I can Crtl-LeftClick an instrument to make it play solo. If I am not completely nuts, there has been some simlar easy way of clicking in older versions to mute on the xxx-clicked instrument. Fiddling around, I could not find it though. Also not even in the right-click context menu I find this point. And yes, there is this option to ALT-1/2/3/4/5/6 - but I forget which number belongs to which instrument. So that is prone to do double work - even if it is only one or two extra clicks. Still annoying.....
Am I missing something?
Have a happy and healthy New Year all!
Cheers Stefan
Format Text scrumble in font Consolas to see..... ;-)
Is not working in the formum display for some reason ?!?!
I am aware of this. But at times I forget what is what and mute the wrong one only to need to unmute it again and find the right one to mute this way. That is ergonomically unintuitive.
If I decide to mute a track with for example ALT-clicking the channel would avoid picking the wrong one. And I think 10 years back (ore more) it functioned this way. Which kept me desparately looking for this combination - yet to no avail.
Also it is not understandable to me, why the context menu (right-clicking the cannel) would not provide the mute option first thing?! Would you not expect something obvious here too?
Cheers Stefan
DAW: Studio One 6.2 Pro Interfaces: StudioLive AR12c, Scarlett 8i6 Windows 11 Professional AMD Ryzen 9 4900H, 16GB, 3,30 GHz
Also it is not understandable to me, why the context menu (right-clicking the cannel) would not provide the mute option first thing?! Would you not expect something obvious here too?
Yes, I think in older versions the mute option was more accesible, it's still there, but a little bit hidden.
However, since the on-screen mixer was introduced, I don't use the menus for muting tracks, the mixer is way faster to me.
You could do this if you don't mind not having the track named after the instrument. Personally, I never look at the track names because the name of the instrument is always present in the Realtrack, MIDI or Supermidi track.
1. Firstly, Preferences. (See image below)
2. Activate "Show Custom Track Labels and Descriptions." (#1 on image below)
If this is not activated, custom names will not show up even though they may have been added.
3. Deactivate "Auto-Generate Track Labels." (#2)
With the auto-generate option disengaged, the shortcut names should remain fixed.
4. Now right-click on the track.
5. Select "Track Settings" and then select "Rename Track Title."
6. Rename the track as the shortcut for that particular track.
Alt+8 = mute Melody Alt+9 = mute Soloist
Personally, I like the last two to be kept as Melody and Soloist. There's no reason why their names cannot be changed, though.
Thanks for that tip Noel ... I found the changing track names quite frustrating.
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 .
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.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
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.