Why not add some very simple top level GUIs on top of the standard BIAB user interface.
This could probably simplify the introduction of the software to new users as well as could be some very useful tools for the experienced user.
The option would be to enter the standard interface or some of the specific simplistic top level interfaces. And when the work is finished on the top level one could easily switch down to the full BIAB level interface to continue the work with all the tools that are available there.
1. One example could be to add a simplistic Top Level GUI in the style of “ChordPulse”. I just found out about ChordPulse. It is a very simple and intuitive little program that makes it very easy and quick to start sketching song structures and to find an overall idea of the grove and style of a song. This could then be used as it is as a simple backing track or as a starting point to be refined further going down to the next level to the full BIAB GUI within all the tools of BIAB. I really like the CLEAN and simple entry level with an easy and quick way to enter song forms, chords, and selecting styles from the clean organization and presentation of styles to the user. (I know it can be done in BIAB as is). I really like the matrix style by genre of presenting styles and the simplicity in how the styles can be audited in real time against my song/chords whilst it is plying, just by clicking another style.
This is just one idea for a top level gui. There could be several more reflecting different aspects of the workflow that users might have problems with or spending a lot of time with.
2. Another example that probably would be very useful would be a simplistic Top Level GUI that in steps could guide and support the user in finding out "the Grove" of a song that he might hear in his head. I don’t know how to do this, all I know is that I am spending so much time searching styles and auditing styles in BIAB in order to find something close to what I am hearing in my head, but most of the times I just give up. So the idea is to find a way to guide the user in this process (the current search approach from the style picker list does not work efficiently and neither searching the drum lists or other lists).
A clean and simple GUI that step by step trying to nail down the “grove” and characteristics that the user hears in his head.
I guess it many times starts from the drums and bass. But the dialogue needs to be an iterative guiding with examples and feedback to narrow it all down further and further and eventually to suggested some good matching styles to the user.
Band-in-a-Box presently has two user interfaces classic and new. You can switch between the two using the keyboard command of Ctrl+T for Windows or Cmd+T for Mac.
The new GUI is pretty streamlined. The "Custom" tab above the mixer can be customized to display only the icons you desire.
I believe you are wanting more of a song building wizard than a GUI change. Am I correct?
Yes, I guess it is the song building wizard I meant as an example. I just tested ChordPulse and was very impressed by the simple clean interface for the specific task at hand that impressed me. So easy to use without any prior knowledge about the software at all and with good results.
I mainly used it as an example of a very simple clean user friendly down to task interface that leaves me the user focused on the creative task at hand.
It is very easy to put in chords in BIAB as well and I think what I found so different with ChordPulse was how easy it was to navigate and audit the styles and configure the song format and chords.
I used it mainly as an example for a "top level interface" approach that could help the user with a specific issue in the workflow. I think it would be very useful if an new approach could be addad for helping the user to find the "grove and characteristics" of the song he has in mind.Something interactive with feedback narrowing it down to a selection of good matching styles and highlightning the key components that makes the grove the grove.
Chord pulse is a beauty (I was early adopter), but is Midi only and you are bounded to the the handful of midi styles owner assembled. There are some interesting case uses, but it is very, very limited compared to BIAB.
You can hide/unhide BIAB mixer in one click to make GUI cleaner. See attached. Just enter (or change or delete) your chords and hit play, or other transport buttons for basic operation.
While there could be effort made to reduce complexity of various deep menus and make them more consistent, but as far as actual minimalistic GUI of BIAB I see no issues with it, except for Radio buttons on top, that are a bit annoying, as there is no way to hide or minimize them.
------------- I will give your topic a 1+ because I do think BIAB needs more love toward overall workflow.
Have you ever seen or used a looper? It can either be hardware like +++ these +++ or software like +++ this +++. A looper lets a user sequentially build an audio phrase or pattern in real time one audio track at a time.
ChordPulse reminds me of a looper because ChordPulse also works in real time. It's a great example of a software interface but, as Rustyspoon# noted, it only works with MIDI.
Having a "build a song" wizard is a neat idea. I'd love to see PG Music pull it off.
There are a lot of style demos to double click ! If you maybe had something like few second auto preview playback of each of the search results and be able to mark any that maybe acceptable rather than double clicking all day long. With the RT RD pickers and the RTs RDs having midi notation you should be able to create a beat/bass pattern/strum finder like toontrack.
Look at the reaper media explorer it can be set to auto play and using the up/down cursor key they play instantly from one to the other without the delay that Biab has when doubling clicking the next demo. I think a lot of media players have an option to preview each song in the playlist for so many secs. I could be making a cup of coffee while they are previewing and just go back to the one I liked and mark it then continue on.
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
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!
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
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!
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!
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!
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 Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac 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!
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.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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