When you've been in business for more than 30 years, there sure is a lot of throw-back resources to be had!
Like this New Features video for Band-in-a-Box® 7!
Some of the New Features added with Band-in-a-Box® 7 included: -Automatic Soloing -Soloist Maker -Style Changes and Any Bar -MIDI Chord recognition -Loop Notation Screen -Favorite Songs Window ..and more!
Tip: Within the Band-in-a-Box® Help window, choose Features and you will see a separate list of new features released with every version of Band-in-a-Box from 7-2020!
This was one version before my first version. I started with version 8 ProPak, but when version 9 came out, I went with the MegaPak (which at the time was what today would be the "UltraPak", and haven't looked back as I've upgraded to every version since.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA
Just out of curiosity, what year are we talking here?
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
Yowza! Some of you really have been here for a long time, then, to actually remember that release
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
I began with version 4, and I don't think I'm the longest owner here (as a customer).
Also, don't forget, there was a user forum here for several years before the current one began in the summer of 2000. All prior posts and post counts were lost.
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; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
...don't forget, there was a user forum here for several years before the current one began in the summer of 2000.
I never even knew that!
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
It would have been fun to look at the early history. I forget what year it started but I began writing websites in 1994 so it was probably around then.
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; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
I used to use that frequently, Steve, when someone would ask a question requiring research. For example, what version introduced RealTracks? My memory will get me close, then the Internet Archive gets me quickly to the exact place. However, I noticed a year ago that the PG Music sites were no longer there! I reported it to PG Music, no response.
I'll look again using your link.
EDIT: Yep, got this:
Sorry.
This URL has been excluded from the Wayback Machine.
Last edited by Matt Finley; 06/15/2007:28 AM.
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; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
My use of BIAB goes right back to version 1 which came on stiffy/floppy drives and was in a box which I got at a music store. The internet was quite basic in those days and mostly consisted of dial-up access and Bulletin Boards so I would not have been aware of PG Music's web site. I think we only had sixteen styles as well.
That version I have backed up onto an archive drive. I cannot run it as it requires a hardware interface to run and I do not have any computers old enough to install my old MPU-401 into. Virtual DOS machines do not work either so the software will never be installed again. In the old days it was a way of getting drums and bass before carrying on the sequencing in Cakewalk Pro. A lot of the songs I could get away with just drums, bass, live guitar and my vocals. But of course in the following years extra instruments were added.
i first bought BIAB on floppies and the earliest file i have was done in 1997. i got PowerTracks free and from then worked out the sequence i still use. Rough out in BIAB and then edit in PowerTracks - now RealBand.
Yes it was all midi and for playing out live we used a Roland SC7 and a yamaha file player. and before the yamaha file player we used a laptop running the DOS version of powertracks. windows was 3.1 and the soft synth i used was the Roland VSC1.
we used bass, drums piano and horns to back our duo of two guitars and singers. brass parts i often entered with edtable notation then harmonised to create a complete brass section. can't help thinking that the workarounds we used on the very simple early version of the program gave us an understanding of what could be done and how to do it that new purchasers faced with a much more powerful (but complicated) version of BIAB are missing.
the last century suddenly feels so far away......................
I'm not sure if I should own up to this, but I started with Atari, however, a lot of water went under the bridge in the meantime. (Still got the disks, haven't got the Atari...)
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
I do remember knowing about the program in the 90's, even had a try at its chord entering interface in the music store... where I was to buy one of them keyboards which could do that instantly (plus BBox not on the Mac yet at that point), so I never really paid any more attention to it at the time. But then two things happened in a short span - it came for my precious Mac platform, and so did the Realtracks - and the rest is... well, now you're stuck with me
p.s. I have to wonder, about those tasty floppies - red or white to go with, what you reckon??
Last edited by Icelander; 06/17/2002:25 PM. Reason: Afterthought
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
Yes, I bought BIAB in a Sam Ash music store in New York City on the recommendation of the salesperson, after inquiring if there was a newer version of what I was using, a Yamaha QY10.
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; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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.
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
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