|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,142
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,142 |
the three phases i think were described by robert heinlein. phase one - the machine works but in a very clunky and inefficient way. phase 2 is where they build on bits and modifications that are designed to stop the clunkiness - a big flywheel to smooth out rough running for example. phase three is a streamlined, simple, better engineered version without the extra bits that just works as it should have done to start with.
strikes me BIAB is at phase 2. bits added to meet the wish list of extra mixer channels and so on. the slew of patches this time and bugs that need fixing is longer this year than i can ever remember. it seems it's getting harder to handle the bits built on.
BIAB will never reach phase three. it's not a DAW. it's an auto accompaniment program. a recent post by simon on aux sends in the mixer sums it up. you generate a BIAB track and then finish in a DAW. i use RB and it does everything the add on bits that BIAB keeps coming out with to add DAW functions do.
not everyone likes RB but it seems most of us use BIAB then finish off in a DAW.
i love BIAB and RB. pg music has great staff and a good support team and forums are informative and helpful.
i just wonder if BIAB would be better if PG concentrated on the auto accompaniment element and met some of the wish list requirements like breaking free of 3/4 and 2/4 time signatures, requested RealTracks etc instead of building on clunky bits to turn BIAB into a DAW.
after all, RB comes free with BIAB, and Reaper and Cakewalk are free too. maybe phase three has been with us all along? BIAB plus DAW not BIAB plus bolt ons.
however, after the rant i am going to upgrade to 2021 as soon as the patches seem to slow down.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
most of us use BIAB then finish off in a DAW. I once asked about why people have stuck to BIAB and not moved to RB. The overwhelming answer was "Because we started before there was RB and don't want to change." That was a "SMDH" moment for me and I didn't continue in the conversation. My take on that would have irritated too many. And I do enough of that with my often deliberate provocative comments. I try to make people think and potentially open their minds to new things. "What I do works" is NOT an acceptable lifestyle to me. Your brain will die if you don't keep trying to expand it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,498
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,498 |
I don't want to get caught up in this one other to remind folks Reaper is NOT free!
Reaper is free to try then either you need to pay for it or quit using it. On the other hand Cakewalk By Bandlab is FREE, and is full-featured and one of the very first DAWs for PC ever, Tracktion version 7, I think version 7, is also free.
Larry
Win10Pro,i9,64GB,2TBSSD+20TBHDDs,1080TI,BIAB'24,Scarlett18i8,Montage7,Fusion 8HD,QS8,Integra7,XV5080,QSR,SC-8850,SPLAT,FL21&others,Komp.14,IK suite&others, just a guitar player-AXE FX III &FM9T, FishmanTP, MIDIGuitar2, GK2/3'sw/GI20
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,420
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,420 |
I once asked about why people have stuck to BIAB and not moved to RB. The overwhelming answer was "Because we started before there was RB and don't want to change ...
This was not the only answer you got, just the most frequent one. There are other reasons. No need to lump everyone into the same group.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 62
Enthusiast
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 62 |
I have often thought that PG Music should just add a tab to BIAB that opens up the RealBand track view for all those that have an aversion to using RealBand. That would have done everything the new utility tracks do and more. Sometimes being responsive to customers (especially just the most vocal) just amounts to "letting the inmates run the asylum". It seems like a waste of precious resources to just allow another way to do what we already have the ability to do.
With that said, I will also jump on the upgrade soon. Just as I always have. Occasionally it's good to remember that this forum does not represent the BIAB user universe. It is a very small very special subset of users and an echo chamber for those users only.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,142
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,142 |
sorry - reaper should cost but i know that all that is reported is a nag screen after the trial period that does not affect function
i don't use it but if i did would feel honour bound to pay
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
I have often thought that PG Music should just add a tab to BIAB that opens up the RealBand track view for all those that have an aversion to using RealBand. This touches on something that I have wondered for 10 years. To see BIAB and RB contained in the same package, you could easily assume that they are complimentary softwares. They are not. They are 2 completely different applications. Would I would love to see if that once an OG (or NG) BIAB user finishes a song, that song could open in RB EXACTLY as BIAB generated it. I have not tried, because I have never run BIAB because with it not being a true DAW my brain has decided it is the lesser of the two. I have watched some tutorial videos and that little mixer that pops up seems silly to me, being a DAW guy. The SGU vs SEQ thing I don't really know about other than to know that they are not directly importable without being reinterpreted. Which of course takes what the songwriter is quite happy with and changes it to something he maybe ISN'T happy with. It should be possible to just bring that BIAB song into RB just to add the4 DAW accessibility but not change one note of it. Now, many people would know that when they finish writing "MYNEWSONG" in BIAB and DO want to send it to RB to make a copy, and import "COPYOFMYNEWSONG" into RB so they can A/B the two. Most don't know to do that. BIAB and RB are both good at what they do. Just different. While I WOULD like to see the DAW side of things enhanced they aren't likely to do things just because ONE user wants it. (Apparently the cutoff is 3....)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,251
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,251 |
BIAB and RB are both good at what they do. Just different. While I WOULD like to see the DAW side of things enhanced they aren't likely to do things just because ONE user wants it. (Apparently the cutoff is 3....) You're letting your snarky side come out there Eddie! LOL
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,420
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,420 |
BIAB and RB are both good at what they do. Just different. While I WOULD like to see the DAW side of things enhanced they aren't likely to do things just because ONE user wants it. (Apparently the cutoff is 3....) You're letting your snarky side come out there Eddie! LOL Eddie misses the mark on both sides and unless he is joking, his “3” remark is actually harmful. People need to know that PG Music responds to the suggestions it can and agrees with, even when only one person proposes the change. And I’ve already explained that the three people who prominently advocated for cut-time support had a valid music theory argument that opens the product up for use by many who play genres where they would have dismissed BIAB in the past.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,251
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,251 |
BIAB and RB are both good at what they do. Just different. While I WOULD like to see the DAW side of things enhanced they aren't likely to do things just because ONE user wants it. (Apparently the cutoff is 3....) You're letting your snarky side come out there Eddie! LOL Eddie misses the mark on both sides and unless he is joking, his “3” remark is actually harmful. People need to know that PG Music responds to the suggestions it can and agrees with, even when only one person proposes the change. And I’ve already explained that the three people who prominently advocated for cut-time support had a valid music theory argument that opens the product up for use by many who play genres where they would have dismissed BIAB in the past. Eddie isn't joking Matt. I'm relatively sure he's p*ssed that we had a legitimate problem addressed. That doesn't justify disparaging comments about a very good company like PG Music.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
Eddie isn't joking Matt. I'm relatively sure he's p*ssed that we had a legitimate problem addressed.
Bob, I don't care that they addressed your problem. Good for you to see your comfort level enhanced. The point is that I, another extremely small minority (of 1), have what TO ME is a major problem and they will not address it. I lost track of how many times I have asked to have 1/4 note and 1/2 note triplets addressed. Just as in the case of your issue, where once it is fixed it may benefit more than just the three primary players in that subject thread. When triplets become an option, perhaps more users would incorporate them in their writing. I can only say that I have a damn good song on hold that can't be programmed in Real Band as it is. I explained in detail what the suggested workaround would take, and nobody is even sure if that workaround would work. I want to be able to select a measure, be able to hay "I want 1/2 note triplets in this measure", and have the drum accents follow the beats of those triplets. I may be the only one who cares, and if so I don't expect it be addressed. Not for one guy. As to your problem, I read all those threads and it appeared to be 3 people who were upset about that notation thing. But that they fixed. Shouldn't we all be given the same courtesy when we make GOOD suggestions? If you want to call that being p*ssed, have at it. I just want my problem fixed. Maybe it can be done with 2021, because, damn you self imposed peer pressure, I just ordered it.
Last edited by eddie1261; 12/08/20 08:48 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,420
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,420 |
Eddie, yes, you should be able to get this fixed if I'm understanding your problem correctly. Is it notation or sound, or both, that is a problem?
Does a concise and respectful request exist for the change you want? [I do not use RealBand nor read the RealBand threads.] I would be happy to go there and support your request if it makes sense.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,863
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,863 |
The SGU vs SEQ thing I don't really know about other than to know that they are not directly importable without being reinterpreted. Which of course takes what the songwriter is quite happy with and changes it to something he maybe ISN'T happy with. It should be possible to just bring that BIAB song into RB just to add the4 DAW accessibility but not change one note of it. I am not a fan of Realband because it just does not compare to a modern, full-featured DAW. BUT, you make a great point here. I was willing to use RB in spite of my DAW preferences until I realized much of my work done in BIAB, such as bar settings and frozen tracks, just gets tossed when I load the song in RB! Realband should be able to open a BIAB song and apply everything I set up in BIAB.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
Wait? What? J3 and I agree on something? Isn't that one of the signs of the apocalypse? LOL!!
Isn't that frustrating when you get it JUST so and then everything gets lost in translation? Kind of like painting a room with JUST the right color and then it dries 3 shades darker, so you have to paint again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
Eddie, yes, you should be able to get this fixed if I'm understanding your problem correctly. Is it notation or sound, or both, that is a problem?
Does a concise and respectful request exist for the change you want? [I do not use RealBand nor read the RealBand threads.] I would be happy to go there and support your request if it makes sense. I put that into the Real Band Wish List forum. It is both rhythmic and sonic in this context, because where I need the pulses in the measure to fall gets both a chord accent and a drum hit. At some point a song example will come to me that has what I need but as usual, when put on the spot to think of one I am coming up empty. This thread is the wish list post.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,420
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,420 |
Thanks for the problem description Eddie.
What you are requesting in that post isn't triplets, so I'm confused.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
Thanks for the problem description Eddie.
What you are requesting in that post isn't triplets, so I'm confused. REALLY??? What would you call that? You are way better on notation than I am. Let me state it here once more so I know you get what I said. I need beats here where it's bolded. ONE and two AND three and FOUR and If not half note triplets, what? Is this already possible, please tell me how, because I have never been able to make it work. If not me, who? If not now, when?
Last edited by eddie1261; 12/08/20 10:26 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,420
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,420 |
What you have written is a chord on beat one, a push of an eighth note before beat three, and a chord on beat four. This is a classic driving rhythm such as in Don't Rain on My Parade, performed by Barbra Streisand. Is that the sound you hear?
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
|
eddie1261
Unregistered
|
Not quite the same context. I am going to go upstairs in a little while and manually enter a few reps of what I want and post them. It is one of those things where I am trying to explain what "red" is to someone who can't see.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,420
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,420 |
Agreed. How about posting a song that has what you want? It may indeed be that you want half note triplets, and not what you described.
ps the rhythm as you wrote it would be only in the first, third, and fifth measures of the song I mentioned.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
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®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
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
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows 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)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
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 PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,648
Posts794,281
Members39,928
| |
Most Online25,754 Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|