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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2 |
I'm music literate, but totally Band in a Box illiterate. I have the program up and running, and have been able to enter a simple chord sequence and get some audio playback in different styles- but that's it. I want to start learning the program details in a systematic way, but I don't know how to do that.
I know there is the PDF manual, online videos, tutorials, FAQs, etc... but these things don't really seem to be organized very well for a newbie, and the whole thing is rather intimidating.
I would love to hear people's suggestions for the best way to learn this software starting from square one. Thanks.
Last edited by Soloist; 01/04/16 03:16 PM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,360
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,360 |
Hi Soloist, Welcome to the forums. PG Music videos at the following URL should help with gaining a greater insight into the program... http://www.pgmusic.com/videos.bbwin.htmAll the best, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987 |
Noel hit the nail squarely on the head. Additionally, I highly encourage simply jumping in with both feet and familiarize yourself with all buttons and controls on the GUI as regards cause-and-effect. What happens when I...?
When you get high-centered, click on HELP which will take you to very well written context-sensitive instructions. Including tutorials on YouTube.
We've all been at square one and understand your frustration. We feel that we don't understand enough to even formulate an intelligent question.
Programmer friends will confirm that "trial and error" is a legitimate approach to most endeavors in life, and that the only "stupid" question is the one never asked.
A wonderful thing about this forum is - it is comprised of musicians at every stage of development who hang their egos at the door and eagerly help others.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,143
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,143 |
Hi Soloist ! And welcome to one of the greatest forum in the net !
Well, I had BiaB for years, but not really started using it for until a few months ago.. The way I use it to make songs are very easy. Since I am not so very familiar with good chord-progression I let BiaB take care of that, and it does an excellent job ! I usually start with going to the real track windows looking for a instrument I like to use, then listen to the demo song.. If I like the style, I click the style demo button there, and select one of the styles... Then back in the main window, I go in the melody maker and select there whatever I like by deselecting or selecting the different option u see there, then Voila ! A song is created.... From there, it's just a matter of taste.... Some take the song further to real Band, but that's another topic.. Hope this help...
Forever Grateful, BUT, sometimes pissed of.  Trygve "Leo" Larsen BiaB 2020, Windows 8.1, Intel Core i5 CPU, 270GHz, 32 Gb RAM My OLD tracks on Soundcloud; https://soundcloud.com/trygve-larsen My NEW is unpublished The Universe = Uni-verse ie one song.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,793
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,793 |
Let me suggest you start by entering a 12 bar blues progression. Pick a tempo, key, and a style (any style). Hit play. Sit back and listen.
The questions will immediately come to your mind. Enter them here in the forum, how to do this?, how to do that?, why does it do this when I do that?...
Welcome to the forum.
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2 |
Thanks for all the replies and willingness to help... I'm going to follow the suggestions, work with it a bit more, and then report back!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,869
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,869 |
Hi and welcome, just want to say that the videos on line are generally very good. Sit back and take them in slowly with a coffee, or worse..
BIAB may be 'idiosyncratic' but some things it can do, no where else is it possible
enjoy
Z
Win 11 64, Asus Rog Strix z390 mobo, 64 gig RAM, 8700k
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,971
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,971 |
Soloist, Welcome to the forum. The easiest way to get started is to view some videos. Visit the PG Music video page ++ HERE ++ and scroll down the page until you get to the Beginner's videos. Another choice is to buy the professional made Band-in-a-Box video training by Groove3.com. I've got it and it's really good. The two hours of video watching will save you much frustration and many hours of grief. Plus, if you purchase the video series you'll always have the videos available as a quick reference resource. You can find out more about the videos ++ HERE ++ In addition to looking at the videos there is no better way to learn than by doing. Pick a short song you know well and enter the chords into the Band-in-a-Box (BiaB)chordchart. Make a folder on your desktop (Name the folder the name of your song) then save the song in the folder. It's a good idea to save each song in a folder. After you make some changes, save the song under a new name in the folder (Good Song, Good Song RevA, Good Song RevB, etc.). That way WHEN something goes wrong you can close BiaB, open BiaB then load the last GOOD version of the song. It's important to understand how BiaB looks at a song. You have eight tracks. One track can contain audio you recorded and the other seven tracks can load instruments. Piano, Drums, Guitar, Bass and Strings are the default names for the rhythm instruments. Melody and Solo are "special" tracks with extra features to create melodies and solos so don't use them until you investigate the track features as they don't always react as you expect them to. Style determines time signature (3/4 or 4/4), initial instrumentation and if the initial instrument loaded to a track is midi or RealTrack. You CAN change styles and instruments as you desire. Each bar (or measure) can have up to four chord changes (3 if it's 3/4 time) with chord entry every half bar. Even and odd beat chords are separated by a comma. Bass notes are enter as slash chords. By default, Band-in-a-Box "reads" the chordsheet as one chorus (or verse) that repeats three times then has a two bar ending. Most songs have an intro. If your song has a four bar intro, change the number in the START box at the top from the "1" default to "5". Bars 1 to 4 will play once and the chorus will start on bar 5. If you don't want the verse to repeat three times, change the number in the CHORUSES button from "3" to whatever you want. Many songs have a 12 or 16 bar chorus so you can change the END box to 12 or 16 to correct the chorus length.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,608
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,608 |
The manual is still a good resource for info. I'm a long time user of BIAB and most of what I know about BIAB (80%), I learned from the manual. The other 20% I learned from this forum. 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 for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 9
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 9 |
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,793
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,793 |
BIAB may be 'idiosyncratic' but some things it can do, no where else is it possible
Z Z, such a diplomat. We will get you to drink the coolaid eventually. Resistance is futile. 
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
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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®.
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!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
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®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
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!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows 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)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
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 PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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