|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,850
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,850 |
There is a lot of variety, interest and use of Band in a Box users. Some use it for practice, composition, others for accompaniment, notation, for production in their home studio and many just as a general hobby. Many users are a combination of purposes for BIAB. BIAB can be as easy as entering a chord chart, selecting a Key and tempo, select a style and instantly create a song to hours of meticulous input charting notation for a symphony orchestra piece.
I've wondered overall what is the most popular use for BIAB. I've created a brief survey questionnaire and ask as many a possible to participate. If these were book titles, which book would you most likely be interested enough to choose and read based on your interest in BIAB? If none closely fit your interest, provide an imaginary title that would be a title to a book about BIAB you would buy.
1. 101 Things You Did Not Know Band in a Box Can Do
2. How to make your Home Studio Sound like a Million Dollars
3. Programming Secrets to Practice, Accompany and Create Music with Band in a Box
Thanks for participating
Charlie
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,935
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,935 |
Hi Charlie. I would most likely pick up a book for the first option (101 things you did not know band-in-a-box can do). Sounds interesting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,514
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,514 |
#3, definitely. Not just for me, because I have a good understanding of all three areas, but because I think that #3 has the most potential. Callie from the PG Music staff is making a good start on #1 with her regular posts about "Did you know that BIAB can ...". #2, while critical info, is limited to a subset of BIAB users who record and produce. But #3 could be like the Tips and Tricks forum, but better organized. I see #3 as more like case studies. Charlie, how do you see it? ps, I just read Joanne's comment. Not only do I learn something new every day about BIAB, but it seems some days what I'm learning is something obscure I once knew... 
Last edited by Matt Finley; 10/14/17 06:48 AM.
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; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,495
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,495 |
Charlie, I can't separate the choices... I'd buy all three. I love learning about BIAB - thus choice #1. For me the program is used for my hobbies of songwriting and song-production so choices #2 and #3 both apply, too. Regards, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,569
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,569 |
Charlie,
I would buy all three books in this order, 3, 1, and then 2.
Ps - I looks like you have better start writing.
Back in my day the only time we started panic buying was when the bartender shouted "last call"!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,477
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,477 |
I would title mine:
"My Recording Studio is a Bonsai Tree in a Snow Globe:
The Miraculous Tiny World of Band in a Box."
I say this because back in the day a band member was an engineer at one of the largest studios in NYC and we would go in there at night and record (well, more like 4 a.m.)
Back then, it took half a football field sized room full of tape machines and gear to do what I do now in one small room. Back then, some of the machines that held the tapes alone were bigger than my SUV.
Now, I swear, with BIAB and some other VST tricks and gadgets and playing my own stuff too (but never having to wait for the drummer or wondering if a player will show up wasted) I can do more, and all the "hardware" works the same but it is glued to my screen as a GUI. And it doesn't cost $10 million dollars.
It still kind of blows my mind--and more and more each day. There is simply no limit to what you can do with this stuff. No limit.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 221
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 221 |
I'd go for 1 then 3 although 2 is what I'm using BIAB for. I'm using BIAB for instrumentation, not production.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 877
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 877 |
3, 1, 2. In that order. Do it! Please!
Band-in-a-Box 2024. Custom Build Desktop PC W/ Windows 10 Home 64-bit. CPU: Intel Core i5-9600k @ 3.7GHz (6 core x 6 threads) RAM: 16GB DDR4. Storage 238GB SSD + 2.7 TB HDD. GPU: ZOTAC NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,187
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,187 |
Pro Secrets: Creating Music with Band in a Box
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,891
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,891 |
1. 101 Things You Did Not Know Band in a Box Can Do 2. How to make your Home Studio Sound like a Million Dollars 3. Programming Secrets to Practice, Accompany and Create Music with Band in a Box ------------------- As a BIAB user I'd seriously consider #1 but it would be of no use to non-BIAB users I guess. I think 101 things would be difficult to come up with and I am always disappointed by books that make such a claim and them give 90 things that are common or typical and then only a handful of new ones. Would #2 be targetted at BIAB users? If so it should prolly have that in the title. Again, a book I'd seriously consider. Honestly "a Million Dollars" sounds a little hypey to me though.  Now, #3 would be interesting if I knew what you mean by programming. As an actual programmer (C++, Pascal, BASIC, PHP, Javascript & VBScript) I suspect there will be no actual programming in this book but maybe I am wrong. If this book is about how to code audio extensions to BIAB I'd be quite interested! Otherwise I'd not use the term programming. I guess if I had to pick one I'd say #1 as I love to discover new things about my tools!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,850
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,850 |
A quick clarification for #3 'programming'....
Programming is intended to mean inputting and manipulating the existing program sequences and not actual coding. It is meant to describe entering a set of instructions or sequencing actions in a specific order to create the desired outcome.
Think of it this way:
ie: When we create and enter a chord chart, set a key signature, set a tempo, select a style and generate, we are programming a song. When we follow a 5 step process to manually select bars and enter varying numbers that change the volume in the following bars, we are programming a fade in, gain change or fade out. Or finally, opening the Bar Settings, selecting an instrument from our style and mute the instrument, we are programming (input a set of instructions) a mute event. There are many different sequences of inputting data to manipulate BIAB and a lot are tucked away in submenus.
I tried to design the book titles to exaggerate in such a way to accent different different uses of BIAB. 101 Things BIAB can do would actually probably be easy to develop a list but most users would likely know 'some' of the 101 things but hopefully learn something new along the way. That idea came from YouTube where there's an abundance of "Ten things you never knew about ________" fill in the blank videos. Dcuny is close to one of the other titles I worked through before deciding on the #3 title listed.
Interesting and insightful comments and votes so far. Thanks for participating.
Matt, Yes, case studies would be an intergral part of Title #3.
Thanks for all your input guys.
Charlie
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
3, 1, 2 for me, because 1 would actually be almost the same as 3, how to program things I don't know how to do. THEN worry about my studio sound. Since everything I do (did) in my studio was line level anyway, my room didn't matter 99% of the time. Managing effects and such, well, I had an engineer for that. I just needed to make raw tracks and send them off to him. So I would buy 3 and 1 but probably not 2.
Would there be a #4 titled "How Eddie Can Finally Code In Half Note Triplets", because I have not been able to make them play without trying to do things that give me a headache thinking about, like "Put in a measure of 2 and change the tempo for just that measure to the square root of your original tempo multiplied by 6 and then stand on your head and pat your tummy while saying 'Nobody wanted to be in Kansas in the first place' and then it will magically work?" I have tried every combination of anticipating beats that I can think of and I CAN NOT make the music put the accent on 1, the + after 2, and 4, and I have literally spent HOURS on it and not been successful. I have a song waiting because the intro needs half note triplets.
Book 2 would have mattered before I sold off most of my studio equipment. "Studio" now is all done inside the box.
Last edited by eddie1261; 10/15/17 12:06 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,074
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,074 |
3, then 2, then 1 I think would be an ideal approach:
3. Programming Secrets to Practice, Accompany and Create Music with Band in a Box
2. How to make your Home Studio Sound like a Million Dollars
1. 101 Things You Did Not Know Band in a Box Can Do
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,163
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,163 |
Best use of Biab: Making professional sounding backing tracks.
Trax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 303
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 303 |
I think "3" is the most robust title and would draw the most people in, including me. Each of the 3 activities mentioned describes me (and a million others).
Title "1", the "101..." is not bad. Remarkably, I think it's truthful. BiaB can do a many disparate things.
Title "2" is horrible. Inaccurate, even misleading. BiaB doesn't make your studio sound anything like a million dollars, but it can make you as a musician sound better (knowledge, technique, creativity), if you work at it. YMMV.
(Not taking a shot at BiaB. It's the second best piece of music software I've ever bought.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,074
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,074 |
Title "2" is horrible. Inaccurate, even misleading. BiaB doesn't make your studio sound anything like a million dollars, but it can make you as a musician sound better (knowledge, technique, creativity), if you work at it. YMMV. Just to clarify, Title 2 doesn't mention Band In A Box at all. Title 2 simply states: "2. How to make your Home Studio Sound like a Million Dollars". I understood Title 2 to be discussing a more generic subject matter, and nothing at all specifically related to Band In A Box, so I fail to understand how "BiaB doesn't make your studio sound anything like a million dollars" and it is "Inaccurate, even misleading".
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 274
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 274 |
No1 and No3 please.
WendyM
BiaB2022PLUS,927. every extras pack I can find ;-),Sonar7XL,Win 10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,840
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,840 |
#2 makes me think of a a variation on an old Steve Martin routine: "You too can make your home studio sound like a million bucks. First, you get a million bucks, then..."
I'm surprised #1 isn't "50 Features You Didn't Know BIAB Could Do" (a play on PGMusic marketing language). I would like something more along the lines of "The Forgotten BIAB Features You Should Know". So often we hear "I didn't know BIAB could do that".
I really like #3, and I while I understand the "programming" explanation, I still think the title would incur some confusion. I would buy #3. I know I've got my own workflow in BIAB (and other software), but sometimes this old dog can learn some new tricks.
My vote is 3, 1, 2.
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)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,494
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,494 |
Hi Charlie,
I guess "1" would be the one I'd be most interested in checking out.
I use BiaB as a tool to help me make backing tracks for my duo and I also use it to make user styles and fake 'disks'.
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,497
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,497 |
Hi, Charlie !
You came up with some difficult questions
but I think I´d be most interested in
knowing more about what Bian really can do as
also in how to create the super sound that
some of the users seem to be able to generate
(not me) !
Cheers
Dani
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
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!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
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!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Order now!
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,087
Posts800,036
Members40,031
| |
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean