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I'm sure that Peter has probably already heard this, but I've not been around in a while. I don't get to use BIAB that much, as I don't get to play nearly as much as I used to, but I'm trying to spend more time playing to calm myself and reduce stress.

Okay, having said that, here's my pitch.

When BIAB was first developed so many years ago, it was seriously cutting edge, and blew most 'arranger keyboards' away with its capability. Today, however, even the more modest arranger keyboards usually have 8 tracks dedicated to backing tracks. Obviously, that's not for every style, but a lot of jazz, big band, swing, show tunes, cinematic tracks and such can easily use 8 tracks for their backing sound.

For most keyboards that I'm familiar with, Channel 9 is the bass, Channel 10, of course, is the drums, with my Korgs, Channel 11 has been for percussion in addition to the drums, and then 12-16 are for whatever tracks the style designer chooses.

I don't see why an upcoming version of Band In A Box could not be expanded to support a total of 8 channels of backing tracks. You don't have to use them, of course, but it would be nice to have styles, both MIDI and Real Tracks that support more than the current five tracks that BIAB offers.

Updating older styles shouldn't be that hard, and creating newer ones with 8 tracks of backing would just be a matter of course. Making newer real tracks might be interesting if you have to hire an entire string or a horn section, but in the end, I think it makes BIAB a better product.

The reason I also mentioned MIDI tracks is that the newer keyboards that are coming out have some very nice sounds to them. Are they 'as real as real instruments?' No, and they never will be, as there is always the human element involved, but the sounds on a new Korg PA4X far surpass my PA800 from 15 years ago, and maybe it's time that MIDI in BIAB made a resurgence. Eight backing tracks might just do that.

Anyway, just a suggestion, something for Peter and crew to think about. Get a new keyboard, Korg, Yamaha, Ketron, whatever, pull up a Cinematic, Big Band or a Swing style, and see what I mean.

Gary


I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
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By you having not been around recently, you may be interested to read these and other threads revolving around software programming changes that require additional regular mixer channels that act and look same way as existing channels do now. They are requests intended to make BIAB perform close to how recording is done in today's recording environments using modern methods. Here are some recent discussions posted in the Wish List Forum. Dr. Gannon is aware of these and commented positively regarding this popular request.

https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=596442#Post596442
Select bars -> drag to DAW / Frozen Bars to DAW / re-arrange frozen sections in BIAB?

https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=600974#Post600974
A Couple More Empty Tracks In Mixer ~ Please

https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=593385#Post593385
Multiriffs, regenerations / Bar Freeze (Bar-by-bar regeneration) - THE MIXER!

https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=594332#Post594332
my xmas wishes lol

In respect to your request for more backing tracks in BIAB Styles, you don't have to wait for the next version release or update that includes additional Mixer Channels to enjoy the benefit of having additional backing tracks to any style. BIAB styles have been capable of having as many as 70 instruments available and included in any style since at least 2014. Each BIAB Mixer Channel can have up to 10 RealTrack instruments per track. These instruments can be programmed to change every number of bars such as 2, 4, 8; change every Chorus; Change every part marker or manually programmed to change whenever and however you desire. Instruments can sound out simultaneously or consecutively and PG Music enhanced this feature both in the 2019 and 2020 versions, adding panning and volume automation and new styles among other things. Any Channel can only use one sound media type per channel. If a track contains a RealTrack, you can add 9 additional RealTracks to that channel. Sound media types cannot be mixed onto the tracks.

Another BIAB feature dating back to at least 2014 provides the BIAB Mixer to create Stem Mixes in a few easy steps:

. Arrange the mix,
. Export the mix to audio,
. Import the audio stem to the Audio Channel and
. Convert and move that audio stem mix to any BIAB Mixer Channel.

Dozens of Stems can be created and saved in minutes for use in any DAW. Stems can be created from every type of sound media BIAB recognizes or any combination of the various sound media types like MIDI, MIDI Super Tracks, Loops, RealTRacks, RealDrums, Samples, Pre-recorded Audio and Live Audio. Stems can be a single track with or without effects or VSTi's; a mix of two or more BIAB Channels that can be any combination of sound media types BIAB recognizes, midi, midi super tracks, loops, samples, RealTracks, RealDrums, Pre-recorded or live audio. Stems can also be created solely from within BIAB from previously mixed groups described above.


BIAB Ultra Pak+ 2024:RB 2024, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
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Charlie, as I said, I have NOT been around in a while. I've been homeless for the last couple of years, unemployed for the last four years, and not been very active with BIAB or PG Music for quite some time.
I realize that since I use a DAW, there are ways to achieve what I'm looking for without extra tracks, but I still believe, particularly in a live situation, or when you're recording backing tracks for live performance, that additional backing tracks may be desirable.

This is just a suggestion for Dr. Gannon, if he does anything with it, that's great, if not, we haven't lost anything, that's for sure.


I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
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Gary,
Mr.Gannon hinted earlier this month there might be possibility to add more tracks. My hopes are aimed at beautiful number "16"
P.S. Actually this is my biggest wish in BIAB smile

Lets hope it happens.

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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!

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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!

Video: Volume Automation in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®

We've created a video to help you learn more about the Volume Automation options in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows.

Band-in-a-Box® 2024: Volume Automation

www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024full/chapter11.htm#volume-automation

Video: Audio Input Monitoring with Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®

We've created this short video to explain Audio Input Monitoring within Band-in-a-Box® 2024, and included some tips & troubleshooting details too!

Band-in-a-Box® 2024: Audio Input Monitoring

3:17: Tips
5:10: Troubleshooting

www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024full/chapter11.htm#audio-input-monitoring

Video: Enhanced Melodists in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®!

We've enhanced the Melodists feature included in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows!

Access the Melodist feature by pressing F7 in the program to open the new MultiPicker Library and locate the [Melodist] tab.

You can now generate a melody on any track in the program - very handy! Plus, you select how much of the melody you want generated - specify a range, or apply it to the whole track.

See the Melodist in action with our video, Band-in-a-Box® 2024: The Melodist Window.

Learn even more about the enhancements to the Melodist feature in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024upgrade/chapter3.htm#enhanced-melodist

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 DAW Plugin Version 6: New Features Specifically for Reaper®

New with the DAW Plugin Version 6.0, released with Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows: the Reaper® Panel!

This new panel offers built-in specific support for the Reaper® DAW API allowing direct transfer of Band-in-a-Box® files to/from Reaper® tracks!

When you run the Plugin from Reaper®, there is a panel to set the following options:
-BB Track(s) to send: This allows you to select the Plugin tracks that will be sent Reaper.
-Destination Reaper Track: This lets you select the destination Reaper track to receive media content from the Plugin.
-At Bar: You can select a bar in Reaper where the Plugin tracks should be placed.
-Start Below Selected Track: This allows you to place the Plugin tracks below the destination Reaper track.
-Overwrite Reaper Track: You can overwrite previous content on the destination Reaper track.
-Move to Project Folder: With this option, you can move the Plugin tracks to the Reaper project folder.
-Send Reaper Instructions Enable this option to send the Reaper Instructions instead of rendering audio tracks, which is faster.
-Render Audio & Instructions: Enable this option to generate audio files and the Reaper instructions.
-Send Tracks After Generating: This allows the Plugin to automatically send tracks to Reaper after generating.
-Send Audio for MIDI Track: Enable this option to send rendered audio for MIDI tracks.
-Send RealCharts with Audio: If this option is enabled, Enable this option to send RealCharts with audio.

Check out this video highlighting the new Reaper®-specific features: Band-in-a-Box® DAW Plugin Version 6: New Features Specifically for Reaper®

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 DAW Plugin Version 6: New Features Video

The new Band-in-a-Box VST DAW Plugin Verion 6 adds over 20 new features!

Watch the new features video to learn more: Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2024 - DAW Plugin Version 6 New Features

We also list these new features at www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.plugin.htm.

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