BIAB 2021 has extended the number of tracks thanks to utility tracks.
This is a good first step, absolutely necessary. Thank you !
Now we will have to converge the standard tracks and the utility tracks and ensure that in the future there are only unified tracks, offering all the basic functionalities (support for bars setting, export to the DAW ... ).
It seems to me an essential step to move towards a coherent and industrialized product.
Yes. Every track should have exactly the same functionality. Presently, some tracks only do certain things, other tracks only do other things. Consistency and Standardization would be the way to resolve all of these confounding issues. I hope the developers are working towards that goal.
+1
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
Based on comments from the developers, and the fact that improvements were already made toward that goal after the initial release, I think we are all in agreement.
+1
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.
----------------------- Videotrack, "Every track should have exactly the same functionality."
I agree BUT... how do you envision a workflow were you want shots/holds/rest/pushes used with Utility tracks? I do not believe a quarter of the chord bar cell would support these for many tracks. I was thinking about this for some time now, and the most logical solution would be to place these items in the bar settings.
Of course "visual" consistency and convenience of typing in the bar function would be lost for these Utility tracks. But it seems the only logical place to put these. I am posting my idea here in hope that other folks will chip in and offer other ideas of how to achieve MOST of function / consistency for UtilityTracks. To me it is like a puzzle...would be interested to learn of other possible solutions. .. and of course hoping PG team is listening.
Rusty, Yes, plan is to make the util tracks same functionality as regular tracks. (Note that you can generate realtracks on them now, but not as a part of styles).
Thanks for the graphic, shots/holds/rests/pushes would need to go into chord settings dialog, where they are now. For people who like to type them in, something like u1,u2 could describe the tracks. So that Am..bdu1u3 Would rest all tracks except bass, drums, util 1 and Util 3 Peter
I agree BUT... how do you envision a workflow were you want shots/holds/rest/pushes used with Utility tracks?
It seems that you are still identifying Utility Tracks as being separate tracks with separate functionality that needs to be handled differently.
I'm actually suggesting that all tracks should work the same.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
Peter, Videotrack Thank you for joining the discussion! Please excuse my ignorance, but I am still confused how "typing in" would work in some situations. Lets imagine a potential stress scenario. All tracks are used (legacy + Utility). As it works now, you can "type in" within each of 4 beats in the bar (and even that if used to full extent can look quite complex).
This is hypothetical, but how would this fit in a single bar by typing in such action:
I suggested doing shots, holds etc., at the "Bar Settings" for 3 reasons:
1)I believe chord bar might have issues with supporting huge lines of potential "type in" cell commands for shots, holds etc and a possible mistake might lead to a looong rewrite, because it does not act as text in notepad. You can not edit it without re-typing whole thing
2)Most likely larger number of tracks would require constant changes at the bar menu (F5) anyway, so I figured it would take much less steps if done under single menu (tabs?) + More coherent, because there is more space for created "names" of the tracks which could be applied dynamically to the list. Meaning, if you re-name a Utility track to: "CrazyViolin", it will show up as "CrazyViolin" at the bar setting menu, that way you will now exactly what you are holding, shotting or resting or excluding. With U1, U2 etc... it might be like the memory game, the one that you have to find two of same cards when they are face down. Forgive me, but I am not being sarcastic about this. I think it might pose a challenge to people of cross-referencing legacy tracks + 16 new Utility tracks in "type in" or even at the "chord menu" with u1, u2 names., Actual screen space at Bar Settings can support dynamic (given) or even condensed real names that could be displayed instead of U1, U2.
3)Potentially in future, it would be possible to use Shift or Control (or other methods) to bulk change groups of tracks and it is easier if they lined up in certain grid.
P.S. I hope I am making some sense and you did not fall asleep
I thought I remembered making a graphic for that. Maybe if you ctrl click the chord when it has a shot hold etc.. it could bring up the track option and mirror it also in F5 like you show. Also have a select all/none check box. This will prevent the cramming. Maybe you could have the b,d,g,s,p in that also ? So it's backward compatible let it read C...b,d into the check boxes already checked to be exempt and just display C... Maybe it can be another color if there are exempt tracks ? Or C...x
Yes, there are lots of ingenious ways to deliver the required functionality. RustySpoon's suggestions and your suggestions are all worthy of consideration.
No doubt, PGM developers will have thought out all the detail, the traps and the pitfalls as they proceed with the functionality. In the meantime, I'm sure they appreciate the input and suggestions from the users.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
Videotrack, most likely I am a minority in these discussions with my views, but I do believe that workflow is nearly important as functions. Sure, there are "fifty ways" things can be made to work, but if they are not made ergonomically, they will be features for selected group of power users. Average user will not be able to see / use many benefits program has to offer. I just wish there would be more discussion on user end design to offer Peter and crew different views and opinions on same feature. Especially on important item of this magnitude, which is tripling the amount of available tracks.
To me personally, Util.Tracks are single most important added feature in BIAB, most likely for years to come. To echo OP post: "This is a good first step, absolutely necessary. Thank you !" +1 big thank you from me!
Videotrack, most likely I am a minority in these discussions with my views, but I do believe that workflow is nearly important as functions. Sure, there are "fifty ways" things can be made to work, but if they are not made ergonomically, they will be features for selected group of power users. Average user will not be able to see / use many benefits program has to offer. I just wish there would be more discussion on user end design to offer Peter and crew different views and opinions on same feature. Especially on important item of this magnitude, which is tripling the amount of available tracks.
I do not believe that you are in the minority. I for one completely agree with you.
Originally Posted By: Rustyspoon#
To me personally, Util.Tracks are single most important added feature in BIAB, most likely for years to come. To echo OP post: "This is a good first step, absolutely necessary. Thank you !" +1 big thank you from me!
I agree that the utility tracks and the VSTi are both the most important improvements in years. But in both cases they were not fully developed prior to making them available to the consumers. I wonder how many potential customers they lost because of this and the workflow issues.
I'm in a fitness protection program. I'm been hiding from exercise.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Rusty. i like your graphic idea useing the F5 dialogue. for shots/holds/pushes etc. OR in pipelines graphich just insert instead of the tick, how bout entering S or H or P etc.
OR how bout that linear view i proposed in one of my wishes. ie. bars/beats/chords linearly over time >>>> at the top. and the 16 tracks down left hand side. and like the bb piano roll "cels" covering everything. right clik on a cel at a particular time/beat within a chord for a particular track and a dialog pops up with a bunch of functions. like shot or hold or push or freeze or regen or patch change or volume or pan change for example for that particular instrument at that particular beat within that particular chord. ie the general layout would look like piano roll, but, instead of a keyboard on left hand side like most piano rolls, there are 16 vertical traks, and the white space //cels is used for instrument beat/bar settings/changes ? add into the linear view markers vertical to match ones daw markers, and YES ! how bout it ?
note. hiliting a series of cels would cover changes over several beats/bars etc etc.
go ahead and critique me.
best. muso.
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 03/23/2103:57 AM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
Some great suggestions here. I agree that typing in the ‘except’ track names into a quarter of a cell is unworkable, and some sort of editable representation like Pipeline showed is needed. There have been several viable suggestions of how these new extra (and someday equal) tracks should be named. I think the only idea I might rule out is single letters. We don’t want the position of single letters in a long string to be critical, such as this: Am7..d,b,s,l,t,s,b,t
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.
Rustyspoon, I certainly don't think you are in the minority. That's why I wrote this earlier:
Quote:
Yes, there are lots of ingenious ways to deliver the required functionality. RustySpoon's suggestions and your suggestions are all worthy of consideration.
No doubt, PGM developers will have thought out all the detail, the traps and the pitfalls as they proceed with the functionality. In the meantime, I'm sure they appreciate the input and suggestions from the users.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
I'm a bit worn out from being here too long fighting to make things better and are trying to phase out of this, so it's good to see Rusty coming up also with all these great ideas and graphics to help take PG forward.
See with typing in all the hold exemptions after the chord is a pain to change if you change your mind to to put one track back in.
Videotrack, I know, you always try to spot valid ideas. I was just tripped with what you said: "It seems that you are still identifying Utility Tracks as being separate tracks with separate functionality that needs to be handled differently"
As I explained above, it will not be possible to have legacy tracks + 16 Utility tracks be written in cell as we are familiar with legacy tracks. Artificially limiting "written in" U.Tracks, would not be a good idea either for obvious reasons. So in a sense Utility Tracks should have a separate mechanism to achieve rests, shots, holds, exemptions etc.
I think the real question / challenge with this is hidden in workflow. Pipeline has some excellent points with possibility of shortcut, which is in a way advanced. I am proposing a suggestion to combine "Chord Options" and "Bar settings" in one. With a tab in Utility Track section which could follow right after legacy tracks. I have a visual idea in mind. I will make a sketch when time permits.
Pipeline, You need a beer, or a glass of wine Limit your load, gears will spin more freely. We need you here. ---------------------------------- Riccoboni, sorry for intrusion and thank you for starting this thread. It is a big subject that I hope people will contribute ideas to.
I think this is going to be great once Utility tracks can do what any other track can do. And now, PG Music is alerted to some of the concerns about how we would work with them. It should be fun to see what they come up with.
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.
I think this is going to be great once Utility tracks can do what any other track can do. And now, PG Music is alerted to some of the concerns about how we would work with them. It should be fun to see what they come up with.
Yes, that's exactly what I've been trying to say.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
"I think this is going to be great once Utility tracks can do what any other track can do." +1
But... still I think it is equally important on HOW (workflow) it will be achieved. Because if it is not done right, it will be frustration class 101.
I am trying to push idea of combining 2 menus: Bar settings + Chord menu for pushes, holds (that will facilitate these for U.Tracks. Bar setting is probably one of the most used menus in arrangement. This combining would eliminate many steps and cleaner gui (LeSs separate menus). Since both items (bar settings + chord menu) relate to a specific bar, it makes logical sense to me to open ONE location (F5) for most of settings related to specific bar.
P.S. I believe there was a discussion about condensing some of menus recently. I think this is a perfect opportunity to do that for functions of U.Tracks. Kind of getting two rabbits with one shot.
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.
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)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean