to going and picking the same color each time you go to paint your living room, then bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, exterior, etc. This isn't saying a relationship building experience isn't possible, but it's not the main role of music supervision. Steve is pretty darned versatile as it comes to indie/pop/rock and when he sees a listing like that, he strikes - if he has time. Learning how to correctly match the desire of a listing is one of the things Steve has talked about in the past. Here's his TAXI page: http://www.taximusic.com/hosting/home.php?artist=sguilesTake note of his placements on ABC News, Fox network's The Mindy Project, MTV, etc. I know Steve through two very different channels: 1. I did a review of one of the albums his band, Pushstart Wagon did back in mid 2000's, and then a few years later, we both participate in the February Album Writing Month, and we even did a silly collaboration song about Cheese Pizza, and came to the realization that I had done a review of his band's album a few years earlier. Quick, anyone reading this thread - name a songwriter you know personally and would consider a friend that makes the bulk of their money writing songs. Very small college of folks that can claim that. The fact that his main paying gig is being a teacher shouldn't be taken as any kind of criticism of his success or failure using TAXI. Steve loves being a teacher. Would he rather have been a rock star? Maybe, but he is pretty passionate about his role as a teacher. Perhaps TAXI's biggest fault is calling itself an A&R company. Artist & Relations. Not sure it works that way in a traditional understanding of those departments at record companies.
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Josie had a great suggestion – listen to what others are submitting. http://forums.taxi.com/peer-to-peer-f20.html?sid=3a7d804d75f28932ef6736e1ae2fc8c3Before plonking down the dosh to Taxi, you might want to ask yourself a couple of questions. “Do I write on this level”? Do I know enough about this side of the business to play in this sandbox? Do my songs grab the listener in the first five seconds? Are my recordings radio-ready? Can I write for a specific listing? Am I delusional?  If you can honestly assess the quality of your “work”, you might save yourself a ton of money. Very few can. Then, there is always The Starmaker Machine!  Regards, Bob
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Caaron, you have misunderstood nearly the entirety of my post. Sorry if I did. I still feel a bit like you are trying to explain to me how Taxi works. I think we just have different views of how it works. I believe your view, according to Taxi, and your friend is correct. I just have a different view of it is all. I sort of felt the passion part about your friend coming from a mile a way. I almost stated it before you even mentioned it. I feel a lot of people live there. IMO there are the... starving artists thriving artists and those who have to support their habit. lol Believe it or not, I live by a school that has a teacher who retired early from his former job. As stated, he now teaches. He doesn't do it for the money; he does it because it's his passion. That's not someone just saying that either! I find a lot of people who "don't do their jobs for the money", still collect a paycheck! If that job ends, so does the love affair! This guy actually works tirelessly. He is there HOURS before the other teachers, and is there many times hours after. Weekends...you name it. Here is the kicker. He draws NO pay for teaching what-so-ever! In fact, he actually donates A LOT to the computer lab at school both time and financially. I'm not saying that's the norm, or that most people could ever do that. I'm just saying, I believe THAT guy is really in it because he has a real love for teaching. There is no secondary gain. Perhaps your friend is similar, in that, it's the reason he writes music? I don't know. I do know this, if you really love music, and are committed to making a living doing it, you can. There are people on the forum that do that. So, I will end with this an bow out of the conversation. All of those who want to stick with or go with Taxi, go for it. If you want my take on it, feel free to PM me. It's not a negative take. As I stated, there are many great tools/resources there. I hope to see you on the charts, or placed! That would be an awesome thing to celebrate! (To be clear, there is no sarcasm meant here. Seriously, how great would that be able to say "Hey! I know that person")
Chad (Hope that makes it easier)
TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
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Josie had a great suggestion – listen to what others are submitting. http://forums.taxi.com/peer-to-peer-f20.html?sid=3a7d804d75f28932ef6736e1ae2fc8c3Before plonking down the dosh to Taxi, you might want to ask yourself a couple of questions. “Do I write on this level”? Do I know enough about this side of the business to play in this sandbox? Do my songs grab the listener in the first five seconds? Are my recordings radio-ready? Can I write for a specific listing? Am I delusional? If you can honestly assess the quality of your “work”, you might save yourself a ton of money. Very few can. Then, there is always The Starmaker Machine! Regards, Bob I forgot to comment on this. I feel this is fantastic advice. Thanks for sharing it!
Chad (Hope that makes it easier)
TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
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Caaron, It did seem like you bagged on him because his main gig is teaching middle school, and you drew a conclusion that his hundreds of songs written per year were for TAXI use and his tens of placements are evidence that TAXI doesn't work. http://forums.taxi.com/topic129281.htmlAgain, I think that TAXI's biggest error is calling itself an A&R firm. Song placement, yes, A&R, no. -Scott
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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.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 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 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- 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
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
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.
Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!
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.
Holiday Weekend Hours
As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:
April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours
Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
— Team PG
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