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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 11
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 11 |
Hi all,
My name's David and I'm writing from Newcastle, in the chilly North East of England.
I had checked out BB a number of times in the past, but the GM / MIDI nature of the beast really put me off. For me, MIDI is only an application I consider for electronic music, or keybard tracks within non-electronic music styles. Some of the MIDI 'guitar' parts and particularly the brass solos (those toy trumpet sounds) are just awful. (Sorry, this is leading to something good!).
But, when I heard the demos of the 'all-RealTracks' songs on the PG website, I was blown away at the realism, the sound quality and the possibilities. You are SO on to something here !!!
I bought the BB 2010 MegaPAK on Thursday and although I've only downloaded the core BB program and one subsequent set of RealTracks so far (Set 61 - Ballad Pianos), I am so impressed with the quality and the ability to have these convincing performances built into my tracks. I haven't installed the RealTracks Sets 1-6 and RealDrums 1-3 that come with my purchase, as I'm waiting until the DVDs arrive.
I will be using BB 2010 exclusively for RealTracks and intend to buy every pop/rock/ballad/funk RT that is / will be released by PG .......... in fact I have already bought a further 3 x addon RealTracks; the afore mentioned Set 61 - Ballads, and Set 22, and Set 70.
At the moment, I am just practicing with the program and having fun putting the beautiful Piano accompaniment performances in Set 61, to the chords of the tracks that I am soon hoping to record.
I am a writer / producer of modern pop / rock / indie music, with a general British sound influence. Although I love songwriting and producing, I get frusrtated that my musical performance skills aren't up to my production and technical skills. BB 2010 is therefore the perfect discovery for me, as I can focus on the song writing and prouction, and have BB sort out the nailing of a lovely bass line, or rhythm guitar part!
Brilliant stuff - my only anxiety at present is that PG aren't going to keep up with my appetite for pop/rock RealTracks, or that the focus may be biased towards Jazz and Country (as it does seem to be a little, dare I say). Your Pop and Rock RTs are fabulous, please keep them coming !
Thanks for a great program and look forward to being a part of this great forum,
Regards,
Last edited by DavidRogers; 12/21/09 01:56 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,171
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,171 |
Welcome to the Forums, David. BIAB/RB are great products and, as you have already discovered, PGMusic are sensational to deal with. Enjoy learning about BIAB.
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 11
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 11 |
Thanks for the welcome Noel. Yes, I forgot to say that I ordered last Thurs and given that I am in the UK and PG are in Canada I was not expecting to even see the BB box (being sent via UPS) before Xmas. However I just checked the tracking number and my box was out of Vancouver and over in Philadelphia within 12 hours of it being ordered ! A couple of hours later and it was in Louiseville, departing to cross the big pond, so I may get it tomorrow or Wed, which is unbelievably fast for this time of year!...... that's service ..... Also, I didn't get my automated email with my download links, so I used the 'Live Chat' facility on the web-site. I'm normally very skeptical of these live chat things for support but I put my issue to "Will" (a real person!), and he replied in seconds with my UPS tracking number, and confirmation that he'd resent the download email (which appeared seconds later). The world needs to learn about customer service from the Canadians in my book! Similarly, the purchase, download and install of the RealTrack addons that I subsequently bought was fast, painless and worked flawlessly. 15 minutes after hearing the lovely Piano Ballads demo, I had that addon in my BB, playing my chords! Am I a fanboy ...... guess so ! I do have some suggestions though; [EDIT: I clearly lost the plot on this next bit, as I've checked back at the PG store and of course you can get genre-specific RealPAKs, ie... Rock/Pop RealPAK 3, etc. So just ignore the suggestion below, although I do think it would be good to offer a 'bundle' wher the buyer can choose the RealTrack Sets they want, ie... any 3 RT sets for $70 ..  ] 1). The RealPAKs don't work for me, as they combine Pop/rock tracks with Jazz and Country. I would guess that a lot of people's musical style preferences bias either towards pop/rock, OR, jazz, OR country. Maybe not, but for me, I would much rather buy a 'bundle' of the pop/rock style RealTracks , that don't include jazz and country. I dare say there are some Jazz fans out there that wouldn't want pop/rock tracks. How about offering a 'choose any 3 realtrack/realdrum addons as a bundle and get 20% off' type proposition ? 2). I would guess that RealTracks have elevated BB in a new direction and many people (like me) that would not have considered the original (MIDI only) BB, would be very interested in BB now with RealTracks and RealDrums. But I think a lot of people may be put off by some elements of the name, and imaging of the product. Also, although the 'plug in mode' is awesome, there are some elements that could be better aligned to use with external DAWs. (for those not using RB). Eg.... You could developer a 'RealTracks/RealDrums only' product called "RealSession" which focusses on the automated production of performances (to selected chords) for various instruments, to go straight into tracks in a seperate DAW. Sure, that's exactly what BB does now, you say !! But the workflow could be changed to make this something more like 'EZ Drummer' (but for musical tracks, with the ability to choose chords). It could be a true plug-in in the DAW, and for this type of product/application I would leave out some of the more traditional 'accompaniment features', like Melodist, etc. I hope you 'get' where I'm coming from here - I love the program and it's amazing putting these RealTracks into my songs, but the BB format as is, isn't the best suited for this type of DAW-orientated application; I guess it's better suited to the live accompaniament side of things, as was originally intended. Thanks for an amazing product that is currently without peers!
David,
Newcastle upon Tyne, England
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 137
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 137 |
Maybe you wourld have been better off David getting the ultrapulus pak on usb drive and probably saved a lot of money in the long run.
Then you could have tried out everything as there are hundreds of realtracks. I'm in UK too and the usb drive is the business.
If you decide to go this route then I'd contact PG before the sale ends.
Paddy
Last edited by pwhack; 12/21/09 05:20 AM.
Paddy McGurk,
Liverpool,
Don't mention the Beatles!!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 11
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 11 |
Hey Paddy, I thought about that, but the problem is I have no interest in all of the Jazz and Country content. Then again, by the time I buy all the Rock/Pop RealTrack sets, I'll probably have spent the same, which I guess was your point ! Still - I quite like buying bits progressively as I need them - it keeps things interesting, rather than knowing you have everything there, all at once, at the beginning. I'm just about to buy some RealDrum sets, now that I've confirmed which ones I get with the MegaPAK (to prevent buying something I'll already be getting when the DVDs arrive ). Cheers,
David,
Newcastle upon Tyne, England
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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 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 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.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 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.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 60 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until December 31, 2025. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49. Browse the full contents of each package and listen to demos here.
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 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.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!
We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!
Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:
Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana, Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes, MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano, Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7, Playable RealTracks Set 4, RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark, and more!
Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
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