Hello, is there a reason why some styles have an exclamation mark ! at the beginning? Is it a naming convention? Thank you.
I think, (but I'm not sure), that the exclamation mark denotes a Guitar-based Style. From the help: "Guitar Styles are identified by the exclamation point (!) in the style name. This is not a requirement, but is usually present in the style name."
Others may know more.
Also, welcome aboard.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Thank you AudioTrack! I perused a bit before posting but couldn't find the help you managed to find and I know why I searched for the very British "exclamation mark" (surprisingly it gives no results) and not for the "exclamation point", which is just a sort of enharmonic spelling.
AudioTrack's poset is on p317 of the manual. I noticed an additional mention of exclamation point on p318 of the manual.
It says there that the mark is a convention "to indicate that it is an intelligent guitar style" when using "Guitar Macros". That covers things like chord voicing, walking bass and strum patterns.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
I just searched the integrated Help for the word 'exclamation', as seen below.
Incidentally, it will pick up both words if they are enclosed with double-quotes, i.e. "exclamation point" Hope this helps a little.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
I just learned something. I had no idea there was a difference between using point and mark.
I think it's just a convention difference. Here is the UK we have tended to use mark, I think the US tends to use point, but the two are increasingly common. I also know it as 'bang', though personally I only use is that way in "shebang" the quick name for the #! combination right at the start of Unix-type script files.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
Incidentally, in Australia we would generally always use the term "Exclamation Mark" (not Point). In fact, I don't recall ever seeing the text "Exclamation Point" until it showed up in the BiaB documentation.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Welcome to America .. we don't speak metric either .. <grin> /except medicine, that always seems to be in milligrams or such, weird how we talk, ain't it?
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
Incidentally, in Australia we would generally always use the term "Exclamation Mark" (not Point). In fact, I don't recall ever seeing the text "Exclamation Point" until it showed up in the BiaB documentation.
Same here, Audiotrack. Today was the first time I've heard of "exclamation point". Live and learn!
And yes rharv, we are a weird country to only go partial metric. We need to get over the Imperial System and modernize.
I don't really know why we resist. Does anybody?
Notes ♫
Here in the UK I was taught both metric and Imperial systems when I was a child. I'm now 70. I was once told the Britain would only truly go entirely metric once all the people who had been taught the Imperial system had died.
I think there may be reasons to resist.
In the UK if I buy timber, I'm typically obliged to buy the "metric equivalents" cross-sectional sizes, e.g. 25mmx50mm sawn, 22x45 planed or possibly smaller and with lengths in "wood units", which are 300mm, which is a little less than a foot and which means I can't buy 4m, I have to buy 4.1 metres.
If I'm trying to match timber in my house, which was built in 1911, I sometimes have to buy the next size up and plane it down, though fortunately not too often, though I had to do that extensively when I renewed my floors a few years ago.
If I buy windows or doors, I can buy them in metric (which won't fit) or imperial-equivalent sizes (which will). Builders merchants have to stock both, of course. Ditto with plumbing where we have a totally crazy mix of imperial and metric.
For me the craziest thing of all was when I was a beekeeper. Due to EU regulations we were legally mandated to sell in metric quantities, but to avoid waste of tooling and jars and so on, we were allowed to continue to use the Imperial jars, however they had to be labelled in the "metric" quantities 112g, 227g and 454g (i.e. 1/4lb, 1/2lb and 1lb).
Having grown up with both systems and having knowledge of a few older systems, and having translated between them my whole life, I will occasionally switch to spans and cubits, or to bushels, just to be mischievous. All priced in guineas, of course. (A guinea was one pound and a shilling, now a pound and 5p).
It's all very silly and often quite frustrating.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
Australia went fully metric in the 1970's. No half measures, just fully metric.
No more pints, gallons, 'twelve and thirteen sixteenths of an inch' measurements or 5,280 feet in a mile.
I know both systems, and I definitely know which one is better, more versatile and far easier to use
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
I know both systems, and I definitely know which one is better, more versatile and far easier to use
I'd have rather we'd just changed, that this never-ending half-way mongrel of a system!
Which is easier to use is a bit moot, though, at least in some circumstances. A dozen is divisible into an impressive number of integer divisions, as are hours, minutes and seconds; circles (gradians are a decimal-ish hybrid that even my spell-checker doesn't recognise).
But ounces, fluid ounces, pints (US and UK), gallons (ditto), stones, hundredweights, rods, poles, perches, bushels and the rest are, for sure, a nonsense today.
But I still work in binary, ternary, octal and hexadecimal and I still use degrees and nautical miles, which of course are minutes of arc on the Earth's surface.
I also regularly have to explain to Europeans that American billions are 1/1000th the size of European billions. In Europe they're milliards and a billion is a million million.
It's a struggle
It'd have been so much easier if we'd been born with 12 fingers of that shepherd on a hill had counted in binary.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
Gordon, I guess the USA isn't the only stubborn one.
We have something similar with measurements, even though they aren't metric.
A 2 by 4 isn't 2 inches (5.08 cm) by 4 inches (10.16 cm) anymore, it's smaller.
A 2 by 4 is now 1.5 inches (3.81 cm) by 3.5 inches (8.89 cm) which in my mind is cheating. They charge us for a 2x4 and we get a 1.5x3.5, which is a 25% reduction.
I'm thinking about replacing my front door, which is a standard size, but the house was built in 1950. If I replace it with a door supposedly of the same measurements, it's way too small, because again, they are cheating. So I'll have to have one custom-made, at an additional expense.
Here in the US, they use metric when convenient to shrink the size of what used to be a quart, pint, or pound.
No Pints, nor U.S. Gallons nor Imperial Gallons. We have Litres, and one Litre is always exactly one Litre. So easy.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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!
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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.
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!
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.
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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.
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)
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