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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 647
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 647 |
Looking quickly through the many REAL updates and new features, I again fail to see any enhancements to Fake Book, or general printing of notation.
It has been years since any significant changes were made, and bugs still exist from back in the old days when BIAB just had a number, not a year designation. Peter Gannon, at this time last year, even said they were going to review it. Seems that they must think it is OK. Well for another year, my money is staying in my pocket. I don't need all of the fancy REAL stuff. I am happy with the midi I have had for years. I just need a better way to present it.
There was even a link on this site "suggesting" that we could now export to FINALE, but on closer inspection, it doesn't support the chord symbols. All very nice, but it doesn't help.
Come un PG Music. Notation and Fake Book are part of the software, and you have ignored them far too long
BIAB for Windows Version 2019 (643)
Windows 10 (1909)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
Anyone sitting and hoping for anything midi is pretty much flogging a dead horse. Keyboard manufacturers leave some basic midi in their keyboards but they wouldn't sell one at the price if that's all that was there.
I don't think it will survive another 5 years.
I do remember basic DOS, like TRS-Dos and a few others, and the start of midi. It's being left in the dust. The only reason Ketron makes a module is that it's the same stuff they put in their keyboard, without the keyboard part.
I can't for the life of me see a future in any part of midi.
I still have a midi organ, 2 keyboards, 2 modules and 4 software midi things, but all are relics of the past.
As technology improves the need for midi fades, and I don't see groups like Roland and yamaha saying to each other, let's come up with another midi standard...
My 2c or 2p or...2 cennes noires
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,980
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,980 |
Dave, I feel and share your pain. Seems some of these older issues just remain as, well "old issues". I still have a major problem with track horizontal zooming in RB but dispite our wish lists these remain unchanged.  But like someone else said here in the forum, don't throw the baby out with the bath water. IMO, this is still the best show in town and well worth the investment.  Seems we need to have a "town hall meeting" with Peter,  face-to-face, to address some of these priorities. 
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 647
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 647 |
I have no problem with all the REAL stuff - it's just that I don't need it. At least for now. What I do need is a reasonable Fake Book print function. The MusicXML might work - at least I could probably export the song to a dedicated print software program. Until then we just have BIAB.
Last year I wrote on this forum: "I anxiously await any updates to the notation portion of the software. Again, I guess Santa just gave me a lump of coal... 100 new features and not one of them has anything to do with notation" Dec 27, 2009
Peter Gannon did reply: "Its a good point, we should revisit notation in future versions." Dec 29, 2009.
I guess that this year isn't the right time. So how long do we have to wait?
BIAB is a great piece of software, and I do like it for what it does. It's just that the Print function - all of it - is stll a very poor second cousin to the remainder of the program.
BIAB for Windows Version 2019 (643)
Windows 10 (1909)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
Good luck Dave but printing fake book charts simply is not what people think of when they think Biab. It's an auto accompaniment program. There's lots of full time pros on this forum that don't have a problem with that. They need full featured notation, they buy Sibilius or Finale or do it like I do, print out a basic chart and use some white out and a pen to correct it and make copies. You can also get a free PDF print driver to do automatic PDF's you can email to somebody.
Now, I disagree strongly with John and completely agree with you about the need for midi. Midi is vital because RT's still don't allow you to write or create exact note for note parts. Only midi does that at least right now. He may be right in the future that new tech may create a way to take a prerecorded RT and pull individual notes out of it using some Melodyne type thing but if Celemony has a lock on that tech and PG doesn't want to pay for it, then midi it is. Or, maybe there's some whole new thing we've never heard of that will trump all of it and we just think into our aluminum foil helmets and the aliens create our stuff for us in exchange for candied yams and marshmellows.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
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Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
I'm spoiled. Most bands I played in had no charts. Then I played a lot in a band for years that had charts that were a suggestion, no one played what was they, it would be cruel to call it an approximation, I spent a lot of time sort of fixing them so they were close.
For 5 years now I've played in a "British Style" Brass Band. But we play Sousa and Opera stuff, and you name it. Often we get our parts, and they are 'proper' parts, but an Italian March has like 12 repeats so we do none of them, or some of them. We get photocopied parts, which are often too small, because the original was printed to save paper a hundred years ago, and my Bombardini part needs to be 'blown up'. Then you put in the new repeats, change this dynamic, drop these notes, add breath marks here and there, the thing can have 12 or 15 pencil corrections, notations, etc.
Once in a while we get the whole thing on bass clef. Makes it slow learning for old John.
So when I get lead sheets out of Band in a Box, they are pretty good. The wife and I printed 20 of them for Christmas music to be played last night, but we've got about 100 cm (3 feet) of new snow and it's still falling so they canceled that party....
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
I'm for any basic *improvements* that the developers can give us, Notation improvements as well.
I'd rather have a feature available to use even if I don't use it.
Because someday I might need to use it.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 623
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 623 |
If anyone thinks MIDI is dead, check out these cats... They resurrected Art Tatum, and have him playing live on SynKlaviers via their HD MIDI standard... AWESOME stuff..
Jan - 12 Core AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
32GB DDR4
Win 10 64-bit
Samsung m.2 SSD Boot drive,other SSD internal and USB drives.
MOTO 2
Ketron SD90
Aerophone AE-30, Yamaha WX-7
Yamaha RX-v381amp
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
My favorite kinda cat. Invisible. Or is it the missing link?
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259 |
We aren't like you pro guys. We have to have our charts. I actually like the printed notation from BIAB better than Sibelius, but I'm still not proficient enough with biab notation to enter new notation there very often and then I use the qwerty keyboard. I do import midi files into Sibelius and make changes there where I can see the whole score. However, like the man said, biab is not designed as a notation program and our main use for it is for backups. Working with midi, Real Band has been a great help. Between BIAB, Real Band, WavePad, and Sibelius, we are getting the job done even though it's a struggle once in awhile. FWIW
Stan
Cornet Curmudgeon
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,629
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,629 |
Quote:
If anyone thinks MIDI is dead, check out these cats... They resurrected Art Tatum, and have him playing live on SynKlaviers via their HD MIDI standard... AWESOME stuff..
That kind of awesome is hard to obtain. Really hard.
If only there were a way obtain it.
Perhaps some way to link your post to this awesomeness...
/I liked yours too, John!
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 647
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 647 |
I also use BIAB as an accompaniment tool, and it works great. Unfortunately I am not as proficient as many of the musicians on this forum and need the charts and lyrics to play from.
BIAB provides everything I want, except that it doesn't work properly. Try a song with 3 differnt sets words in the endings (using the "repeat" function) for instance. You will find that the last ending appears under the first ending as well as the third. Sometimes the words 'DS al Coda' don't appear. The Coda sign is there, the jump and the actual coda are there, but the DS is just missing.
Now all of this could be fixed, I am sure, and it might be a lot of work. But to have a function that doesn't work properly all the time, and hasn't since day one, is disappointing to say the least.
One solution that seems to have worked with other parts of the software is to partner with specialist software. Why not work with more closely with Finale Printmusic in such a way that we can send all of the fake book elements (notes, chords, lyrics, repeats and endings, etc)to Printmusic and get a professional looking fake sheet. The BIAB webpage 'News and More' says that you can "Bundle Your Band-in-a-Box ...3rd Party Software..." including Printmusic 2011, but only, it seems if you are prepared to essentally rewrite everything except the notes.
Now if you are happy with working without a chart, my hat is off to you. For the mere mortals among us who still rely on printed music, at least give us an option to purchase an add on that will FULLY interface with BIAB. I will gladly spend the $99 for Printmusic if it has a seamless interface with BIAB.
BIAB is my software of choice for musical backup. Just give me a way to properly show off what it can do.
BIAB for Windows Version 2019 (643)
Windows 10 (1909)
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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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Holiday Weekend Hours
It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:
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Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
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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This Free Bonus PAK includes:
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-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!
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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.
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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.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
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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