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#718769 06/01/22 04:09 PM
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I've been a BIAB customer now for decades!
I don't use the program very often but do value it
when I need to use it.

I would like to know what are the BIAB 'Game Changers'
that have been added to the program over the years?

Of course each person will have different slightly different opinions for this, but I'd like to get some kind of consensus on this.

For example the addition of Audio tracks to Midi tracks, way back was certainly one.

Real Tracks would certainly be another.

I'm curious to know about the real biggies?

I know that each year 50 new features are added to BIAB.
It's a tradition. But which ones are the real Game Changers in your estimate?

Thanks!


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Just RealTracks. They are the single reason I keep buying the upgrades.

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In the order of importance to my workflow:

Many additional mixer tracks (Utility tracks)
2021 Multiriff feature
Microchords
Node / string audio edit for volume automation

And of course RT /RD and midi, but you already mentioned them smile

P.S. 64 bit program version. That is more technical thing, just a confidence/comfort item that program will work for years ahead, knowing there will not be headaches as with some of software titles.

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Yes all of the above, but true 'Game Changers' will be Play Direct Prototype for Biab, RealBand & BBVst, and Live Arranger Mode (coming soon before Yamaha I hope).

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The addition of the modern interface while retaining the classic interface is a biggie from customer satisfaction and user workflow standpoints. I use Ctrl+T to move between the two interfaces because both have advantages.

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Classic GUI
Clipboard02.jpg (247.44 KB, 181 downloads)
Modern GUI

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I know I'm a broken record (if that analogy is even understood anymore) but BIAB's MIDI Chord Detection was an early game changer for me. The ability to play a chord into BIAB and have it give four possible names has helped me professionally countless times. I compose, arrange and transcribe Brazilian jazz, a genre that has complex chords.


BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Of all of the features, I feel that the new Stems feature sticks out in my mind. Being able to mix the drum stems can really take songs to a whole new level (thought the stereo mixes available are really good)!

https://youtu.be/ht-qBm3zogQ


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Jerry
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Originally Posted By: JohnJohnJohn
Just RealTracks. They are the single reason I keep buying the upgrades.


Yes same for me! smile


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Originally Posted By: Jim Fogle
The addition of the modern interface while retaining the classic interface is a biggie from customer satisfaction and user workflow standpoints. I use Ctrl+T to move between the two interfaces because both have advantages.


It shows I haven't been using BIAB much recently as I didn't even know about these two nuances. smile

For me I breathed a big sigh of relief when that huge piano scroll finally disappeared from the main screen!
I never used it and it was taking up so much real estate.
It must have hung around there for at least 20 years!


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Thanks guys for all your replies, I'd be curious to hear from others as well.


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Kudos to the BiaB user who encouraged the developers to come up with the more modern screen layout, which is selected either by Control-T, or these two buttons:

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Originally Posted By: AudioTrack
... the more modern screen layout ...

I probably wouldn't be a BiaB user if they hadn't. The earlier layout was, for me at least, unusable on the notepad PC for which I bought it ... there was just too little screen left for the chords.


Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2025 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
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Originally Posted By: Gordon Scott
Originally Posted By: AudioTrack
... the more modern screen layout ...

I probably wouldn't be a BiaB user if they hadn't. The earlier layout was, for me at least, unusable on the notepad PC for which I bought it ... there was just too little screen left for the chords.

Yes, an excellent point. I struggled with the older layout also. It was always too busy and distracting. There was a bit of boat rocking involved (maybe even capsizing at one point), but the end result was definitely worth it. It paved the way for inclusion of many more features, and retained the 'less cluttered' presentation.


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
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Hands down the BIAB-VST. grin


BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.

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Originally Posted By: AudioTrack
There was a bit of boat rocking involved ...

As I use that laptop on my boat, that seems fairly appropriate.
Capsizing Galatea would be quite a challenge though :-)


Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2025 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
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Originally Posted By: AudioTrack
Kudos to the BiaB user who encouraged the developers to come up with the more modern screen layout, which is selected either by Control-T, or these two buttons:


This AudioTrack video gave a lot of ideas and JJJ's original BIAB-VST idea.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYd6XMJZKVo

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Originally Posted By: MusicStudent
Hands down the BIAB-VST. grin


Are you referring to the BIAB-VST DAW plugin?
I wasn't aware of it until now, if that's what you mean.

I just watched a brief video on the plugin.

What advantages are there to using it in the DAW as opposed to what I have always done?

1. Prepared the backing tracks in BIAB
2. Imported them into my DAW (Reaper) and recorded the rest in
Reaper.

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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.

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

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  • 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
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  • Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
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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!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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.

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