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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 10
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 10 |
question I am looking at upgrading I have band in a box 2019 not wealthy but which is the best upgrade 2020 mega pak or ultra pak?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,613
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,613 |
Hi. This link describes the various packages and gives a direct comparison between MegaPak and UltraPak. The main difference is in the number of RealTracks. The basic program is the same in each. https://www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.packages.htm
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: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,125
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,125 |
My recommendation is usually to got with the highest package that you can afford.
The Mega pak has > 500 RealTracks while the Ultra pak has > 2,900 RealTracks as well as the 2020 49 pak.
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.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,032
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,032 |
You really don't have BIAB unless you have all the real tracks which come with the Ultra. Just one man's opinion. 
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,275
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,275 |
I'm on the other side of the fence to MusicStudent.
You can get a whole lot of mileage out of BIAB without having all the RealTracks, RealStyles etc. It depends a lot on what you are using BIAB for.
Although I have many of the RTs, I can certainly create a workflow for what I need, without them.
Just another man's opinion!
LLOYD S
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,906
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,906 |
I'm on the other side of the fence to MusicStudent.
You can get a whole lot of mileage out of BIAB without having all the RealTracks, RealStyles etc. It depends a lot on what you are using BIAB for.
Although I have many of the RTs, I can certainly create a workflow for what I need, without them.
Just another man's opinion!
LLOYD S I agree with Lloyd. I work mostly on the MIDI side of BiaB. I rarely use RTs at all. On occasion I do use the RT charts if they are available. There are many different workflows you can use with BiaB. It is a very powerful and versatile piece of software. Just my opinion.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,076
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,076 |
Everyone has strengths and weaknesses plus different ideas about how to use Band-in-a-Box.
RealTracks include many different instruments played by professional session musicians. If you have a need for many different instruments you'll want the UltraPAK or Audiophile.
If you're more interested in midi the MegaPAK will serve you well.
If you want to learn the program and what it has to offer the ProPAK or MegaPAK works for you.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,509
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,509 |
I'm on the MIDI side of the fence myself.
I can export the MIDI files and then edit to make them better...
I can add song specific licks and kicks. I can change chord inversions. I can make the song play notes in chords that BiaB does not play.
I can do simple things too, like change the piano to a rhodes or a clav, a strat sound guitar to a les paul or a banjo, a cowbell to a ride cymbal, a string section to an organ or chorus, the acoustic bass to an electric bass, or whatever.
The fact is that MIDI is thousands of times more editable than audio. I want to play with the music, be an active participant, and take the very good output of Band-in-a-Box and make it better.
A good MIDI sound module can sound 90-99% as good as a real instrument, but expression to me is more important than the finer points of tone.
I'll use a Real Track if it is exactly what I'm looking for, but more often than not there is something I want to change about it, so I go with MIDI.
If I want to passively listen to others play music without my participation, I'll put on a CD.
But I need to emphasize that there is more than one right way to do this. My way is the best for me, and may or may not be best for anyone else.
Notes
Last edited by Notes Norton; 08/15/20 02:55 AM.
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,888
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,888 |
I agree with Notes there's certainly more than one way to create quality music with BIAB and everyone needs to determine the work flow and tools that work best for them.
I straddle the fence between MIDI and audio and use both for their particular strengths they bring to a BIAB song. Edited MIDI files can and do make songs better and audio can really close the gap to making a song sound realistic and commercially viable. Nearly every song can benefit by containing both elements.
There are multiple ways to add song specific licks and kicks using audio, change chord inversions and then use MIDI to make the song play notes in chords and other things that BIAB doesn't play or MIDI is the better choice over using audio.
I believe that over time, MIDI is now only tens or a hundred times more editable than audio. Band in a Box has sufficient audio editing tools to complete many audio editing and arranging tasks that most users normally and unnecessarily export out to a DAW to do. But it's super easy to transfer BIAB tracks when the DAW is the best editing, arranging and production tool. But often, it's more beneficial to edit from BIAB rather than a DAW so features and tools that are exclusive to BIAB can be accessed and utilized. Techniques like programming the Chord Chart to see and anticipate instrument changes, panning and volume automation, muting and unmuting tracks, smooth transitions, fade ins and fade outs are professional studio quality when done in the BIAB project and don't have to be addressed when the project is moved to a DAW.
I use a Real Track if it is exactly what I'm looking for, but on occasion, it's not. When there is something I want to change about RealTrack audio, I edit the audio itself or sometimes combine it with Other RealTrack audio or MIDI most times without leaving BIAB. Done correctly, editing and arranging tracks in BIAB is indistinguishable from manually doing the same in a DAW.
In many cases, I think editing audio from within the BIAB program is vastly underrated and underused. This is true is such areas as the updated Melody's feature and it's 10 channel sub mixer and the two versions of User Tracks where the traditional User Track is not as broken as it's thought to be and the User Artist Performance Track which isn't broken at all. Loops are easy to create and can be made from MIDI or audio and even MIDI and audio combined. The BIAB Mixer can export stems and sub mixes quickly and easily and even if they are exported out for use in a DAW project, reduce mixing time and tracks in those projects.
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 for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,742
Veteran
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,742 |
This gets to really be a question of money. Less than $300 for everything they sell in 2020.
This is a lot of stuff for that amount of money.
After other software, computers, guitars, pianos and other music stuff I own BIAB is not a material amount of money.
Real Tracks for me are useful in many ways. They are a tool to learn new stuff from pro musicians and fun to mess around with for recording.
Midi is every serious musician's go to tool if you use a keyboard. The thing I like most about midi is the vast amount of really good VST's that exist today....many for free and some I own that cost more than BIAB. I could never own enough real drums to get all the sounds I get from VST's. Even if you are a pro drummer playing on the best pro kits, you are likely to trigger a VST from your kit.
Also it depends on what skill sets you have and what other software you use. I can edit in standard notation with a greater degree of precision just because I have better skills there than in midi editing. There is a serious time cost to standard notation not the least of which is learning to read, and of course learning to use a notation software program.
I don't think is is very easy to know what someone will find very useful unless they take a chance and buy the top of the BIAB line of products.
I would never dream of trying to tell you how to spend your money. I would tell you I have never been unhappy with all the stuff I have acquired from PG Music.
Good luck,
Billy
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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!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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®.
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, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed 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 transcribe 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, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
Holiday Weekend Hours
It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:
Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Don't wait - order today!
Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
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.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 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 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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