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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 2026:RB 2026, 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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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!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
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.
Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!
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.
Holiday Weekend Hours
As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:
April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours
Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
— Team PG
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
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.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
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