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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Jan 2002
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I'm sure that Peter has probably already heard this, but I've not been around in a while. I don't get to use BIAB that much, as I don't get to play nearly as much as I used to, but I'm trying to spend more time playing to calm myself and reduce stress.
Okay, having said that, here's my pitch.
When BIAB was first developed so many years ago, it was seriously cutting edge, and blew most 'arranger keyboards' away with its capability. Today, however, even the more modest arranger keyboards usually have 8 tracks dedicated to backing tracks. Obviously, that's not for every style, but a lot of jazz, big band, swing, show tunes, cinematic tracks and such can easily use 8 tracks for their backing sound.
For most keyboards that I'm familiar with, Channel 9 is the bass, Channel 10, of course, is the drums, with my Korgs, Channel 11 has been for percussion in addition to the drums, and then 12-16 are for whatever tracks the style designer chooses.
I don't see why an upcoming version of Band In A Box could not be expanded to support a total of 8 channels of backing tracks. You don't have to use them, of course, but it would be nice to have styles, both MIDI and Real Tracks that support more than the current five tracks that BIAB offers.
Updating older styles shouldn't be that hard, and creating newer ones with 8 tracks of backing would just be a matter of course. Making newer real tracks might be interesting if you have to hire an entire string or a horn section, but in the end, I think it makes BIAB a better product.
The reason I also mentioned MIDI tracks is that the newer keyboards that are coming out have some very nice sounds to them. Are they 'as real as real instruments?' No, and they never will be, as there is always the human element involved, but the sounds on a new Korg PA4X far surpass my PA800 from 15 years ago, and maybe it's time that MIDI in BIAB made a resurgence. Eight backing tracks might just do that.
Anyway, just a suggestion, something for Peter and crew to think about. Get a new keyboard, Korg, Yamaha, Ketron, whatever, pull up a Cinematic, Big Band or a Swing style, and see what I mean.
Gary
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Apr 2013
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By you having not been around recently, you may be interested to read these and other threads revolving around software programming changes that require additional regular mixer channels that act and look same way as existing channels do now. They are requests intended to make BIAB perform close to how recording is done in today's recording environments using modern methods. Here are some recent discussions posted in the Wish List Forum. Dr. Gannon is aware of these and commented positively regarding this popular request. https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=596442#Post596442Select bars -> drag to DAW / Frozen Bars to DAW / re-arrange frozen sections in BIAB? https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=600974#Post600974A Couple More Empty Tracks In Mixer ~ Please https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=593385#Post593385Multiriffs, regenerations / Bar Freeze (Bar-by-bar regeneration) - THE MIXER! https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=594332#Post594332my xmas wishes lol In respect to your request for more backing tracks in BIAB Styles, you don't have to wait for the next version release or update that includes additional Mixer Channels to enjoy the benefit of having additional backing tracks to any style. BIAB styles have been capable of having as many as 70 instruments available and included in any style since at least 2014. Each BIAB Mixer Channel can have up to 10 RealTrack instruments per track. These instruments can be programmed to change every number of bars such as 2, 4, 8; change every Chorus; Change every part marker or manually programmed to change whenever and however you desire. Instruments can sound out simultaneously or consecutively and PG Music enhanced this feature both in the 2019 and 2020 versions, adding panning and volume automation and new styles among other things. Any Channel can only use one sound media type per channel. If a track contains a RealTrack, you can add 9 additional RealTracks to that channel. Sound media types cannot be mixed onto the tracks. Another BIAB feature dating back to at least 2014 provides the BIAB Mixer to create Stem Mixes in a few easy steps: . Arrange the mix, . Export the mix to audio, . Import the audio stem to the Audio Channel and . Convert and move that audio stem mix to any BIAB Mixer Channel. Dozens of Stems can be created and saved in minutes for use in any DAW. Stems can be created from every type of sound media BIAB recognizes or any combination of the various sound media types like MIDI, MIDI Super Tracks, Loops, RealTRacks, RealDrums, Samples, Pre-recorded Audio and Live Audio. Stems can be a single track with or without effects or VSTi's; a mix of two or more BIAB Channels that can be any combination of sound media types BIAB recognizes, midi, midi super tracks, loops, samples, RealTracks, RealDrums, Pre-recorded or live audio. Stems can also be created solely from within BIAB from previously mixed groups described above.
BIAB 2025:RB 2025, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Jan 2002
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Charlie, as I said, I have NOT been around in a while. I've been homeless for the last couple of years, unemployed for the last four years, and not been very active with BIAB or PG Music for quite some time.
I realize that since I use a DAW, there are ways to achieve what I'm looking for without extra tracks, but I still believe, particularly in a live situation, or when you're recording backing tracks for live performance, that additional backing tracks may be desirable.
This is just a suggestion for Dr. Gannon, if he does anything with it, that's great, if not, we haven't lost anything, that's for sure.
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Mar 2018
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Gary, Mr.Gannon hinted earlier this month there might be possibility to add more tracks. My hopes are aimed at beautiful number "16" P.S. Actually this is my biggest wish in BIAB  Lets hope it happens.
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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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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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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 new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
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We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. 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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
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Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
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