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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 211
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OP
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 211 |
I have a MIDI tune that I pulled into BiaB. I asked for a new arrangement and it did so. I like the tune and the arrangements for each of the instruments. Now I want to take exact notation for the MIDI vibes and I want to convert this to a RealTrack (same arrangement, same notation but different source). Can do?
Ike
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 603
Journeyman
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Journeyman
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Quote:
Can do?
Nixola.
Two different realms. They do not "convert" in either direction.
Larry
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
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Quote:
I have a MIDI tune that I pulled into BiaB. I asked for a new arrangement and it did so. I like the tune and the arrangements for each of the instruments. Now I want to take exact notation for the MIDI vibes and I want to convert this to a RealTrack (same arrangement, same notation but different source). Can do?
You just described the common MIDI Sampler.
RealTracks don't work that way. RealTracks are samples of whole phrases rather than one-note-at-a-time. That's what makes 'em sound so "real".
Use of a good sounding MIDI synth/sampler often does better, though.
Vibes, the common MIDI sampler sounds just about identical to the real thing anyway. Not a hard thing for the MIDI standard to implement. Changing MIDI Vibes patch to other instruments that have a hard attack, such as Pianos, can work sometimes. Changing to horns can sometimes be problematic, but again, use of a better MIDi synth/sampler will often allow for us to get away with such. Check out the Ketron SD2 Orchestral Wizard.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 211
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 211 |
1. I spend $280 bucks on BiaB MegaPak because sales tells me I won't be satisfied with just vanilla BiaB. I'm going to need 'Real' this and 'Real' that. Okay, Mega it is!
2. I then find out the vendor sent me the wrong version (after half a day and a half troubleshooting on the phone with sales and support). 200+ minutes on the cell! Disappeared!
3. They have me install and reinstall three times all the while insisting there must be something wrong with the brand-new, tried and tested, name brand, quad-core multimedia machine I bought just especially for this purpose (which I previously spent at least three days researching and reviewing). Another $800 -- Bam!
4. I wait for replacement discs sent by mail (software that would not be sent from the Internet vendor because I opened the original software that was not labeled correctly by their company). Almost 30 years in IT Development and Support and they tell me I need to get help with someone who understands PC's! Are you kidding me? Pow!
5. I spend 3 weeks reading the manual cover to cover and trying my best to get hold of this learning curve. Three weeks of bloodshot eyes -- I'm still asking newbie questions that I can't find the answers for in the documentation I just read! OMG, what am I doing wrong here!
6. I'm on the Internet practically every spare moment trying to absorb as much as I can in a reasonable period of time. I'm thinking I'll need another hard disc before this is over! Maybe a new PC too! Bang!
7. I haven't even bought a single piece of hardware that I'll almost certainly need. Yah, I know ... I've seen BiaB users with more hardware on their hands than I paid for my first car (and probably my house too)! I tally it up and I'm looking at nothing short of 5G's just to get started being able to record and perform?
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And now today I need to spend another $379 for another box to plug in that will make the BiaB product sound real ?
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Sorry, I am very thankful for the resources here that have tried to help me thus far. You people are a very talented group and I hope PG knows what a fantastic group you all are.
I'm just not sure I've got what it takes to be a BiaB'er. I'm sorry guys (and it's nobody's fault but my own), but I'm gonna have to seriously rethink this. I might be in the wrong arena.
Again, I'm very thankful but terribly frustrated. I've somehow got to find the time to get back to playing again because it seems like I'm spending more time at this computer keyboard than I did when I was a computer programmer!
Yes, I know I'll regret this post. I seem to have a talent for it these days.
Ike
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 211
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 211 |
Quote:
Vibes, the common MIDI sampler sounds just about identical to the real thing anyway. Not a hard thing for the MIDI standard to implement. Changing MIDI Vibes patch to other instruments that have a hard attack, such as Pianos, can work sometimes. Changing to horns can sometimes be problematic, but again, use of a better MIDi synth/sampler will often allow for us to get away with such. Check out the Ketron SD2 Orchestral Wizard.
Mac,
Sorry I didn't explain myself again ... I was giving you an example so I could learn how to do this. I'm not necessarily trying to change Vibes ... just an example instrument.
Ike
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
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I take it that you did not purchase directly from the pgmusic website?
Deal only directly with pgmusic, they good people to deal with.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 211
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
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Truthfully Mac, I didn't even know about BiaB until my ensemble buddies started kicking around the idea of small-gig performing and recording. I started researching for them because of my computer-ease. Needless to say, I started from the very bottom -- type it into a search engine and see what happens next.
Ike
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,676
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Hi Ike, I can understand your frustration. As someone who has been there and worked through it, I'd like to say that Band in a Box is well worth the effort to learn. I found a great starting place were the video tutorials. Like you, I read and re-read the book. To watch someone show me on video, though, was much more productive because there is a great deal in the book that I didn't need to know about as a raw beginner. If you are interested, the videos are at this link. You will need to scroll down a bit. The one I started with was Band-in-a-Box Quick Start Tutorial. Don't worry that some of these videos are for earlier editions of BIAB as they are still relevant. The thing to keep in mind with BIAB is that it is primarily music accompaniment software and it does that extremely well. An awful lot of guys in these forums successfully use the program at live gigs as backing for solo work or for a small group. Hope it works out for you, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Yes, the pgmusic videos and video tutorials are great. I find that watching them more than once, over time, yields little gems missed in the last view. There is also a good source of info for BiaB users that is growing, this is the Band in a Box Wiki. http://bandinabox.wikia.com/wiki/Band_in_a_Box_Wiki Anyone using BiaB should have it bookmarked. --Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589 |
Quote:
Yes, the pgmusic videos and video tutorials are great.
I find that watching them more than once, over time, yields little gems missed in the last view.
There is also a good source of info for BiaB users that is growing, this is the Band in a Box Wiki.
http://bandinabox.wikia.com/wiki/Band_in_a_Box_Wiki
Anyone using BiaB should have it bookmarked.
--Mac
Yikes!!you still look at the tutorials Mac so while I thought I was halfway there it seems Im just on the first page Frankie 
AMD Athlon 7550 dual core
processor 2.51 ghz
1 87 gb ram
windows 7 Ultimate
yamaha rev 500 effects
tacam DP-24 DAW
Samson Resolv NF monitors
Yamaha PSR-620 Keyboard
Fender semi accoustic guitar
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
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Veteran
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"Learning to use Band in a Box is exactly like learning a musical instrument..."
Part of the fun is improving your skills daily.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 211
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 211 |
Thanks all!
I knew I'd seen somewhere on the site where this list of videos appeared, but my clunky mind wouldn't lead me back to it! Thank you for the post.
I think I had a 'vent' evening there. I knew after I'd got up the next morning that I must have needed some extra sleep or something. I'd like everyone here to know that this is unfortunately my style -- I don't mean anything personal and I think PG is a good company with good products -- I certainly wouldn't spend the time here that I do unless I was sure that BiaB was going to be a big hit with my little group here.
I do not want anyone to think I'm using this as an excuse but I would ask that my forum bud's here please take into consideration that I have a disability that does affect my thinking (and even my moods from time to time). I have a tendency to blurt before thinking -- family and friends can attest, I'm sure and I think God for their patience as well. Unfortunately for me (and you), I can type really fast and sometimes before the 'reasonable' side of my brain tells me to slow down and reconsider things ... by then it's too late and I've pushed 'Send' or completely forgot what I was typing 20 minutes ago.
I think BiaB is a fabulous product and I've had good success with PG and the forum. People here have a tremendous amount of patience -- especially with me. In fact, if it hadn't been for this forum, I'd likely be months behind in the 'curve' right now. By the way, for a newbie (and I've just only recently learned what that term meant), I sometimes can't understand what I'm reading because I'm new to the MIDI thing and clearly, most of you are expert here. That 'MIDI' thing is still pretty foreign to me.
I've just got to get others in my ensemble to take on some of the load so we can communicate with each other on the same level. I'm speaking BiaB 'ease' these days and my buddies haven't a clue where I'm coming from -- all of us old people here and it's not easy changing attitudes towards ANY technology, let alone something that will impact the very music they're playing. I have been interested in using BiaB since I first learned of it, unfortunately for me, all but one of my mates don't have the same inclination.
Unless I'm willing to take on the full load (learn everything myself and finance the whole thing to boot), I'll probably have negativity amongst the group until I can show them what it can do for us. We're a group of four (perhaps 5 or 6 later) and every one of us played pro at one time or another. In fact, we're pretty fortunate; One guy played routinely in Woody Herman's band and another in Bing Cosby's when he toured parts of South America. Problem is, back in those days, anything more than a toilet plunger was high-tech! Today I'm faced with knowing for myself what the PG stuff could do for us, but obviously I'm up against a few brick walls right now.
Thanks friends! Any help is appreciated.
Ike
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 211
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 211 |
Quote:
An awful lot of guys in these forums successfully use the program at live gigs as backing for solo work or for a small group.
Hi Noel!
Yes, this is just exactly what we / I would like to do with this. Some members of the group don't want to do anything beyond sticking a mouthpiece in, but I'm thinking that if I can get to a point where I can 'show' them exactly what it could do for us, THEN I think I can win some over.
Ike
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 211
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 211 |
Quote:
Yes, the pgmusic videos and video tutorials are great.
I find that watching them more than once, over time, yields little gems missed in the last view.
There is also a good source of info for BiaB users that is growing, this is the Band in a Box Wiki.
http://bandinabox.wikia.com/wiki/Band_in_a_Box_Wiki
Anyone using BiaB should have it bookmarked.
--Mac
Thanks for the new resource Mac! Wow, that's a nice thing to have. I'll dive into this for sure.
Ike
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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.
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Peter Gannon Talks Band-in-a-Box with zplane
zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!
Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
Check out the full interview here: https://products.zplane.de/blog/peter-gannon-interview-pg-music
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!
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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!
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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®.
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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!
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