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Post your own Tips and Tricks here
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Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,650
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OP
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Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,650 |
10..now before i get into specifics and features that are nice in rb let me offer the following comments. because i suspect some might think 'what is this fool OM going on about and why should i spend some time learning another music app ??'...groan...so lets answer that.
in many respects rb is a dark horse.with tons of usefull deep features which...once ive gone thru things i like..... i hope you agree with me...'under the hood' rb is rather amazeing for free. and remember its always getting better.. see the new features for details of rb 2024 on pg site. for me the new comp feature is very usefull as i'm a vocallist as well as the addition of certain editing features which enhance the product.
(btw...in my defence my background...and i dont mean in an egotist way... is not just in tech, building very advanced IT applications systems around the world but also for many years spending time in all manner of studios big and small creating lots of songs as well as singing in so many music groups and genres ive lost count of...from church and opera thru mor thru heavy rock and even punk rock,...lol...in summary music is in my blood. fyi my typical day for many years was working in tech during the day and then singing in various groups at night and weekends. ie a true jekyll and hyde existence.)
WHY SHOULD YOUR WORKFLOW INCLUDE RB ????...
...for people that like lots of fancy shmancy looking graphics in music apps rb might not be for you.eg i saw a gorgeous looking music app recently that costs big money...but as the old saying goes 'sometimes beauty is skin deep'....some of the most wonderfull people ive met in my travels thru' life looked a tad rough on the surface..but underneath had hearts of pure gold and kindness to myself and others. yes rb looks a tad old skool ugly on the surface...but underneath it has many many usefull and in some cases unique music production features...imho its a highly underrated app. by contrast even tho' i loved the look of the aforementioned gorgeous music app...i quickly realised i would miss terribly many of rb's features... even tho' the gorgeous app had some very cool features of its own. ...if your not a person willing to delve into something deeply...rb might not be for you...as it is choc full of deep audio and midi features that are highly usefull in doing songs... (the fab powertracks and bb apps are the same...ie choc full of features...tbh even i after many years of rb use still slap myself when i find a new way of doing something.) ...if your not willing to go thru' the rb manual and tips and various rb vids done by pg then rb might not be for you. let me say it has always been and always will be a struggle for developers to build apps that are both easily accessible and at the same time choc full of features. particularly in music production. from my experience if a app is easily accessible it sometimes means it doesnt have a large feature set.
HOWEVER ..if your willing to put in some 'graft'..and development of your own work methods you might come to like rb like i do..for not only its session musician capabilities that are unique (like bb) but also the fact its choc full of neat features to help you create songs....let me say emphatically for the reader who thinks i might be biased re rb...i always keep an open mind re recording gear.
11...THE SPECIFICS...
let me get into specifics and more details of features i really really like...and you might also. ie...in each menu that make rb so usefull...and hopefully youll conclude that your current daw plus rb form a great usefull powerfull music production team. i will comment briefly on each feature and why its usefull. (the rb manual and various pg tips and vids on you tube should also be studied for more details...to save me typing loads of pages. also youll notice that a user dialog has a help feature. also notice HELP>>>tip of the day.its kinda nifty and its a good idea to go thru every now and then because...if your like me sometimes a reminder is a good thing.)
lets start with some basic things i like.
..an.mp3 creator is included .in rb for free. i really like it. but dont ask me why. i really wish i could scientifically explain but i cant. i used it in all the songs in my sig....its my go to mp3 creator. it can be accessed via the rb render dialogue at top of rb. watch your stereo mix meters. i would suggest a setting of about -3db....
... FILE >>> IMPORT will allow you to import all manner of formats into rb....check it out. ...below FILE/EXIT you will see latest projects you can access...convenient. ...EDIT at top of rb has a load of features includeing usual cut/paste etc. ...EDIT>>>TRACK will bring up around 19 features....all very usefull. notice IN PARTICULAR...DUPLICATE feature. there are nifty effects tricks you can do useing this. ie...sometimes i keep an original audio track dry and use this feature to create 2 more instances of the same track and on one i might put pg echo chorus and other track pg verb.then i experiment with settings of each to create interesting fx on say a vocal .. the objective being to create a synergistic pleasant sound fx picture. also experiment with the volume of the 3 tracks....and do things like keeping the volumes of the 2 duplicate tracks under the original dry one. why am i gung ho re the pg fx ?? simple... low cpu useage. they have saved my 'A' more than a few times as well as money buying commercial plugins that sometimes consume lots of pc resources. now start experimenting on your own re FILE>>>TRACK menu. youll notice depending on menu option chosen there will be a help feature. please also read up on the fix tuning menu option etc etc.i rarely need it...but you might find it very usefull.
...EDIT>>>MIDI. let me say one of the great strengths with pg products imho is the midi functionality. (if your not up on midi there are lots of courses online and books etc etc.). thus one of the great strengths of rb is its midi feature set. and it might be usefull to you in many many ways. note...same as audio tracks you can easily drag a midi track from rb into your fav daw. WHICH BRINGS UP A VERY IMPORTANT POINT....AND A HUGE PLUS FOR RB. IE YOU CAN USE RB TO GENERATE AND FEED YOUR FAV DAW WITH ALL MANNER OF MIDI TRACKS. SKYS THE LIMIT ONLY LIMITED BY YOUR IMAGINATION... PLEASE...!! I WANT TO FIRMLY PLANT THIS IN YOUR MIND AND ITS LOTS OF FUN...you can in rb generate not just normal midi tracks whatever but also do things like generate drum solos like a drummer might do live. this is a hoot. there are about 26 menu entries in the edit midi feature display....dont let this put you off. these features give you oodles of midi control and power in your hands. starting out look into quantise and other features like 'fill track with drum pattern'... i use the latter not only for quickie tests of song ideas but also other fancy things... (see my tips in tips forum re rb and modern songs.) NOTE...in rb is a feature that might be usefull for some..ie setting various ppq's. includeing high ones....ALSO NOTE THE FRACTIONAL TEMPO FEATURE.
more next time as i need a break. much much more to come.
happiness
om
.
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 06/11/24 08:22 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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ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Holiday Weekend Hours
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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!
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Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
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.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
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.
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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)
Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
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 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available 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 Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
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.
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 as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
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