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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 13
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 13 |
Is BB for me? I note a lot of very savy sophisiticated users. Will BB be frustrating or a joy? My needs are not sophisticated. I play for fun. Can I use BB just as a drummer (ie a less tedious metronone) or would a drum machine be a better option? Are there sufficient rhythms in the basic package or would I be better off with the ultra pack on a HD? Can I use BB with my laptop sitting on top of my piano (acoustic) or will I find quickly that I must invest in a sound system or a keyboard? Will I have to upgrade or replace my laptop (about a year old). Will I be spending more time programming than playing?
Brian
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,869
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,869 |
Firstly you dont say what your system is so the question 'will I need to update' is unanswerable. A year old laptop would probably do as long as its not a netbook. Laptops gernally have on board sound, which is basic but nowadays adequate. You could get an external sound card later if you need one. Most gear these days passes the 'passable' test for sound.
Biab is great for a novice its really easy to use. JUst select a song and away you go - two clicks. If you want you can turn of the other instruments and just leave drums with every track. Yes you can use it on a lap top but if you want to have the sound equalling an acoustic Piano you will need to plug the laptop sound into a hifi or other sound box - unless it has real volume.
You could start with the basic set up but make sure you get 'realtracks' they are much better than MIDI stuff and have more feel. The Everything package is on special until 31st I believe. I have just taken the leap myself and dont regret it.
You can go deeper, its easy to put in your own chords, and you can even create your own backing tracks to a degree -I find little need though.
I think that if you use it, you will want as many real tracks as you can get.
BIAB is going to be the best drum machine you will ever find.
Win 11 64, Asus Rog Strix z390 mobo, 64 gig RAM, 8700k
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 122
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 122 |
Well, it's like this... You have to have at least an idea of dealing with music and midi on a computer... do you have that kind of experience?? If you don't, then this will be a learning experience, like anything else in life that you've never done... If you've done music and midi on a computer before, and you've used soft synths and sequencers in which you edited wav files, then its a lot easier...
But when you're saying that your laptop is on top of your acoustic piano, and that you don't want to buy another keyboard, I think you're the learning experience type.. You haven't had experience with this type of stuff before and you're going to have to learn to use it to get the maximum benefits... But it's not that horrible and benefits will far outweigh the inconveniences of getting out of your comfort zone... And the benefits of being able to practice with actual harmonic instruments is a lot better than just having a drum machine metronome...
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,486
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,486 |
Hi
Welcome and hope that we can help and ZeroZero has given you a sound overview
BIAB will be with you years after you have got fed up of a drum machine
With BIAB you can "create" and since 1994 (my first BIAB) I have become a far better musician because of it
Today BIAB Ultrapak (or even the basic) is like playing in a studio with top musicians - you will need good speakers to get the benefit
jazzman
BIAB - RealBand - 2022
Windows 10 64
Zoo computer with 7i processor- SSD 1TB -2TB HDD
Roland keyboards
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,869
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,869 |
I agrre with Jazzman BIAB will make you a far better musician. I have been typing in cycles and going around chords of my choice ion a style of my choice - in two minutes a track is ready. You dont really need to know any MID to get going, but it is an advantage. I think of MIDI as an electronic score - its silent in itself but its a set of instructions for (electronic) instruments to start notes, stop them, determine how loud and a lot more.
Traditional paer scores give some directions, but MIDI defines a lot more some things which you might never have though of before. Its a couple of evenings with a web page and notes to get the hand of it.
Win 11 64, Asus Rog Strix z390 mobo, 64 gig RAM, 8700k
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 812
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 812 |
Hey Novice,
Welcome to the forums. 3 reasons to check it out>
1. BIAB has enabled thousands of musicians to do things they never could have dreamed of with just a laptop and sequencing software. It truly is in a league of its own.
2. With a 30 day money back guarantee, what have you got to lose. Once you try it, and learn how to use it, I'll bet its a keeper for you.
3. If you ever need help or run into a problem, this forum is filled with some of the nicest folks on the net, ready to help whenever you need it, including the owner of the Company,Dr. Peter Gannon. You won't find that anywhere else!
Hope that convinces you to give it a try,
Ed
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 13
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 13 |
Thanks for your input. I am now decided. I have ordered the Ultra pak. Ill be back Im sure with questions once I have it running.
Brian
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,633
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,633 |
Hi Brian, To get started, I suggest you look at the videos that will come with it. If you are interested in getting a bit of a head start, there are some good tutorial videos here. The one that I found most useful is found about halfway down the webpage and is called Band In A Box QuickStart Tutorial. All the best, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5 |
Hey Brian,
Good choice. I'm using BIAB mostly for practicing with an upright bass. There are so many styles that a drum machine can never match. I've inputed some blues and jazz lessons from one of my books to work along with. The really cool thing is being able to switch keys in a matter of mere seconds. Great for learning a toon in C, F, Bb or whatever. Practicing with a "real band" is a lot more fun as well.
As Jazzman mentioned, get a good sound system. I use a Behringer mini PA system that works perfectly with my laptop that I picked up at my local music store.
Check out the tutorials, and read through the threads here. They both help immensely.
Scotty
It's better to keep quiet and appear stupid, rather than speak and remove all doubt.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,486
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,486 |
Hi Brian
Just remember that the learning curve to master all the features in BIAB is quite long so be happy to take a number of small steps - an hour a day is better than 6 hours now and again - BIAB is a monster program and for my needs I use about 30% on a daily basis and some of the rest occasionally
The advice above to see the videos is very sound because it is everyones natural urge to get the program up and running - but a good examination of the videos can assist greatly - we are always here to help
The Behringer mini system is excellent and the Bose desktop system is tops also
If you are performing then use your gig sound system to get the near perfect sound and balance - howeverif you are just using it for home enjoyment and learning then the above will do just fine
Enjoy the ride
jazzman
BIAB - RealBand - 2022
Windows 10 64
Zoo computer with 7i processor- SSD 1TB -2TB HDD
Roland keyboards
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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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Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
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Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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, and much more!
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There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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Holiday Weekend Hours
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Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
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This Free Bonus PAK includes:
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-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
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-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)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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- 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)
Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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