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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,199
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Hey everyone! This is primarily for Peter and the team, but I'll take input from anyone and everyone. I haven't really been playing much music recently, and I have some life-altering changes coming up here soon. I downloaded BIAB 2023 but wasn't going to download 2024 . . . until today when I got an advertising e-mail from PGMusic for an upgrade to 2024 and all the XtraPaks for a significant discount. I've been at the download for 7 hours and it might be finished by the time I wake up tomorrow.  But, while I still have my older Korg PA800 keyboard, the sounds, particularly the GM sounds, are getting a bit long in tooth. There seems to be a lot of stuff in the new BIAB 2024 regarding software and stuff that I've not been using before, i.e., Sforzando, which I think is a GM synth (but I could be wrong). What I'd like to see, and haven't seen anything in the video section under the Support tab, is a video that catches older users up with the latest features and stuff of BIAB that are included in the package, but aren't Band In A Box. If anyone has particular threads that would be useful for highlighting some of the other programs/applications that are included in the pack and how good you think they are, etc., I'd love to hear about them so I can learn as I want to get back into music production. Thanks in advance. Gary
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
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Welcome back, Gary!
I don’t think I have worthy answers to share but just wanted someone to respond quickly to say Hi.
You mention Sforzando and BIAB 2023, but Sforzando has been around a few years so I wonder if you could clarify which version you are using. I learn the new features best by viewing each year’s video summarizing and illustrating new features.
We have been told support for VST3 is coming, which has the potential to open up a lot of possibilities for what you can do with BIAB not involving the features that come bundled with it.
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: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,199
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Posts: 10,199 |
Hey Matt, Hope all is going well for you. As to Sforzando, I don't really use any software synths, which is what I guess that is. I would very much like to upgrade my keyboard, but I'm now on the fixed income and $6,000 for a new Korg PA5X and PaAS speaker system is a bit beyond my reach right now. So, I'm looking for other options. I mean, the GM sounds and other sounds of my 13 year old keyboard aren't *that* bad, but I'm looking for something newer, and I'm not sure if Sforzando is an answer to that. I just don't know. I've never used it, but in downloading the new 2024 Ultra version and XPacks (all of them) that I did last night (and this morning) puts the latest and greatest. Actually, I see that Sforzando is not included and that you have to download and install, so I've just downloaded the latest version. Again, never used it, so didn't know anything about it. In watching some of the videos, I see a lot of changes from when I used the program more often, and I kind of feel like those new people I used to help guide along the way.  Anyway, I'll work through this, now that I have it all downloaded. I'll ask as necessary. Gary
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,031
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,031 |
Hi Gary Nice to see you aroud here again. The screen on my wife's PA80 packed up some while ago and we bought the PA900. The sounds are great actually and you'd have to look far to find better. I have a lot of GM/GS options with my Roland E-60, an SC-88 Sound Canvas, the PA900 and some Roland Soft synths. Point is the quality of the sounds has not really got a lot better than they were 15 years ago. I have had access to the new Korgs and Roland keyboards but have not found them particularly inspiring sound quality wise. They are using the synthesis options built in to the keyboards to tweak the sounds but unless you also do the same tweaking they will all sound the same. These days while songwriting I find I prefer to play the actual instruments acoustically and record those sounds along with some BIAB tracks as needed. YMMV!! Keep Well Kevin 
Last edited by Kevin Woolley; 09/03/24 11:31 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,199
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OP
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,199 |
Kevin,
Thank you for your reply. I had to replace both the screen and the power supply on my PA800, the Korg-authorized repair parts supplier kept sending me used stuff, and it was obvious that it was used, and didn't work properly. I kept sending it back until I got new.. Well, that was the display, anyway.
One of the things that I want with the newer keyboards also are the built in styles. BIAB is awesome when I want to sit down and record a song, especially with Real Tracks, but when I just want to sit down and play, it's easier to use the Arranger feature for that.
In listening, at least online, to the difference between the PA4X and earlier and the new PA5X, it's really night and day for me. I always have thought that Yamaha put a lot of effects onto their sounds, which if you're playing out, is great because you don't have to. It makes a great singer/songwriter or duo keyboard in that regard, but I like the more neutrality of the Korg sounds. But, the PA5X, they did something to the sounds and it sounds amazing, but without the effects of the Yamaha.
But, for now, the PA800 is still working and it still blesses me, even if it's a bit long in tooth and missing a lot compared to the new keyboards.
Gary
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
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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® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
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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!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
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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®.
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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
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