|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 66
Enthusiast
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 66 |
Why do PG programers break things that worked in previous BIAB programs? I changed my Preferences/Notation/Transpose section to GUITAR at +12 semitones, which you should if you wants your notes in a guitar melody line. Well, that didn't make the AI of BIAB 2010 happy and so everytime I start BIAB 2010 up I repeatly get this annoying message in a green box saying my transpose section is not correct.huh? What? I play guitar and not piano which is an octave higher. There is no way to make this popup go away unless you constantly click on it everytime you start your BIAB 2010 program. GET THE BUGS OUT PG MUSIC!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,604
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,604 |
You will want to read my reply in the other identical thread you started, here: http://www.pgmusic.com/ubbthreads/showfl...ge=0#Post267546
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 211
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 211 |
Quote:
I repeatly get this annoying message in a green box saying my transpose section is not correct ... There is no way to make this popup go away unless you constantly click on it everytime you start your BIAB 2010 program. GET THE BUGS OUT PG MUSIC!
Ohhhhh, now why did you have to go and say that?
I don't know how everyone else's program works, but mine just disappears on it's own after a second or two. This gives me just enough time to read it and then it just disappears ... I don't know what else I could ask for really, since I don't have to do anything more than just read the message (and perhaps follow up on it if I choose to).
As a retired systems analyst and applications developer / programmer (and an adult-continuing- education teacher in auditory technologies), I'd like to offer up some free advice to you. I think that maybe I can help you and others here understand some things about the tools you're using. Not the least of these being these kinds of 'annoying' features that plague us humble users!
I believe that your, "... popup that won't go away ..." problem is a pretty decent design feature actually because it gives PG a means of dynamically informing the user of some relevant information about a current 'situation' that may exist. I say 'dynamic' because the message(s) will likely change depending on each user's unique circumstances. Note that my own settings may be totally different than yours and visa-versa. In reality, this should be seen as one of the great qualities of any software manufacturer's products; not just PG's. This kind of flexibility is what all software developers strive for. While it might seem annoying to us, trust me, it's better than the alternative -- having those settings hard-coded where you have no choices at all or maybe fifteen different versions of the same program 'out there' to suite every platform and/or hardware setup (typical of where the technology was not so many years ago)!
One thing that I firmly believe all of us Band-In-A-Box'ers can agree on is that there's a LOT of user settings in any of PG's software products -- some will argue that there's just far too many. It became instantly obvious to me that this company likes to give ya' options! I'm just a BiaB rookie and I can clearly identify with those users who are becoming annoyed with feature-bloat software. These days, as I have less and less time to devote to 'learning', I tend to avoid this stuff like the plague and having read several reviews of BiaB before I committed to purchase it, it was clear to me that as learning curves go, I was in for a very long ride here! At first I wasn't sure myself if I wanted to commit to something like that.
Reading so-called quick, user-friendly, inch-thick user guides seems to be the norm these days, doesn't it? Who the heck has time to read a good 'ole novel anymore when you've got a ring-binder full of printed PDF 'guides' to get through (and hopefully understand)? I'll even bet that every one of us has a box in the closet full of software manuals that didn't do anything, as much as it did to just dive in and kick the wheels ourselves! Yes, I too am a member of the "Use-The-Manual-When-I-Absolutely-Have-To" club and I don't remember the last time I followed printed directions on Christmas day!
While I can appreciate that PG and companies like them are trying to apply their software to every imaginable computer scenario, I will argue that taking a single software title and adding dozens of windows with software settings intended to cover every potential feature, does not at all appeal to the casual user. It is obviously a pet peeve of this user's as he regards it as a 'bug'! And by the way ... when we first started using BiaB, which one of us was not a casual user? Right?
In this case though (and BiaB can hardly be considered the king of casual-user software), I'd encourage us as users to try and understand that most people do not begin to realize what "circumstances" they're in when they start up their software. So here (with software that's some pretty heady stuff), it makes perfect sense to me to use the computer's reasoning ability to let us BiaB-dummies know if and when we're headed for trouble! I'll tell you this ... If a feature like this one eliminated my having to call my Indian-speaking support desk at all hours of the day and night, I'd be soooooo happy! Yes?
Note: I beg that my friends from India will forgive me, but I myself have terrible frustration trying to understand non-English speaking, tech-support personnel (not just those from India). I'm speaking of those who have distinctive, 'hard' foreign accents (accents that until recently, were relatively foreign to this country). I certainly do not intend my previous comments to be regarded as a racial slam and it would be terribly upsetting if I knew that I had offended anyone here. As a matter of fact, I have many very good, life-long friends of other ethnicity's, including those who know far more about computers than I will ever hope to know. It is difficult in my opinion however, to understand why American companies routinely man their support help-desks with personnel who have obvious difficulties speaking the language that my owner's manual is printed in and indeed, I take offense at this. Some of you know what I mean. This trend will certainly WILL have an affect on my technology-purchasing decisions in the future. This I can guarantee isn't my own thinking.
Now, where were we before I slammed India and the millions of Indians who will undoubtedly and deservingly bombard my blog into oblivion ...
Okay, so agreed ... PG has "forced" this messaging feature on you (and perhaps other features you're not happy about or understanding very well at this moment). In fact, I'll bet it won't be the last time that a feature drives both of us batty! But, I think it's safe to say that this particular feature might have been brought about because historically, PG staff could have received requests for support which were related to such users stating that they were, "... not aware of that feature ..." or that, "... I didn't see that printed anywhere ... where's that in the book?" or, "... it worked yesterday!" As a former help-desk supervisor my personal favorite was, "I don't have time for this!" Now folks, my employer would never have stood for this, but I fantasize about saying something like, "Well maybe this really isn't up your alley and if you're not going to invest the time to learn how to use it as it was designed to be used (and use it well so you're not bothering me), then I guess you'll be getting just exactly what you paid for and obviously, I'll then be getting paid (with your credit card of course), to answer your call! Is there anything else that I can help you with today kind sir?"
So, I would suggest that we think of PG's design decision like this ... at least if they do it this way, they can be reasonably certain that some lucky users will read the messages and then hopefully some of those users will feel compelled to actually do something about them and follow up on what they're reading.
Now I know it might sound amazing (and I'm not trying to sound condescending), but some users don't even read the documentation that they paid for! How about that! And what about a README file that never get's read or an OPENMEFIRST envelope that's never opened? Even more ridiculous ... Just imagine that some users will actually choose not follow up even when the program makes a logical choice (on their behalf), that it's an important issue ... Important enough for the user to be immediately informed about it (as it flashes colorfully on your screen as if there were a fire in the building)! And, just as in my analogy, if users choose to ignore the fire alarm, they'll probably get burned ... And they do!
We can assume from the time it took the developer to implement this feature into the program, that they felt that you might benefit from this and would want this information relayed to you BEFORE starting to use the program (a program that perhaps as of yet hasn't been set up just right).
Personally, I feel that without this timely information I might otherwise spend a whole lot of wasted time on my music project, only to find that the software can't perform as I expected because there's a critical setting missing or something else that prohibits it from working correctly. Note that the program's not stopping you from continuing -- or from complaining about software bugs either (when you actually find an honest-to-goodness bug rather than a feature of the product)!
I'm not a BiaB expert by no means and I'm not belittling you, trust me. I'm a VERY new user of BiaB and I don't know anybody here. I'm relatively certain that even you, yourself have a better handle on the BiaB software than I do. Actually, I've never even heard of BiaB until recently and I know even less about the company. I'm simply trying to show you (and other users) a different 'side' of the feature-delima on the software development side. But, in all fairness to PG, they seen this particular feature as critical enough to plaster right there at the program's startup, right smack over top of your controls even! Obviously the user simply cannot avoid it. In fact, I'd venture a guess that when PG staff sees your complaint, the developers will likely slap high-fives all around the office because that, "... popup that won't go away ..." problem of yours did just exactly what it was designed to do! It got your attention! Your post is proof-positive that it is a good feature and it works!
If users make a conscious decision to ignore these messages, then that is up to the user, not the people who created or sold the software. So, know that there are consequences.
I hope I haven't offended anyone or stepped on any shoes. I offer my opinions and comments here as a friendly gesture and I hope it helps someone. If for no other reason, maybe to cool tempers over this and the other 'features that don't work' or software errant 'bug' posts that I've read here recently. I don't think they're justified at all and PG has a great set of products. I can't wait to try new features! Keep 'em coming!
Good luck to you!
P.S. I could be wrong, but I sensed that this user is pro-Apple / Garageband and anti-Windows PC / Band In A Box. In charge of multi-millions in hardware and software, I've had both environments under my wing, and trust me, there's enough complaints on both sides of the table to go around! I find that platform actually has nothing to do at all with our discussion here. To me, this is more of a problem where the user is neglecting their responsibility to educate themselves adequately even when there has been provided a marvelous array of resources for him to use.
Ike
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,604
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,604 |
ikeinblackriver , did you read my response in his other thread about this? I explained where this feature came from. See the link in my post, above yours.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 211
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 211 |
Matt, I've said it before here and I'll say it again. You're an excellent communicator and your post was spot-on. Having discussed the transpositioning issues with you and others recently, I was especially agreeable to your comments about this feature.
I think this particular feature is absolutely the right thing to have added and it will no doubt work for other scenarios like this in the future.
I can relate from one point of view ... that this will undoubtedly make some programmer happy for all the hard coded messages they'll not need to maintain.
I was thinking ... I liken it to a kind of private message center -- where the program (and potentially the PG staff) can get information out to the users quickly. Not everyone will follow the forums every day or keep in touch with the website. So, this might be the ideal 'BiaB Instant Messenger' for anything that needs to be conveyed immediately to every BiaB user.
Ike
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,604
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,604 |
Thanks, Russell. This transposition problem actually fooled me on a concert once. I play many instruments, some of which are transposing instruments. I had forgotten that I saved a song after transposing it. I went back to that song years later and relearned it, but it was not in the correct 'concert' key, although I thought it was. Then, on the gig, I played the first note in the wrong key. Not good.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 88
Enthusiast
|
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 88 |
I think every musician has one of those live-gig "wrong-key" horror stories.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,604
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,604 |
And then there's Stacy Hedger, Miss Douglas.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,410
Posts804,529
Members40,118
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean