Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#329870 01/06/16 02:56 PM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,342
Expert
OP Offline
Expert
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,342
I've been using BiaB EverythingPak since 2007 and have been updating every year 'till 2013. The past two years I didn't have the opportunity to update and, since I was completely happy with the content, didn't feel I missed out that much.

How wrong PG proved me to be...

I got to update (upgrade) to BiaB UltraPlusPak 2016 and I was completely blown away. The GUI is upgrated, the functionality is enhanced and all the new Realtracks... Just wow!

In the past three years I didn't get around to writing music and visiting these forums all that much. Now I have some time to do what I love to do, and BiaB is there to help and inspire me. Thank you Team PG for making such a great tool as BiaB!

Grtz. Mike

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,231
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,231
Mike,
Glad you have some time now to enjoy music again.
Some of us take it for granted, some of us complain, and it's nice to hear from someone who has been away for awhile.

BiaB/RB is indeed fascinating and one of a kind.
Realtracks rule. Have fun!


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,519
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,519
I've been a faithful updater for many years, and I'm still impressed each year with the new things.... so I can imagine that what you just experienced was pretty freaking awesome.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add 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.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815
I need to get around to installing my new 2016 version. I skipped the 2015 update, so I am looking forward to a host of new RT's.

I never got the sampletank and super-midi's stuff going, I will have to figure that out, too.


Now at bandcamp: Crows Say Vee-Eh @ bandcamp or soundcloud: Kevin @ soundcloud
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,675
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,675
Hi, Mike -

Looking forward to seeing more posting, as well as your helpfulness as in the past, from you.

And yes, even though there are some growing pains with some of the new features of 2016, especially with the rewritten style feature and the new chord grid enhancements, they are being worked out diligently by PGMusic, and the new sounds are AWESOME!


John

Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD
Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA

BB2025/UMC404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/MixBus/Notion/Finale/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK

http://www.sus4chord.com
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,939
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,939
Originally Posted By: Kemmrich
I need to get around to installing my new 2016 version. I skipped the 2015 update, so I am looking forward to a host of new RT's.

I never got the sampletank and super-midi's stuff going, I will have to figure that out, too.


Kevin,

I've just installed BIAB 2016 on a new computer and how I got Sampletank going was to download ver. 2.5 through my account at IK Multimedia's site. I then installed it independently of BIAB and unchecked the option in BIAB when I ran set up. After I installed ST, the Authorization Manager from IK Multimedia automatically kicked in and the required serial number was available at IK Multimedia under "Support | User Area | My products".

After that, when I opened my first Supermidi track, I was prompted by ST to give the path for the BIAB instruments. In my case these files came off "C:\Program Files (x86)\IKMultimedia\Instruments". Using the "Browse" option, I simply navigated to there.

As a note, the above option is set through "Prefs" in ST and the path needs to be directory immediately above the "Band In A Box" directory.

Hope this helps,
Noel


MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2025
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,827
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,827
Mike,

Welcome back. Didn't get to know you before so I'm looking forward to hearing your songs and reading your comments (please don't read that as though if I did know you from before that I'd automatically dislike you confused )

I'm REALLY glad you made your post. The program does have quirks and faults but it's really easy for the faults to make us overlook how good we have it when we are involved with using and learning the product everyday.

All I have to do is listen to ANYTHING I recorded prior to using PG Music products versus listening to anything after to immediately realize the amazing things these programs can do to make my musical output better.

I like to play with music, not play music. With Band-in-a-Box, RealBand and the piano and guitar chord dictionaries I can create songs that I hear in my mind but am not capable of playing on an instrument. I can quickly craft midi or audio chord progressions, melodies or solos. I can use top session musicians playing instruments I do not understand or can not afford. I can use midi and audio loops, heck I can create loops! All this and UserTracks too. This is before I even start including using VSTi, VST, third party samples and loops.

Yes, we have it good.


Jim Fogle - 2025 BiaB (Build 1128) RB (Build 5) - Ultra+ PAK
DAWs: Cakewalk Sonar - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8
Laptop: i3 Win 10, 8GB ram 500GB HDD
Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD
Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,610
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,610
Hey Mike,

Welcome back! I am also glad you made this post. There are few people who concentrate on a few glitches of this awesome product, and typically do not mention anything good (or, very little). All in all (and NOTHING is ever perfect, as you well know), BIAB is a product that is ONE OF A KIND! There is NO match for what BIAB allows you to do.

So, yeah ... I'm happy to chime in and ditto your post. BIAB is plain awesome!!!

For those who concentrate on just those things that aren't working the way they expect to, fine. There is a need to point those things out. BUT, be honest and fair and admit that Dr. Peter Gannon and staff have come up with the BEST product for creative people in music. BIAB is IT.

RealBand is another story - some like it, some don't. I've never bothered to really get into it since I've been working with SONAR so many years. No chip off my shoulder there. Plenty of people have their individual tastes on DAWs.

At any rate, thanks for the enthusiastic post, Mike!!!


Cheers,
Mike

My Music * Asus ROG Strix G15CF 32 GB DDR4 4TB HDD + 1 TB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 8GB Win 11 AKAI EIE PRO Sound Interface. BIAB/RB 2024 UltraPak Build - Latest
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,608
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,608
Thanks for your post MikeK. BIAB is a great product and I have no sympathy for those few who do nothing but complain. The only app that approaches what BIAB can do is iRealB and it is a distant second. Nowhere near as sophisticated as BIAB. I have no complaints whatsoever about what I use BIAB for, auto-accompaniment. 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.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,231
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,231
Quote:

RealBand is another story - some like it, some don't. I've never bothered to really get into it since I've been working with SONAR so many years. No chip off my shoulder there. Plenty of people have their individual tastes on DAWs.


RB is not the best DAW ever, but it does allow BiaB features in a DAW environment. That has a LOT of value.
Many users don't realize the value in RB (having never tried it). I guess I just don't understand why you wouldn't bother. It's free (included with BiaB) and does things neither BiaB nor any other DAW can do.
It's like an intermediate step from BiaB to your DAW of choice and offers SO many benefits..


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,610
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,610
Originally Posted By: rharv
Quote:

RealBand is another story - some like it, some don't. I've never bothered to really get into it since I've been working with SONAR so many years. No chip off my shoulder there. Plenty of people have their individual tastes on DAWs.


RB is not the best DAW ever, but it does allow BiaB features in a DAW environment. That has a LOT of value.
Many users don't realize the value in RB (having never tried it). I guess I just don't understand why you wouldn't bother. It's free (included with BiaB) and does things neither BiaB nor any other DAW can do.
It's like an intermediate step from BiaB to your DAW of choice and offers SO many benefits..


Don't get me wrong, I did "try it". But, for what I am doing, it's just not my cup of tea. Maybe, sometime down the road. And I am not complaining about RB. It's great for those who find it useful with their workflow. Mine is just different. Not taking anything away from RB here at all.

wink


Cheers,
Mike

My Music * Asus ROG Strix G15CF 32 GB DDR4 4TB HDD + 1 TB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 8GB Win 11 AKAI EIE PRO Sound Interface. BIAB/RB 2024 UltraPak Build - Latest
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!

XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!

The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!

Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.

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 1-9 includes 900 styles!

Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!

Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 Windows or for Mac.

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.

Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.

Note: 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 because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!

Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!

It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!

We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!

Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:

Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, 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, and more!

Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!

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.

Forum Statistics
Forums58
Topics84,681
Posts782,915
Members39,722
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
anonamx, Alistair -PG Music, Steve Oakes, Barry P. Foley, Steve Schmitt
39,722 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 165
WaoBand 134
Al-David 113
rsdean 111
dcuny 106
DC Ron 103
Today's Birthdays
chardin, Steve Ducote
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5