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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: 19,839
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,839 |
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 2025
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,674
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,674 |
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 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA BB2025/UMC404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/MixBus/Notion/Finale/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com
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New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
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
Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)
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!
The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!
Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!
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
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!
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!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 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.
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!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 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.
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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