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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944
PG Music Staff
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OP
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944 |
> Let's not forget, RealTracks ARE audio loops. BIAB is perfectly capable of making contemporary music. This is after all making music with computers. As with any musical instrument, the musician is more important than the tool. Thanks for the post. Many people wondering BiaB can create contemporary music are unfamiliar with examples of what can be done, and are surprised by the results. For example, here are some demos we made , that are full songs vocals added to BiaB styles. All the instruments are band-in-a-box generations. Most of them are pop, country, folk. There are still lots of people under 40 that like pop, country and folk. Some of the pop fit into contemporary music. If you want to know what BiaB can/cannot do, have a listen to these songs and then reply describing what you’d like it to do that isn’t on these demos. Here are some pop oriented demos: (all band-in-a-box styles, + human vocalist) So You Wanna Be Bad: https://youtu.be/3_R2ZomBjYw?t=751And I Forgive: https://youtu.be/3_R2ZomBjYw?t=2083You Can Be My Man: https://youtu.be/3_R2ZomBjYw?t=3673Hearts Upon Our Sleeve: https://youtu.be/3_R2ZomBjYw?t=4302Here’s a link to all the demos (there are 4 videos like this, this one is #3 / 4 ) https://youtu.be/3_R2ZomBjYw
Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,008
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,008 |
Peter,
"Many people wondering BiaB can create contemporary music are unfamiliar with examples of what can be done, and are surprised by the results."
That is very true. BIAB is very capable and content is great. Absolutely you can cook something very modern. I am a huge fan of your software, mainly because it (content) does not steer me into single direction. You can get as creative as your imagination and time permits. The way I see, the biggest issue and discomfort people face is workflow. Many folks just give up trying to discover what BIAB has to offer. Workflow is equally if not more important than content to many.
You can "inject" almost anything "contemporary" to BIAB from clever drum machines to synths to crazy melodic randomizers. This became much easier now with Chord Track(s). There is no point in BIAB leaning specifically to "contemporary" direction, as many 3rd party plugins are very mature in that field. (While there are some alternatives, we will definitely need VST3 support soon for these)
The missing piece of the puzzle is "contemporary" workflow... and also I will echo MarioD long time request of giving more love to MIDI (and Super Midi) side of things.
Peter and PG Team,
Thank you for your effort and consideration!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 282
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 282 |
I agree.
Many years ago I tested BiaB and found the workflow was too unintuitive and intimidating, so I gave up.
It wasn't until a few years later I realized BiaB is a gem.
The 2023 integration of SynthMaster marks the beginning of a new era for contemporary music to be massively produced by BiaB.
BiaB's current sound library is GOLD. If the interface/workflow could be gradually optimized in the upcoming years, BiaB will become GOAT.
A Canadian music producer, singer songwriter, composer, and professional guitarist.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,461
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,461 |
I think it is up to us, the Band-in-a-Box community, to get the word out to the younger musicians. BiaB is a wonderful tool for making contemporary music, it's loop based, and it's a natural for Electronic Dance Music.
Older musicians have always passed on trade secrets to the younger ones. I remember when I was a 17-year-old sax player, playing in a bar with two bands. The sax player in the other band showed me a lot of things one never learns in school band. He told me, "I am the past, and you are the future."
In that same way, we need to show young musicians the benefit of this amazing tool.
I am in a duo with my wife, who sings, and plays guitar and synth. I keep a copy of BiaB on a computer that I bring on stage, and am eager to show young and older musicians this tool, if the opportunity presents itself.
Last week, I had a guitar player who was here in Florida on vacation approach me and I gave him a basic tour of how to make a simple backing track with BiaB. He will be going back to Boston and plans to buy BiaB. Hopefully he will show others how incredible it is.
The more people who know about BiaB, the better it is for the entire BiaB community.
Insights and incites by Notes ♫
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,418
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,418 |
Most of the good musicians I know tried BIAB decades ago (we're all in our 70s) and soon rejected it as a toy because of the MIDI sounds. They have no idea when I reintroduce them to what it can do now. Some of those are teachers.
When I taught a college jazz ensemble course, I often prepared take-home backing tracks for the songs we were studying, and students were introduced to BIAB that way. One semester, I had no piano or guitar players so I programmed BIAB to play those parts.
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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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,958
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,958 |
I like Groove3's video tutorials. Every series I've seen is well organized, each video is short seven minutes or less, a video series outline is available, the videos are available for download to be viewed offline or online for streaming. The video and audio are clear. Groove3 has four Band-in-a-Box tutorial series: +++ Songwriting with Band-in-a-Box +++, +++ Band-in-a-Box Getting Started +++ , +++ 2014 Band-in-a-Box for Mac Explained +++ and +++ 2015 Band-in-a-Box for Windows Explained +++ . PG Music use to offer the Mac and Windows "Band-in-a-Box Explained" series on their website. However, now I'm unable to find a link for them. The main issue I have is the Band-in-a-Box Explained series are old (2014 & 2015). They do not cover features introduced since their release. I believe Groove3 has the credentials and young audience to offer a successful "How To Use Band-in-a-Box to Create Contemporary Music" video series. At the same time I think it would be great if the PG Music Marketing department and Groove3 could find a way for Groove3 to offer updated "Band-in-a-Box Explained" series every couple of years.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 282
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 282 |
I agree with @Jim Fogle, Groove3 has the best unofficial BiaB tutorials out there.
The only problem is, their courses are outdated and don't cover BiaB's new features of recent years.
Would be nice if PG Music could sponsor Groove3 to create a few up-to-date beginner/intermediate courses, and sell them or give them for free.
"Buy a Pak of Band-in-a-Box 2024 Today, Get a Groove3 Course for Free", or something like that.
A Canadian music producer, singer songwriter, composer, and professional guitarist.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,110
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,110 |
If you want to add modern beats you need to make it easy to do so you can drag n drop samples/loops into the track anywhere and be able to set the key/chord tempo and set it to repeat for so many bars all non destructively so they can be moved around and edited easily. The Loop dialog is so old and limited. Then you can do it all in Biab without having to sync Biab to FL Studio or Reaper. I remember asking for loops years back and showing drag n drop but the old Loops dialog was added and don't give much control and is a slow roundabout way of doing things. You need easy drag n drop non destructive. How it is now is like having to open so many jail doors by entering a code one after the other to do something. See with both FL and Reaper it's all drag n drop non destructive easy editing. 
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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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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.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
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.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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!
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)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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