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I've had friends ask me about Band in a Box and where they can get it. Of course they are looking for something free. As we all know Band In a Box is an expensive investment. It is worth every penny and I'm proud to own the software and love using it. I've been using BIAB since the 1990s and have spent countless hours creating music with the program since then. I remember when all you had was a Roland SCCI sound card to make the program work and it sounded great.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if new users had access to a Free MIDI version of BIAB. The program would be a stripped down version without all the bells and whistles (Real Tracks) but still had the ability to interface with Midi Sound Modules or sound cards to product songs. The stripped down version would come with a limited amount of styles and PG Music could offer Sets of Styles for purchase that would expand the basic program. This would introduce the program to whole new group of musicians and open the door for them to then buy the full-fledged version of the program once they get hooked and grasp the power and fun of creating music with BIAB.
Midi is just as popular today as it was years ago and the midi version should be programmed to work with today's modern DAWs.
I truly believe that PG Music could make this a huge success and help new aspiring musicians along the way.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT. Thanks Eric


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With MIDI only it would sound pretty pale given included synths. If they have good synths, the ones that cost money, likely they can afford base PRO version of BIAB that actually includes a lot for the price - $99. Likely goes on sale too. AND PGM OFFERS 30 DAYS MONEY BACK (they used to).

Yes, likely for "FREE" , PGM would get extra "users", but those users that "Of course they are looking for something free" are usually not the greatest (paid) customers. They would overwhelm customer support and PGM would have to either work for "free", or segregate paid customers from non-paying users.

The best option would be to offer 10-15 day trial, no money down. You like it - you buy it. You don't-no hard feelings.

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Originally Posted by Rustyspoon#
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The best option would be to offer 10-15 day trial, no money down. You like it - you buy it. You don't-no hard feelings.

Great idea! DL the Pro version for the trial with only the save functions disabled. I have tried a number of pieces of software that way.


Whenever I get something stuck in the back of my throat, I dislodge it by drinking a beer.
It's called the Heineken Maneuver.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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There is no profit in free products especially if the amount of effort it take to develop them.


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https://www.jjazzlab.org/en/ it's free
there are thousands of free styles you can use with it and it will work as a Live Arranger
here's a few
https://psrtutorial.com/sty/yamaha/psr-sx920.html
https://psrtutorial.com/sty/yamaha/index.html

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I agree Rusty. It's got to be affordable though. Maybe $49.00. Call it something like "Vintage BIAB" or "Retro BIAB". Just include the 127 General Midi patches so they have sound right out of the box. VST3 plugin to work with todays DAWs.
This software is sitting in the archives not being used. Update the software to today's standards and as I've said midi only and put it on the market.
Great opportunity to promote it to a whole new generation of musicians. Also sell addon style packages to expand the program but keep it midi only.
It would sell. Appreciate your input.
Eric


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Eric,
I still think that demo is the way to go. A decent EQ plugin cost $100-$150. If somebody is serious about music making / creating arrangements, $99 is a relatively small price tag. Considering 30 days money back.... and if I am not mistaken payment option has a plan to pay over time. Update of the software itself was only $49 this year - a trip to chain diner.

I think main problems that are keeping many of new costumers out are: outdated UI, unneeded complexity, and certain persistent bugs and limitations. It seems PGM is (finally) seriously considering to address some of these issues. I believe, if done right, that should definitely bring new players to the table and put a smile on existent user faces.

P.S. I know it's a bit off topic, but you said you've been using BIAB since 90s. Are you aware of partial regeneration functions for RT's? No arranger that I know of (software or hardware) has this ability. In my view, that feature alone worth every penny to upgrade smile

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Are we talking about hot-swapping or live patching, where updates are applied to running applications without downtime?


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I am talking about partial regeneration of any segment of Real Tracks. It takes ~2-5 seconds for each variant to populate. If you have 2024 or 2025 version you can do this in Track View.

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PG Music News
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins

Join the conversation on our forum.

Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac Videos

With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll also keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.

From overviews of new features and walkthroughs of the 202 new RealTracks, to highlights of XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAKs 18, the 2025 49-PAK, and in-depth tutorials — you’ll find everything you need to explore what’s new in Band-in-a-Box® 2025.

Reference this forum post for One-Stop Shopping of our Band-in-a-Box® 2025 Mac Videos — we’ll be adding more videos as they’re released!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac is here, packed with major new features and an incredible collection of available new content! This includes 202 RealTracks (in Sets 449-467), plus 20 bonus Unreleased RealTracks in the 2025 49-PAK. There are new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 4, two new sets of “RealDrums Stems,” XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAK 19, and more!

Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac with savings of up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special—available until July 31, 2025! Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.

2025 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
We've packed our Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK with some incredible Add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is automatically included with most Band-in-a-Box® for Mac 2025 packages, but for even more Add-ons (including 20 Unreleased RealTracks!) upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49. You can see the full lists of items in each package, and listen to demos here.

If you have any questions, feel free to connect with us directly—we’re here to help!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 Italian Version is Here!

Cari amici
È stata aggerate la versione in Italiano del programma più amato dagli appassionati di musica, il nostro Band-in-a-Box.
Questo è il link alla nuova versione 2025.

Di seguito i link per scaricare il pacchetti di lingua italiana aggiornati per Band-in-a-Box e RealBand, anche per chi avesse già comprato la nuova versione in inglese.

Band-in-a-Box 2025 - Italiano
RealBand 2025 - Italiano

Band-in-a-Box 2025 French Version is Here!

Bonjour à tous,

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 pour Windows est disponible en Français.
Le téléchargement se fait à partir du site PG Music

Pour ceux qui auraient déjà acheté la version 2025 de Band-in-a-Box (et qui donc ont une version anglaise), il est possible de "franciser" cette version avec les patchs suivants:

BIAB 2025 - francisation
RealBand 2025 - francisation

Voilà, enjoy!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 German Version is Here!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!

Die deutsche Version Band-in-a-Box® 2025 für Windows ist ab sofort verfügbar!

Alle die bereits die englische Version von Band-in-a-Box und RealBand 2024 installiert haben, finden hier die Installationsdateien für das Sprachenupdate:

https://nn.pgmusic.com/pgfiles/languagesupport/deutsch2025.exe
https://nn.pgmusic.com/pgfiles/languagesupport/deutsch2025RB.exe

Update Your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 to Build 1128 for Windows Today!

Already using Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 1128 now from our Support Page to enjoy the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.

Stay up to date—get the latest update now!

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