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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,131
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OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,131 |
been playing since the 60s with various degrees of success. in electric bands and acoustic bands i played with live musicians in various line ups. some of the guys i played with were excellent, some average. but the stuff i still want to play -either recording for my own entertainment or as backing tracks for occasionallly playing out is much the same as in four or five piece bands.
i find that most of the time BIAB styles sound just like the bands i used to play in. sometimes i stray into RB to finish a track and add extra RTs.
but the individual instruments in BIAB sound similar to what the other guys played. bass, drums, guitar - they sound like my old band mates.
i've always upgraded BIAB but quite frankly most of the new 'features' don't apply to me. i like new RTs but i've got so many that i'm spoilt for choice. have i reached the saturation point?
would be interested to know how many BIAB users upgrade every year and whether the number is dropping. is the bulk of sales new users?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,948
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,948 |
Thus far I have upgraded the engine every year. Depending on my money situation I upgrade to the Ultra pac and purchase the extra stuff.
It takes courage for a man to admit his wife was wrong.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,647
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 2,647 |
Bob, I don't know how one would determine the percentage of repeat customers vs new customers; I'd guess that would be internal and company-proprietary data.
However, I agree that most of the new features that come along don't apply to me either. I have too many RTs and RDs to effectively hunt through to find what I hear in my head. Interesting enough, for me this hasn't been all bad because it has forced me to compose much more on my physical keyboard than would otherwise be the case, thereby contributing to my overall music skills.
But I can say that I do upgrade every year for 2 basic reasons:
1. PGM is an innovative company and BiaB is a great product deserving of my continued business and favorable word-of-mouth. My loyalty has been earned.
2. I have hopes that future upgrades will have relevant improvements such as smart search, filtering and mapping capability to address the above mentioned "too many RTs problem". Perhaps this, and other features that musicians need, will be implemented in the coming months via AI solutions.
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677BiaB 2025 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,898
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,898 |
I upgrade every year because...
1) I find that a good number of new tools & additions significantly improve my workflow.
2) There is always some cool & surprising content that inspires me to create.
3)There are only a small number of companies that I believe deserve to be supported annually, PGM is one of them.
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As it was evident from the Rob H's Poll, most people who responded are in favor of optimizing workflow & existing features + fixing known issues and limitations, instead of introducing new items. After this year (2024) update, I support that philosophy. Would I upgrade if the 2025 would primarily focus on maintenance? Absolutely.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 868
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 868 |
upgrade every year.
Mostly because I want PG Music to stay in business.
biab2025(Mac) Latest Build
Mac OS (Latest)
Apple Mac Mini M2 pro 32GB Ram
Logic Pro 11.2.2
Irwin Vice Grip Fencing Pliers
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 12
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 12 |
I have upgraded every year since 2013. I like to support companies that supply a good product at a fair price. Most companies pester you with email and texts forever after you order something. BIAB doesn't do that. I like the ability to make backing tracks which is my main use. I adment I don't use all the bells and whistles but I do like playing with some of them from time to time.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 578
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 578 |
I started with BIAB in it’s earliest years, upgrading each year. I did skip 2022 and ‘23 for some reason. Now, using 2024. Don’t use any of the latest bells and whistles. Not a song writer, or creator of original stuff. I play out live with BIAB straight from the chord/lyric screen on a laptop. Works great. All I need is a 4 or 5-piece rhythm section. I upgrade for new, or, improved styles and real tracks, working several times a week in retirement homes. I hope PG Music will be around for a long time to come.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 1
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 1 |
how 'bout that i to have some biab floppy's around somewhere (3.5 not the 5") you may have come in before me with the 5" floppy.
sounds like you got a nice rig for the senior circuit. where are you out of? i'm outside philly. i was in that biz from 1987 to 2013. made way more money in nursing /retirement communities than playing bars/parties as a sideman...
i stared using biab on those kinda gigs but performance /karaoke tracks were just tooooo easy pop in and re key if needed and just to work.
now i write musicals so making the rhythm sec in biab and then importing the midi tracks into Sibelius for orchestral treatments if needed. i like the human feel of biab over writing it all out in a piano roll in cubase. biab adds a human feel to the projects. tons of versatility with a system like this.
anyway, i digress, since i was busy playing guitar, a laptop didn't fit my work flow and had to many choices. i'd get all distracted wondering about a new way i could manipulate the software etc. OCD.
none of this digital tech existed when i started that circuit. karaoke tracks were on cassette tape which was never in tune and i play guitar on these gigs as well, so that sucked. then we got DAT tape which held pitch but ya had to line up your sets cause you had to physically fast forward that digital audio tape to search for a song and that took time. if i recall correctly, then came the CD and i could find songs really fast for the first time. finally enter, the ipod/zune! it was a gig rig in the palm of my hand. nowadays i'd use my phone for playback if i were still active.
there was one other bit that was coming into vogue as i was retiring from performance. using pitch to midi software or a good daw to extract midi from karaoke tracks and produce them in any key with no artifacts.
do you have any tracks posted? i'd like to hear what you're doin' with biab.
gary murway
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,948
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,948 |
............................
do you have any tracks posted? i'd like to hear what you're doin' with biab. The User Showcase forum has all of the BiaB customer's songs so head there to hear them: https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=50&page=1
It takes courage for a man to admit his wife was wrong.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 58
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 58 |
I upgrade every year. I usually go with the UltraPak as I really don't like not having the full set of styles and RTs at my fingertips. My primary use is to create backing tracks with bass, drums, piano, and guitar. A real jazz quartet in the box is wonderful to have for my performances.
Bruce Hook - Soprano, Alto and Tenor Saxes
BIAB 2023 UltraPak | Intel i7 | Mackie ProFX10v3 Audio Interface | 1TB SSD | Reaper DAW
| Akai EWI 5000 | M-Audio Oxygen Pro 49
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,131
Veteran
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OP
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,131 |
I think PG does deserve our support and I'll probably upgrade even though I don't need any new features. Interesting SaxaBruce seems to use BIAB the same way I do but for jazz not country folk and pop.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,535
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,535 |
Bob.
i love it that a small cdn company like pg has been successfull.
i always root for the underdog in a market sector.
happiness.
om
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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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 266
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 266 |
Bob,
Sounds like we could be twins separated at birth.
This sentence very much applies to me;
i've always upgraded BIAB but quite frankly most of the new 'features' don't apply to me. i like new RTs but i've got so many that i'm spoilt for choice. have i reached the saturation point?
Vintage
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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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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 60 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until December 31, 2025. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49. Browse the full contents of each package and listen to demos here.
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
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 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 Windows or for Mac.
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.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: 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 because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!
We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!
Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:
Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, 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, and more!
Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
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Forums57
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