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#341181 03/21/16 05:48 AM
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Just checking to see if PG runs any other specials on upgrading except at Christmas? I missed the last upgrade. I have the 2015 Mega and I want to get the Ultra Plus. Is the 2016 upgrade worth it? I guess if I wait until December I could get the 2017 version on sale. If you do primarily classic rock covers will the change from Mega to Ultra make a lot of difference?

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The sale is over, so I suspect you'll have to wait for the 2017 version to go on sale.

With the Ultra Pak, you get everything, and you would be surprised at how many styles will still work (even if they're not labeled classic rock), so it's good to have a lot of tools in your toolbox.


John

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It may be because I try to stay minimal with the backing that I usually just have bass, drums, and rhythm guitar and I may start out with a style but I end up pulling real tracks and it seems like the style doesn't effect it as much.

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I would wait for more bugs to be worked out... smirk

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I guess that one of the reasons the New Seasons BIAB/RB is at a discount is so that we can forgive them the Bugs that always crawl out. They are never a big problem and if you keep on top of the Build releases it hardly an issue.
Keyboardcat - in such complex software with such a simple User Interface there are bound to be bugs.
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keep an eye out for Band-in-a-Box Sweepstakes, I entered and didn't win but got a 20% off coupon that expired on the 17th.
I think if you subscribe to the newsletter you should get notified for the next one, maybe soon.

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Originally Posted By: pedwards2932
... If you do primarily classic rock covers will the change from Mega to Ultra make a lot of difference?


http://www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.packages.htm shows what the differences are.

The 2016 PlusPAK is still available, but if you want to upgrade it doesn't matter much when you buy it. I don't know what to do with the statement for the PlusPAK "** Requires Band-in-a-Box® 2015". If that statement is updated with the next version, you would need to get the full update anyway.

The difference between the PAKs is simple: The basic software, BIAB and RB, is always the same, but the amount of accessories varies. If you upgrade now, you will get all the add-ons of the 49-PAK also.

You will have to do some simple math to figure out which is the best choice for you. Buy the missing RealTracks separately or invest USD 279 for all what you are missing.

Caveat: Some bonus material of earlier years may not be included in the upgrade.


Desktop; i7-2600k, 8 GB mem., Win 10 Pro, BIAB 2017; RB 2017 - latest build
Laptop: i5-2410M, 4 GB mem, Win 10 Pro, BIAB 2017; RB 2017 - latest build
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Quote:
I don't know what to do with the statement for the PlusPAK "** Requires Band-in-a-Box® 2015". If that statement is updated with the next version, you would need to get the full update anyway.


The PlusPak is designed for those upgrading just to the next version by providing just the new material for the new version. Obviously, if you only had the ProPak or the MegaPak versions, you would only get the new RealTracks and RealDrums (along with the new version of the program), but would not get all the previous RTs and RDs.

They have had the PlusPak as an upgrade directly from the previous version for many upgrade cycles. In theory, you could have started with (for example) BIAB 2013 UltraPlusPak, and then each year just upgraded using the PlusPak for 2014, the PlusPak for 2015, and the PlusPak for 2016, in theory you would end up with the 2016 UltraPlusPak (and a DVD for each version). You would also have to purchase the other Bonus paks, as well, if you wanted the Bonus content. Of course, if you ever had to re-install BIAB, you would have to start with 2013 and apply each PlusPak in turn.

However if you skipped a year upgrading, you would have to upgrade using one of the other options.


John

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I think I may just go ahead and upgrade when I have the spare bucks.....Thanks for all the input.

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I seriously thought about upgrading my 2009 version of BIAB/RB just the other day. But after giving it some thought I decided not to do so for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, I don't use Real Tracks. I find I can get all the great sounds I need from my Ketron SD2. On the other hand, BIAB is a fantastic piece of software. There are more styles than I will ever need to pick from in order to make classic country and old rock and roll covers. My main, and only reason for using BIAB is that I can lay down awesome bass and drum tracks in a matter of minutes. Occasionally I'll use the background piano or strings that are included in the style I'm using, depending on the song. But for the most part, when I move the song over to Sonar, other tracks besides bass and drums are usually deleted and the rest of the song is built in Sonar with my midi keyboard. I do not use the music that I make for live gigs nor do I make CD's to sell. I purely do it for the fun that I have experimenting and building songs and then recording them for nobody but myself.

Another good reason for me not to upgrade is because of the Canadian dollar and how it stacks up to the U.S. greenback. Considering the fact that PG Music is a Canadian company, it would be tough for me to put out the initial cost, plus tax, and then a lot more for the exchange rate that I, a Canadian, would have to pay for for a product that is made in Canada. (Just my own little pet peeve)

Again, let me say that BIAB is an amazing product - one that I truly enjoy using in the way that I do. I absolutely LOVE this software! But at this point, I cannot justify the cost of upgrading, and then for the way in which I would be using it. But of course, that's just me. smile

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Quote:
Firstly, I don't use Real Tracks. I find I can get all the great sounds I need from my Ketron SD2.


And that's why you don't have to buy all the RealTracks, if you don't want them. Buying the MegaPak gives you all the MIDI styles (and of course, you can additionally create your own or download from the internet or buy additional styles from Bob Norton).

But for those that like the RealTracks, it is an awesome feature and a true marvel of sound engineering, IMHO.

One size does not fit all, and PGMusic accommodates that.


John

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I totally agree with you about Real Tracks and it's users who put out a lot of fantastic music. I guess I didn't come across very well in stating this. In no way whatsoever was I knocking it.

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Exactly - agree 100% and didn't view your comment as knocking it. Everyone has a different workflow and different requirements. I was just pointing out that the full spectrum of users are accommodated by this great company.


John

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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.

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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!

Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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 10 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.

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