It seems to be "that time of year" when I turn of notifications from BIAB due to the flood of posts regarding problems with the new version. "Early uptakers" really should review their position - historically there're teething or worse problems that are solved over time. Perhaps there should be a specific sub forum for correspondence related to the newest version.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
It seems to be "that time of year" when I turn of notifications from BIAB due to the flood of posts regarding problems with the new version. "Early uptakers" really should review their position - historically there're teething or worse problems that are solved over time. Perhaps there should be a specific sub forum for correspondence related to the newest version.
It will only be my second year with PG if and when i buy 2018 but it seems to me that December pricing is at a big discount because its issued buggy to hit a date and those buyers take the pain for their monetary gain. Problem is that non-technical numpties like me who just want to make musicc are thwarted by issues they cant solve until a Fix comes out. Mind you-it is BIG discount. Mmmmhhhh??!! Lol
BiaB2022PLUS,927. every extras pack I can find ;-),Sonar7XL,Win 10
It will only be my second year with PG if and when i buy 2018 but it seems to me that December pricing is at a big discount because its issued buggy to hit a date and those buyers take the pain for their monetary gain. Problem is that non-technical numpties like me who just want to make musicc are thwarted by issues they cant solve until a Fix comes out. Mind you-it is BIG discount. Mmmmhhhh??!! Lol
I think you're right, as right now my BIAB system is a bit messed up, but to tell you the truth, BIAB 504 seems quite stable. Though i might have to do a fresh install (Noel's suggestion) of all the goodies present and leave out all the older plus pack stuff etc, to see if that gets rid of f.i. erroneous messages i have about RTs present or not, missing soloists. And the darn bloody interface as always is too filled with drop down with "more" dropdown sub menus. Took me a while to find where the VST/DXI synth was addressed since they moved the page. BUT for those interested: Halion Sonic 3 64bit dll works (as with 2017 470) without jBridge, and is IMO one of the best GM synth modules of the present day. A tip; with both BIAB and Realband you'll need them to run as administrator, otherwise the VST's GUI won't load.
What i still miss most is of the menus and sub menus have to be closed by mouse clicks, and not by the escape button on the PC's keyboard. And also that BIAB 2018 still cannot sync to an external MIDI clock or MIDI time code. - F
Fiddler, that sounds like a great idea, closing all menus with Esc. I don’t recall seeing this idea before. You should put it in the BIAB Wishlist Forum so the developers see it.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Wendy, as this is your first experience updating to a new version, I can reassure you that things should settle down long before the sale pricing ends at the end of this month. As mentioned, the current build has no show stoppers of which I am aware. Nothing that remains to be fixed stops you from making music with the new RealTracks.
One thing you and others may not know is that the BIAB installer creates backups of the current version before installing the new. It’s always possible to revert by copying the older BBW.EXE and use that if you run into a serious problem. In over 25 years using BIAB, I only had to do this once to finish a project. The rest of the time I ‘live dangerously’ and install each update and upgrade with no hesitation.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Thats me Matt. "Live Danger Mousely". lol.its hubbys nickname for me especialy in the kitchen or if using his(our) PC. If it can go wrong ut usually does. He uses IT daily but says he's stunned how i can create a band with just one finger. Im going to go for it and just pray i dont get my 2017 probs with Forte and silent chord bilder coming back to haunt with 2018. Wendy BTW whats the logic behind RT vids? Why would User want to SEE what Brent is playing?;-)
BiaB2022PLUS,927. every extras pack I can find ;-),Sonar7XL,Win 10
Very thoughtful observations. I always learn from the questions you ask too as I consider each one to be a learning experience for me.
Yes the price is tempting but I understand your concern about bugs. One approach that might be worth consideration is to purchase now and install later. A second approach maybe to purchase now and partially install; for instance install some or most of the content but delay installing the program.
For some people it's the added content that excites them while others can't wait to try out the new features.
I'm very proud of PG Music and the steps they are taking to stabilize the BiaB and RealBand programs. They released 16 updates to 2017 Band-in-a-Box for Windows and 6 updates to 2017 RealBand. Additionally, six updates were released for RealTracks.
I use to be employed by a software developer and I can assure you the strongest testing regime can not test the software as much as the first day software is released. There are just too many variations in how users utilize the software, operating systems and hardware platforms. Also it is very possible for underlying, unknown hardware issues to interfere with diagnosing and resolving software faults.
While every software is released with issues there comes a time when it is better to release what you have than never release it until every known issue is addressed.
I would be much more upset if the updates slowdown or stop.
BTW whats the logic behind RT vids? Why would User want to SEE what Brent is playing?;-)
That is a good question many are asking right now. At first I thought, "what? - I didn't see that on coming". One thing for sure it tells me, PG has a vision for what he wants to market in BIAB and he is going to pursue it. I think a lot of folk don't fully appreciate how innovative this guy is. They keep asking for one thing or another that they think should be added. But we see here, the Boss ultimately decides.
So I have now rendered a simple single "video realtrack" and can view the piano playing along. Honestly, not sure what to make of it from my perspective at this very early introduction. I suspect there will be a lot of discussion of this new feature in the days and months to come.
So that is my two cents.
BIAB – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud (Tip: No need to create a SC account to hear music - just hit ESC ).
snip ...BTW whats the logic behind RT vids? Why would User want to SEE what Brent is playing?;-)
I don't have 2018 but from the demo video I can see where many users will appreciate having the ability to integrate the videos. 1) Educational so the user can see "that's how it's done). 2) Find out what instrument and settings are used to make it easier to duplicate the recorded sound. 3) make your video look more like a real band is playing by integrating the solo video into the overall video.
Wendy, Jim's comments about testing are correct (I'm a former comp. sci. prof) but I read that some of the new styles require version 2018 to work. So I'm not sure how to go halfway in. I recommend you just do it. In testing, we had no problems with Coyote Forte nor the chord builder sound.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
I like the Buy now, install later idea. Hadnt thought if doing it that way.At the moment vids are of no interest for what i do.It looks clever but of limited use. Wendy
BiaB2022PLUS,927. every extras pack I can find ;-),Sonar7XL,Win 10
There is, where beta testers continue to report to developers.
Thanks for that info. Matt. The sub exists but for Beta testers which is logical but doesn't reduce the number of messages that appear in the general forum for latest release purchasers. The buy now/install later option is a pretty good work around for buyers - so long as the link/facility doesn't go stale. Good thoughts/questions from Wendy. I assume I'll have to stop notifications or activate the junk mail option for the duration.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
It will only be my second year with PG if and when i buy 2018 but it seems to me that December pricing is at a big discount because its issued buggy to hit a date and those buyers take the pain for their monetary gain. Problem is that non-technical numpties like me who just want to make musicc are thwarted by issues they cant solve until a Fix comes out. Mind you-it is BIG discount. Mmmmhhhh??!! Lol
Well said Wendy. I suppose the usual caveats apply, but one does hope that a purchase is fit for purpose from the outset. Knowing there're floods at this time of year means moving to higher ground. The buy now/download & install later option is a good one but would thwart the patching if it became a popular one there by merely holding back the flood beaver style.
Last edited by rayc; 12/03/1702:06 PM.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
It will only be my second year with PG if and when i buy 2018 but it seems to me that December pricing is at a big discount because its issued buggy to hit a date and those buyers take the pain for their monetary gain. Problem is that non-technical numpties like me who just want to make music are thwarted by issues they cant solve until a Fix comes out. Mind you-it is BIG discount. Mmmmhhhh??!! Lol
Chances are really good that you will be able to make music with few, if any, complications. A lot of issues reported as bugs are in fact not bugs in the program, but due to either operator error, settings changed or installation errors. The few bugs being found after release are usually peripheral and are not obstacles to the main program operation. Crashes for the most part are from drivers and settings. Fix once on your system and done with it. It's easy to review the fixes in each release to date and see how many would have effected how you use your program. Not many have applied to me and hopefully, it will be the same for you. Any that would effect your system have been identified and fixed.
I speculate that PGMusic staff and many forum members are paying closer attention to forum posts and working longer hours to quickly address and correct issues members encounter. Ordering now and installing now provides you the benefit of addressing any possible issue with a fast acknowledgement and a quick fix.
The benefits are many and while there is some risk, there's also a parachute.
If you look at "My Account" from the main PGMusic web page (not the forum page) and then click on the "My Products" link, you should see everything you have ordered/registered with PGMusic. I can see everything back to 2015, when they first implemented the new "My Account" feature. So i can still download a complete 2015 EverythingPAK, a 2016 EverythingPAK, a 2017 EverythingPAK, a 2018 EverythingPAK, and the other software I've purchased from them (PowerTracks, etc).
I don't think there will be a problem with the link going stale.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA
If you look at "My Account" from the main PGMusic web page (not the forum page) and then click on the "My Products" link, you should see everything you have ordered/registered with PGMusic. I can see everything back to 2015, when they first implemented the new "My Account" feature. So i can still download a complete 2015 EverythingPAK, a 2016 EverythingPAK, a 2017 EverythingPAK, a 2018 EverythingPAK, and the other software I've purchased from them (PowerTracks, etc).
I don't think there will be a problem with the link going stale.
I contacted PG Music Sales concerning programs and product I purchased prior to 2014. I was provided with temporary product download links once my claim was verified. Evidently, sales records exist of all prior sales.
That's a good thing because some of the products I purchased exist on floppy disks. Did I mention my computer doesn't have a floppy drive? I'm sure some people experience the same issue with software products that are on CD or DVDs. Make sure you register any product you physically receive so you can have the download link as back up.
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: 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.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 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.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!
We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!
Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:
Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, 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, and more!
Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
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
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!
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
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!
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!
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!
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.
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