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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,664
PG Music Staff
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OP
PG Music Staff
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,664 |
Hello PGM Forums!
I thought it would be good to make a post to see what the most popular features are with everyone using Band-in-a-Box.
Mine is the chord builder found by right clicking on a bar and clicking onto Bar Settings (keystroke Control+Shift+B). I find it incredibly helpful for finding different flavors of chord progressions to help my creativity in my productions.
What is your favorite Band-in-a-Box feature and why?
Last edited by Joseph -PG Music; 08/16/16 11:03 AM.
Cheers, Joe
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,505
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,505 |
Windows, MIDI Chord Detection. This is the easiest way to view all the possibilities a chord may be called when playing the notes into a MIDI keyboard.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,598
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,598 |
Audio Chord Wizard. It saves me A LOT of time when preparing new repertories.
Latest BIAB version, latest build.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,848
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,848 |
Audio Chord Wizard. It saves me A LOT of time when preparing new repertories.
Mine too.
BIAB 2025:RB 2025, 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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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,539
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,539 |
If I had to pick one to keep and lose the rest it would Realtracks (easily). If I was picking the one that impressed me the most it would be the ACW. Tempo and Chord maps all laid out in a couple passes usually. The Tempo mapping part is at least as important as the chord recognition.
I have been given a project with the chords supplied .. but needed the Tempo map for a click, RTs etc.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,071
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,071 |
RealTracks, without a doubt.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,891
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,891 |
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047 |
UserTracks should have a spot in there.
Could be a great future.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,799
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,799 |
Real Tracks and the ability to generate them quickly in RB
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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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,486
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,486 |
Notation editor.
I love the ease with which it's possible to notate melodies.
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 887
Expert
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Expert
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 887 |
Notation editor.
I love the ease with which it's possible to notate melodies. I not a fan of the notation editor inside of Band in a Box. I don't like the way it slices the leader lines into tiny grids. I would rather pick a note value and place it onto the staff.
Computer: Macbook Pro, 16 inch 2021 DAWs: Pro Tools, Logic, and Maschine plays drums, percussion, bass, steel pan, keyboard, music producer/engineer
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 697
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 697 |
I agree with Islansoul. Since the DOS days, I've never been comfortable with BB's Notation. I've used dozen of apps over the years to do that task. And PGM has ignored my Wishlist all these "years". I do admit it does get boring working in another app and then importing it.
DE
Win 10, 64 bit, love my Lenovo T420, BIAB 2019 (613), RB 2019 (2)
Short term memory is getting shorter.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,505
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,505 |
Isn't that interesting: I was debating citing the BIAB notation entry system as its best feature. It's probably the one that I thank the most every day for being the way it is. And I too have used all the common notation programs, including serving as a beta tester for one that works by picking a note value and placing it. I use BIAB to enter my melodies, then save them as MIDI to import into the notation program (the opposite of your method). I've written for symphony orchestra and been paid to transcribe, even by PG Music.
So what this proves is that we often have different preferences for how we work. Let's not get distracted by that, since it's obvious on this forum every day. Instead let's concentrate on the original question: what feature do you really like?
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 116
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 116 |
hello, what would be nice is that the problems linked to the user track is set peter gannon was announced in December 2015 in a post that they would solve the problem in January 2016 and today we have in August s 'Please pg music balbuena.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,492
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,492 |
I do like the rapid prototyping abilities the most.
Yes, there are other features that make it a great conglomerate of software.
But for me it is the easy chord entering interface to produce a protoype the fast way, add and exchange instruments, be it RealTracks or Midi. I can save several versions with their settings and reevaluate which one I will spend some more time to hone to my personal needs.
For the honing process I will use RealBand especially using its Band-in-a-Box features.
As I said before, until then BIAB's rapid protoyping abilities prevail.
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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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,010
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,010 |
How quickly I can get started making good sounding music with Band-in-a-Box.
I still get amazed when I select a style, set a tempo, enter a few chords, press the green generate button and out pops good sounding music. All my choices may eventually change but each project begins with good sounding music! How great is that?!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
Me too. It's still the basics, pick a style, enter the chords, hit Play. I've loved that since Day One and still do.
Also, guys stay on topic please? This is not the thread to complain about what someone thinks is a great feature. Just say what you like and leave the rest for another thread.
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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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,490
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,490 |
Can I be allowed two favorite features? Doesn't matter, I'll give you both.
1) The basic, original, auto-accompaniment feature, enter chord names, pick a style, click play - presto music
2) The StyleMaker - the ability to turn my ideas into a style that will work in the above feature.
Insights and incites by Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove & Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,523
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,523 |
Can I be allowed two favorite features? Doesn't matter, I'll give you both.
1) The basic, original, auto-accompaniment feature, enter chord names, pick a style, click play - presto music
2) The StyleMaker - the ability to turn my ideas into a style that will work in the above feature.
Insights and incites by Notes I'm with Notes on this one. The basic, original, auto-accompaniment feature is how JonD and I figure out some of our chord progressions. That is trying different chord transitions to see how they fit with a selected style. Plus I have used the stylemaker with great success.
The bumper sticker said "I'm a veterinarian, therefore I can drive like an animal". Suddenly I realized how many proctologists are on the road.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,580
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,580 |
I have to say: my favorite feature (and hopefully again soon) WAS using the 2015 Stylepicker (and earlier versions that permitted the similar approach) to quickly and effectively pick a RealStyle to substitute for the style in a MIDI file (oftentimes a MIDI is the initial tune I start with). I loved the ease, the expediency, and the effectiveness of quickly getting to a RealStyle that was "gggrrrreeeaaaattttt"!!! Based on previous threads about getting the 2015 Stylepicker capability back soon (at least via a toggle switch approach), I remain excited about this BIAB feature!! And don't get me wrong, I have the very highest of respect for what Dr. Gannon and PGMusic have created with BIAB and RB....absolutely awesome capabilities and a great joy to use!!!!!! THANKS, Cecil
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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® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
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The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
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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 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!
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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®.
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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
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