Those are fair questions. Surprized that support did not have a clear answer.
If they don't know, who does... but here is my input based on having all that are currently available.
Right now there are likely as many as 120 - 180 Playable Realtrack Sounds (PRS). Here is a picture of just those set up for Acostic Guitars. These have been made avialable over the past two year releases (2021 and 2022). I would have thought that these are now part of the "core" BIAB sounds which maybe enhanced with each new release. So a core purchase should get you all, IMO. Otherwise, how would they ever sell this feature if you could not get the sounds to use it? The current avialabilty may be sufficient to handly the need, after all we got by with what we had in 2021 before the additions in 2022.
"The answer is that ALL RealTracks are playable, provided that you have installed (a) Sforzando plugin (which is installed along with the main BB program), (b) HiQ Instruments, and (c) Playable RealTracks." <snip> "It (Playable RealTracks) works whether or not the RT has RealCharts. You can still add PRT notes even if there isn't existing notation. Sorry for the confusion. If it DOES have notation it's true that you could edit existing notes / convert them to PRT notes which might be useful in certain cases. As Tobin points out in the video though, the RealCharts aren't necessarily meant to be heard, since they are a transcription rather than what was actually played.
The drop-down menu to the right of the PRT button has a number of useful options - e.g. converting notes to playable, muting RT audio for a region, or choosing a different sample. Also, in that same menu you can see which sample it's using - the ones that start with a number (e.g. '026 xxxxx') are typically ones that use material recorded in the actual RT session. The ones that start with 'HiQ' (e.g. 'HiQ 025 xxxxx') are closest matches that we currently have. Hope this helps."
I just notice that if you search for "Playable Realtracks" on the Band-in-a-Box® 2022 Bonus PAKs/Band-in-a-Box® 2022 49-PAK page (https://www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.bonuspaks_2022.htm) you get two hits, one in each sections.
If you do the same on the Band-in-a-Box® 2023 Bonus PAKs/Band-in-a-Box® 2023 49-PAK page (https://www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.bonuspaks_2023.htm), you only get a hit on the first section which leads me to believe that there is no "Playable Realtracks" in the Band-in-a-Box® 2023 49-PAK... I wish they had put playable Realtracks as the are progressive rock track in the 2023 49-PAK this year!
So now I am of the mind that I should only buy Band-in-a-Box® 2023 Pro without 2023 49-PAK...
There are no mistakes, save one: the failure to learn from a mistake. - Robert Fripp
You might be right about the sale prices extending well into January... You have more experience than a newbie like me!
But I guess theses prices pertains only to updates whereas I have a coupon code and I wrongly thought I was told that it was valid until the 31st as I remembered it but I went and re-read the email minutes ago and realized that it actually says "You can use this coupon for ??% off. It will be active until the end of December"
So I'm good until tomorrow 23:59:59 I guess
There are no mistakes, save one: the failure to learn from a mistake. - Robert Fripp
I was gonna say: "With this info I now might buy the 2023 49 PAK" but I wanted to make sure it was "49 PAK" and not "49PAK", so I went I clicked on buy the BIAB 2023 Pro and the page that loads list both the 2022 Bonus 49 PAK & 2023 Bonus 49 PAK as being in my cart! Is that normal? I thought you could not buy the previous year Bonus 49 PAK once the newer Bonus 49 PAK was out!
Ah, I wonder if this is a continuation of the extremely generous offer by PG Music before, to minimize the effect of the VAT on shipped hard drives? Is the UK continuing to levy that after Brexit?
Or it could be something else entirely …
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.
All Band-in-a-Box packages (except for the $49 program upgrade from 2022) include both Playable RealTracks Set 1 and 2. PRT Set 1 was introduced last year. PRT Set 2 is new this year so more RealTracks have a better PRT match. It is included in the free bonus PAK. Each set adds 400 (more or less) Sforzando 'patches'. You might have added a 2022 version PAK via a link on an old page, or you had it in your cart from before.
Many thanks Andrew as this help clarify some stuff
Yeah I went looking for the 2022 49 PAK via Google because I remembered that there was a mention about it containing Playable Realtracks, it does indeed! And clicking on the yellow arrow puts it in my cart!
So I search via Google again and was able to add the 2021 49 PAK to my cart as well! So now I have the 2021 49 PAK, the 2022 49 PAK & the 2023 49 PAK in my cart! I then search for the 2020 49 PAK and found it but this time when I clicked on the yellow arrow, the trick did not work! It simply loads a "404 Page Not Found Sorry, this page doesn't exist" page
So essentially, you are saying that if I simply buy BIAB 2023 Pro version I would end up with the Playable Realtracks set 1 & 2, right?
So adding the Bonus 2023 49PAK would simply add 60 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 10: Acid Jazz, Instrumental Studies Set 19: Modern Country Soloing, MIDI SuperTracks Set 36: Funk & Jazz Piano, MIDI SuperTracks Set 37: Contradance Piano, Artist Performance Set 14: Songs with Vocals Volume 4, and RealDrums Stems Set 3: Jazz, Latin & World!
But no Playable Realtracks...
I wonder if PGMusic's cart processing would let me buy the aforementionned previous year 49 PAKs?
It seems it would work! Unfortunately money is tight right now...
By the way! Now that it is known that I have a coupon code that is good until tonight 23:59:59, I was wondering... that 23:59:59 is in accordance to British Columbia time right, meaning, if I am in an eastern province, I have less time, right?
Last edited by pattoocool; 12/31/2211:08 AM.
There are no mistakes, save one: the failure to learn from a mistake. - Robert Fripp
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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 new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 process 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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
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.
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows 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)
Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
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)
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
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