"Using Your Portable Studio" published in 1996, is a 300 page manual about home recording by award winning producer Peter McIan. The book is a technical, hands-on book to using professional studio multi track recording techniques on a consumer 4 Track recorder in a home studio environment. Only the content dealing with the limitations and physics of recording with physical tape and tape recorders are obsolete.
This is a book about sound and how to capture it cleanly. One has read 225 pages into the book before there's ever an instruction to hit the 'record' button. There are chapters on set ups for recording drums, bass, guitar and vocals. A chapter on microphones.
After 216 pages of theory presented in lay terms, Mr. McIan begins a chapter that gives step by step instructions how to record and mixdown sixteen instruments using a four track portable home studio machine. Each with it's own EQ, panning and special effects. The book is still in print because it's still relevant today to the home recordist even if they use a DAW with unlimited tracks.
Why? First, because there are still tens of thousands stand alone analog and digital recorders being used by home recording enthusiasts today. There are still tens of thousands of studios using mixing consoles recording into dedicated hard disk recorders whether they are stand alone devices or computer based DAW's. This manual is useful to home recording enthusiasts that use current devices such as the Zoom H4n or similar. The Similar Tascam digital recorders like the DR-05 and more so, actual dedicated home studio recording devices like the DP004,006,008,02,03,Dp24/32 and their newest release, the Model 24. This manual is relevant to owners of units such as the Zoom L12, L20 and the Zoom series of hybrid recorders R8, R16 and R24. It's also applicable to brands by Roland, Korg and older units by Tascam and Zoom.
It's a book about channels, tracks, hard wired busses, Fx busses, subgroups, inserts, sends and returns. It's about sub mixes, premixes and bouncing while capturing the absolute quietest audio signal or combinations of signals as possible. It's about getting the most out of routing and mixing.
The best part. It's available on sites like Amazon and Barnes and nobles for as little as $2.90 USD. Regardless of your recording medium of choice, there's a lot of useful information in this book for everybody.
For those who are completely 'in the box' users of BIAB, this manual is for you too. BIAB works quite well and easily as an 8 channel one input (mono or stereo) digital multi track recorder. The principles of submixing, premixing and bouncing work marvelously with BIAB. In fact, because it's digital, the signal and quality exceed anything possible with original tape based portable studios. It is surprisingly easy to quickly mix and export a song of 70 instruments on dozens of tracks to a high quality radio ready stereo mix.
Manufacturers like Teac, Tascam, Korg, Yamaha and Roland used to spend a lot of money educating their audiences through seminars, videos, handouts and teacher programs. +++ HERE +++ is a link to download the Yamaha Sound Reinforcement manual. The manual provides a comprehensive guide to using a mixer. While directed at live sound all the information is true for mixing too.
I've gotta have this. Off to Amazon. You know, I've never really sat down with the guitar and recorder for the purpose of tweaking the guitar sound. Oh, I'm constantly tweaking the sound through the amp, as part of regular practice and rehearsal, but never thought of making the recorder an integral part of that process. Hope that's not putting it too hazy. I'm on a high today. I traded in my Les Paul for a PRS standard 22 and cash. Guitar Center. What a great sound master that Paul Smith is!
Charlie let me borrow his book. I liked it so much I decided I gotta have this. Charlie's book is soft bound. I lucked up. I found a used library copy that is hard bound.
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
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 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available 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 Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
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.
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 as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac 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 100 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 Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. 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 Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
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