Music XML (notation export/import) has been enhanced. We've worked with Finale, GuitarPro, and Sibelius to enhance features and compatibility with Music XML.
Support for time-based VSTi plugins such as EZ drummer, Jamstix, Rapid Composer, etc.
Pitch shifting and tempo stretching has been greatly enhanced with the integration of the newest version of the world-leading Elastique 3.
The Guitar Notation display has been enhanced. You can now enter and display guitar bends, slides, hammer-ons, and pull-offs with notation graphics indicating these elements. ...and more!
It's HORRIBLE!! This (as usual) is not really an upgrade, imo. It's a re-design for the sake of nothing, and it now takes 3x more mouse clicks to find anything and make it work. One of my pet software peeves is 'upgrades' that are little more than BAD GUI re-design. You thought you KNEW this program? Not anymore! Gee, thanks for upping my learning curve, and 'fixing' the GUI to be confusing and way worse than what it's replacing! You've buried the track menu into the edit menu... why? You've killed numeric keypad +/- up-down scrolling for patches, ports, etc. in classic tracks... it now takes 5 keystrokes instead of 1; you've stolen half my screen area for huge half-empty button panels that contain nothing I need, ("title" in huge letters, is one of the LAST things I need to know! Duh!) while disappearing stuff I use all the time... like where did the marker arrows go??? Where are the audio/midi panels buttons?
I upgraded to 17 only because of the new node/rubber-band volume control on tracks, and I was hoping that track selections would also have drag-able edges. STILL not there! That's just primitive, and so long overdue! There's a lot to hate about this useless re-design, but now let's get to a few bugs that I've noticed:
MIDI Track edit windows arbitrarily have/don't have horizontal scroll bar function. And here's a really bad one, that cost me at LEAST a day's work: Don't even think about temporarily disabling real-time effects to concentrate your computer power to the task of a multi-channel audio recording! (I do 8 tracks at once) When you're ready to re-enable them, you'll find all your carefully adjusted real-time effects have DISAPPEARED!!! SERIOUSLY?? "Disable" actually means "DELETE!" How 'bout putting that in "tips?" Along with a disclaimer: "By clicking here you understand and agree that PG Music will not reimburse you for your many hours of lost hard work, even though the blame lies 100% with us." It reminds me of the laughable version 10, where touching the master fader re-sets ALL track faders to match it! THANKS. Hours of mixing work just GONE!
I've been using PT since it was a DOS-only program, based in Hamilton, On. I've upgraded often during the decades, and I've been a big fan, up until now. I'm still new to v.17, but I've already had enough. It's making my work harder and slower, not faster and easier, and as such, gets my endorsement as a downgrade. When building 'upgrades,' you guys have to keep only ONE criteria front & center: does it require fewer or more mouse-clicks/key-strokes than before? If the answer is more, then it qualifies as a downgrade. I'm a fast power user; any extra clicks or strokes just add aggravation and time to my work. Even 1 extra second is deadly; times several hundred clicks in a day easily adds up to lost HOURS, so how is that an improvement? Version 13 isn't bad, but still the best, quickest, and easiest to use that I have is version 8, my go-to for full-featured no-bs production. No fancy graphical interface.. I can actually read the labels... and my computer isn't struggling to display a lot of window-dressing.
With that in mind, I'm curious about version 9, which I skipped. It may be the version that suits me best, and I'd like to try it, and I'll gladly pay for it. Can you please arrange for me to download it? Thank-you in advance.
Overall, it's pretty obvious that PG is not that interested in PT anymore... it's actually buried on the website, which is all about BB, and all its accessories. But many of us ACTUAL MUSICIANS don't need an "insta-band" program, or use loops to create music... pro users like me just need a good, STABLE, full-featured sequencer that doesn't work against us. You at PG should be paying much more attention to PT; in my opinion, it is (or SHOULD be) your flagship software, not the consumer/non-musician oriented band-in-a-box. I've never seen PT get any cred in the music production biz... (go figure... I've been promoting its virtues all along), and that deserves to change, but it won't until you guys get it right, promote it more, and get with the pro market, for whom workflow and efficiency is paramount. This version doesn't get it right at all, and PT's obscurity in the recording community will only deepen, as users like me see finally abandoning it as the only option. Give me back my lost effects! :-(
I take it that you are not aware of PG Music's 30-day money-back guarantee. I'm not an employee of PG Music but I do know that if, for whatever reason, the software you buy doesn't suit you, you simply need to contact the sales staff and ask for a refund within the 30 day period from purchase.
Fortunately with Powertracks, it's very easy to reinstall and run the previous version that suited you best.
It depends on how you use PowerTracks, but you might be better making the big jump of learning a new DAW like REAPER that you can customize more if you are not happy with PT. Or, there's another option of using ReWireVST with PT ??? http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=371691
One improvement that would be welcome by many a users would be removing channel 10 as a set drum track. In the 90's when midi started, it was applicable, but today given that advent of where VST has gone it is just a lost track when you hit 10 in your second and third VST set up, and it becomes annoying after a while to lose a channel.
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
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!
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
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!
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!
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!
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 Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac 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!
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.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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