The "minimal mode's Custom tab " does not allow me to rename the tab, and does not allow me to create more than 1. Also is would be nice if I could move the toolbar to where I want, floating would be good if it could stay where I put it.
I would just like to see, users be able to customize (hide/show, move and pin windows, create toolbars) BiaB to their needs.
Just make things more "modular" as Rustyspoon# said " tune up GUI and modular is the way to go, as you can cook your own interface (or use a factory default)".
I agree with the idea of having a moveable and floating toolbar with tabs. Staying put between sessions is a great idea that could be useful for users with more than one display monitor.
I do not agree with the idea of having more than one Custom tab. I just do not understand the need now or in the near future.
A configurable User Interface could be useful for some users workflow.
+1
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 do not agree with the idea of having more than one Custom tab. I just do not understand the need now or in the near future.
I have 4 monitors and want to place windows in specific locations, having a toolbar specific for the task at hand, for example: On the music staff that's on monitor 4 with all of the toolbar icons that work with the staff as well. Also let's say I have the tracks on Monitor 1 with the tracks toolbar.
The view tab is useless to me, because I want many of the windows open at all times on the monitor that I place it.
Again this is to allow the user to setup his BiaB the way they want and hide what they do not use. To me, there is only two choices, very basic and overdone (you see everything). I want more than basic, but not everything.
Let's say a user want to only use BiaB MIDI, and not Realtracks and Realdrums. He should be able to hide (or deactivate) them if he chooses.
Robert, while this is not exactly what you proposed, but I think is a more universal approach and should work for most what you are after:
All tabs dockable & un-dockable - floating. User defines which buttons to display in the tab of specific category or even if to display a certain tab at all. Add "Action" tab where user can make any buttons they want based on any existing shortcuts. Ability to save layout as "default" for multi screen setups.
Robert, while this is not exactly what you proposed, but I think is a more universal approach and should work for most what you are after:
All tabs dockable & un-dockable - floating. User defines which buttons to display in the tab of specific category or even if to display a certain tab at all. Add "Action" tab where user can make any buttons they want based on any existing shortcuts. Ability to save layout as "default" for multi screen setups.
Sounds, to me that you also use Reaper (or at least know how it works)? I guess, if you don't, it allows users to modify about everything!
It's really hard to explain everything I envision, so let's start with the toolbars and windows...!
After I upgrade to 2025, and check it out, I will have a better idea of what is missing.
No, not a Reaper guy. Just thinking logically. To be honest, there is not much that I would change in Minimalistic (front) GUI. I think overall layout design is OK. Few exceptions are the "Radio" bar (top thing) that you can't remove, but it was said to be considered to make the view optional, and pretty useless navigator when you get to about 100 bars. But that is another conversation Other than that, floating elements such as transport, tabbed toolbars and true customization > making user buttons based on existing shortcuts would be a very nice GUI feature. Or improving existing GUI, whatever you want to call it.
Minimalist is OK, but I also do not like that if you make the main screen wider, only the Radio bar widens, that's where another icon bar could be! Now if the if the transport could be combined to look more like this...See image...,.
I'm gonna hold off on commenting about the BiaB GUI until I checkout the up coming version 2025
Agreed. We don't know what 2025 might bring. Many improvements have been requested.
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.
Well, I had BiaB for about 1 month now, and really giving it a run through. There is a lot that I like in this version and don't like as well. I want to keep this to the point and will not resort to stating how other DAW/Programs do things. I know that if someone tells me how is should be (Putting myself in the place of PG developers), I would probably not even consider it.
This is not considering a 1 monitor setup. I currently have a 4 monitor setup as follows: 1)1920x1200 set in portrait position @ 125% scale (this is my main monitor for my OS, as I need it be the main one) 2) 2560x1440 in landscape position @ 100% scale 3) 1920z1080 in landscape position @ 100% scale 4) 1920x1200 set in portrait position @ 150% scale
1st on the agenda, is how the some of the windows stay where you put them and some don't. Main window, Detached mixer & Guitar neck are the only ones that stay open and where you place them. Others windows (Settings type windows) I would like to have in a floating docker with tabs on the bottom that you could quickly change to.
1 Problem: Hover the mouse pointer over an any Icon or over text and right click and the resulting window opens in the wrong location or not at all. It only worked correctly if I place the main window on monitor #4. This results in getting very frustrated with BiaB, as I don't get anything or windows/menu is only partially shown. This in on Monitor #2, #'s 1 and 3 are the same, only #4 seamed to work correctly. (Add correction, also works correctly when window is max on Monitor 1 and not the others)
Robert
Last edited by robertw; 12/30/2405:11 PM. Reason: Trying to fix video and added some text on problem #1
Just clarifying: DAW Plugin Mode is rather old by now. Its function is to make BIAB a smaller window and keep it on top, so it doesn't get hidden when you also have a DAW open. You then do Drag 'n Drop of tracks into your DAW. Is that what you refer to?
If so, I requested they add an indicator when DAW Plugin Mode was in effect, and they did so, because people were losing track of whether it was on if they then forgot and maximized the window. I haven't actually heard this mode mentioned in years.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Now I am confused. The DAW Plugin Mode is not the same thing as the BIAB Plugin. I was only trying to make sure we are all talking about the same thing.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
when it comes to gui's...lots of users want it 'their way' which might be different from other users.
in industry we strived time and again to get user groups to agree amongst themselves how gui's should look without success in order to keep down the size of the code base....cos often we ended doing 'one offs' to keep a particular user or department happy.
i suspect if pg opened up the gui topic...like a town hall..to its user community like some developers do...given the above i doubt concensus could be reached.
the ideal of course is a totally flexible user configurable gui. but this has downsides also. we tried that and the exe we soon realised would balloon and the app with its already huge code base would be a maintenance nightmare.
in summary i dont think there is a solution to the gui conundrum. the developer is always on a hiding to nothing sadly....due to the many different user opinions.
there are things i would like in bb/rb but i keep on telling myself bb and rb are already large app exe's.
happy new year to all.
om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 12/31/2410:47 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.)
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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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.
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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
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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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