Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Songwriting
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,015
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,015
I ran across +++ THIS +++ site today and thought some of you might enjoy looking at what the site has to offer.


Jim Fogle - 2026 BiaB (Build 1224) RB (Build 8) - Ultra+ PAK
DAWs: Cakewalk Sonar - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8
Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD
Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
Songwriting
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 203
G
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
G
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 203
Hey Jim. I've just finished the current edition of this fine magazine. I especially liked the article about Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats. I have been following them since I heard S.O.B. on YouTube.
There's a ton of good stuff in every issue.


By the way. I noticed that you are using the Bandlab version of Sonar. What is your opinion of their version. I had the lifetime update version of Sonar Platinum, and I am not too happy about getting shafted when Gibson sold them out, but there's not a lot I can do other than grumble a little. I am just not sure where I am going next. Be well Jim Fogle.

Songwriting
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,015
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,015
guitar1,

I like that Cakewalk by BandLab (CbB) has received two updates since the initial release. Both updates include a good number of bug fixes so I have to assume stability is improving.

I like there is only one DAW versus one with no limitations (Platinum) and three (Home Studio, Artist and Professional) with artificial limitations. I much prefer for developers to concentrate on fixes, improvements and new features than on building limitations.

Presently the software is in transition. By that I mean the software still relies on Command Center to perform some fetches and verification. Once those behind-the-scene functions are ported to the BandLab Assistant I think they will start integrating works with BandLab features into the program.

The owner of BandLab seems to have a clear vision of what he hopes to accomplish and that is something Cakewalk has not had for many years. Roland or Gibson never figured out how to make Cakewalk part of their universe.


Jim Fogle - 2026 BiaB (Build 1224) RB (Build 8) - Ultra+ PAK
DAWs: Cakewalk Sonar - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8
Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD
Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
Songwriting
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,477
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,477
Jim,

Besides the fancier channel strip, pro channel, what does platinum have the others don't?

When I tried to download it last time, but couldn't get it out of demo mode, it looked pretty much exactly the same as Artist.

Songwriting
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,015
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,015
David,

If you asked me the question six months ago when Cakewalk by Gibson was still alive my response would have been similar to my response concerning the various Band-in-a-Box packages, content. The answer would not have been 100 per cent accurate but would have been close enough. Now, most of the third part content and some of the Cakewalk instruments have been removed so that answer is no longer suitable.

You may remember the Gibson Cakewalk Sonar website had a product comparison chart detailing what features and content was included with all four versions: Home Studio, Artist, Professional and Platinum. The comparison chart was updated to include Cakewalk by BandLab and is available +++ HERE +++ .

The comparison chart was released just after Cakewalk by BandLab was released. Since that initial release there have been two updates and some removed content and features have returned.

I apologize for not answering your question better but I don't know the answer.

So why do I hang onto Home Studio and Music Creator 6? I am most familiar with Music Creator 6 so there are tasks I can easily perform in Music Creator 6 that I haven't tried yet in Home Studio or Cakewalk by BandLab. Home Studio was/is available in both 32 and 64 bit. Just a short time after finding Home Studio, Cakewalk by BandLab became available so I'm still figuring out things.


Jim Fogle - 2026 BiaB (Build 1224) RB (Build 8) - Ultra+ PAK
DAWs: Cakewalk Sonar - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8
Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD
Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
Songwriting
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,477
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,477

Thanks Jim,

I am so happy with Sonar Artist, I don't think I have found a reason to use anything else.

I can't seem to find anything on the lists that makes Platinum more "special" other the ProChannel, but I have my own channel strips and 400 more plugins so that is not crucial.

But I will wait until ALL of the bugs have been worked out and then I will give BandLab another try.

smile

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Moderated by  Andrew - PG Music, PeterGannon 

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
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!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,086
Posts799,984
Members40,031
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
Newest Members
misoprostol, roshan2121, Din, AurealiusB, sam31985
40,031 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 153
DC Ron 94
rsdean 91
WaoBand 86
DrDan 71
Today's Birthdays
CeeDee, SethMould
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5