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.
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.
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.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
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!
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean