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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589 |
Ive had biab ultraplus for about 2 weeks now and Im getting on ok in understanding all that this great piece of software gives.As a rule of thumb how long would it take me (studying and trying out out biab about 4/5 hours a day)with just a basic understanding of music production to have everything at my fingertips.Thanks Frankie 
AMD Athlon 7550 dual core
processor 2.51 ghz
1 87 gb ram
windows 7 Ultimate
yamaha rev 500 effects
tacam DP-24 DAW
Samson Resolv NF monitors
Yamaha PSR-620 Keyboard
Fender semi accoustic guitar
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 812
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Expert
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 812 |
Hey Frankie,
Wow....4 to 5 hours a day??? You are my hero! I burn out long before that. Here are a couple of things that MAY help you, they helped me a lot.
1. Open Biab, go to the help menu and make a PDF of the Tutorials.
2. Print them out, have them close to your computer.
3. Go through each tutorial, as many times as it takes to do things Quickly and easily. For instance>I went through the midi tutorial about 25 times, making changes each time until I really understood all my midi settings and how to change them.
If you spend a good 2 hours a day on just that, in 1 month you will know much more than most casual users! And you still have 2 hours left to create new songs.
Also, learn to use the shortcut keys, they do save time. Everything from chord shortcuts (CJ is CMAJ7, etc) to general shortcut key combo's.
Hope that helps, good luck,
Ed
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,725
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I guess the answer to that question is that it all depends on what you want to do with BIAB. For instance I only use BIAB for live performance backing tracks so what I had to learn was way down on the curve as to what someone who does a lot of recording, note editing in the piano roll and even using the soloist and melodist features. So for me it was, and not necessarily in this order like this:
1. Choose style
2. Plug in chords
3. Choose instruments
4. Choose tempo
5. Adjust volumes at the bar settings level
6. Then tweak till it suits taste
And I learned this within a few hours back when you could download a trial version, and while I know the software has become more complex since then the fact remains that for what I use BIAB for it is still simply that easy. I guess the real answer is like it says on the new car stickers, "your mileage may vary". But please keep in mind I know very well that I have not even scratched the surface of what this program can do, with this said I learn something new every day or so both by reading this forum and by hands on use of the software.
Later,
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,614
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Posts: 27,614 |
I've used this software almost twenty years, some days more and some days less than your regimen, and although I think I'm pretty good at it, I don't claim to have everything at my fingertips. Far from it.
This isn't a bad thing, though. The parts of the program I use regularly, I do know well. The rest, if I run into trouble, is only a question on the forum away.
The forum is so good that, in all those years, I've only had to contact PG Music support twice (and both problems were solved). And of course, then I post the problem and solution on the forum for others.
Your challenge will be ongoing, as well. Every new version, I make it a point to look at each menu option and dialog box, and ask, why is that there? I still discover things I didn't know about on a weekly basis.
Don't be discouraged, though. This is a great problem to have: a program with so much to learn, and so much power, that there is always a new challenge. Perhaps if you asked how long it would take to become proficient, rather than know "everything', it would be an easier question to make a guess at the answer, but that also depends on your skill set.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, 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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**Set your goal first and then set about finding out how to do that using Band in a Box.
Not everything will work out, be prepared to change ideas here and there as you progress.
Start making whatever it is that you want for your final product.
Don't expect the first endeavor to be spot-on, although sometimes it may be.
Keep doing it, for it is the practice that makes things perfect.
Above all, don't wait for some date in the future where you will know everything there is to know about the program before getting in there and working towards creation, or that day will *never* come.
Two weeks is not a very long time at all considering all the features and things that BiaB can do. Just keep working with it and have patience.
Band in a Box is just like any other musical instrument. You wouldn't expect to master guitar playing in two weeks after purchasing your ver first guitar, would you?
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826 |
There's already some great advice here so I can't really add anything else except a link to another useful site. Band in a Box WikiBTW: As you learn you might consider sharing that info by joining and contributing to the wiki.
Last edited by pwarren; 02/12/10 09:25 AM.
BiaB 2013 b366, RB 2013 b4, WinXP Pro SP3, Toshiba M70, 1.8GHz 2GB RAM 100GB HD. Focusrite Saffire 6 USB, Ketron SD2. BiaB Wiki
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
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I'm with Matt. 11years and learning and I also use it a lot each day.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,848
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Posts: 12,848 |
I find I generally learn something new almost everytime I use BIAB, or have to be reminded of something I used to know.
My suggestion is to learn the basics first, see how that fits into your work flow, then start learning advanced features. You have to work with BIAB for awhile for it to feel familiar. So just do that. Take the tutorials, watch the videos. Play with the features and save often.
Too often, I see on the forum that folks want to jump in "right now" and use the most advanced features without being comfortable with the basics. I'm not saying that's Tributeman's issue, but that it's an easy trap to fall into.
4 to 5 hours a day is a long time to spend learning it, but I think doing it that way is going to end up putting everything into short term memory. I would recommend spending a half hour to an hour learning BIAB, then spend the rest of of your time using those skills you just learned to create music, so it becomes second nature. You'll be surprised at how quickly you start progressing and picking up additional features more quickly.
And as has been said, ask questions here on the forum. Lots of folks have already been there and are willing to help. I often get answers within the same day, if not within minutes, of me posting a question.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
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I ended up being stubborn and Had to Have the keyboard working through and record.
Found out it was a waste of my time. But it took weeks. I now have my keyboard on the thru, but just play it. My mood varies and why would I record my own instrument when I play it fine?
Set priorities. Watch the videos.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589 |
I want to thanks everyone for the input which is really appreciated.I should have pointed out that Im a songwriter and have a small recording studio.So the 4/5 hours was a bit misleading as a fair amount of that time is writing songs.And I agree the word "proficient"is more apt that knowing everything.Cheers Frankie
AMD Athlon 7550 dual core
processor 2.51 ghz
1 87 gb ram
windows 7 Ultimate
yamaha rev 500 effects
tacam DP-24 DAW
Samson Resolv NF monitors
Yamaha PSR-620 Keyboard
Fender semi accoustic guitar
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,633
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Quote:
Watch the videos.
The above advice of John Conley's is the key to learning BIAB quickly.
PGMusic have assembled some excellent video tutorials under their "Support" link on their webpage. Because new BIAB versions are always modeled on the previous version, videos for previous versions always apply. For example, a video for version 2007 is just as relevant now as it was back in 2007.
Regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589 |
Thanks Noel will take a very good look at them.Cheers Frankie
AMD Athlon 7550 dual core
processor 2.51 ghz
1 87 gb ram
windows 7 Ultimate
yamaha rev 500 effects
tacam DP-24 DAW
Samson Resolv NF monitors
Yamaha PSR-620 Keyboard
Fender semi accoustic guitar
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 219
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 219 |
Tributeman,
If you don't fancy printing off the 511 pages of BIAB 2009.5 .pdf, there will be a spiral bound 2010 Guide available to purchase for $10, in a couple of months. I enquired about one the other day.
Last edited by Richard-Stan's Fan; 02/13/10 05:41 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109 |
Quote:
Tributeman,
If you don't fancy printing off the 511 pages of BIAB 2009.5 .pdf, there will be a spiral bound 2010 Guide available to purchase for $10, in a couple of months. I enquired about one the other day.
this is a great idea! Making a printed manual available to those who want it and are willing to pay extra for it (so those who DON'T want it don't have to pay for it) is an idea that has been tossed around for a long time
At 10 bucks a pop, I doubt it will be a cash cow for PGMusic, so one can only assume they are doing it because they are a customer-service oriented organization. Once again, my hat is off to PGMusic!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589 |
after winning £110 million on the euro lottery $10 bucks should be fine.Frankie 
AMD Athlon 7550 dual core
processor 2.51 ghz
1 87 gb ram
windows 7 Ultimate
yamaha rev 500 effects
tacam DP-24 DAW
Samson Resolv NF monitors
Yamaha PSR-620 Keyboard
Fender semi accoustic guitar
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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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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 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®.
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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.
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- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
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