The first time I saw band in a box was many, many years ago. It must have been more than 10 years. The interface drove me away and I really won't use it.
Yes, many of us have tried to encourage the developers to make changes to the interface over recent years.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
If you don’t change or keep up with the times, you can easily be eliminated. I found that many people who use BAND IN A BOX are middle-aged and elderly people.
Since 2019, band in a box has been making progress. I believe it will be better and better! I read a lot of Posts today. My worry is superfluous, because everyone thinks the same, and the work team knows that it has been working hard! Let's continue to wait for a better tomorrow!
Yes. A lot of positive encouragement was provided to enhance the original user interface. Some great results were delivered, but there is always room for continual improvement, and we hope the developers are continually working towards that goal.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
SBmix. heres my viewpoint. 1. whether your 8 or 98 years old, if you apply yourself you can do a great song useing biab and realband. 2. as to contemporary songs//modern day.... you can do a song in any genre you want. if you dont find the RT sounds you want , just use added vst plug ins/instruments which are often free see kvraudio.com or the free instruments in computer music magazine>>>see you tube. just a slew of modern sounds. once again its a question if one is willing to put in the work. 3. over the years ive done about 90 songs useing pg products...some i'm now displaying in the user showcase for critique.....i think ive used b iab in every possible genre. best om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 09/21/2104:13 AM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
I'm 80 years old and BIAB has enabled me to write for well-known recording artists in Country and Folk genres. You would be surprised to learn how many major artists are using the program in their work. Famed Julliard School of Music is currently teaching it. Nuf said?
It has been very hard getting improvements to the interface as there are many long time users that don't like change.
Even if that were true, which I dispute, what would it matter? Can’t PG Music continue to improve as it sees fit?
Yes, of course they can. And paying customers can express their concerns and desires. Here on this forum most folks tend to be big fans and many do indeed actively defend the product against perceived slights even when those "slights" are valid gripes. (Admittedly, it has gotten better around here since I got here in 2012.) This product is judged a lot more harshly on other public forums where it is discussed.
We are here because we love the end result of Biab, something that nothing else does, we don't come rubbish it and leave, we want to make it BETTER so no one comes rubbishes it and leaves anymore.
Band-in-a-Box is a tool for people who MAKE MUSIC or use it to PRACTICE if they know how to PLAY SOMETHING. Even a spoon. That would be good enough.
If you are not MAKING MUSIC or using it to practice it is a door stop. Since there are many people making "modern music" who cannot play a single instrument but are good at pushing buttons on Ableton Live, we will not address the practice aspect of BIAB, but only the music-making aspect.
To me, (and this is my opinion, but I am entitled to it), it is somewhat illogical and counter-productive in these forums to constantly talk in generalities about what BIAB can and can't do, if you NEVER POST A SONG.
If you want to write something more MODERN then you should POST SOMETHING and say "Hey, I want this to sound more like [fill in the blanks] and you will have a bunch of people tell you what to try from the massive collection of instruments and .wav files in your handy little hard drive. But they have to HEAR SOMETHING FIRST.
Watcha got??? We are all ears!!!
As for Modern: Lil Nas X had one of the most popular songs in modern music history after purchasing the cheesiest loop ever on the Internet for $75 and mumbling some words to it. Now he is a mega star. Do you want to sound like Lil Nas? Then crank up Band-in-a-Box, go to Guitar Center or Sam Ash, buy the cheapest keyboard they have and get to work.
But for heaven's sake, DO SOMETHING. Let us HEAR what you are doing and explain the missing sounds that you WANT so maybe PG can then say--"Oh, you want that sound? Why didn't you say so??"
Or maybe a forum member will say: "Uh, dude, that's a synth you are looking for. So go buy one, yo."
If you show PG Music what you are trying to do, they might help you.
If you just say "I want you to be more modern" they will not read or respond.
That's how the world works.
David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers
However, I haven't understood many functions of BIAB. It turns out that I know what the options are, and I have a straw for myself. I can't find a detailed description on the official page, so I can only rely on request. Yesterday I saw TRACK SETTING again, and I didn’t explain it again. I don’t want to make it in the main program, I want to make it in BIAB VST. Yesterday I wanted to make a framework in the main program, and then open it in BIAB VST, but after opening it to generate a song, it feels completely changed. I want to combine it right away, but the current BIAB VST may still have a lot to improve. So, I have been learning. Now, what I am most happy about is that I finally figured out the rendering. See if you can’t figure out TRACK SETTING and section A and section B today.
To be honest, I would rather not divide the A section and B section, just write the harmony, and then choose the prelude, verse, pre-chorus, chorus, bridge, so it’s simple and understandable. As for how to use it after generation, it’s up to everyone’s own Thoughts.
With the Timebase option you can play any RealTracks at normal, half time, double time or triple time. Half time is used for fast tempo songs when a much slower tempo RealTrack has been chosen. Double time is used for slow tempo songs (e.g. ballads) when a much faster tempo RealTrack is chosen. This allows you, for example, in a ballad at a tempo of 70, to add a RealTracks Sax solo with a tempo of 140, and play it as a double time, which will match the ballad tempo of 70. All of your existing RealTracks can be used at three different tempos (normal, half-time, double time).
The [Medley] button allows you to create a medley of RealTracks on the same track.
If Bluesy is checked, the selected RealTracks will play in a bluesy style, where major triads are treated like 8th chords.
If Simpler is checked, the selected RealTracks will play a simpler arrangement (less busy, less embellished). See the "Simple Available" column for availability of simpler RealTracks.
If Direct Input is checked, the selected RealTracks will use a "clean signal" guitar so that you can add your own effects. See the "Direct Input Available" column for availability of clean recordings.
Sometimes you want the very simplest comping part possible, which is just "held chords" for the whole piece. This would mean that the piano player, for example, just plays a single chord and holds it for the duration until the next chord. If you check Held option, the selected RealTracks will play held chords.
People who say you can't do modern with BIAB, I just have no idea what they are talking about.
Maybe I can repeat something I have said here several times that will help you understand.
I CAN do modern music. I CAN do it with my physical instruments. I CAN do it with my virtual instruments. And I CAN do it with BIAB.
But what I am looking for is for BIAB to create modern music as quickly and easily as it does jazz or country or classic rock. If I want a song in any of those three genres I can simply choose one of hundreds of BIAB styles and in a matter of minutes I can have an incredible start on a song!
On the other hand, BIAB just does not offer the same agility and variety when it comes to modern music. And I wish that it did!
Perhaps it is a pipe dream and BIAB will only ever be good at the stuff that has been done over and over in the past. Certainly, jazz and country and classic rock are fairly easy to describe and quantify. And modern music is a lot tougher to nail down.
But I hope PGM will endeavor to create some fresh styles that sound, right out of the box, like they could have been created in 2021 instead of the 1990s or earlier.
With modern stuff, if you had more variations of the same instrument like you have with Drums, like the same guitar going from one strumming/picking/held/muted strum pattern to another. You now have A part that plays in A and B part the plays in B, if you were able to F5 change to another pattern of the same guitar having the same tone and recorded level it would blend in seamlessly at pattern changes as a virtual instrument guitar would do. This will give way more control and creativity to the user. When the bar to bar regenerate is implemented this will be so easy.
I just want to know when their band in a box VST plug-in will be upgraded. There will be no popping sound when band in a box VST plug-in is loaded. This is a very serious problem.
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.
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.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
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