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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 92
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 92 |
Hello there and here,
Ive just purchased the everything pak and Ive been checking out the software but I was wondering...
How hard or long does it take to learn to use?
It looks complicated because it has much to offer.
Is there a good starting point on this site to help me out?
Thanks!
6 strings. 24 frets. An infinite amount of possibilities.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
The best way is to simply just start.
I recommend starting out by finding the pgmusic Demo songs for RealTracks and load them, listen to them and watch the screen as they play back.
You can also learn to use the jukebox feature to do this.
Examining those demo songs will lead you to see how certain things are done as the song plays.
The .pdf manuals inside the bb folder are another place to peruse.
Then, there's this forum.
I expect there to be a video tutorial being made right now that will appear on the forum showing off the 2010 version's features, in the meantime, there are videos from past versions and tutorial videos you can watch. Support button link is at very top of every forum page and also at the bottom of every one of my posts.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 92
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 92 |
Thanks Mac, appreciate your time. Im checking out videos right now and will until my key arrives with the goods.
Does everything come with the key, i mean installation-wise. Do I need to install the program so the key will work or does the key have it all in there and I just plug it in?
Is there an installation manual anywhere on this site to prepare me for whats coming?
Thanks again!
6 strings. 24 frets. An infinite amount of possibilities.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
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Posts: 8,333 |
You can get all the help you need here. Or on live help. Or by email.
I don't know what key your are talking about.
I've been around for a long time..
The bigger the learning curve the better the software,
If you can figure it out in 10 minutes, it's worth 20 bucks.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 92
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 92 |
the usb key. I was under the impression that all the software i need is on the usb key. Correct?
6 strings. 24 frets. An infinite amount of possibilities.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
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NOT a USB finger drive or "key" at all.
A fully functioning external HARD DRIVE that connects via USB.
Yes, you can just plug it in and run the program right away from off of the hard drive and never install it to C drive if you like. Works a treat. There is also an Installer file if you want to place or install it on the C drive, though.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,449
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"USB key" means, to me, a flash drive. BIAB comes shipped on your choice of DVDs (including download) or on a USB hard drive. Yes, you will have everything you need to run the program. The various purchase options determine how many extras you get. And yes, you can run the program directly from the USB hard drive, if that's what you were asking.
Enjoy!
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; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 600
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 600 |
The usb isn't a key it's a drive and yes it will all work when you get it. This will blow your mind when you get it if you thought you where just getting a key. The whole thingie comes installed on a 180 mg external usb hard drive.
And yes, no, maybe. the learning curve is huge BUT you will find you can do a lot right out of the box. I've been playing with BIAB since version 3.1 and still haven't scratched the surface of what this program can do! But I update all the time and have a ball playing with the features I like best at the time.
Dell 610 dual Monitor, win 7-10, Sonar Plat, ProTools 10 & 11, Reaper 4, BIAB/real Band 2022, Easy Drummer, Superior Drummer, Kontact Essentials, Personnel Orchestra, Korg Legacy Analog & Digital
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 92
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 92 |
Oh, I understand now. You know, I thought having a key that could hold that much must be huge!! lol
Wow then! If its all contained on the drive then I can just take it to work and when the boss isnt looking, work on my music. ;P
I cant wait to get this. Ive been playing guitar for 20 years and Im sick of playing to pre-recorded tracks or other's music, time I make my own with professional results.
Its going to be the best Christmas present I've ever bought, I reckon.
Get ready for a boatful of stupid questions (much like this one) when I get my hands on it.
Cheers guys!
6 strings. 24 frets. An infinite amount of possibilities.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
way better than being a leafs fan. Or TFC fan. Or jays fan. Or Raptors fan. There's a TO boat guy here, poke around. Welcome. It's gonna be fun. I'm 2 hours away but that's nada right? And I've a son in TO and lived there 3 times. Huron and Boor, Coxwell and Danforth, and Eglinton and Laird. Son is on subway just north of Bloor....have FUN.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 92
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 92 |
Hey, I live down at the beaches, howz it going neighbour?
Dont get me started on the leafs. I'll be singing the blues till summer. lol
Ive been to London many times, dont remember much though, too many college parties down there, had to escape.
Cheers!
6 strings. 24 frets. An infinite amount of possibilities.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 824
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 824 |
That external hard drive is not exactly the kind of thing your boss will not see sitting on your desk. The last one I received has even got its own fan. I have been using BB for over ten years now and I am still finding it a steep learning curve. And maybe I am forgetting more than I am learning. 
Grah Jive Talk
"Don't worry baby, they'll swing their arses off."
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
Maybe it's cause your bad to the bone Graham. I've 2 of those hard drives no fan on either but the latest one has Band in a Box engraved on it in gold. You'd need to hide it with a longer cable LOL.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
Dfaris, I lived in Toronto 3 times. Bloor and Spadina, Coxwell and Strathmere, and Leaside. One of my sons lives just near Summerside.
Snow last night, now freezing rain, snow tonight. Sigh
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 181
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 181 |
Ditto to what Earl said. I understand about 20% of BIAB, as I understand about 20% of Sonar Producer. But I use both all the time and have significantly improved the quality of my released CDs thanks to them. I also upgrade regularly (as I did to BIAB 2010 last night once I took a gander at the enhancements list and heard the new RT demos), and, while these times obviously tremendous require care in and limitation of spending decisions, upgrading BIAB is, to me, a no-brainer and an incredible value for the power (and pleasure) gained. The only compromise I have made is not going for the Audiophile version, in large part because to my untrained ears the standard-issue sound quality is just fine.
www.LawTunes.com: The LawTunes - The Musical Scales of Justice - Original Lawyer Rock & Roll www.SurfChords.com: The SurfChords - The Endless Summer Continues and The Wave Never Ends
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926 |
Quote:
Hello there and here,
Dfaris,
Welcome to the BIAB community.
Quote:
Ive just purchased the everything pak and Ive been checking out the software but I was wondering...
How hard or long does it take to learn to use?
It looks complicated because it has much to offer.
There are (at least) two answers. BIAB can be used out of the box to create demos or backing tracks for practice: Enter a chord sequence, pick style, tempo, and key and press Play. Voila! You're in business. Simple, huh?
Or
You can, as many of us here do, spend all your free time learning how to use this unique and profoundly capable program. Some people produce albums with it. Some use it live in very complex ways. Some delve into the Stylemaker and stretch the program beyond what was provided from the factory. Some use BIAB files as a basis for embellishment in other programs or with fully-featured synthesizers. None of these are easy to do well and take a great deal of time to learn how to do.
My suggestion is to focus on whatever it is you bought the program for in the first place. Write down a list of questions (e.g., "How do I . . . ") and find the answers. In the process, new questions will arise. Add those to your list. Try to stay focused on your original purpose, because you will be distracted by the many shiny objects incorporated into BIAB.
You may find your purpose change as you realize what you've got your hands on. I bought version 7, which came on two floppies, to do simple song demos. My latest version is the 2009 UltraPLUS Pack, which came on an 80 Gb hard drive. I now use it to create finished "beds" for my guitar leads, and as a basis for electronic compositions which I port into a soft synth to complete.
But whatever you do, and however you do it, have fun!
Quote:
Is there a good starting point on this site to help me out?
Thanks!
You're there! You won't find a friendlier or more helpful community on the web. Do try to find answers on your own, but we're always here to help you when you run up against the problem you just can't figure out. The PG Music site also contains many video tutorials and FAQs to which you can refer for the basics. I've also found youtube.com helpful for more advanced questions.
Again, welcome.
Richard
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 92
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 92 |
Thanks for the warm welcome people! Ryszard.. thats what I want out of it too. Finished backtracks of my own sound and style, with my guitars on top. Ive been around the net long enough to know that software apps and their help are only as good as their forums and the people who use them. I dont think I'll have much of a problem learning this with you good folks here to help me.  Cheers!
6 strings. 24 frets. An infinite amount of possibilities.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926 |
You know, you could save some space on your signature line by just writing "6 strings 24 frets 10^25 possibilities." Just a thought.  R.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 92
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 92 |
Changed.Lets call it the way it really is.
Cheers
6 strings. 24 frets. An infinite amount of possibilities.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259 |
The learning curve varies depending upon you existing musical knowledge and also sound manipulation and recording experience. For example, when I started using biab and rb over a year ago, I didn't even know what midi is. I actually bought some extra books to learn some basics so that I can use the programs. I got some great help on these forums, too. As I browse the forums and see explanations for things that I need to learn, I do a screen capture and save it for future reference. The manuals have a lot of info, but for whatever reason, I'm not always successful finding what I need in them. Truth be told, I have struggled to learn some of the features of these programs. However, I would compare it to practicing music---the more you do it, the better you become. It has been somewhat humbling for me but very worthwhile---not to mention learning to be more patient. FWIW
Stan
Cornet Curmudgeon
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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!
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There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
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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
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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
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You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
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- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
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Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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