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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 603
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 603 |
What are you all thinking about this "plugin mode"?
The name is not very apt. No plugins involved. At first I dared hope they had made BB itself into a VST, the way Jammer has been handled. That was a misdirection. Maybe they thought of the operation as "plugging" BB tracks into a proper sequencer, which it does just fine. MIDI tracks transfer by instinctive dragging between windows (with their instrument assignments and other settings intact). Very slick. It's going to be great to make backing tracks.
"Plugin mode" does screw with your scaled-down window sizes pointlessly. It resizes you when it opens. It reverts you to a full screen when it closes. When you re-start BB, it has forgotten earlier window position and size. That part needs work.
It's hard (perhaps impossible) to tell from looking at the screen whether you're in "Plugin Mode" or not. They probably need to give more of a visual clue about that.
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Last edited by allis; 12/08/09 12:35 PM.
Larry
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
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Its purpose, as I understand it, is to leave a little bit of BIAB in a window that is always on top, so you can more easily drag and drop tracks into another program. This is a wonderful addition for me, and it works very well with SONAR that I use. I am not intending to dismiss your observations, just make a point about the purpose.
About the window, we found out that one thing you do not want to do is maximize the window you get with the plugin mode. Instead, go back to the button on the toolbar and click it, and you will see the option to end the plug-in mode.
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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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 603
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 603 |
Quote:
Its purpose, as I understand it, is to leave a little bit of BIAB in a window that is always on top, so you can more easily drag and drop tracks into another program. This is a wonderful addition for me, and it works very well with SONAR that I use. I am not intending to dismiss your observations, just make a point about the purpose.
About the window, we found out that one thing you do not want to do is maximize the window you get with the plugin mode. Instead, go back to the button on the toolbar and click it, and you will see the option to end the plug-in mode.
Hi, Matt.
I too am using it with Sonar. And my understanding is the same as yours, so there isn't anything to get slighted about.
Clicking the button on the toolbar at the end is exactly what causes it to go full screen. It assumes full screen has to be you were before you started the "Plugin Mode". At the end it tries to help you out going back to full screen and erasing all trace of what setup thge user had tried to set up.
Not a big trouble. Few will care, and it will never be changed.
Larry
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,278
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Quote:
The beta testers, habituated to full screen over 20 years, possibly never saw it.
Not sure what's your quagmire here. Once I'm done with the cited 'Plugin mode' I end this mode usually in order to continue working with BB, and yes, I prefer working in full screen mode with BB. These days you'd have the freedom to work with reduced window sizes; no need to click on s.th. like a Plugin button for such a purpose. Not sure at all what exactly you may mean by -> "possibly never saw it".
Martin
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 603
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 603 |
I meant, they possibly never saw the program revert to an unwanted full screen, because they intended to go back to full screen anyway. Possibly they never started the Plugin doohickey from reduced.
When you have a big modern widescreen monitor, full screen is excessive for something like BB. I can't even take in the whole screen with the eye without scanning. So I have wanted to work in reduced screen for a long time.
Maybe your point is that one never actually need to enter Plug-in mode, in that case. I shall try and see if the dragging works without invoking old Pluggo.
And "quagmire" is a little on the overkill side.
Larry
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,278
Veteran
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Veteran
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Quote:
... one never actually need to enter Plug-in mode, in that case. I shall try and see if the dragging works without invoking old Pluggo.
It sure does. There are a few open bits and pieces, such as missing tempo matches between BB and RB, say, irrespectively of whether or not in 'Plugin mode' - yet those issues are getting ironed out in due course I trust.
Martin
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 603
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 603 |
Dragging still works mightily without being specifically in Plugin Mode. The Mode reduces the BB screen and makes it stay on top. So it doesn't provide much extra functionality, for anybody already working in a greatly reduced screen.
Such a user might as well never start it, but just drag away at will.
Only finding out the details of the new thing.
It's just as you said: I was experimenting while you were posting. I noticed some different behavior that probably goes along with your remark about tempo matching and so on. Time and experience will sort it out. BB is like marriage, I guess. You just learn to live with 'er or else.
Last edited by allis; 12/08/09 01:22 PM.
Larry
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
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Right, it's the "staying on top" that makes it handy.
The beta testers did indeed see the problem from maximizing the plug-in window. That's why I mentioned it in my post above.
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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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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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
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XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 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 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 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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