A little bit of cheery news here in Hong Kong. Due to all the Covid-19 precautions, our annual flu deaths are way down and the flu season has been shortened. Death rate down by at least a couple of hundred. Pollution over China is also way down. We will learn a lot from this episode. It seems, if you can believe what you're told, that China and more importantly S. Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong seem to be keeping a lid on Covid, at least for the moment. We've gone back to serious self-isolation as there is a spike due to infected folks coming back to Hong Kong.
Windows 10 Home 20H2 Build 19042.487 BIAB 2021 (Build 818) Intel(R) Core(TM), i3-4160, CPU @3.60 GHz RAM 16 GB, 64 Bit X64-based processor Zoom UAC-2 (USB 3 interface-built in midi) VoiceLive 3 Extreme, Sputnik Valve Condenser Mic
How long would you shut down the the worlds economies? DO NOT answer "As long as it takes". Give me some kind of answer.
Who knows? You're an accountant. If you don't know why on earth would I know???? I'm just a secondary high school teacher.
My immediate concern is not when this is over, it's getting to tomorrow.
Getting to the future requires travelling through the present. If tomorrow doesn't come for me, then no amount of my worrying about world economies is going to amount to anything. I'll cross that bridge later in the journey, if I get to it.
At the moment, I'm just doing all I can to ensure that I make it through today.
Quote:
...I'll be notified when they think it appropriate to come in for that, he thought 4 to 6 weeks or so. I asked him how many COVID 19 patients they had. He said 1 for sure that he knew of, maybe 2. I was shocked. That's it? I figured at least 10 or 15 by now.
Did you ask how many tests they'd done? The numbers you give are not that relevant if you don't know how many tests were conducted.
Here in Australia, the government is not testing everyone. This means there could be heaps of people around who have the virus and don't know. That's why I'm a supporter of social distancing.
I don't care what those numbers are, I don't care what the percentages or projections are, that's not my point. IT'S IRRELEVANT.
This 2 trillion stimulus package is designed to get us through 4 months, that's it. After that there's no more bullets in the gun. Unemployment is not going to pay your rent or mortgage, or car payments or maintain your standard of living. It's just to try to hold things together and keep us from starving during that period. If you don't bloody well get your job back fairly soon you're toast economically. What about past recessions you say, people survived for years before they got rehired or found new jobs. This isn't the same scenario and I'm not going to explain it it would take way to long. Just believe me here.
Just one example. You have a mortgage but are forced to default on it. Normally it goes back to the bank and they sell it. The numbers even during a very bad recession is manageable because EVERYBODY is not being forced into foreclosure. If the ENTIRE economy stays shut down for a year or more the banks have absolutely no one to sell those houses to. The banks go under because the FDIC means nothing if there's nothing coming into the treasury. Boeing goes bankrupt because there is NOBODY to buy their planes, the airlines go under because nobody's flying and so on throughout the economy from cars to TV's to computers to casino's to EVERYTHING. The authorities all know this in every modern country in the world.
I'm not comparing the flu to COVID 19, I am saying we've been willing to go to work have a good life and enjoy our good economy in spite of these flu numbers. By themselves these numbers are alarming, no? Where is the outcry that we should shut our schools and everything else until these numbers are eliminated? Somebody earlier said we're talking about DEATH here. Right, what about these deaths? The flu will never be eradicated because a very large number of the population refuse to get vaccinated. The estimate I think is about 30%. Great, 70% is still a decent number and so far we're all perfectly willing to live with the resulting serious flu cases and deaths. Just another cost of doing business, right?
Why are you guys not jumping up and down, blaming Trump and everybody else for not doing something about it? We should be ignoring peoples religious and personal beliefs and passing laws you MUST get vaccinated or go to jail. (Actually, not a bad idea) The world governments could have done the same thing they're doing now by deciding these flu deaths are unacceptable and nobody does anything until we get a better handle on it. Why haven't they?
Because the general public wouldn't stand for it that's why. In other words, those deaths ARE acceptable. We hope for the best, plan for the worst but overall we also have to accept reality, we're all going back to work, no not by April 15 and maybe not by May either but sooner than you think. We simply cannot afford to do otherwise. Yes it will be sugarcoated somewhat, they'll make us believe it's the best thing and NO it's not just because Trump wants to get re-elected because all the major governments will do the same and believe me they're already planning for it. They're not going to throw the entire world into the economic stone age because of this virus. I'm thinking it's not going to be that terrible but even if it is, we literally have no choice, we will just have to live with it.
Lets say the hopeful thinking comes true, that spring is here it will quiet down somewhat, almost go away in the summer but comes roaring back in the fall. We're going to shut down all the schools again, kill the entire new school year and everything else for another 6 months or whatever? No way will that happen. There is no second 2 trillion dollar bailout coming, we'd be on our own.
And yes folks, if we keep the world shut down for a long time (pick a number) like a year or more the the cure IS worse than the disease. It is "only" about a 1 percent fatality rate and of course 1 percent in absolute terms is a very large number. But...we can live with it and survive very well not because it's ok, or we're murderous serial killers or anything like that, it's because we'll have no choice. We'll live with it, keep working to eradicate it and move on.
In Louisiana we had one case on Mar 9. Today we have 1795 cases and 65 dead.
Hi Josie,
Those statistics say it all. It's definitely a virus to be wary of.
Here in Australia, because of the measures that we now have in place, the number of new cases has fallen for the last two days. They're the vertical light-blue bars on the graph.
Hopefully this continues. I'm taking it as a positive sign that isolating oneself where possible, practising social distancing and keeping hands washed is working.
As of March 25, we have identified 2,423 cases and there have been 8 deaths. Our population is around 25.5 million people.
A large proportion of our cases -- I'm guessing but the graph shows that it's around 70 - 80% -- have come from overseas. The pie chart below shows which countries were the origins of the travellers. The two large sections are Dark Blue (Europe) and Lightest Blue (The Americas).
We in Oz are lucky at least on the surface all areas and sides of Government seem to be working together.
Hi Tony,
I agree. The top graph that I posted in my reply to Sundance shows that the number of new cases for the last two days have fallen noticeably. This is great news.
I'm more than happy to pay the price of inconvenience to achieve this.
From what I've heard, and seen on Youtube, the journey through a full-blown case of COVID-19 is extremely painful and it seems that it's not possible without external ventilation.
Also, because lungs are so badly damaged by the virus, I imagine that there are long term problems for many people who survive. I haven't read too much about this yet, though.
A little bit of cheery news here in Hong Kong. Due to all the Covid-19 precautions, our annual flu deaths are way down and the flu season has been shortened. Death rate down by at least a couple of hundred. Pollution over China is also way down. We will learn a lot from this episode. It seems, if you can believe what you're told, that China and more importantly S. Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong seem to be keeping a lid on Covid, at least for the moment. We've gone back to serious self-isolation as there is a spike due to infected folks coming back to Hong Kong.
Hi Neil,
I was talking to a work colleague today about how countries who were significantly exposed to SARS back in 2003'ish are much better prepared than us in fielding COVID-19. We mentioned Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea... these are doing an excellent job!
These COVID success-stories provide good beginning models for other countries to work with for the next time we see a pandemic. (I'm pretty sure it will arise again.)
Just in case you are interested, here is a snapshot of COVID-19 as of March 24 in a few countries.
South Korea have definitely kept the lid on the virus in a big way. What makes this even more impressive is that their population is around 51 million people.
If you are interested in seeing more pretty amazing COVID-19 graphs, go to...
Thanks for the graphs. Interesting times. I spend my time when not on line teaching watching CNN, Fox, BBC, Bloomberg, Al Jazeera, RU, France 24, Sky TV etc etc. It can get overwhelming so I read Reuters for peace of mind.
Windows 10 Home 20H2 Build 19042.487 BIAB 2021 (Build 818) Intel(R) Core(TM), i3-4160, CPU @3.60 GHz RAM 16 GB, 64 Bit X64-based processor Zoom UAC-2 (USB 3 interface-built in midi) VoiceLive 3 Extreme, Sputnik Valve Condenser Mic
Here's an excerpt from an article released late night about the timeline we were discussing.
Fauci: 'You don't make the timeline, the virus makes the timeline' on relaxing public health measures
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, had a straightforward message Wednesday night about how long the novel coronavirus could affect daily life in the US: "You don't make the timeline, the virus makes the timeline."
"You've got to be realistic," Fauci told CNN's Chris Cuomo on "Prime Time."
"And you've got to understand that you don't make the timeline, the virus makes the timeline. So you've got to respond, in what you see happen. And if you keep seeing this acceleration, it doesn't matter what you say. One week, two weeks, three weeks -- you've got to go with what the situation on the ground is."
His comments appear at odds with President Donald Trump's growing desire to ease the public health guidelines that have shuttered businesses and kept workers at home as the virus has spread. The President has even said he wants the nation "opened up and just raring to go by Easter" -- a date just weeks away that few health experts believe will be sufficient in containing the outbreak.
"You may see in a relatively shorter period of time, when you're seeing the inkling of the flattening and coming down," Fauci said in reference to slowing the speed of the outbreak. "But you know, you can't make an arbitrary decision until you see what you're dealing with. You need the data."
They had a write up about Dr Anthony Fauci in the Melbourne paper a few days. He's an extraordinary individual. I doubt that there is a more competent expert on epidemics anywhere. What he says makes perfect sense. The virus controls the timeline.
How people respond to the virus and impede its transmission also impacts on the timeline. Ultimately, though, the virus has the last say because it doesn't just disappear in 24 hours.
They had a write up about Dr Anthony Fauci in the Melbourne paper a few days. He's an extraordinary individual. I doubt that there is a more competent expert on epidemics anywhere. What he says makes perfect sense. The virus controls the timeline.
How people respond to the virus and impede its transmission also impacts on the timeline. Ultimately, though, the virus has the last say because it doesn't just disappear in 24 hours.
Regards, Noel
At least Sco Mo told folks to expect at least 6 months. I just hope he can get his business hibernation to work. If so there is at least some hope down the track.
Tony
HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home, Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612 BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
We appreciate your calm, studied data-based approach. We are a bit weary of posts that are overly didactic and filled with imperative sentences.
Thank you,
J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
The answer to Bob's question is simple. When the fear of starving or better yet watching your kids starve overcomes your fear of going out to work, you will go back to work.
Not even the US government has enough printing presses to sustain this fore more than a few months.
This is not the end of the world. Worst case millions die and the rest become immune.
This is not a safe planet and never has been. Keep dumping plastic in the ocean and you are going to die. Yellow Stone blows it top and you are going to die. Some fool touches the wrong button and you die. Asteroid....and on and on.
Amazon will sell you a pretty good Hazmat suit that will protect you even in the old folks home where everyone has the virus.
You don't have to die from this, just get off your butt and take some action.
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
At least Sco Mo told folks to expect at least 6 months. I just hope he can get his business hibernation to work. If so there is at least some hope down the track.
In Victoria, Dan Andrews will probably head off in his own direction eventually. I was reading The Age tonight and it was saying about how the federal government will ultimately be supporting tweaks that states make to the existing restrictions.
Each state has its own unique circumstances to consider so it makes sense to me.
I don't care what the percentage is, if I die it's 100%. If my wife dies it's 100%.
My lungs are important, even if I survive what about permanent reduced lung function? I make my living with my lungs, saxophone, wind synthesizer, flute, and vocals all need strong lungs.
Understanding exponential curves, IMO a lock-down is the right approach. This "herd immunity" concept means many more people will die than if we practice "flattening the curve"
If we go for the herd immunity concept, the hospitals will be overloaded way beyond capacity, many people who could be saved will die. The 1%, 4% or whatever the fatality rate is now will skyrocket and the very medical professionals we count on will have their numbers greatly reduced. It takes years to train a new doctor or nurse. So what about next year, or what about if you get some other disease and there is no one there to help you?
The president seems to be saying, "You should give up your life for the sake of the stock market and for my re-election". Remember, 80% of the stocks are owned by the 5%. The oligarchy who are really running the show.
I don't care if the stock market hits a new low, I don't care if the hedge fund investors go broke, I do care if I live or die. My life is more important than Trump's, the economy, and everything else on the planet.
For those who say, "Your lives are less important than the economy" I say, do with the kings of old did, get on your proverbial horse and get in the front line of battle. If you think our lives are that trivial, then I suggest, 'You first'.
Sorry about the rant, but the complete mismanagement by our sefl-called "genius" is threatening my life. And remember, the Captain is always responsible for the condition of the ship. He can't blame the last captain or the first mate. It's his responsibility.
My main concern is my son. He's a h*ll of a lot more important to me than the economy. My secondary concern is the rest of my family.
Last of all, I'd like to live through this thing myself.
Trump, as always, is looking out for himself and his donors. I don't think the country and the individual lives of Americans matter to him at all. I wish I was wrong, but I don't think I am.
Yes and I repeat. Those who want us to give up our lives for the sake of the economy - please lead the way.
When the titanic hits an iceberg, the first mate isn't to blame, the captain is. So if Trump wants us to give up our lives, he must go down with the ship or I'm not listening.
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 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 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
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
SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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!
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.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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!
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.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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.
Norton Music
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean