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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2011
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Hi, I have seen several posts in the past about biab files with melody and lyrics being illegal, but I still have a question about this. If someone in this forum is knowledgeable about this, as I am almost certain there is, would you mind clarifying exactly what that means? Does it mean no one sells or is allowed to sell, say Jazz Standard BIAB files that includes melody and lyrics? Is there not any method they can pay the royalties to sell such a product? If not, it seems a shame that in a format like BIAB, and as powerful as it is, that there is no way to legally sell copy-written material. Wouldn't this open up new revenue potential for the copyright owners? I would like to purchase Jazz Standard or even Pop/Rock BIAB files legally and not have to bother with buying a second product like a book, that is not needed. These BIAB files would have to use top notch quality REAL tracks only for me to be really interested. If there are people or companies out there legally selling BIAB files with melody and lyrics, (but expecially melody), a few links would be greatly appreciated. Several posts mention Norton Music, but there are no melodies in their products. I have followed this link, http://www.justchords.de/docs/biab/ , but don't believe these use REALTRACKS as the names are in 8.3 format; in other words, they are old and before the advent of REALTRACKS in BIAB. Just listening to a few of them, the quality leaves a lot to be desired. Sure, I could work on them and get them sounding better, but this is what I am trying to avoid. Sorry for the long post, Dan
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Are you prepared to pay $300-500 for such a collection? Bob Norton said years ago he looked into paying the royalties so he could include melodies and it was over a dollar per song. The Real Books are over 400 songs each.
What we all do is simply scour the web for Biab songfiles. A lot of sites have been taken down due to threats of lawsuits but some are still around.
As for using old Biab songfiles with RT's that's no problem at all. All you is select a Real Track style and hit play. I think the oldest files I have are dated in the mid 90's. They play fine with Biab 2017, it's the styles that determine if it's midi or Real Tracks.
Oh, and don't fall into the old trap concerning cheezy sounding old files. That crap sound you hear is simply the synth you're using. PC's do not come with an expensive sound engine, they use a very small (read cheap like pennies) piece of software for sound. Play the same file with Sampletank 3 or a dedicated hardware synth and you'll be amazed at how good it is.
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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......... Bob Norton said years ago he looked into paying the royalties so he could include melodies and it was over a dollar per song.. IMO them royalty meddling organizations are real criminal mafia businesses; as composer (mainly video, but some songs) a really get little money out of their looting ... F
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I tried to do this legally, and it's impossible. I went to the Harry Fox Agency (who represents the majority of the publishers) and to individual publishers who don't use the HFA. The results were: - It took up to 6 months to get an answer for each song file. (BiaB rights are not covered under any standard contract like mechanical rights are.)
- Many of the publishers just flat out said "No" to putting their melody or lyrics being put into Band-in-a-Box
- The publishers who said "Yes" wanted from $1.00 to $2.50 per song. Since that averages to $1.75 per song, and my fake disks usually have between 100 and 800 songs per disk, it means I'd have to charge from $175.00 to $1,400.00-US PER DISK in royalties alone. IF I could get the rights for all the songs (and I can't).
- The publishers also wanted me to prepay the royalties up front for up to 5,000 copies before I could sell the first file.
So I wrote to HFA about the high per-song price and told them I could buy a fake book for less than $0.10 per song, and the answer was "Buy the book." So I create my files so you can load the song, open the book, and play the melody from the book while the song plays. I input them in the same arrangement as the book, and in most cases don't use any BiaB repeats and tags so if you want to add an ad-lib solo, you can set the repeats yourself and extend the song. Then I send them out to sub-contractors to pick the best style for the song from all the currently available styles for BiaB. If I did this myself, I'd favor my own styles because I know them best. So I tell the subcontractors not to favor my styles but to be as true to the music as possible. I also tell them if one of my styles and a PG style work equally as well, choose the PG style. (And I pay the subcontractors a piece of every disk I sell.) Of course my fake disks are not disks anymore, When I started I sold them on 3.5" and 5.25" floppy disks. Then I moved to CD-R. Now that they are instant download, I still call them disks because I don't know what else to call them. To answer your original question; If someone is selling song files in BiaB format for less then $5.00 PER SONG it is is definitely illegal ... and it's also illegal for you to purchase them ... {not that the odds of you getting caught buying them are great - but if you do, the penalty is severe). In the USA if caught, it's up to $5,000 and 5 years in prison. For a business it's double that. That's why I took my lawyers advice, and I sell chord progressions only, since chord progressions cannot be copyrighted. I think many of the publishers simply don't want to take the time to investigate BiaB so they either say "No" or price it arbitrarily too high to be practical to discourage anyone doing it. 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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As a long-time user/player with BIAB, I’m not sure why anyone would want complete songs, with the melody included. I thought BIAB was a practice/learning tool, whereby the player would supply their own solo, melody, vocal, or whatever. Chord changes only, here.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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As a long-time user/player with BIAB, I’m not sure why anyone would want complete songs, with the melody included. I thought BIAB was a practice/learning tool, whereby the player would supply their own solo, melody, vocal, or whatever. Chord changes only, here. Sorry, disagree, quite a few songs without melody included are missing the cream, especially if you want to learn something essential from them ... And as said, it stinks; the royalty - publishers circus is nothing better than a mob. This kind of profits-tearing is IMO just theft from composers and songwriters as they only get very small amounts of this looting. Time they should do away with this scamming business IMO. They're just as bad as the oil-bizz and bankers behave usually in our "society". Oohoohoo-oops, no politics LoL. -F
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Journeyman
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J. Larry,
Also being a long-time user, I am sorry to disagree with you that BIAB is only a “practice/learning tool” as it can be so much more.
For me it is:
1) “My band”, which I work with “real time”. It even makes it possible for me to sing “Four Freshmen”-style arrangements, all by myself!
2) Am also using it as an arranger (of mostly jazz tunes) and there a complete song with chords and melody is a very handy “starting point” of any arrangement (pop, folk or jazz).
3) Finally, I also use it to compose on and I can hear different chord progressions “in the flesh” as I work on them.
Hope this can be an “eye opener” to anyone with restricted view of the use of BIAB!
Brgds,
Tonnie
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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It's a Band, In a Box.
It should be considered flexibly to being able to deliver 'as much' or 'as little' as the end user requires.
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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We all have our own ways of using Band-in-a-Box. When I bought it in the late 1980s or early 1990s it was nothing more than a practice tool for me. I would enter the chords and practice improvisation with my saxophone on unfamiliar songs to try out different ways of analyzing the chords and progressions. After all, the art of improv is to create and release tensions with the band, and without a band that's not easy to do. Then BiaB came with the ability to write styles and since I thought BiaB's original 24 were missing a lot of styles, I wrote some of my own, shared them with friends, who encouraged me to take out an ad in Electronics Musician Magazine. As BiaB grew in it's capabilities and as I grew in my style writing skills, I found it a great tool to practice and improve the arranging skills that I learned in school. I still write styles, along with fake disks, but I also use it or at least parts of it to help me write backing tracks for my duo http://www.nortonmusic.com/backing_tracks.htmlI love the MIDI harmony feature, so when making backing tracks, I can play in the top note of a horn or string line and let BiaB do the 'mule work' of adding the harmony parts. It almost always does that the way I learned it in school. But I never-ever use it for melody (that doesn't mean it's wrong to do that). I want to play the melody myself. And I never-ever use those RealStyles where one instrument is overplaying (IMHO) and ends up stepping on the melody. I never use the notation as anything but an aid in making styles, as I have a full-featured notation app that is more flexible. There are plenty of other features I never use, but that doesn't mean others don't enjoy and get use out of them. I'd love to be able to put the melodies in my fake disks. I'd play them in real-time with my wind controller and end up with a product that the melody seekers would like. Plus it would be fun to do. But the law says I can't do that without permission and permission is too costly for the customer base I have or think I could cultivate with this niche product, so I abide by the law. And I have mixed feelings about the law. I feel that there should be a standard low charge for putting it in there (say $0.05 or so per song), and send the royalties to the publisher of each song to be shared with the composer. Of course, that would involve a lot of paperwork but in this day and age a computer could do all this with minimal effort on the part of the seller. But that probably won't happen. It seems the industry would rather fight digital users than work with them. But then, I'm on the outside looking in. There used to be a site that sold MIDI files of the Real Book with melodies, but it was shut down, I suspect by ASCAP or BMI and the owner probably got in big trouble. BTW, I'm doing a fake disk for "The Real Book Sixth Edition" that should be out in my next release. I've been working on it for well over a year, trying to get the right styles and choosing which extensions to use when BiaB doesn't support an particular chord (and there are many in the Real Book). I'm on what I think is the final revision. It's been a labor of love but more time consuming than I figured to do it right. There will be no melodies or lyrics in it though. My business has been audited by BMI twice and in the end they did not accuse me of doing anything wrong, so the lawyer fee I paid when I started my business was worth every penny when BMI came knocking at my door. While I don't agree with the copyright laws, as a legitimate business owner, I have no ethical choice but to abide by them. In the two BMI audits since the early 1990s obeying the law proved to be the right thing to do. Since BiaB is a niche of a niche product (musicians -> musicians who use computers -> musicians who use computers and use auto-accompaniment programs -> musicians who use computers who use auto-accompaniment programs and own Band-in-a-Box -> musicians who use computers who use auto-accompaniment programs and own Band-in-a-Box and want songs with melodies and lyrics included) perhaps the copyright people might do something standard like mechanical royalties, but I suspect there are so many niche of a niche apps out here that they don't feel it's worth their time and money to set that up. Of course that's just opinion as I said, I'm on the outside looking in. So anyway if you find what you are looking for, it's probably not legal to sell it and not legal to buy the stolen merchandise. I wish it was not that way. 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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In the couple of cases where I found a song with a melody in BIAB form on the Internet, I have noticed lots of errors and/or simplifications and it's faster for me to just transcribe it myself.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Much thanks for all your replies.
My goal would be to use BIAB to play live instrumental music, possibly saving the end file on mp3s and pdfs and use that to play with instead of BIAB itself.
I would follow the melody along for a chorus or two then solo over the changes for a while, etc. Although I have been playing a long time, I have not developed improvisation skills to a great extent, so displaying or printing the scales along with the melody would help with improvisation.
From your replies, I see there is no easy way to do this, like purchasing "one" product and using it. Looks like there is going to be some work involved in getting everything ready; not that I mind a great deal, but it it going to take some time.
One other alternative I am considering is purchasing Hal Leonard Playalong books with CDs. I have a friend who does this and likes it, although he doesn't play live with them.
I agree that the Music Industry is really behind the curve on digital formats. It seems absurd to me; all this for me to play in a venue that is already paying for Music copyrights to be played there anyway.
Thanks again,
Dan
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I don't agree the music industry is behind on this particular digital issue, because this is one of the only areas where rampant piracy is discouraged. If you made a living writing music, you might agree with me.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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I agree with Matt. Stop pirating and the copyrights would not be necessary.
Many of the younger generation think that music, among other things, should be free. Not me! I still buy CDs, vinyl and MP3s. The MP3s I usually burn to a disc. We have those values instilled in our kids and they also buy CDs and DVDs.
As a local music store's bumper sticker says "Support your local musicians"
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Here, here!
STRONGLY agree with Matt and Mario and would think that ALL who make, or augment, their living with MUSIC (in any form) would "get it."
"Stuff" is NOT free, "stuff" represents someones labor or IP and it must be compensated for by consumer(s) of that labor or IP - unless said OWNER of "stuff" says it's free.
You may not like it and you may think the cost of "stuff" is too high but that is immaterial.
Larry
Win10Pro,i9,64GB,2TBSSD+20TBHDDs,1080TI,BIAB'24,Scarlett18i8,Montage7,Fusion 8HD,QS8,Integra7,XV5080,QSR,SC-8850,SPLAT,FL21&others,Komp.14,IK suite&others, just a guitar player-AXE FX III &FM9T, FishmanTP, MIDIGuitar2, GK2/3'sw/GI20
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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STRONGLY agree with Matt and Mario and would think that ALL who make, or augment, their living with MUSIC (in any form) would "get it."
"Stuff" is NOT free, "stuff" represents someones labor or IP and it must be compensated for by consumer(s) of that labor or IP - unless said OWNER of "stuff" says it's free. Agree with the above, however, the O/P never asked for anything free. This thread was never intended to be about free or pirated music. They were always prepared to pay, viz: "Does it mean no one sells or is allowed to sell, say Jazz Standard BIAB files that includes melody and lyrics?"
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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.. And I have mixed feelings about the law. I feel that there should be a standard low charge for putting it in there (say $0.05 or so per song), and send the royalties to the publisher of each song to be shared with the composer .. IMO that seems reasonable, although i feel composers get only 10% or less out of that, even if the charges are as high as 1.50%. PS about where all this money travels: My experience with producing a commercial CD with about 12 tracks the mechanical rights owner (CD production company) pays around $ 1.00 to 1.50 per printed CD in advance via the pressing plant for both copyrights AND mechanical rights. Usually the studio musicians are paid already directly per recorded "side" or recorded track as they call it here. So if you play three instruments you're paid for 3 "sides" on the job. Apart from that there is also a skimmed fee of .000x for the creative work per sold CD for the hired recording musicians. The company in the Netherlands doing that is called SENA. Been a member for maybe 20 years there since they started as backroom foundation; they now own a terrific chique office building, many employees plus luxury magazine. I have been doing a bit of studio work as fiddler and more over the years, especially in Germany, with all their organizing capabilities as i saw the forms to be sent in after both theater shows and recording studio work, but never got one single penny out of their looting. BIAB's real track musicians actually are legally entitled here to the latter if their recordings, or even samples, end up on a commercial recording. F
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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STRONGLY agree with Matt and Mario and would think that ALL who make, or augment, their living with MUSIC (in any form) would "get it."
"Stuff" is NOT free, "stuff" represents someones labor or IP and it must be compensated for by consumer(s) of that labor or IP - unless said OWNER of "stuff" says it's free. Agree with the above, however, the O/P never asked for anything free. This thread was never intended to be about free or pirated music. They were always prepared to pay, viz: "Does it mean no one sells or is allowed to sell, say Jazz Standard BIAB files that includes melody and lyrics?" Yes, you are correct however the thread took a turn to why is it so expensive to add melody lines. I was just adding to that part of the thread.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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win 10 64 bit 16gb,i7 chip, ssd 500gb, m-audio air, ,Roland BK-7M, 1000,shure sm7b,sonar,acid,mixcraft, variety of plugins.Sample tank 3,Kontakt. TC Helicon Voicelive 3 2 . https://beatmaster1.bandcamp.com/releases
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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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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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Peter Gannon Talks Band-in-a-Box with zplane
zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!
Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
Check out the full interview here: https://products.zplane.de/blog/peter-gannon-interview-pg-music
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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 amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac 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 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed 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 transcribe 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, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
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Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Don't wait - order today!
Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
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