One way to practice your mixing is to record everything. We record our practice sessions because 1. guys can take a copy home and hear what they did 2. we get to tinker with the sound and mic placements 3. we may stumble onto a cool idea
This is a live mix, everyone in one room and mics bleeding all over while working on writing a song. Setting (see image below): 5 mics on drums (2 on bass drum, 1 is a subwoofer in reverse) Barry is playing tambourine, keyboard throughout, and singing <grin> Bass is causing snare ring and bleeding every mic (you can hear snare rattle at 1:05) Guitar is loud in the room so I tend to record him low, but he still bleeds My job; click management, get the tracks recorded the best I can in these conditions, mix as we go and help write Somewhere along the way I'm sure I'll be adding parts later. My strat is in the picture but I did not play anything on this take.
We used Powertracks to record this, so PG related, plus it fits the forum topic.
We'll go back and record everything individually later of course (none of this is a keeper), but it's a good way to practice the recording side as well as learning/writing/playing the songs. We have fun.
Drums may be loud, it was live after all, but I'm liking the sound we're getting from them so far. Since we'll record them first and they will be the hardest to record, I take advantage of the chance to tinker with micing them various ways beforehand.
This sounds very good. Yeah, since the days I had my first band, I ran tape most all the time. Apparently Keith Richards woke up from a blackout early one afternoon after drinking and running tape all night and Jagger asked him if he had anything. He said "let me check" and somewhere in there was the lick to Satisfaction.
Do you guys ever do that? That would be cool.
But seriously, I don't record band rehearsals but I have templates set up in my studio where I can rush in and plug in and capture every single riff or idea I have to a metronome and at least play an acoustic scratch and vocal scratch so I can go back later and see what I was doing. I have terabytes worth of riffs.
Not the same thing, but same spirit, I guess.
David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers
When BobH and I get together we record our practices with my Tascam DR-05. I then dump it to my computer and if anything strikes our fancy we redo it this time recording it into the computer. Remember we both will be playing our acoustics. I can't post the finished songs as they are covers.
I think my wife has started to show the first signs of dementia. She said she can't remember what she ever saw in me!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
One way to practice your mixing is to record everything. We record our practice sessions because 1. guys can take a copy home and hear what they did 2. we get to tinker with the sound and mic placements 3. we may stumble onto a cool idea
This is a live mix, everyone in one room and mics bleeding all over while working on writing a song. Setting (see image below): 5 mics on drums (2 on bass drum, 1 is a subwoofer in reverse) Barry is playing tambourine, keyboard throughout, and singing <grin> Bass is causing snare ring and bleeding every mic (you can hear snare rattle at 1:05) Guitar is loud in the room so I tend to record him low, but he still bleeds My job; click management, get the tracks recorded the best I can in these conditions, mix as we go and help write Somewhere along the way I'm sure I'll be adding parts later. My strat is in the picture but I did not play anything on this take.
We used Powertracks to record this, so PG related, plus it fits the forum topic.
We'll go back and record everything individually later of course (none of this is a keeper), but it's a good way to practice the recording side as well as learning/writing/playing the songs. We have fun.
Drums may be loud, it was live after all, but I'm liking the sound we're getting from them so far. Since we'll record them first and they will be the hardest to record, I take advantage of the chance to tinker with micing them various ways beforehand.
You don't always need to seperate tracks. Bluegrass and big bands record live with everyone in the room. It can help you feel the music and gule the rest of the bandmates together.
Computer: Macbook Pro, 16 inch 2021 DAWs: Pro Tools, Logic, and Maschine plays drums, percussion, bass, steel pan, keyboard, music producer/engineer
.. but I have templates set up in my studio where I can rush in and plug in and capture every single riff or idea I have to a metronome and at least play an acoustic scratch and vocal scratch so I can go back later and see what I was doing. I have terabytes worth of riffs.
Yeah, you have to at least get the ideas down while you have them in your head. I hate not remembering ..
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
I was thinking it might spark some conversation on recording/mixing live stuff (tips, tricks, lessons learned ..) but apparently I was wrong.
/shrug shoulders/
I do enjoy your siggy tagline
To mix a live band without any isolation, everything close-miked, is no easy task. You're doing just fine.
My problem was time. We had to set up fast in the places we worked, and I had two vocal mics (condensers), live guitar and bass, and the backing tracks to mix. I had the mixer pre-wired, faders set, in a Road Runner case, and all I had to do was run cables.
We had a 2nd PA in our rehearsal room, and that helped a lot.
Yeah, that sounds hectic. Heck here we can mark the floor with tape if needed. Most stuff is still wired when we show up each week. May have to wire in a bass and/or guitar amp. That's about it.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
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.
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.
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.
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)
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean