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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,869
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,869 |
I do hope you give this SERIOUS consideration.
This idea can hugely improve BIAB. Further, it does not seem too difficult to implement. Essentially this is making specific BIAB parameters respond to custom CC assignments, which are then sent to pedals and made available to the user via a custom settings panel.
Core idea: Make BIAB Custom respond to MIDI pedal CC assignments!
Give the user a "Pedal Assignments" settings window where Custom MIDI assignments can be selected and sent to sustain or expression pedals. (see below)
Basic Note for MIDI newbies: Two basic pedal types: Expression pedals are able to ramp a parameter 0-128 degrees. A Sustsin pedal is an on/off switch which can respond to any on/off parameter. Sustain pedals can be made to "toggle"- that is to switch on a function, until a second press turns it off, or they can be made to perform a function on a press but when the pedal is lifted the function ceases. MIDI instructions can be "assigned" to control almost anything. There are 128 possible CC numbers. Each CC can be made to respond to any parameter. There are standard Ccs CC1 is modulation for example, but there are many CCs that are not assigned as standard and can be utilised.
Examples of the use of MIDI pedal assignments, BIAB could be made to creatively LIVE respond to:
Expression-type pedals could control:
1] Volume of the track (crescendo decrescendo)
2] Volume of nominated instruments (or thru)
3] Tempo (ritard/accelerando)
4] Fade outs and ins
5] Any synth parameter!
Sus pedals could LIVE control: (using wither toggle or switch)
1] Whether nominated tracks play
2] Change from chorus to verse, segueways or fills
3] Whether to repeat or not
4] Make a song loop, then on press of the sus pedal, goto a coda, major change or outro
5] On press bring in (or out) nominated instruments (Maybe bring in more instruments for last verse)
6] Control Modulation or transpose on the fly - useful for exercises too.
7] Choose between alternative changes in a phrase
Basic Note: Expression pedals can be made to act like sus (on/off) pedals by simply assigning values 0-63 to state A, and values 64-128 to state B. Expression pedals can also be assigned so that the can give 'n' ranges where n is an integer less than 128, for example, to give 4 ranges simply divide 128 into 4 sectors and assign all numbers in each sector different values. For example, three levels of tempo could be assigned "slow - say 60 bpm" ; (0-42),"mid" 43-84 - 70 bpm; fast (84-128) 100 bpm.
Many more possibilities! You can probably come up with more ideas!
The point is that these changes can be performed LIVE (without fingers) and this allows the music to customise itself dynamically (literally) to the performer's wishes - live whilst they are playing.
Even in practice situations, Pedal assignment is very beneficial.
Example 1: Imagine you have a song consisting of a cycle (say fourths) of two bar ii V7 1s. You set the loop to play the first ii V7 I in C. You start slow, with the expression pedal up. You are a bit wobbly, but after a few minutes you get the hang of things, you ramp the expression pedal to next notch. When confident Without the need to stop, you simply press the sus pedal and it moves on to loop the next two bars (ii V7 I in F). You get comfortable and move to the next - a ii V7 I in Bb. The point is you are proceeding at your own pace and at a speed you control. As you get more confident, you gradually increase the expression pedal.
Example 2: Imagine rehearsing some intricate phrase in a 2 bar loop. First you start slowly, but as you get better, when YOU know you can get faster, you can press the expression pedal a little bit and things get just a bit faster - testing your skills, but in a personally controlled way.
So many creative LIVE uses! - If pedals were enabled via a user-friendly menu (shielding the CCs). Band in a Box would be far less of an automaton and more like a human. On stage one could accommodate an extra guitar solo with a touch of a foot, or one could slow the tempo down gradually, then jump back up. The song can repeat until the performer decides it is time to end. Songs could use "grooves" and then go up a fourth at a whim, and go back down to the root - or what is desired.
SO many more possibilities!!!!!!!
This ONE feature would add a huge new dimension to BIAB usage, it alone would make everyone update!
Please development team consider this seriously and discuss!
Z
Last edited by ZeroZero; 12/20/24 10:31 AM.
Win 11 64, Asus Rog Strix z390 mobo, 64 gig RAM, 8700k
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,058
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+1. Simple, I don't know. But I know what you're requesting CAN be done because Band-in-a-Box supports the +++ Frontier Design TranzPort +++. There have also been multiple requests for Band-in-a-Box to support the Mackie surface controller specification since the specification has no license fee and is supported by many controller interfaces. +++ HERE +++ is an example of a four position foot pedal that outputs midi commands.
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,869
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OP
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,869 |
I think this is a different idea Jim. Not many have these sort of pedals. Sustain and Expression pedals - MIDI assigned are much more common. I would say that almost all users at least have a sustain pedal.  Z
Win 11 64, Asus Rog Strix z390 mobo, 64 gig RAM, 8700k
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Band-in-a-Box Wishlist
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Joined: Jun 2009
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There is Control Biab Functions with Midi Input I think you can set that to any midi input, to any Biab function.
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Holiday Weekend Hours
It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:
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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.
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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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