Windows 10 (64bit) M-Audio Fast Track Pro, Band in a Box 2025, Cubase 14, Cakewalk and far too many VST plugins that I probably don't need or will ever use
This next little present is something that only a few of us here in the forum will recognize. It has been on my shopping list for well over a year. This was demoed by my friend Simeon on Youtube were I first heard it. To my ear, this is the best Trumpet VI out there. I have already found a place for it as the melody instrument in a cover of Elvis Costello's She that I worked on all day today. OK, enough of a build up, without further ado
Mario, the Trumpet, along with several mutes, is everything it is claimed to be! Right out of the box. No messing with EQ or articulations or mics needed. The rest of the horns have not yet inspired me, but they may. I just bought it this morning. This thing never has gone on sale, but this trumpet at $79 plus tax is worth it.
Mario, the Trumpet, along with several mutes, is everything it is claimed to be! Right out of the box. No messing with EQ or articulations or mics needed. The rest of the horns have not yet inspired me, but they may. I just bought it this morning. This thing never has gone on sale, but this trumpet at $79 plus tax is worth it.
Super!
Do me a favor if you would please. Determine if you can use a wind controller with it, i.e. CC2.
Thanx
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
...in a cover of Elvis Costello's "She" that I worked on all day today.
Elvis Costello's "She"?
Charles Aznavour wrote that song. I know Elvis sang it, as did man singers, but writing props is writing props...
OK, I stand corrected. Google agrees with you "Written by Charles Aznavour and Herbert Kretzmer and was first released by Charles Aznavour in 1974." How did I miss this from 1974??
Wait, apparently it was not in English. My French is not so good. So Elvis covered it in English and now I have covered it my spare room. It is a beautiful melody.
More likely you missed it because you weren't born yet.... One advantage of having been around so long I voted for Lincoln is a long music history.
This is just one of my annoying features is that I ALWAYS research who wrote songs. There are still people who think The Monkees wrote "I'm A Believer" because that is who they first heard sing it. I had bandmates think ELP wrote Hoedown because they heard it on Trilogy, somehow ignoring the existence of Aaron Copeland. A music professor I had in college got me started on the practice of researching songwriters. And as a younger man, before music history courses in college, and 30 years before the internet, did it myself when I stupidly thought The Beatles wrote "Til There Was You". When I saw The Music Man I was all like "Wow. That's not a Beatles song???" Felt like a total moron.
I also, since the internet was born, adopted the practice of reading who a band's influences were, and then researching them to see who THEIR influences were. I have learned a lot by listening to the original original songs, seeing how the bands doing the covers treated them.
I play in a Southside Johnny tribute band, and his biggest hit, Without Love, was written by Carolyn Franklin, and sung by her big sister Aretha, and was a minor hit as a ballad. Southside "popped" it up and added the power horn parts and had a big hit with it ands it turned out to be the highest charting song he ever had in what is now what, a 50 year career.
How's your OCD today Eddie? (VT heads for the hills as he presses 'Submit' )
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
My brother was thrilled by their "innovative" piece "Nut Rocker", so I played him the Bee Bumble and the Stingers version from a decade or two earlier. :-D
As an aside, years ago I lived in South London and one evening was listening to someone playing that album on what must have been a very meaty Hi-Fi. It wasn't until it started to get dark and I could see the lights and lasers an Kennington Oval, that I realised is _wasn't_ someone's Hi-Fi, it was a concert.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
The hardest thing is that I am both OCD AND anal retentive. I mean, every day I understand why I am single! If I was living with me I would drive me crazy! I prefer to think I am just hyper organized, but nah. Great example. I got a new tempered glass floor mat for under the computer chair up in the studio. I didn't used to need one because the old carpet was so old it was worn as flat as tile, but the new carpet wasn't going to let me roll a chair on it. I have moved that glass mat now SIX TIMES because it wasn't perfectly centered between that legs of the work table. I honestly ended up taking a tape measure up there and doing fractional math to figure out EXACTLY the center point of the desk and the center point of the mat. (Let's all ask together...) WHY??? One inch off center isn't going to hurt a thing.
It's seriously crazy. My keys and wallet MUST be in a tray sitting on a baker's rack by the back door when I turn in or I will get out of bed and put them there. Bills in my pocket must be in order, 1s together, 5s together, and all facing the same way. There can NEVER be a dirty plate, bowl or glass in my sink overnight, The 2 dog leashes hang in the same place threaded through the lattice panel outside my back door. My mouse pad has to be exactly square to the edge of my desk. My clothes hang grouped by color. I have a lot of black t-shirts with writing on them. They hang in alphabetical order. It's crazy. And I guess by logical progression of thought, I'M crazy too.
PS I'm calling that on topic because I mentioned my music room redo. As you can see by how I write I am also a little ADD. I am truly a man of letters. CDO, ADD, PTSD...
Now that we all recognize there is a bit of Eddie in all of us, I can only add he is a bit clarivoyant! You will understand that later.
There is just one more final clue before the big reveal.
Never thought I needed these until I got them. These are the perfect touch to add to my final xmas gift to myself. Stop by New Years eve for the big reveal.
Do me a favor if you would please. Determine if you can use a wind controller with it, i.e. CC2.
Thanx
I think, No. Unless, Dynamic Controls, Key vel CC24 and MOd Whl CC25 work for you? Here is the user guide.
Thanx Dan. My guess is that the mod wheel controls the volume. But no problems, even though it does not support CC2 natively I can get it to work via getting into the guts of Kontakt. I have to do that to some instruments to get CC2 to control volume/expression.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Windows 10 (64bit) M-Audio Fast Track Pro, Band in a Box 2025, Cubase 14, Cakewalk and far too many VST plugins that I probably don't need or will ever use
Those stands are great because they take up so little floor space. I don't know what kind of room you work in but I know I am always fighting space issues. I think all of the "spare bedroom studio" tribe shares that concern.
I don't know what kind of room you work in but I know I am always fighting space issues. I think all of the "spare bedroom studio" tribe shares that concern.
Most excellent choice of stands, Dan. Why? Because I've got the exact same ones
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
That triangular base would drive me crazy deciding if the right orientation is with the long side parallel to the wall or a point aimed at the baseboard. I would probably put them one way then the other like 25 times before I decided.
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®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
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)
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