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Joined: Jan 2016
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PG Music Staff
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OP
PG Music Staff
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,664 |
Hello PG Forums! Many first-time Band-in-a-Box owners ask the the question: "Where do I start?!" Don't worry we're here to help! The first place I can recommend is the user manual found under the "Help" -> "Program Manuals (pdf)" -> "Display Program Manual" -- This is the fundamental guide of learning the features that Band-in-a-Box is capable of. For more specific How-to's and basic troubleshooting. You can visit our video support page located on http://www.pgmusic.com/videos.bbwin.htmYou also have access to a wealth of knowledge from our experienced users right here in the forums. Chances are if you have a question it has already been asked and there is already an answer. And of course, if Band-in-a-Box ever starts mis-behaving you have access to our technical support department Monday-Friday from 10am-5pm pacific time! Seen on our contact page here: http://www.pgmusic.com/contact.htmHappy learning!
Cheers,
Joe
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 40
Enthusiast
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I just started. I already had something to try out and within an hour or so had a song backing track produced. However this is as the biab delivers it in default mode, with no tweaks or adjustments,and its apparent that it has a way of doing what it wants as well.
In a repeat chorus you can hear and feel the exact repetition in every way. A human band would show a change in expression throughout. But of course biab is a machine not a human.
Choosing different styles presents a load of interpretations on a song and this is creative.
For a backing track in a noisy gig or a fist time demo its very good. In the clinical atmosphere of a studio, there would be much that you could find tempting to re-engineer.
So I think that to get the best I might find myself at times composing to the wants and needs of the software, in order to achieve a work around.
In working life mode I don't like sedentary jobs and prefer to be active. So I don't want to be hunched over a PC for too long. Biab will be fine for what I need.
Using: Dell 3268 i3, 8 GB ram, windows 10. Biab version 2017 standard package, no extras.
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Jun 2012
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Joined: Jun 2012
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You didn't mention which Tracks or styles you chose.
Remember that RealTracks are just that: Audio recordings, undertaken by professional musicians. They generally include all the nuances of a live production.
Did you chose RealTracks for your experiment?
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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I used the biab package. Tried some of the standard rock and pop styles and they all worked very well. However it was a backing track without a melody line. So that may well be required.
I put in the chorus section first, and it laid down a neat backing. Then the verses by inserting the bars. It sensed that and there followed an equally good backing. The build on the chorus was notable when it arrived at that point in the song.
There is a human intuitiveness with it, and the recorded tracks are obviously played. But when repeating there is no change and that is where the machine aspect is apparent. There seemed to be some shiftiness with major and min seventh.
I have also used the DigiTech trio, which is based on biab. Again this is a limited version looper pedal and works best when stripping the song down to simpler chords.
I wasn't aware of the significance of the real tracks, which somehow seems to have an identity of its own. Obviously they work together.
For a package punt its got a lot to offer. I didn't want to get all the way into a full blown audio workstation process, as that seems like a big operation. A lot more kit and time in a chair.
Last edited by duncanwhyte; 11/22/17 04:06 AM.
Using: Dell 3268 i3, 8 GB ram, windows 10. Biab version 2017 standard package, no extras.
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Jun 2012
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Thanks for the response. BTW, you still didn't mention which Tracks or Styles you chose.
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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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 40
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I just used the main screen to lay out the chords. It was already in a jazz mode, so I found the style changer and tried out some rock and pop styles. But cant remember exactly which one as there are hundreds in there. That's all.
Last edited by duncanwhyte; 11/22/17 06:57 PM.
Using: Dell 3268 i3, 8 GB ram, windows 10. Biab version 2017 standard package, no extras.
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,312
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,312 |
To find out at a glance if what you have loaded in Band-in-a-Box is a RealTrack, look to the top of the screen where it says the track names "Piano | Bass" | "Drums" etc...
If the text is GREEN, it's a RealTrack.
To expand on that, if the track name is green with a short underline it includes a RealChart.
If the track name is green and fully underlined and is a guitar track, it includes the RealChart and accurate tab and on-screen guitar fretboard display.
Callie
Marketing Representative
PG Music Inc.
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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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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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