Notes. i am highly impressed with my 80 buk amazon fire tablet. it is FAST. if all you want to do is net surfing , cant be beat imho. my wife uses it for girly stuff, candy crush game,lol and researching new stuff for the house etc. i use it for looking at studio stuff. i love the high res screen and it boots fast. no brainer imho in a world where tech is rapidly obsolete...also have a cheapo chromebook i'm useing now ..not as portable as fire tablet but also nice om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 10/25/2103:27 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 have had one for a number of years now. Since it is an older model it takes a few seconds to boot but once it is up and running everything is quite fast.
Also I have an SD card installed that contains all of my software documentation. Thus I can keep my DAW, BiaB, soft synths, etc up and running while I view the docs on the tablet.
Dad, how will I know when I've become an adult.
When your day is ruined because they rearranged the grocery store.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Notes. i went on my fire to the app store for it. loads of apps includeing weather. just google amazon fire weather apps and see what takes your fancy. frankly ive never dloaded a weather app. cos fire tells me what today/the week is gonna be like. i guess its built in.
om
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.)
For straight forward day to day apps, I have found that Android is Android. Different speed processors and more memory and all that are overkill to do simple things. I only use my iPad to watch football on Sundays when there are 3 games on at once. I watch 2 on computer monitors and one on the iPad.
Since we play a lot of outdoor gigs here in Florida, real-time radar is a great benefit. We can see the showers, how they are moving, and how likely we are going to get wet right here, not in the general area.
The rain down here is mostly scattered T-Storms. NOAA can say 70% chance and the showers might be no closer than 10 miles from us, or often, since we have a strong sea-breeze, they might be confined to a few miles west of the coast where we are.
We all have our wants and needs, I haven't watched a football game, or any other sport on TV since the 1970s. Actually I haven't watched any TV since the early 1990s - zilch - nada - zero.
I'm thinking either a Fire or a Galaxy Tab A right now.
I'm pretty invested in Android myself, so I would be able to set it up for Mrs. Notes easily.
I'll be glad to see the iPad gone. Transferring files from Android to Windows is easy, transferring files from Apple to anything non-Apple is a PITA.
I originally bought the iPad for the music apps, which I found I never used. I messed around with Garage Band a bit, but I ran into it's limitations rather quickly, it ain't no Band-in-a-Box.
I thought the battery was tanked, so I bought an Android for myself, and later I realized it wasn't the battery, but the charger. Mrs. Notes has been using the iPod since, but now the battery isn't holding a charge all that long, and I'd rather replace the tablet. I found a place that will buy it and refurbish it. https://www.gizmogo.com/
Thanks again for all your input. I'm putting my thinking cap back on.
You do have to be aware of hurricanes and such down there. Not to mention "the daily storm" you get. We just had some f0 and f1 tornados touch down here (Only 4-5 miles from me to be exact) and the whole of northeast Ohio said "Huh? HERE???" The first confirmed touch down around me in 16 years.
I got the iPad for Facetime calling. Most of my friends have Android and use Duo or Zoom, but there's that straggler here or there who is still an Apply fanboi with the yearly phone upgrades to run the latest iOS...
The hurricanes are usually no problem. Unlike tornadoes, earthquakes and tsunamis, we usually get days of advance notice to prepare.
Those afternoon T-Storms are another problem indeed. Sometimes they seem to come out of nowhere. I've lived in Florida since I was 10 years old, so I have a basic handle on the weather patterns, the problem is that Mother Nature gets inventive from time to time.
The hurricanes are usually no problem. Unlike tornadoes, earthquakes and tsunamis, we usually get days of advance notice to prepare.
Those afternoon T-Storms are another problem indeed. Sometimes they seem to come out of nowhere. I've lived in Florida since I was 10 years old, so I have a basic handle on the weather patterns, the problem is that Mother Nature gets inventive from time to time.
Notes ♫
Nothing like a Soupy Green Sky in August (there's a song title for you!), sitting in a plane at Miami Int'l and watching the ground staff disappear. Lightning within 5 miles (or 10, can't remember). Sit on the plane until they come back.
Isn't the Everglades the lightning capital of the U.S.?
ThinkPad i9 32GB RAM 7TB SSD; Win11 Pro; RME Fireface UCX II; BiaB 2026 Ultra Studio Pro 8; Tonalic Studio 1; Reaper v7; Bitwig Studio 6; Melodyne Studio 5 Gig Performer 5; NI S61 MK3; Focal Shape 65; Beyerdynamic DT 880 & 770
Notes I was driving back from Florida once in a little Geo Tracker. I had just gone through the speed trap that is Waldo (population 825) and as I neared Jacksonville "the daily storm" blew in and I had to park that little car against the leeward wall of a Waffle House because the winds were pushing it sideways so bad. It felt like tornadic force winds.
To be on topic, I never stopped playing music...
Even more on topic, any tablet like a Fire that has an SD card slot will fill the bill for you. While it isn't 100% correct to say an Amazon Fire tabled runs Android because they run their own FireOS, it is so similar to Android that the Android apps will run fine. Semantics.
I look at Miami radar or Key West Radar most every day before I ride my bike. Also outdoor gigs in the keys. I normally do that on my iPhone or Eva's Android phone. Real-time radar.
I have two tablets. One call a Dragon Touch and the smaller one is from Amazon. Fire. The Amazon one was sent to me as a gift from Amazon. The larger one is a little better to watch movies on but they both work the same. As far as speed is concerned who cares if surfing the internet is all you are doing. I had another expensive one from Apple but it failed so I tossed it in the trash. Anything serious and I am on my computer anyway.
Looking at Amazon 8" Fire $90 Better 10' Tablet $140 Anything in that range will do the job.
Billy
Last edited by Planobilly; 10/26/2109:19 AM.
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
LOL Mario...I had to laugh when I saw the photo. Looks like I have been walking around in mud also but it is just a shadow.
My wife says I must have a large percent of aboriginal blood in me lol. Perhaps she is correct.
Like I always say "I like to sleep late in the morning, don't like to wear no shoes, make love to the women while I'm living, get drunk on a bottle of Booze"
Billy
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
............... Like I always say "I like to sleep late in the morning, don't like to wear no shoes, make love to the women while I'm living, get drunk on a bottle of Booze"
Billy
We have a lot in common my friend!
Dad, how will I know when I've become an adult.
When your day is ruined because they rearranged the grocery store.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
I had a nook color as my first android DNA tablet and then a Samsung galaxy Tab3. Amazon fire tablets are the cheapest. At one time they wouldn’t let you side load apps but my guess is that limitation is gone now.
Here’s what I found with the Samsung: Android seems to obsolete devices more rapidly than Apple if you want the latest OS. So you have to be careful with that.
For the existing iPad you have, run battery health and if it is truly bad you will see it there. I’m assuming you are familiar with the regular clean out of lightning ports. If not, it’s diy and more often than not fuzz in there prevents good charging.
Isn't the Everglades the lightning capital of the U.S.?
<...>
One of the two different day jobs I had while investigating what it was to be normal (neither one lasted all that long) was working for the telephone company, back when all telephones were attached to wires.
In the engineering department there was a map of lighting strikes across North America. The 'lightning capital' was an oval shape from Tampa Bay to Palm Beach with the oval wider on the Tampa side. The most lightning strikes per year in North America. There were concentric ovals around that. It puts the Everglades (and where I live) in the #2 spot.
On an outdoor gig I frequently monitor the radar on my phone and I bring a huge tarp. Monitoring the radar lets me know if I need to get the tarp out and ready.
Whenever I leave the house or when I go to bed at night, every piece of electronics gear gets unplugged.
One day back in the 1980s Mrs. Notes and I went out for lunch. I forgot to unplug. One of those storms popped up out of nowhere while we were eating, and an Akai S900 hardware sampler plus a laser printer got fried. That was an expensive lunch, and I haven't forgotten to unplug since. In fact, I have a light connected to remind me that the gear is plugged in.
Thanks again for the suggestions, I'm investigating, making a list of pros and cons (the best I can), and I'm going to leave the final decision to my dear wife. After all, she is going to be the one to use it.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
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.
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!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac 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)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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)
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
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 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available 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 Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
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.
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 as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac 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 100 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 Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. 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 Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
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