Hey, I don’t know if it is just me, but I think the BIAB manual could use one simple overhaul for something that seems to be missing in almost any query or content search—THE BUTTON IS HERE, and it looks like THIS. Here is a RED CIRCLE around the button, and HERE IS WHERE YOU WILL FIND IT.
I will give one example of something simple that made me want to smash myself in the head with a hammer, but I have seen many, many more.
I wanted to transpose a midi melody in the melody track—just that, down an octave.
So, I look at the screen, my eyes get crossed, and I go to manual. There is page after page of text telling you all the things you can do with references to submenus, but nothing with a picture of the button and how you get to it from the main dashboard. As in WHERE IS IT??? And WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE????
Oh wait, it's not a button, it is actually on the main screen, I think, is that it, under "melody," in 6 pt. type? Should I have guessed???? Hmmmmm. Should someone have said "Main screen, across the top, look for drop down menu, before you get to the rows of buttons?" Should that have been intuitive???
Ok, maybe being goofy, but it is very easy to go blind looking for stuff, and the wording of the manual is not super user friendly at times.
Just one example, but I have found in the majority of major function searches, I just want to know what the button looks like (or, which menu are you talking about and WHERE IS THAT???) and where you access it, and I can take it from there. That instant specificity really seems to be missing most of the time and it drives me nuts.
Am I being the cranky old guy who just needs to shut up or does anyone else go nuts trying to use the manual???
But, I love me some Band-in-a-Box though!!!! Don’t want to be a whiner!!!
If I am being unreasonable, just let me know…
David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers
When I first bought BIAB in 2012 I was thrilled to find it had a HUGE PDF manual. I am old school. I LOVE big, thick software manuals.
But I quickly soured on the BIAB manual because 1) I could never find what I was looking for and 2) I would find plenty of things referencing obscure functions that no longer seem applicable to the modern versions.
I finally gave up and now I have a 3-pronged approach to using BIAB,
1) try to muddle through and figure it out
2) ask in the forum
3) give up, settle for some great RealTracks and do the heavy lifting in my DAW
If anyone at our beloved PG Music is tuning in, please consider pictures under every major topic.
Like, TRANSPOSING in music, or TRANSPOSING MELODY is one of the top 5 things done in music.
SO--give us a picture or two, show us the dashboard, how you go from Button A to Button Z, circle the knob in red with an arrow.
This applies to most major topics. There is a TON of text, but at the end of super long sections you are often left without the answer to this question:
SO WHERE IS THAT BUTTON, EXACTLY???
Help us PG Music! Please help us!!!!!
David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers
Like this. This is what I'm talking about. This is not a button, and it isn't clear where you go, until you guess. Oh yeah, the little main menu across the top. Oh Doh. Now I get it, and I'm squintin'.
I KNOW IT MAKES ME LOOK STUPID WHEN I FINALLY FIND IT, but it is easy for eyes to get crossed, and this might be a bad example, I dunno.
However, some little pictures with an arrow or two pointing to where you go, on any given top would be very helpful, as things can get real confusing real fast. More visuals.
A simple picture with drop downs would help. This is the case throughout the manual. It seems like such an easy/fix.
David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers
I think the problem may have to do with things moving every year. Every year people want a GUI makeover .. so stuff moves. And yes it can be frustrating sometimes.
I remember one year I was looking for the millisecond clock in RB where I expected it to be, and emailed dev telling them it was missing .. and their reply was 'you don't see it in the tiny bar just above the Taskbar?'
Well not until you told me where you hid it! The option used to be by the from:thru, now it's a tiny clock way down in bottom left corner .. almost looks like it is somewhere between RB and the Taskbar.. dang near on the Start button for Windows <grin> I got used to it eventually, but I agree the unclear changes every year can be frustrating at times
Last edited by rharv; 06/07/2112:19 PM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
There is page after page of text telling you all the things you can do with references to submenus, but nothing with a picture of the button and how you get to it from the main dashboard. As in WHERE IS IT??? And WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE????
Great dragons above, David, you're singing the song of my people!!!! The manual makes my eyes cross and I never do find what I'm looking for. SO much easier (and faster!) to ask here in the forums.
Love is always worth the risk.
HP laptop; Windows 10 Home 64 bit; core i5; 2.40 Ghz; 8 GB RAM; 256 GB hard drive; BIAB 2021 Build 835.
> Like, TRANSPOSING in music, or TRANSPOSING MELODY is one of the top 5 things done in music. SO--give us a picture or two, show us the dashboard, how you go from Button A to Button Z, circle the knob in red with an arrow. This applies to most major topics. There is a TON of text, but at the end of super long sections you are often left without the answer to this question: SO WHERE IS THAT BUTTON, EXACTLY???
David, You don't need the manual to get answers to questions like this. Use the Feature Browser. Inside the program, from a screen that you type chords, instead type '/' and hit <ENTER> (or press the (?) Feature Browser button on the main toolbar), and you will enter a world where you can find out where/how to use a feature by typing word(s) that describe the feature.
For example, start to type the word "transpose" and you'll get shown how to do it.This will list the menu items, hot keys etc. to help you transpose the melody. For example, it will tell you that there are hot keys to transpose the melody up down an octave (Ctrl-Alt-1) or up an octave (Ctrl-Alt-2).
But wait.... there's more!
For many of the items, in addition to telling you how to do it, there is a Do-It button. And there is for the transpose, so you just press that "Do-It" button.
The Feature Browser is also available from the main screen toolbar, with the word "Browser" on it and a "?" icon, and a tooltip that tells you the same information I'm providing in this post. To see this graphic, click on "featurebrowser1.jpg" below.
Thanks Peter!!! Ha ha ha, I didn't mean to bother such a high level authority with my boneheaded question, but I will check that out!!! Maybe by tomorrow I will be a true expert.
On a happy note, BIAB 2021 is smokin'! There is some CRAZY cool stuff in this addition soundwise and I am loving it!!!
You guys and gals have really outdone yourself with 2021.
David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers
Every four or five years I'll order a hard copy of the BiaB user manual. You get one with your initial PG Music order but upgrades do not include a hard copy.
The last few times I've ordered a manual the cost is about $15 US including shipping.
I checked this out and I think it is a really cool feature. Thanks!
For the future an idea or two:
If you see the links below I still think it would be helpful in the online manual (and the print too I guess, if people still use it) to see a picture similar to what I pasted in one of my post replies above (the one with the attachment) as a refresher. From these links, you now know what you CAN do, but if you are trying to remember a lot of BIAB functions, you would not necessarily remember that "melody menu" refers to the tiny type at the top of the GUI. Know what I mean?
For every major function, I think a small simple orienting screenshot back to the dashboard would be helpful.
Also, if you click the "Do It" button on transpose, it gives you one option I can see, but not the myriad, which you would see if you were to go to the drop down menu on the melody menu, which you need to be reminded of. Make sense?
I have no idea how you would address all of this though, with all of your major functions--the program is now so deep and rich and does so many cool things, it might actually take another staff to describe it all in a way that mortal human beings can absorb.
There are A LOT of tools now!!!
David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers
Use the Feature Browser. Inside the program, from a screen that you type chords, instead type '/' and hit <ENTER> (or press the (?) Feature Browser button on the main toolbar), and you will enter a world where you can find out where/how to use a feature by typing word(s) that describe the feature.
Oh my gosh!! Thank you, Peter!
Love is always worth the risk.
HP laptop; Windows 10 Home 64 bit; core i5; 2.40 Ghz; 8 GB RAM; 256 GB hard drive; BIAB 2021 Build 835.
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.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 60 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until December 31, 2025. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49. Browse the full contents of each package and listen to demos here.
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
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XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: 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.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 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.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!
We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!
Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:
Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana, Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes, MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano, Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7, Playable RealTracks Set 4, RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark, and more!
Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
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