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I listed a few tasks Band-in-a-Box automatically performs to illustrate there are benefits to using Band-in-a-Box users don't think about or overlooked. The majority of the tasks I listed can be somewhat repetitive in a DAW.
At least one person indicated a preference to manually perform one or more of these tasks. I can understand that. Most users responding in this thread are very experienced. If I had the ears, skill and experience some of you have I'd want to maintain them at that level.
But I'm not at that level. I don't REALLY want to put in the time and effort to get to that level; although sometimes I like to believe I do.
So far I haven't read much where someone says they use their DAW to do this or that because Band-in-a-Box can't do one of those things. The feedback seems to be more about using their DAW because of familiarity, comfort level or maintaining skills. Those reasons are as good as any but were any of them your first thought when you saw the title of this thread, "Why Use A DAW When There Is Band-in-a-Box"?
Jim Fogle - 2025 BiaB (Build 1128) RB (Build 5) - Ultra+ PAK DAWs: Cakewalk Sonar - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8 Laptop: i3 Win 10, 8GB ram 500GB HDD Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
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At a primary foundational level, I do not understand this thread.
BIAB generates tracks, and is wonderful to work with as a song track builder and backing track creator.
However, when you move to the point where you want to do some serious mixing, envelope creation, fading, coloring, addition of numerous track "pieces", and the application of VSTS to all those tracks and the busses, how can you skip the DAW??????
That is where the mixing and mastering takes place.
(Real Band is a gem in that it not only generates tracks but also is not bad as DAW. It is wonderful to see your tracks laid out and get the visual glimpse of how it is all coming together from top to bottom in Real Band. Need a mandolin in there for a few seconds?? Add one!)
But I always do the final stuff in Cakewalk, because of the ease of use with mixing, VSTS, and stuff like that.
So, I am not sure I get this thread.
BIAB and DAWS are too different animals. Apples and oranges.
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David, I agree comparing Band-in-a-Box to any DAW is not fair to Band-in-a-Box or the DAW because it is an apple to orange comparison. Comparing the two was not my original intent. I tried to phrase the title question, "Why Use A DAW When There Is Band-in-a-Box?" in such a manner that responding forum members would not compare.
The thought that prompted me to ask the title question is: PG Music continues to add more and more DAW like functionality to Band-in-a-Box every year. At the same time forum users continue to render tracks flat, dry and centered to export the tracks to their DAW where the tracks are edited, mixed, processed and mastered.
Much, but not all, of that work can be done in Band-in-a-Box. Sometimes the work is easier in Band-in-a-Box. Then why not do the work in Band-in-a-Box?
As someone that has Band-in-a-Box, Cakewalk (software DAW), Audacity (software digital recorder and wave editor), (hardware DAW) I've challenged myself to stay inside Band-in-a-Box as much as possible. What I'm discovering is I can do almost everything in Band-in-a-Box that I can do with my other products.
I'm also discovering old habits are hard to break. It's easy to return to the other products because I'm comfortable using them for certain tasks. So I have to use Band-in-a-Box long enough to be comfortable using Band-in-a-Box.
There are some tasks Band-in-a-Box can't do or the steps to perform a task don't make sense to me but overall I'm finding Band-in-a-Box can do more than I thought.
One last thought if I may. Some of the users that posted in this thread have used software DAWs or midi sequencers for a long time. They have their DAW templates tuned to perfection, the skill to edit, mix and process tracks to achieve a unified sound. I'm not that person. My investment in time and money is Band-in-a-Box so the more I can do in Band-in-a-Box the more return on my investment I receive.
Jim Fogle - 2025 BiaB (Build 1128) RB (Build 5) - Ultra+ PAK DAWs: Cakewalk Sonar - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8 Laptop: i3 Win 10, 8GB ram 500GB HDD Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
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(Real Band is a gem in that it not only generates tracks but also is not bad as DAW. It is wonderful to see your tracks laid out and get the visual glimpse of how it is all coming together from top to bottom in Real Band. Need a mandolin in there for a few seconds?? Add one!)
But I always do the final stuff in Cakewalk, because of the ease of use with mixing, VSTS, and stuff like that.
So, I am not sure I get this thread.
BIAB and DAWS are too different animals. Apples and oranges. They're also two different fruits. Llamas and kangaroos <grin> I post here to support PT/RB, which brought me into this fold, so yeah, I am biased. I totally admit it. I use other DAWs, but since this is the PG Forum, I try to support them. As you said, RB is unique in that you can work in a DAW environment but still Generate. I know the BiaB plugin allows doing that in other DAWs .. Once I need to move on from RB, I'm fine with that, but I need reasons .. sometimes I don't need to move on at all Mixing, VSTs etc seem to work OK for me in RB usually, and when they don't I move on .. but to get back to OP, producing a final product in BiaB; that's extremely rare here /as in I'm not sure I ever have
Last edited by rharv; 09/03/22 09:31 AM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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it seems to me Jim that you have learnt every new wrinkle of BIAB as it has come out. time past it didn't do a lot of the things a DAW does so we all learnt how to supplement BIAB with a DAW (in my case RB).
so, why go back to BIAB to learn how to do things we already do quite happily outside BIAB?
nothing else produces a track that's almost right as quickly as BIAB but for my needs - creating the equivalent of a four or five piece folk or pop band - BIAB's basic functions are perfectly adequate without a lot that has been introduced to make BIAB more like a DAW.
like rharv i admit i'm a PT/RB advocate because i grew up with them. yes BIAB does a lot of things now, but i already have the tools I've used for a long time to do them so the steep learning curve of how to do the new things BIAB can do -is something I avoid
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Bob/Rharv/other RB/PTW users etc..
i think frankly its time to change the product name of Powertracks.(PTW) maybe...
cos anyone thinking of buying it..and not aware what we mean by PT might think reading these forums we were talking about another well known industry product.
and thus PG might lose a sale perhaps.
maybe PG should have a contest for a new name for Powertracks.
how bout POWERDAW 23. meaning 2023 version then in 2024 version..POWERDAW 24.
anyhoo before originally getting biab/rb i started with PTW as a test as i was using also a 2 inch tape based studio at that time.,...and as PTW cost peanuts..and bcos i'm a maverick , and muso mates looked down their noses at PTW even tho' they had never tried PTW….
i thought why not …worst case i lose the cost of a cheap dinner out….lol.
well…to say i was impressed is an understatement...
compared to much more pricey products. particularly cos i ran it on a junk pc at the time as a test….sooo i sold off the 2 inch gear etc cos i was v fed up with tape and constant maintenance costs and powertracks gave me more tracks and i saved big time over using 2 inch gear.
THUS the move to RB was a natural progression i guess….many times i might 'do a ruff demo'
in RB like i used to do in PTW.
as i said upthread ..and no one commented…i'm very curious if there is a similar character trait tween us RB users ? eg Joanne/Rharv/Bob/David/moi and other users i'm not aware of. etc etc.
for example i'm a 'digger'. are you all the same ?
i would love to know...why some people take to RB like 'a duck to water' , but some dont.
now the above is not to knock biab. ive used it soo many times also for song development,
and its great so many features have been added.
i use biab all the time like RB.
and i'm excited what 2023 will bring to both biab and rb.
happiness.
om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 09/03/22 01:36 PM.
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.)
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At a primary foundational level, I do not understand this thread.
BIAB generates tracks, and is wonderful to work with as a song track builder and backing track creator.
However, when you move to the point where you want to do some serious mixing, envelope creation, fading, coloring, addition of numerous track "pieces", and the application of VSTS to all those tracks and the busses, how can you skip the DAW??????
That is where the mixing and mastering takes place.
(Real Band is a gem in that it not only generates tracks but also is not bad as DAW. It is wonderful to see your tracks laid out and get the visual glimpse of how it is all coming together from top to bottom in Real Band. Need a mandolin in there for a few seconds?? Add one!)
But I always do the final stuff in Cakewalk, because of the ease of use with mixing, VSTS, and stuff like that.
So, I am not sure I get this thread.
BIAB and DAWS are too different animals. Apples and oranges.
To answer how can you skip the DAW BIAB requires defining the foundations of BIAB and DAWs. The two software program types entered music creation relatively close to each other. They're different but they share the same foundation, analog multi track recording. The oldest reference I've found where PG Music marketed BIAB as a Multi Track recording is back in the 2015 release of both PC and Mac versions. BIAB had audio elements prior to that year but that's when audio recording was introduced and the term multi track was used. As each software program developed and progressed, DAWs advanced in track count, digital editing features, VST instruments, libraries and overwhelming quantity of gear emulation software, and mixer routing of a very complex nature. BIAB developed and progressed improving and adding RealTracks, UserTracks, Styles, upgrading and improving the BIAB algorithm, stability, the elastique stretch and pitch component and upgraded and improved processes and features effecting the multi track emulation of BIAB. BIAB is a very robust and capable digital multi track recorder that's on par more with stand alone digital multi track recorders than it is today's modern DAW. But, the same as a stand alone recorder, BIAB is capable of producing a full production without using a DAW. Modern digital technology has made it that audio degradation has been eliminated from multi track processes like bouncing and sub mixing down multiple tracks that are used to increase the number of tracks available over the unit's physical track limitation. Prior to the introduction of the 16 additional Utility Tracks, it was assumed BIAB was limited to 8 channel inputs and tracks and if a song production needed more than these 8 channels, then tracks had to be exported and the project completed in a DAW. This has never been the case. Applying well established multi track recorder techniques and processes like assigning groups, aux sends/returns and bouncing, channel and track count had not been a recording project issue for decades. Early Beatles recordings made on 3 and 4 track machines routinely had a final mix of 14-16 tracks. Doubled harmonies, added percussions, guitars and vocals doubled, strings, piano, harmonica could all be in a final Beatle song recorded on a 4 track. These same principles, techniques, processes, features and tools have been available for use in BIAB all along. Because BIAB is capable of producing an arrangement of 24, 48 or more tracks in a first generation recording with no audio degradation, a recording that's panned, audio balanced and processed with digital Fx's, it's possible to 'skip' a DAW if one wants to.
BIAB 2025:RB 2025, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
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But Jim, There is NO WAY on God's Green earth to do 1/1000 of what I can do to a .wav, or 20 tracks of .wavs inside of a DAW like Cakewalk in BIAB. I can get the basic tracks generated, but I don't WANT BIAB effects or panning. I want my OWN, out of a list of 1,000 VSTS I have. I maybe use 40 VSTS on 10 drum channels alone. Then I export a mixed drum track. THEN, boy that is where the real stuff begins and there is a LOT of fiddling and fading, and knob adjusting on rack mounts to get the exact sound I want. So, yeah I love the heck out of BIAB for those real tracks (and midi) but there is no way to create the real artisanship of mixing inside BIAB unless BIAB becomes a full on DAW, which would be pointless. There already is Real Band which is great for track visualization AND generation. There is a thread going on about "Tonnetz charts" in another area (woodshedding I think), and if you look at the website ( https://www.songwriter.studio/) almost all of the lessons hint at an architectural methodology for "energy flow" that might best be created in Real Band! Chord by chord and track by track, section by section. I will forever see track "generation" and track "management" (as one part of arrangement) as two different things. Band-in-a-Box gives you an arrangement of sorts, but if you are making a real song, the best you can get is to the fifty yard line. You still have a long way to go after you have those basic tracks in mind, and even if you use the pink dot dot dots. That's my rant. 
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But Jim, There is NO WAY on God's Green earth to do 1/1000 of what I can do to a .wav, or 20 tracks of .wavs inside of a DAW like Cakewalk in BIAB. Band-in-a-Box gives you an arrangement of sorts, but if you are making a real song, the best you can get is to the fifty yard line. You still have a long way to go after you have those basic tracks in mind, and even if you use the pink dot dot dots. That's my rant. For me the answer is not a knock on BIAB but in a nutshell LOOPS LOOPS LOOPS :-) I Gotta agree with Dave on this one. In all fairness I can only use BIAB as a tool. With all my vocal layering. singing 4 part harmonies, and creating a ton of vocal adlibs (just to name a few things) no way can I do this "EFFECTIVELY" in BIAB. Plus mainly I use a LOT OF LOOPS !! No way can I create my loop compositions in BIAB satisfactorily. This loop based creation is so far from a BIAB composition that it cannot come close to comparing. https://youtu.be/MMrw48cl26Q
Last edited by Henry Clarke; 09/03/22 07:41 PM.
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For me the answer is not a knock on BIAB but in a nutshell LOOPS LOOPS LOOPS :-) I Gotta agree with Dave on this one. In all fairness I can only use BIAB as a tool. With all my vocal layering. singing 4 part harmonies, and creating a ton of vocal adlibs (just to name a few things) no way can I do this "EFFECTIVELY" in BIAB. Plus mainly I use a LOT OF LOOPS !! No way can I create my loop compositions in BIAB satisfactorily. This loop based creation is so far from a BIAB composition that it cannot come close to comparing. https://youtu.be/MMrw48cl26Q Knock-out sound Henry. Clearly a big effort went into this arrangement, and sure it's absolutely reasonable to understand that BiaB wasn't ever designed to deliver that level of production 'out of the box'. What BiaB does, it does extremely well, but what you've done is at another level.
BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
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ALL.
i feel i must agree with david's and henry's comments re daw usage.
in my case i do a lot of detailed vocal work in reaps….. multiple voc tests, v low level micro edits comps etc etc.
its one of the reasons i like reaps. otoh i dont use autotune because i feel vocs by their nature should be natural. i know autotune is the current rage…but not for moi..also i remind myself zillions of grrreat tunes were done before autotune. and if i screw up a voc its my own fault.
anyway reaps has a 'poor mans' tuning feature available which lets me fix the odd vocal note.
but the main thing is the ease i can zoom in and do micro edits..and do subtle stuff like slow down a song and solo a trak in order to make it easier to do a micro edit.
also reaps has 'spectral editing'…but ive not needed it yet.
basically i use biab and rb often for getting down 'the song foundation/bed traks'..
and the reaps and rb for what i might say is the 'iceing on the song cake'.
as teunis aptly said 'use the right tool for the job'.
which is why i use bb AND rb AND reaps to do a song.
(note i really really like the mp3 maker in rb for some reason i cant put my finger on.)
I REALLY LIKE IN RB THE ABILITY TO RIGHT CLIK OVER A TRAK AND HAVE SOOO MANY DIFFERENT GENERATION//trak creation OPTIONS,...eg clik traks//audio traks//midi traks etc etc. very very flexible. things other daws dont do.
i often wonder if new users really explore the trak right clik LOOOONG lol menu trick in rb.
there all sorts of neat features to discover. yes i'm an unapologetic FAN of RB....and...
if my wishes in the wishlist came about with flac and other wishes etc, i would be over the moon..lol.
happiness to all.
om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 09/04/22 01:59 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.)
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< Originally Posted By: David Snyder
But Jim,
There is NO WAY on God's Green earth to do 1/1000 of what I can do to a .wav, or 20 tracks of .wavs inside of a DAW like Cakewalk in BIAB.
Band-in-a-Box gives you an arrangement of sorts, but if you are making a real song, the best you can get is to the fifty yard line.
You still have a long way to go after you have those basic tracks in mind, and even if you use the pink dot dot dots.
That's my rant. >
I think it's also fair to say:
<There's NO WAY on God's Green earth to do 1/1000 of what I can create as a single RealTrack WAV, or 20 tracks of RealTrack WAVs inside of a DAW like Cakewalk like I can in BIAB.>
Yes, "You still have a long way to go after you have those basic tracks in mind, and even if you use the pink dot dot dots." but the question posed for this thread, "Why Use A DAW When There Is Band-in-a-Box?" infers that "the pink dot dot dots" isn't as far as BIAB can go in developing a RealTrack or song arrangement. You guys are choosing to pull out of BIAB with basic tracks in hand at the fifty yard line when BIAB has not given you all it's got to give when it's at the fifty yard line.
BIAB 2025:RB 2025, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
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How do you know you're at the 50 yard line if the goal post keeps moving?
I think most of us are saying we do it to be more efficient with our time.
That is hard to argue against. We know what we are efficient at and what we are not.
Sure I can drive a screw in with a screwdriver by hand, but I can also grab the drill with the right tip and do it 10X faster with less effort.
Doesn't mean the screwdriver is no good.
You asked 'why' and a lot of have given the same reason; it's faster for us, which makes it better.
Last edited by rharv; 09/04/22 03:27 AM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Who gives a rodent's rump how a song is produced?
I have never heard anyone say "that song was recorded with, insert DAW, BiaB, Toontrack, or any program of your choice". With some sound sources (RTs, Kontakt, Sampletank, etc) yes but not the process.
We all have our own workflows. We can share them and if others benefit fine, if not also fine.
Lets not let this become a battle between in-depth BiaB users and in-depth DAW users. Each have their pluses and minuses.
I get most of my exercise these days from shaking my head in disbelief.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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We all have our own workflows. We can share them and if others benefit fine, if not also fine. Exactly.
BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
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I can get the basic tracks generated, but I don't WANT BIAB effects or panning. I want my OWN, out of a list of 1,000 VSTS I have. I maybe use 40 VSTS on 10 drum channels alone. This just shows me how far I have to go. 10 drum channels? I struggle with 7 channels total in my songs ! And VSTs? If I happen to have any (that came bundled with BiaB or S1), I wouldn't know how to use them. Signed, A Hopeless Forever Newbie 
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677BiaB 2025 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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I can get the basic tracks generated, but I don't WANT BIAB effects or panning. I want my OWN, out of a list of 1,000 VSTS I have. I maybe use 40 VSTS on 10 drum channels alone. This just shows me how far I have to go. 10 drum channels? I struggle with 7 channels total in my songs ! And VSTs? If I happen to have any (that came bundled with BiaB or S1), I wouldn't know how to use them. Signed, A Hopeless Forever Newbie The journey will be a lot of fun though. We all have lots to learn. Otherwise it would get boring real fast. /FWIW, we usually pre-mix drums down to 6-8 channels here, but 10 does not seem excessive. / 40 FX on 10 tracks seems a bit much, considering sub-mixes allow sharing some FX, but I am not criticizing anyone. Do what works. Most important; have fun, learn as you go. We all did that. Do it at your own speed. I would also suggest learning about VSTs, they can make a huge difference.
Last edited by rharv; 09/04/22 07:36 AM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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The journey will be a lot of fun though. We all have lots to learn.
Otherwise it would get boring real fast.
Thanks rharv, it has been and is fun and very far from boring. And BiaB is a big part of that. We should establish a "PG Music Appreciation Day" where once a year, we express what this company has meant to us in a giant multi-page thread.
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677BiaB 2025 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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Yeah, that could turn epic
Many things I have done I couldn't have done in BiaB alone, but I couldn't have done without BiaB either.
I do truly appreciate PGMusic and wouldn't be shy to share
Last edited by rharv; 09/04/22 10:49 PM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 368
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 368 |
I listed a few tasks Band-in-a-Box automatically performs to illustrate there are benefits to using Band-in-a-Box users don't think about or overlooked. The majority of the tasks I listed can be somewhat repetitive in a DAW.
At least one person indicated a preference to manually perform one or more of these tasks. I can understand that. Most users responding in this thread are very experienced. If I had the ears, skill and experience some of you have I'd want to maintain them at that level.
But I'm not at that level. I don't REALLY want to put in the time and effort to get to that level; although sometimes I like to believe I do.
So far I haven't read much where someone says they use their DAW to do this or that because Band-in-a-Box can't do one of those things. The feedback seems to be more about using their DAW because of familiarity, comfort level or maintaining skills. Those reasons are as good as any but were any of them your first thought when you saw the title of this thread, "Why Use A DAW When There Is Band-in-a-Box"? I started using Logic Pro X and Garageband before I started using BIAB, and this was the workflow I got comfortable with, and where I feel free to be creative with whatever I want to do. Though having DAW'ish functionality, I use BIAB for composition and RTs only which in fact is quite a big deal in my songwriting, performing and production. I have a single question for you about this - if you're happy using BIAB and it works for you in every possible way, why did you open this discussion in the first place - is it because you're missing anything, that your fellow users could point out, is found in a DAW? (in such case - let us know what you're missing)
Last edited by Peters Garage; 09/04/22 09:08 AM. Reason: Misspelling corrected
MacMini M1 - BIAB2021 - Logic Pro X - iZotope Music Production Suite - Scaler 2 - far too many Waves plugins and Line 6 Guitars and boards + a fantastic Yamaha THR10ll mini Amp - Avid MBOX Studio
Peters' Garage is available on all major streaming services
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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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XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
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 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 Windows or for Mac.
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.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: 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 because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!
We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!
Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:
Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana, Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes, MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano, Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7, Playable RealTracks Set 4, RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark, and more!
Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!
Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 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 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
- Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
- Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
- Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
- Playable RealTracks Set 4
- RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
- SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
- 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
- Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
- Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
- RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 9 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.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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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