That's how I do it. But I also know both systems intimately so rarely need to think about "how much would that be..."
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.
That's how I do it. But I also know both systems intimately so rarely need to think about "how much would that be..."
Yes, I under the concept. I find fractions pretty useless to begin with unless we are talking about very approximant measurements. A half a pie, half crazy. They have more relevance in machining, 1/2 inch but I prefer .500
The speed signs here are in MPH. The speedometer is designed to be read in MPH and yes there are some small numbers in kilometers.
I can think in miles, nautical miles, and kilometers. I have my GPS in my car set to display in kilometers because 700 meters is easier to understand than .435 miles or 87/200 and of course that would be displayed as 1/2 miles but in fact the GPS would never display that distance of 700 meters in miles to begin with.
I know visually what 13MM looks like, more or less the same as 1/2 inch. I know what 300 meters looks like, about from my house to the end of the street.
Part of my frustration is most likely related to constantly having to speak and listen in both English and Spanish and really never knowing when I must use one or the other.
I program my GPS to speak to me in French just to keep the language in my head and because I get tired of both English and Spanish...lol
I also am pretty conversant in both systems. Where it becomes problematic is when precision is needed. That requires precise conversion.
I cook in conventional USA terms...1/2 cup, two teaspoons ect. How much less trouble to have learned that in grams and milliliters.
I remember when MLB first added 2 Canadian teams and the distance down the foul lines was metric. Toronto had 99.97 metres written on the wall in left and right. I wrote to MLB and asked them why, if Toronto said 99.97 metres that teams in the USA did not say 330 feet 7 inches. Why not round off?
Though it's still a travesty that pitchers don't bat in the American League but they do in the National League...
I would prefer that the USA gets off the Imperial system and goes completely metric.
Both systems have their pros and cons, but the majority of the rest of the world is metric, so it would be much easier if we joined the world community.
And Pianobilly, I agree that decimals are better than fractions for making calculations. Two of the only common things better expressed as a fraction are 1/3 and 2/3 :-)
FWIW, those still need to use the tempo map to be correct. But I did get the reference (music) so I smiled. Go ahead and do the below tempo map in fractions <grin>
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
As Trev said earlier, we went metric in the 1970s, but we still use a lot of "descriptive" terminology, such as "He's very tall, well over six feet" Or "the surf was big today ... well over 10 foot waves." There's two funny things I remember at the start of the introduction to the metric system. The first was a politician trying to "sell" the metric system, who said "It may be difficult at first, but stick with it. If you try to forget the imperial system, and think metric, inch by inch we'll get there."
And another person said "This is too hard ..... they should have waited until all of the old people died before introducing it."
...There's two funny things I remember at the start of the introduction to the metric system. The first was a politician trying to "sell" the metric system, who said "It may be difficult at first, but stick with it. If you try to forget the imperial system, and think metric, inch by inch we'll get there."
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.
In the worthless trivia category, the reason for 12 in the Imperial system is to avoid having to deal with fractions.
That is, 12 can be evenly divided by 2, 3, 4 and 6. When you're building stuff, you don't want rounding errors to cause problems, so dealing with integers is just simpler.
Same logic with a 12 hour clock, and 360 degrees. Only with degrees, you basically get to divide by 5 without a fractional result as well.
Vulgar Fractions and Decimal Fractions never worry me. I can us them all. Yep. I can use feet and inches too, no question.
But since moving to a decimal system here a long time ago, the terms: - 12 pounds and 6 and a half ounces, - Nine and three quarter U.S. gallons, - Seventeen feet, five and three sixteenths of an inch measurements are, well, well, so unnecessarily complicated - when there is already a much easier method that has been around for such a long time.
And yes, I also already know that that 1 mile = 5,280 feet or 1,760 yards
But, using metric, I don't have to remember that 16 ounces = 1 pound. 14 pounds = 1 stone or that 2000lb = 1 'short' ton.
I only have to know that - 1000mm = 1 metre, - 1000 metres = 1km. - 1000 grams = 1 kgm. - 1000 kgm = 1 metric tonne.
Just so, so much easier.
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.
14 pounds = one stone...lol At least I don't have to deal with that one...lol
We do have equally arcane measurement systems.
Horses are measured in hands because they didn't have standard measuring tools in ancient societies, so they commonly used hands to measure horses; this tradition continues to the present. One hand is considered 4 inches, so a 15 hand horse is 60 inches tall.
And while we are talking about not having the proper tools. I would like for Ben Franklin to just disappear into the dust of history. Electrons flow from negative to positive not the other way around like all schematics show. Call conventional flow! I call conventional BS!!!
... Electrons flow from negative to positive not the other way around like all schematics show.
Well, yes, but I think we need to cut them some slack. After all, they were inventing the future. Fine tuning it took a little longer .
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.
Engineers and technicians are trained different theories regarding the flow of electricity. One theory addresses electron movement while the other theory looks at electron hole movement. When an electron moves left to right then the electron hole moves right to left.
It's just as confusing as trying to determine who won the calculator war, Hewlett Packard (HP) with their Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) or Texas Instruments (TI) with their Standard Algebraic Notation (SAN). Engineers typically were trained to use RPN while technicians SAN. We may strive to be a classless society but mankind always finds a way to classify people.
It's just as confusing as trying to determine who won the calculator war, Hewlett Packard (HP) with their Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) or Texas Instruments (TI) with their Standard Algebraic Notation (SAN). Engineers typically were trained to use RPN while technicians SAN. We may strive to be a classless society but mankind always finds a way to classify people.
But you have to admit that both RPN and TI beat using a slide rule! You young guns can look up slide rule
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
Engineers and technicians are trained different theories regarding the flow of electricity. One theory addresses electron movement while the other theory looks at electron hole movement. When an electron moves left to right then the electron hole moves right to left.
It's just as confusing as trying to determine who won the calculator war, Hewlett Packard (HP) with their Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) or Texas Instruments (TI) with their Standard Algebraic Notation (SAN). Engineers typically were trained to use RPN while technicians SAN. We may strive to be a classless society but mankind always finds a way to classify people.
I have both calculators. I use the HP for mortgage and interest calculations and the TI for engineering calculations. Actually nowadays there are so many calculators on the internet I use them as much as anything. We also have programs designed for highly specific calculations such as structural engineering.
There are all sorts of terms of measurement that are slowly going away. Feet, yards, fathoms, leagues are rapidly being replaced by meters.
An even with the best of systems many measurements are difficult at best to conceptualize. How small is a nanometer? How far is a parsec? You can not see a nanometer because it is smaller that a wave length of light.
One parsec is defined as the distance at which an arc of length one astronomical unit subtends an angle of one second of an arc .
1 parsec = 3.08 x 1016m. Say what??? OK if you say so...lol
A couple of stories about Metric/Imperial confusion.
1. I saw this on a TV programme about 20 years ago.
In the 1800s an American millionaire acquired architects plans for a French style chateau and commissioned American contractors to build it on land he had bought in the US. Unfortunately the contractors thought the measurements were inches but were actually centimetres. The resulting chateau was 2.5 times bigger than intended.
2. I came across this one while reading a biography of the actor David Niven.
He had a residence in the south of France and employed a local firm to construct a swimming pool in the grounds. His hand written instructions were in feet which they thought were metres, so the pool was about 40+ feet at the deep end.
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.
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!
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.
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)
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