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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Has anyone noticed I am complaining a lot less this upgrade cycle? laugh Oh, I will throw a barb now and then on things like "All Tracks are Equal." But generally, I have enthusiastically embraced one new feature, multiriffs, and moved on. It is a zen thing for me!

In the past I have been more than a bit annoyed at new features like custom track names that don't work throughout the program, VideoRealTracks that have almost zero usefulness and BIAB VST that never seems to make it across the finish line. I have complained, (sometimes too loudly) and had my posts deleted! laugh (This one may be next!)

But, I am getting old. And tired. I had very little time in 2021 for music. In 2022 I intend to focus more on the music and less on the tools. And I encourage all of you to do the same.

So, I will call this Zen and the Art of BIAB.

Stressing over features that do not work is mostly in the past for me. BIAB VST doesn't work? I'll simply never try to use it again. Oh, maybe someday, when Pipeline or MusicStudent get in touch and say "Hey, it works perfectly now!", I'll reconsider. But for now...what BIAB VST? Same approach for Utility Tracks, UserTracks and other initially promising features that just never seemed to pan out.

And...I Am OK With This!

With BIAB 2022 I received the finest set of RealTracks anyone could ever wish for! When added to my 10-year collection I now have a MASSIVE set of instruments that sound amazing and work almost flawlessly in any key across a range of tempos.

And with my one new favorite feature, multiriffs, I feel like I have a complete toolkit in BIAB! But even without multiriffs (in case they don't work out) I recently realized I am damned happy to have 4 fully functional tracks plus a drum track to use (even if they are called Bass, Piano, etc.) and almost 10,000 styles made up of a hard drive's worth of REAL instruments that BIAB will assemble for me on demand!

Now don't get me wrong, I'm keeping Komplete and all of its amazing instruments and synths and those will find their way into most of my new music.

But I won't spend another nanosecond trying to get Kontakt to work inside BIAB or BIAB VST to work inside Reaper. And no Charlie, I won't be dragging RealTracks to utility tracks and then medlyfying-melodizing-audiofying-whatever them; all of that deep technical diving and uncertainty (is it another bug or am I stupid or maybe both?) sucks all of the fun out of music creation for me.

So I will ENJOY BIAB 2022 immensely as I explore all of these new RealTracks and styles. And I will use BIAB as sparingly as possible; get in, generate some tracks and get out! And then I will explore adding new stuff from Komplete to see if maybe I can create some modern music using parts from BIAB and parts from elsewhere.

This approach may not be for everyone and if not, well, have fun in the trenches fighting the good fight and lemme know if a particularly useful feature suddenly appears to be fully functional!

But for me, at least for now, it will be Zen and the Art of BIAB.

(And, as I have stated here in the past, I will continue to upgrade every year if PGM continues to provide new and fun RealTracks and styles as they have done in the past!)

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Quote:
In the past I have been more than a bit annoyed at new features like custom track names that don't work throughout the program, VideoTracks that have almost zero usefulness...

Ahem.... I presume you mean VideoRealTracks ?!

Signed:
VideoTrack grin grin grin

(I do think I need to change my name wink )


BIAB & RB2024 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
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Hello John(cubed). Well I am a complete newbie but actually read your post with interest. I too have come to realize that one cannot possibly do all the things that are offered in life and even cannot do all the things that might be on your top ten list of things you would like to do... or even the top five. Happiness for me seems to involve picking what matters or resonates most and crossing the other things I would like to do off my to-do list "UNDONE".

A wonderful new book is out discussing this very phenomenon called "4000weeks" which has helped me learn this lesson and increased my enjoyment of life a great deal.

Didn't realize you were going to get such a serious reply didja?!?!?! smile smile smile

Cheers.


BIAB 2022 UltraPak, WIN10, Scarlett 2i2, Guitar Rig 6, Fishman LoudBox Artist, Martin D35, Taylor 812c, Cordoba 55FCE, Fender Strat, Epiphone LP, Ibanez GB10se
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Originally Posted By: VideoTrack
Quote:
In the past I have been more than a bit annoyed at new features like custom track names that don't work throughout the program, VideoTracks that have almost zero usefulness...

Ahem.... I presume you mean VideoRealTracks ?!

Signed:
VideoTrack grin grin grin

(I do think I need to change my name wink )

Ha! Indeed, I meant VideoRealTracks! VideoTracks is a quite friendly and enormously helpful member of this community!

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Originally Posted By: BackingTrack
Hello John(cubed). Well I am a complete newbie but actually read your post with interest. I too have come to realize that one cannot possibly do all the things that are offered in life and even cannot do all the things that might be on your top ten list of things you would like to do... or even the top five. Happiness for me seems to involve picking what matters or resonates most and crossing the other things I would like to do off my to-do list "UNDONE".

A wonderful new book is out discussing this very phenomenon called "4000weeks" which has helped me learn this lesson and increased my enjoyment of life a great deal.

Didn't realize you were going to get such a serious reply didja?!?!?! smile smile smile

Cheers.
Thanks! I bought this book back in September but haven't read it yet.

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Oh that is awesome. Well that book is about exactly what you are talking about. If you were serious about what you have discovered about less being more(very Zen), I think you will love it. I am reading it now for the second time. cool


BIAB 2022 UltraPak, WIN10, Scarlett 2i2, Guitar Rig 6, Fishman LoudBox Artist, Martin D35, Taylor 812c, Cordoba 55FCE, Fender Strat, Epiphone LP, Ibanez GB10se
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Interesting perspective, I think I've been there before, haha


BIAB 2024, latest build.
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Hello Backing Track,

thank you for making me aware of this book. It hits a nerve.
I just bought it and I am eager to dive in.

Me too, like JJJ, reached a point where this full amount of Functions and Software are not helpfulfull anymore. To much time is spent to care, update, learn and struggle with problems. Just making music, the main reason I have gathered all this tools, is an activity that suffers from so much time and energy eaten up.

So, I was ready for something like this book.
But, having had a glance into it, there seem to be more wisdom revealed than just helping with the issues described above.


“Musicians”: UltraPak 2024
DAW: StudioOne Pro 6.5
"Instruments": VSTs and REs
Notation: Notion 6
Interface: NI Komplete Audio 6
Mic: RØDE NT1-A
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I wish you well JJJ. I hope I can find this path of enlightenment in the near future. God knows I have tried, but I keep getting sucked back into this dark hole. Stay in touch buddy and stay on the path.


Dan, BIAB2024, SoundCloud Win11, i7(12thGen), 32GB, 1TB SSD(M.2 NVMe SSD), 2TB Libraries, 1 TB(WD-Black), 2TB SSD(M.2 NVMe SSD)Data, Motu Audio Express, Keystation 61, SL88 Studio, Reaper

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Originally Posted By: MusicStudent
I wish you well JJJ. I hope I can find this path of enlightenment in the near future. God knows I have tried, but I keep getting sucked back into this dark hole. Stay in touch buddy and stay on the path.

Thanks Dan! I'll still be around. But now I'll prolly be in the Off Topic forum asking Kontakt questions!

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OMG!!! Hell has frozen over!

JJJ, life is too short and I totally agree with you. Unbelievable I know!

Sincerely, the many the discussions we've had over the last few years have been fun and I mean that.

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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Originally Posted By: jazzmammal
OMG!!! Hell has frozen over!

JJJ, life is too short and I totally agree with you. Unbelievable I know!

Sincerely, the many the discussions we've had over the last few years have been fun and I mean that.

Bob

Thanks Bob. The feeling is mutual! And I'll still be here in case you say something I disagree with so I can jump right in! laugh

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PG Music News
Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!

Add updated printing options, enhanced tracks settings, smoother use of MGU and SGU (BB files) within PowerTracks, and more with the latest PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 update!

Learn more about this free update for PowerTracks Pro Audio & download it at www.pgmusic.com/support_windows_pt.htm#2024_5

The Newest RealBand 2024 Update is Here!

The newest RealBand 2024 Build 5 update is now available!

Download and install this to your RealBand 2024 for updated print options, streamlined loading and saving of .SGU & MGU (BB) files, and to add a number of program adjustments that address user-reported bugs and concerns.

This free update is available to all RealBand 2024 users. To learn more about this update and download it, head to www.pgmusic.com/support.realband.htm#20245

The Band-in-a-Box® Flash Drive Backup Option

Today (April 5) is National Flash Drive Day!

Did you know... not only can you download your Band-in-a-Box® Pro, MegaPAK, or PlusPAK purchase - you can also choose to add a flash drive backup copy with the installation files for only $15? It even comes with a Band-in-a-Box® keychain!

For the larger Band-in-a-Box® packages (UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition), the hard drive backup copy is available for only $25. This will include a preinstalled and ready to use program, along with your installation files.

Backup copies are offered during the checkout process on our website.

Already purchased your e-delivery version, and now you wish you had a backup copy? It's not too late! If your purchase was for the current version of Band-in-a-Box®, you can still reach out to our team directly to place your backup copy order!

Note: the Band-in-a-Box® keychain is only included with flash drive backup copies, and cannot be purchased separately.

Handy flash drive tip: Always try plugging in a USB device the wrong way first? If your flash drive (or other USB plug) doesn't have a symbol to indicate which way is up, look for the side with a seam on the metal connector (it only has a line across one side) - that's the side that either faces down or to the left, depending on your port placement.

Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows® Today!

Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows for free with build 1111!

With this update, there's more control when saving images from the Print Preview window, we've added defaults to the MultiPicker for sorting and font size, updated printing options, updated RealTracks and other content, and addressed user-reported issues with the StylePicker, MIDI Soloists, key signature changes, and more!

Learn more about this free update for Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1111

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Review: 4.75 out of 5 Stars!

If you're looking for a in-depth review of the newest Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows version, you'll definitely find it with Sound-Guy's latest review, Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Review: Incredible new capabilities to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs.

A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."

"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."

"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."

Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!

The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!

There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.

If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.

We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!

Congratulations to the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!

We've just announced the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!

There are 45 winners, each receiving a Band-in-a-Box 2024 UltraPAK! Read the official announcement to see if you've won.

Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed!

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