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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 824
Expert
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OP
Expert
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 824 |
I have been an Audiophile user for a long time and have become very confused about what is needed to both update the Audiophile version of 2017 and acquire the ALL XTRA STYLES PAK 1 & 2 and the 49-PAK.
I use a Windows 10 operating system and run everything from the Hard Drive supplied by PG Music, except for BB Song files which are on my Computer's hard drive in Libraries*.
UPDATES (WINDOWS)
I note that Andrew in his topic about RealTracks update for RealTracks released with Band-in-a-Box 2017 says that, "A separate 'Audiophile' edition patch is not required". Does this mean that none of the updates so far released for 2017 require a special Audiophile patch?
ALL XTRA STYLES PAK 1 & 2
I ordered the All Xtra Styles Pak 1 & 2 with my Audiophile 2017 thinking that it would be included on the BAND IN A BOX Hard Drive. What I received was just the Audiophile program on the Hard Drive, and a DVD-Rom disc for the ALL XTRA STYLES PAK. Is this the correct way to supply this PAK and should I now transfer the content of the DVD-ROM to the BAND IN A BOX Audiophile hard drive? I thought there was a difference between normal BB Styles and Audiophile BB in terms of compressed and uncompressed and I want to be sure the files on the DVD-ROM are correct for Audiophile.
49-PAK
I want to add this to my order but I have still not managed do that due to some confusion, probably mine, and there are only a couple of days left on this special.
The latest email from Sales says, "The 49PAK in the uncompressed format can't be shipped after the fact on DVD's. However, if you wanted to purchase the 49PAK in the compressed format as a download or on DVD's and then install in onto your 2017 Audiophile that would be possible"
If I had got quick replies to my emails, this situation would not have arisen. I would now ask if the final files I install as above on my 2017 Audiophile will be in the uncompressed format of the rest of the files? I do not see the point if they are not! That is also the fear I have for ALL XTRA STYLES PAK 1 & 2 above.
* A Separate General Question
* Just a separate question regarding the fact I keep All BB song files (mgu, sgu, mid, kar, etc. etc.) in my Libraries on my Computer's hard drive. Since the release of Windows 10 it seems that Libraries files in the different headings of Documents, Music, Pictures & Videos are handled differently, the operating system seeming to assume that all Music is of the recorded variety. I have been keeping my BB files Song files under the heading of 'Music' and I am wondering if it would now be better to keep them in 'Documents'.
Comment. I just wanted to say that, unlike previous occasions, the purchase of BAND IN A BOX 2017 has been a very confusing experience. From Australia it is virtually impossible to actually talk on the phone to anyone in Sales to straighten out errors on an order. The box is always "FULL - Please Hang Up". And it takes days to get an answer by email. Plus, you get a different sales contact for each email and they do not seem to read all the correspondence. Part of the problem is the software for ordering, which seems to send out the order without anybody checking that the order makes sense. I guess there are a lot of orders to handle these days and that is good but I still remember the days when most problems could be sorted out on this forum in next to no time.
Grah Jive Talk
"Don't worry baby, they'll swing their arses off."
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,414
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,414 |
Hi Graham, Here's my take on your questions. I've based my answers on comments that Callie made last year about purchases and comments Andrew and Matt Finley have made over the years about updates. Thanks for setting your questions out so clearly. It makes answering them much easier. UPDATES (WINDOWS)
I note that Andrew in his topic about RealTracks update for RealTracks released with Band-in-a-Box 2017 says that, "A separate 'Audiophile' edition patch is not required". Does this mean that none of the updates so far released for 2017 require a special Audiophile patch? The updates released to date are only program updates. These are the same for Audiophile and non-Audiophile users. It is the Realtrack and Realdrum updates that are different for Audiophile users and require a separate patch. So, if a new build includes actual RTs or RDs, as opposed to only the RT and RD instruction files (like ST2, STX), then a separate update will eventually come along. Also, if RT or RD updates come along, separate versions will be available. ALL XTRA STYLES PAK 1 & 2
I ordered the All Xtra Styles Pak 1 & 2 with my Audiophile 2017 thinking that it would be included on the BAND IN A BOX Hard Drive. What I received was just the Audiophile program on the Hard Drive, and a DVD-Rom disc for the ALL XTRA STYLES PAK. Is this the correct way to supply this PAK and should I now transfer the content of the DVD-ROM to the BAND IN A BOX Audiophile hard drive? Correct. You need to install the Styles DVD to the USB drive. Style files are the same for all versions of BIAB. (As mentioned above, it's only the RT and RD files that are version dependent.) 49-PAK
I want to add this to my order but I have still not managed do that due to some confusion, probably mine, and there are only a couple of days left on this special.
The latest email from Sales says, "The 49PAK in the uncompressed format can't be shipped after the fact on DVD's. However, if you wanted to purchase the 49PAK in the compressed format as a download or on DVD's and then install in onto your 2017 Audiophile that would be possible"
If I had got quick replies to my emails, this situation would not have arisen. I would now ask if the final files I install as above on my 2017 Audiophile will be in the uncompressed format of the rest of the files? I do not see the point if they are not! That is also the fear I have for ALL XTRA STYLES PAK 1 & 2 above. The 49 Bonus Pak is separate and needs to be purchased when you order the Audiophile version. You also need to explicitly state that you require the Audiophile version of the 49 Pak (because it contains RTs and RDs). It will then be installed on the USB drive for you before shipping. * A Separate General Question
* Just a separate question regarding the fact I keep All BB song files (mgu, sgu, mid, kar, etc. etc.) in my Libraries on my Computer's hard drive. Since the release of Windows 10 it seems that Libraries files in the different headings of Documents, Music, Pictures & Videos are handled differently, the operating system seeming to assume that all Music is of the recorded variety. I have been keeping my BB files Song files under the heading of 'Music' and I am wondering if it would now be better to keep them in 'Documents'. Not being a Windows 10 user, I can't really comment here. I keep all my BIAB song files in a separate folder directly off the root drive and not one of the Windows directories like Documents, Music, etc. Hope this helps, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,822
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,822 |
Graham -
Although a number of folks call RealTracks "styles", styles are really a file with pointers to the various RealTracks you may be using. The style files are the same, whether you are using the Audiophile WAV version or the regular WMA version. So, buying the XTRA styles pack is not buying any new RealTracks (WAV files), but merely a bunch of style files that PGMusic has put together that point to the RealTracks you have (whether Audiophile or not). The reality of it is, you could actually create all those style files yourself, buy it would take a long time. PGMusic has merely mixed and matched existing Realtracks in different ways to create new unique styles to make it easier to select an appropriate style for your songs, and called the XTRA styles. No extra RealTracks, just new combinations of existing RealTracks.
The reason there is not a separate RealTracks update for Audiophile is that the actual recordings were not altered; they merely made corrections to the text files that define the offsets within the recordings to use to create your song track. That's the same whether you are using Audiophile or not.
Hope that helped.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
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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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