I don't think this topic has been fully discussed here in the forum in the past. Thought it may be nice to see what others think of this. Any thoughts on the concept or the product?
Free and open source software for video recording and live streaming
Ever wanted to make a screen capture video to illustrate a workflow and place it in the BIAB forum? This is the secret the pro's use. Did I mention it was FREE.
OBS Studio Latest Release27.0.1 - June 11th WindowsSupports Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 macOS 10.13+ Linux
1) While a picture is worth 1 1000 words, a video is worth a 1000 pictures. So when you really want to make your point clear, nothing better than you presenting it in a video. 2) OBS Studio has a bit of a learning curve, there are lots of demo videos on YouTube to help with that. 2) You still have to "host" the video you make on the web, in order to upload it into the BAIB forum. This is where a free YouTube account comes in handy. 3) The free YouTube account does permit you to upload private videos which can be viewed only by those you provide a link to. 4) You do not need a video camera (webcam), but it can be used if you have one. You will need an input microphone. TIP: Get a Webcam. 5) Here is a recent example from the forum. https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=668885#Post668853
I tried OBD a while back, but found Flashback Express (which is also free) worked better for me. Easier workflow.
Good to know. I had not seen Flashback Express. I have tried several free products and always found limitations. Specifically in recording of both incoming and outgoing audio. Even OBS struggles with all my audio drivers, but is doable! I just downloaded Flashback and will do some "playing around" to see how it handles that for me.
Perhaps not as much interest in this topic as I thought. But, as Marty predicted, "... I am sure your kids will love it!"
Just to close loose ends. Flashback Express is nice. Fully agree with Misha, more simple in workflow than OBS. And Flashback Pro ($45) integrates post editing features not present in OBS. However, I have already climbed the OBS learning curve and OBS, as best I can figure, provides audio capabilities beyond Flashback. For example, with the OBS audio mixer, shown below, you can add up to 6 audio input tracks at any one time.
Perhaps not as much interest in this topic as I thought.
No worries Dan. I think a lot of people are set in their ways on which tools they like to use in this regard. It is interesting information however.... Thanks!
Perhaps not as much interest in this topic as I thought.
I don't know that it's lack of interest as much as the topic being played out. There are a LOT of videos here and on The Tube about HOW to use BIAB. It comes down to the metaphor that seeing more videos about how a car works isn't going to make you a better driver. If you have no talent, more videos watching BIAB make backing tracks is going to help you. So many of these videos get off into the deep water of "and then you load this as a VST and inside that you load your actual sound VSTs into that" when there are a lot of people here who don't play an instrument and have no concept of keys and time but make songs out of the example tracks in the software. The people at the level of Pipeline and several others do a great job with it. Also OBS is really simple and with just minimal computer skills you can record your screen. It's as simple as clicking the button that says "record". So sure there is interest but the point of the thread has been played out. And people like me are not advanced enough that I am going to teach anybody how to do anything in the software.
My only wish is that some newer guard people would post Real Band demos. BIAB is so old school that I won't even use it and in fact have never booted it up. I prefer a more DAW-like screen. Thus I rarely watch any of the videos. I am also hard headed so if any video requires me downloading 17 pieces of software I will pass. I don't want my email in 17 more places that result in junk mail.
I just use Zoom to make my screen recordings. There is also Loom where the videos can be recorded, hosted and shared directly from the site. Here is an example
OBS is great - I use it for recording videos here at PG Music, as do some of my colleagues.
I did find that it does not work so well in Windows 11 while I was recording the demo video - quite a few times OBS stopped all audio from working, and there were a couple times where the screen recording froze but the audio kept recording, so I often had to repeat what I just did. Screen recording can be a tricky thing though, as it usually has to try and hook data from the graphics driver, which in Win 11 might operate differently than Win 10. Indeed I had a fair bit of difficulty with some things in this very early release of Windows 11, although Band-in-a-Box and RealBand both worked great.
Rambling aside, OBS is great software which I'm sure will work great with Windows 11 once the OS is out of beta.
OBS can be easy or difficult depending on what you man by streaming. When I stream on that computer running OBS I have a green screen, 3 dozen scenes, a voice changer, a USB mixer... getting all those pieces to work can be taxing. But just to do a vanilla stream, no problem.
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.
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.
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