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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
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OP
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926 |
The mother of a small boy asked him whether he had changed the water in the fishbowl. "Why, no, mommy," he said. "They haven't drunk what I gave them last time."
Ahem.
Well, I can't afford a new version this year, so it's moot. And dissatisfied with my lack of progress, I pulled out the manual for 2009 and started reading from the beginning.
There were something like 80 features added since 2008. Also academic, since my last version was 2006. I have no idea how many had been added between the two. And I updated to 2009.5, so there's more. Anyway, there's a lot of new stuff that I don't know anything about.
I decided to start listening to demo songs. Although the thought started churning last night, I started writing this while the song list was building just now.
Ahem.
There are 4,876 freakin' songs to listen to! (Well, some of them are mine. I haven't been completely idle.) So I'll be generous and round it down to 4,850. That's a lot of listening. At 3:07 for the average pop song, how long would that take? (I'll tell you: 10 days of solid listening to the jukebox.)
I've never listened to one with a multistyle, which is where I started last night. I have no idea where or how to find them. Can't find anything in the manual about filename protocols (which will be the subject of another post). It's probably there, just not indexed. (AHEM.)
I've poked a stick at Real Styles and Real Band. I've recorded an audio track into BIAB precisely once. I've never used the ACW. Didn't know about the chord editing feature, something I've wanted for a long time.
Gee, I wonder what else is in here?
RYFM, indeed.
So, no. We haven't drunk what we were given last time. Got a lot of catching up to do. Listening and stuff. Find out what I've got my hands on. Won't be needing 2010 just yet.
R.
P.S.: If you do get 2010--RYFM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,475
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Posts: 27,475 |
That's a funny joke about the fishbowl.
You have a good point. There is so much to this program, it would literally take weeks to explore it all. But that's a good thing!
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: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
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Band in a Box is exactly like a musical instrument such as guitar, piano, etc. in the sense that you really have to study, practice, study some more, practice with it some more and don't expect instantaneous "maestro" capabilities from it on the first day. One can do quite a lot without much of that kind of work, though it separates the users from the superusers, certainly.
The whole trick lies in being able to produce a finished product that does not give away any telltale "this is Band in a Box at work" giveaways. Takes practice with the program to even begin to identify what some of those things are, actually.
Don't feel like the lone stranger, R, I think just about everyone ends up letting the program languish a bit until the day they start to really get into the thing, then they start to blossom, as it were.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815 |
Ryszard: Amen to that, I know exactly what you are talking about. I upgraded to 2010, but my first actual use of BIAB only started with 2009 (I actually got the first windows version of BIAB, but I just never did anything with it). To others: the listening of the style demo songs is a must. I think I have written three songs using a demo style song as a "shell". .. and I think they turned out pretty decent.
Nonetheless, I have only scraped the surface of what BIAB can do and here I am upgrading. Of course, I am mainly doing to it to get caught up on the RT's from 2009.5 and 2010.
Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah
Kevin
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,484
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Posts: 22,484 |
Quote:
Band in a Box is exactly like a musical instrument such as guitar, piano, etc. in the sense that you really have to study, practice, study some more, practice with it some more and don't expect instantaneous "maestro" capabilities from it on the first day.
--Mac
Except my guitar doesn't do more for me every year.
I started playing with the new realtracks within the last couple days and am amazed at what all is in there!
Very impressed with new realtracks, Kudos!
There are things in the new version that are real improvements, but you can get a heck of a lot done in the previous version as well.
Enjoy yourself, have fun!
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 886
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 886 |
Uhhhhhhhhhh.....
I have Biab 2004. That's the last one I bought. I am considering 2010 because it is finally moving in an audio direction. After listening to real paks 2,3, 6,7...I have concluded that the newer paks are better. More contemporary. Less Bossa, more country/rock/pop. That's a good thing.
I would definitely buy it if there were more real tracks like 40-82...And I am sure there will be one day. Buy or wait????
But Melodyne Editor is also on my radar....
2010 will be a must for everyone who wants to be able to construct more contemporary sounding music. The only question is.....when?
Moo
If it has four legs and moos...it MIGHT be Mr Moohead.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 886
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 886 |
(This is a joke Ryszard!) Well if you do not know what the entire program does, then why does it say "Expert" under your name, huh?! It took a LOT of penny pinching & putting other stuff off for the studio (late summer at the earliest!) but I felt that it was time to grab it....so I really can understand where you are coming from. And I fully agree about the depth of the program. The first time I used it was a floppy disk version, then I upgraded to 7......then I went to mega pak 9.....and just a few days ago I grabbed the UltraPlus Pak to get all the RT, etc I hardly scratched the surface of V9, but that is moot since the RT are what I am after. 
i5 3.20GHz, 32gb RAM, 1tb SSD OS, 12tb HDD, 4gb gForce vid card, 32" monitor, Audient id44, Win10 x64, BiaB/RB 2023, Reaper 6,IK Multimedia Total Studio 3.5 MAX, Waves 10
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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 |
Well, I just upgraded because I like the new features--particularly multi-levels of UNDO, not to mention the RT combos. I consider $69 a bargain for the upgrade, but that's just me. I watched the new features video which was very well done. I like Mac's terms---user v. superuser. I would only add one for myself---subuser. 
Cornet Curmudgeon
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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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OP
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926 |
Quote:
Well if you do not know what the entire program does, then why does it say "Expert" under your name, huh?!
I often wonder the same thing.
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 2004
Posts: 181
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 181 |
Hey, don't complain -- all I have under my name is a string of hyphens.
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: Jan 2007
Posts: 583
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 583 |
I guess I'm like many on this forum----just scratched the surface of what BIAB will do. I use it mainly for live play. I know the basics of selecting styles, arranging tunes, and adjusting some of the basic parameters. Beyond that---zilch! So far, so good for my purposes. If the laptop acts up on a gig, not sure where to start looking. I've got 2010, but have not loaded it as yet because of all the comments about crashes, etc... Things are working fine with 2009.5 and, at the moment, at least through New Year's, I can't afford any set backs or interruptions with faulty gear, computer, or whatever.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 886
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 886 |
So far absolutely no problems except for the double drum & bass hits...overall it has been a pretty painless upgrade on this end!
i5 3.20GHz, 32gb RAM, 1tb SSD OS, 12tb HDD, 4gb gForce vid card, 32" monitor, Audient id44, Win10 x64, BiaB/RB 2023, Reaper 6,IK Multimedia Total Studio 3.5 MAX, Waves 10
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 84
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 84 |
Quote:
The whole trick lies in being able to produce a finished product that does not give away any telltale "this is Band in a Box at work" giveaways. Takes practice with the program to even begin to identify what some of those things are, actually.
--Mac
I'm curious what some of the giveaways are. For me, it's usually the song endings.
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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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OP
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926 |
Quote:
I'm curious what some of the giveaways are. For me, it's usually the song endings.
Howdy, neighbor! I'm just a couple of miles away in Marietta. Hope to get to know you better.
As you become more familiar with the program and listen to the work of others, you will begin to recognize certain 'signatures' that say, "Hey, BIAB happenin' over here!" There is a somewhat characteristic sound when someone doesn't get too creative with BIAB using MIDI and a cheap soundcard. I have heard several radio ads in the Atlanta area which were apparently produced this way.
With a little care and the use of a better soundcard/synth, the results are indistinguishable from music produced in other ways. The giveaways will become less obvious as users move toward Real Tracks.
Richard
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Richard beat me to it and I agree with him about this.
Familiarity with the program should start to show you what those telltale signs can be.
Ther is a big difference between a songfile in which someone "just punched in a few chords and hit a button" and one in which someone took their time and *worked* the song up to another level.
Just look at all the people who condemn MIDI based music rather than take the time -- and spend the $$ -- to learn how to use it to sound realistic, as one example...
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 886
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 886 |
I'd like to jump in here.
I credit Peter with moving his product forward. It is bold to move into a new frontier in a poor economic climate. Each of us chooses to use BIAB as we do. Some people drive sports cars and never look under the hood. Others need to know everything about the engine.
A good product allows "layers" of usage. It appears such is the case with BIAB.
My 2004 BIAB was great when I started my music. I never liked midi, but it was the way to accomplish a result at the time. Things have changed since 2004, and the new 2010 product appears to be moving toward me, instead of me away from it.
Its main competitor...Jammer....has been a dead product for years. My midi guitar program, Real Guitar died at version 2. Session Drummer in Sonar keeps dying and returning and dying again.
I'd say everyone here is fortunate to have a chance to move into the world of audio editing if they so desire.
We DO need 2010 for these reasons.
Moo
If it has four legs and moos...it MIGHT be Mr Moohead.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 693
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 693 |
Quote:
...Gee, I wonder what else is in here? ...
Believe me, I know what you mean. I have never missed an upgrade until 2008.5, and 2010 is under the tree.
I really buy BIAB for my church to use (on my dime), so staying current is a good idea for me. RealTracks weren't too useful until the 2010 upgrade--far too slow to build a song in realtime.
Even though I study all of the features and try them as much as I can, I don't use many of them. BIAB audio track and harmonizer for instance, is a feature that I never use. On the other hand, BIAB provides features for recording soundtracks (such as RealTracks (pre-2010), piano roll editing, MIDI out, rendering, etc.) that aren't necessary in realtime use; so I find myself using BIAB in very different ways depending on my goals at the time.
Peter Gannon has consistently exceeded expectations in incorporating wishlist items from a very diverse set of users with varying goals split fairly evenly among studio use, realtime use, and educational use. There are lots of useful features packed in there.
I am truly praying, however, that 2010 fixes core software issues present in 2008.5 (UNDO undoes all sorts of things, strange reset of song during entry, etc.). From what I read, improved undo is on the feature list; I expect a lot of other improvements are too.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Joel
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,992
Expert
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Expert
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,992 |
heres my useless 2c..lol.
i wouldnt be surprised if all daws move in the realtraks
direction sooner or later .
it only makes sense.
my concept for the future is a whole orchestra of session musician real traks
at ones disposal. even the oboe..lol.
(laying down midi traks one at a time takes oodles of time also.)
the key aspect i feel is creative folks want to get a song cracking fast.
by the way MERRY XMAS TO EVERYONE.
i think this was a very smart move on pg's part.
and i see no competitor at this time.
retired puter engr....powertracks on amd......NICE !
"what is the black art of audio engineering ?"
my silly songs...motagator.com/bmanning
see my tips in the tips section.
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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!
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®.
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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
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.
Watch the video.
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
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.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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-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)
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- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
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- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
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- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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