<< From a production perspective, Artist Performance Tracks or Files, are nothing but audio files. You can play it in BiaB as an orange color track, or drag it to a DAW and do manipulations there. The midi, tabs and notations come along with performance files are not useful if you don't do studies >>
Artist Performance Files or Tracks display as audio files everywhere but in BIAB. In BIAB, Artist Performance Files and Tracks are a proprietary BIAB file that is converted audio so that BIAB can use that audio with all the proprietary and unique features, tools, processes and techniques in BIAB. You can do much more than just play it as an orange file. Once audio has been converted into an Artist Performance File, the Audio Chord Wizard can analyze the chords, create a Tempo Map, determine the key signature, equalize the tempo, automatically populate the Chord Sheet, edit the waveform, normalize it, fade in, fade out, amplify or reduce any section or the whole track, volume automation, transpose, transcribe, tune, repair sour notes, harmonize and convert stereo to mono or mono to stereo. This is just one feature of BIAB working with audio not generated by BIAB. There are quite a few more features in BIAB that can work with audio not generated in BIAB when the audio has been converted to an Artist Performance File.
Underlying midi included with an Artist Performance File is necessary for the performance file to be utilized by other features. As you noted, Notation and tabs is one feature. The Guitar Window is another. This window displays a fretboard and highlights each note and its location on the fretboard as the audio track plays. The Guitar Window has many settings and configurations and it's my understanding it can be tweaked and is very accurate
<< What's really useful, is the sgu chord sheets come along with the performance files. Once you know what chord progression Brent Mason was playing along when the solo track was originally recorded, you can use the solo track in a way of "straight out of the box" in your DAW, without having to chop it and then assemble it. >> Correct. With practice, using BIAB for this type analysis becomes quick work. For instance, that 16 bar phrase in ag4800.wav can be extracted and converted into an an Artist Performance File and analyzed in the ACW, chords placed in the Chord Sheet, notation with tabs and the Guitar window displaying that 16 bar phrase and it's not going to be chopped together. You will be seeing all the information about that specific clip of audio. Any and every BIAB project can be made into an Artist Performance in seconds.
<< You are correct, the Artist Performance Sets, as well as the Instrumental Studies sets, were very useful in real production, because the original chord progressions are known. There is only one problem: quantity.
For electric guitar solos, slow to middle tempo range (65 ~ 85 bpm), there are not many there can be used. Most of the solos are in the fast tempo range.
If compare performance files to the massive BiaB data files, such as eg4800.wma, we are talking about a swimming pool versus an ocean.
The bad thing about data files is, there is no sgu chord sheet. In other words, the chord progression information is saved in some weird XT2 and ST2 files, which can only be read by BiaB, not by users. And apparently, PG Music doesn't want people to read these types of files. >>
This is true, they guard their proprietary material but they provide access to that proprietary material when a person uses BIAB to work with that material, either as midi, RealTracks or audio not generated by BIAB that's been converted to an Artist Performance File. Everything a user needs to create a custom and accurate SGU file is provided by PG Music to do so. It's simply necessary to do so in the BIAB program. Once converted to an Artist Performance File, the audio clip the speed can be slowed or made faster without changing pitch. Yes, there is a massive amount of audio data in BIAB to use.
<< RealTrack #1167 is an exception. Somehow, demo sgu "_BALBMS2" is exactly the chord sheet of which the data file was originally recorded based on. I tried to search demo sgu files for other guitar soloist RealTracks, no luck, there is not any. >>
I agree this is correct for the 16 bars that seem to have been recorded specifically for the demo of the guitar and also as RealTrack data material. In regard to demos, there are six SGU Chord Sheets prepared for this RealTrack and associated audio performances for all six Chord Sheets.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
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®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
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)
Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
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)
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.