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PowerTracks Pro Audio
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,312
PG Music Staff
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OP
PG Music Staff
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,312 |
In June of 2002 we released PowerTracks Pro Audio 8. There were more than 30 new features for seamlessly integrated MIDI/Digital Audio music production released at that time - take a look at the video highlighting the "new" version: youtu.be/D3QO_h0GyuMThe "New Features" released with PowerTracks Pro Audio 8.0 Included... ✔ New 32-bit Version! PowerTracks Pro Audio 8.0 has been totally rebuilt as a full 32-bit engine for seamless operation in Windows 98/ME/2000/XP. ✔ Amazing New Chord Wizard! Load in any MIDI file, PowerTracks MIDI sequence file, or even a work-in-progress, and the amazing New Chord Wizard will intelligently figure out the chords and display them in the Notation Window and the new Chords Window. Chord symbols are an essential component of playing by ear, so most musicians who play by ear should find this new feature indispensable! The New Chords Window displays the chords in a selectable font and size, and is fully editable. It also has part markers (compatible with Band-in-a-Box) so that you can easily mark sections of your sequence. ✔ Real Time DirectX Effects! PowerTracks Pro Audio 8.0 supports real time DirectX effects for live playback and monitoring, and even includes loads of great effects for free! PowerTracks also has real time DirectX plug-in groups in which up to four chained plug-ins can be used at once. Effects groups can be saved and loaded along with their settings, making it easy to use the same settings with multiple projects. The post production DirectX window also supports effects chains with up to four plug-ins. Plus: FREE DirectX Plug-ins! Awesome Audio Features! Updated MIDI Features! Enhanced Notation Features! ...and (of course) MUCH MORE! Click here to learn more about PowerTracks Pro Audio 8. Did any of you have this version?
Last edited by Callie - PG Music; 11/19/15 08:32 AM.
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PowerTracks Pro Audio
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,847
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,847 |
I started with PowerTracks version 5.0 back in 1999, and have upgraded to every version since (even with the advent of RealBand).
The introduction of DirectX effects was awesome, as changes to the audio no longer had to be destructive. That saved a lot of disk space by not having to make backup tracks in case something went wrong by applying one of the destructive effects.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
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PowerTracks Pro Audio
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,366
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,366 |
You just beat me, John.
I've been with it from version 7 and it's been my DAW of choice ever since. As you say, the real-time effects were a revelation and the other milestone for me was the new mixer in about version 11, I think?
A lot of my students have moved to it from other programs, having witnessed at first hand how powerful, intuitive and reliable it is. I run RealBand as well, but because Powertracks is so inexpensive, I can afford to up-grade both.
Just wondering what 2016 will bring.
ROG.
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PowerTracks Pro Audio
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,161
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,161 |
Interesting - I couldn't remember when I first started using PowerTracks and BIAB so I sorted through a drawer full of manuals for various softwares I had obtained over the years and found the version 5.0 1998 Upgrade Documentation for PowerTracks. At the time new updates were half yearly. It confirms my vague remembrances of using version 4 1997 with the "Thwack" caused by overloaded digital tracks.
I was more interested in BIAB having read an article in the Keyboard Magazine?? and bought BIAB program with PowerTracks as a make weight which I may use occasionaly. I have ended up using PTW and Realband a good deal more frequently than BIAB, but all have their place in the work flow.
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PowerTracks Pro Audio
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,640
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,640 |
I found a CD online that that we recorded using Powertracks around this time (2002-2004 era). https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWnK9fRB6CEBTw4lrfcmxyb42EjzgCuEH PT is a very cool tool.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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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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Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
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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 amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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, and much more!
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Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
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Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
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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.
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- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
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-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
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- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
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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
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
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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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