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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,074
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Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,074 |
Dan, you may find the +++ Groove3 +++ video tutorial interesting. The series uses 2014 Band-in-a-Box for Mac but everything covers 2022 Band-in-a-Box for Mac. BIAB 2014 for Mac ExplainedMusic studio master Eli Krantzberg brings you a series all about the awesome PG Music Band-in-a-Box accompaniment software suite! Get up and running fast and start making ultra-realistic backing tracks easily for your songs today! Terminology (05:00) - Learn abut the various components BIAB uses to generate accompaniments in various musical styles. MIDI Setup (05:56) - BIAB sends MIDI output to either the computer's built in synthesizer, or to physical or virtual MIDI devices outside the program. Learn where to set the destination ports, channels, and playback parameters for each of the BIAB instruments. Main Screen Overview (09:08) - See how the six main sections of the Man Screen are used to to set and control various BIAB parameters and sounds. Loading & Playing Songs (08:20) - Explore the various ways of loading in songs and controlling playback with both the mouse and keyboard shortcuts. Creating Songs Starting a New Song (06:04) - See how to clear the chordsheet, name the new song, set the key signature and tempo, and how to set up key signature or tempo changes at specific bars. Framing the Song (03:12) - Learn how to designate a desired number of bars as an introduction, and then set which part of the song BIAB will repeat, and how many times it will repeat it. Entering & Displaying Chords (07:18) - Learn how to type in chords using various short cuts, and how to control the background color and display of chords in the chord sheet. Alternate Chord Entry (08:10) - Discover four other methods to get chords into BIAB. Using a MIDI controller, using the ChordBuilder window, using the MIDI Chord Wizard, and finally with the Audio Chord Wizard. Rests, Shots & Holds (04:48) - Learn how to type instructions in the Chordsheet to have either all or some of instruments rest, or play shots, or hold chords, at any position in the song. Pushes (02:16) - Learn now to type instructions in the Chordsheet to create anticipations and have chords play either and eighth note or sixteenth note in advance of their indicated position. Chord Settings Dialog (05:26) - See how this dialog box is used for alternate entry or editing of pushes, rests, shots, and holds. Auto Generated Intros (03:24) - See how introductions are generated automatically by BIAB based on customized instructions. Part Markers & SubStyles (05:21) - See how Part Markers are placed on the ChordSheet to indicate new sections of a song, change substyles, and generate drum fills. Song Settings (08:04) - Explore various ways to turn your song into an arrangement, including controlling rests, pushes, shots, and holds separately in first, last, and middle choruses, the use of tags, endings, fade-outs, and more. Song Form Maker (02:45) - See how the Song Form Maker function is used to define sections of a song, and then rearrange the song by typing the form you want. Editing the Chordsheet (07:43) - Learn how to insert, delete, copy, paste, move, shrink, expand, unfold, and alter chords, melodies, soloists, and rests, once they have already been created. Working With Styles (05:40) - Learn about Built-In styles, User MIDI styles, Real Styles, Style Aliases, as well as auditioning and replacing styles. StylePicker - Prototype & Columns (05:45) - Discover the inner working of the StylePicker window; how to set the default prototype style and how to decode the column heading symbols used to identify various qualities of each style. StylePicker Filters (04:29) - Discover how to search for styles by keyword, and how to use the Filter window to search styles based on multiple criteria simultaneously. StylePicker General Functions (04:40) - Explore additional StylePicker functions and how they are used in conjunction with the currently loaded song. MultiStyles, Style Aliases & Forced Styles (05:07) - Discover some style management workflows that allow adding substyles to existing styles, replacing existing styles with aliases, and forcing BIAB to keep a style loaded in memory when loading new songs. MIDI SuperTracks (03:34) - MIDI SuperTracks are based on performances of live musicians instead of patterns. See how to change MIDI tracks in an existing style to MIDI SuperTracks, as well as how to access them directly from the StylePicker. RealTracks (07:46) - Learn how to work with the RealTracks picker, and how the various RealTracks settings affect their usage. Bar Settings (03:43) - See how to change RealTracks, styles, meter, and more, at specific locations within your song. Editing & Creating Styles (03:31) - Learn how to use the Patch button in the StyleMaker window to edit a current style of assemble a custom group of RealTracks and settings to form a new Style. Working With Tracks Track & Thru Settings (08:07) - Learn about freezing tracks, sliding them in time, offsetting sound shaping parameters together with the Combo slider, and playing the thru track in real time with and without auto generated harmonies using either a MIDI or a QWERTY keyboard. Melodies & Solos (07:30) - See how to record melodies, how to have BIAB generate harmonies; and how to generate solos based on various criteria and choices. The Melodist (05:37) - Learn how to use BIAB to generate either partial or complete original songs either including or excluding melodies, chords, solos, intro, and style changes. Notation Basics (04:56) - Explore some of basic BIAB notation functions, including selecting tracks to display, switching between the three different notation views, editing notes, velocities, and durations, switching to lead sheet view, and working with lyrics. Band Outside the Box (06:38) - Discover various ways of getting your tracks and performances out of BIAB and as either audio or MIDI files. And see how the new DAW Plug-in mode is used to easily and quickly transfer individual or combined tracks into your DAW of choice.
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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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!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
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.
Holiday Weekend Hours
It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:
Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
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!
Don't wait - order today!
Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
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)
Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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