With the addition of the very useful utility Tracks this year, and without going into detail as to why (as its pretty obvious) my wishlist for next year 2022 is that there are NO More New Features in band in a box

Loads of new realtracks, supermidi tracks a big yes to all of that, but No More New features if at all possible.

A HUGE +1

I've always mentioned that I would prefer 50 bug fixes over 50 new features. Some would argue that new features are required to attract new customers and encourage existing users to upgrade. However 50 bug fixes would definitely get my preference as well as a lot of existing users I'm sure.

Just market it as "50 Improvements".

Since December 2020, this view has been expressed several times in several threads and by several different people, I just hope PGM are paying attention!

Vintage

-1 / +1

Complete /fix started features.... Utility tracks to work as legacy tracks would be exceptionally useful

-----

Perhaps 3-5 features a year that are fully tested, definitely not 50.

I do love the Utility tracks, even as they are now, they are very useful, but if any extra features are added to them, I would hope it is done this year.

With this complete I would be more than happy with band in a box and consider it a fully mature program that needs no more tinkering around the edges to add new features, and everyone including developers could head into 2022 knowing that everything was working well in the program, mo more patching no more updates needed for the year, is this not something desirable to ask for?

With all the new realtracks that would be offer I am sure everyone would be happy.

musiclover...
Patches are needed to fix things. I believe the whole frustration is that new features break older things that used to work...

For example, Cakewalk (which is my DAW of choice), as BIAB is 30+ years young. Even after their enormous push in the past 3 years, latest public update that came out today included over 70 (!) bug fixes. And they offer these updates a few times a year... I believe that is normal for complex software titles. It shows that owners care.

I agree that BIAB is a mature program and yearly features is absolutely not the main reason why I am upgrading. And I also believe it is secondary to most people who upgrade. For the price, even at entry level, you are getting one hell of a ride. But, I think it has to be groomed the right way, such as fix broken things, complete developing items that were "new features" at one point and perhaps focus on consolidating some items, making menus "pretty" and user friendly (understandable).

P.S. I am not that optimistic that Utility tracks will gain full control as legacy tracks this year... And I rather wait longer and see them finished the right way, than having just something that is another workaround. They are too important.

A MASSIVE +1

> Patches are needed to fix things. I believe the whole frustration is that new features break older things that used to work...

Yes, I agree.

Peter, given the above, I wonder how we could work cooperatively with you to minimize such issues from occurring. I would be pleased to be involved if this might assist.

I think a longer beta testing time would help. If possible start the testing easier or miss the arbitrary December time line. Either way would be OK with me if the final product was more stable than the last couple of years.

Yes. And we are actually doing some alpha testing, since the new features are not always present yet when we test.

Hi Peter,

I don't think you are hearing your clients.

Sure - of course you need to fix any errors in the existing software and historic issues.

You are now being asked by the whole community to NOT DEVELOP ANYTHING NEW - it is simply not required.

And secondly:

PUT ALL REMAINING RESORCES INTO NEW REAL TRACKS. (forget rehashed styles - a total waste of your valuable time and resources).

I hope you don't mind me putting you straight on this. But the ship seems to be wobbling a bit.

Best Regards
Nigel

Are you forgetting about those of us whom use MIDI?

If BiaB goes RTs only I will not upgrade.

I agree with Mario on the RT issue.
Not all of us want another 100 or 200 new RTs.
I've said it before but, if you can't make a decent song with 1000 RTs,
2000 isn't going make it sound any better.

LLOYD S

Hi Mario & Lloyd,

MIDI - quite right - I forgot about MIDI which I have also used extensively.

Real Tracks - You are right - we probably don't need a 1000 new Real Tracks especially in areas like Drums where they can be used at a wide range of tempos.

However there are some gaps which I would love to see filled and which I have mentioned regularly in these forums e.g. A quality Blues Harp (fills and solos), Brass Section Fills for dance music e.g. Jump Blues and a B3 Organ Solo in several styles including Jazz and Blues.

Best Regards
Nigel

I love the MIDI supertracks too and hope there could be more.

As to the RealTracks, perhaps it's time to revisit the Styles and RealTracks Wishlist Forum with those requests.

I just started using MIDI and sure wouldn't want it to go away now.

...Deb

I don't think anyone is contemplating abandoning MIDI. The point Mario and others are making is that, when PG Music develops new RealTracks and RealDrums, they should develop some MIDI tracks and styles too.

And please don't forget about Notation. I don't think it has been looked at in several years. Some of us use songs with lyrics and actually print them out. The layer function is fine, but printing note based lyrics could be much improved. BIAB struggles with lyrics on 1/8 notes - too much text and not enough space. It has a similar problem with the last bar on a line where the lyrics can get stacked on top of the next verse.

+1

Balderdash!

...one of my favorite quotes from Henry Ford which actually wasn’t a quote from him at all ‘If I had of asked my customers what they wanted they would have asked for a faster horse drawn cart’

Let Peter and PGMusic continue to develop and innovate as they have been doing for the past 20 years. You guys don't get it. PGMusic is about discovery and creativity! BIAB is the brain child of an ingenious individual. Ya, not every new thing which is released is going to ring everyone's bell, but we need individuals to blaze new trails. Consider that for over 20 years BIAB continues to be a unique music making experience. There is nothing else on the market like it! So just deal with the idiosyncrasies and look more for the possibilities. Heck, the workflow challenges in BIAB help keep the riff-raff out of the game and allow us users to have a piece of the action.

""Bet you didn't see this one coming""

I've made that same argument many times over decades, Dan. But in this one case, I think a one-time pause is in order, so that the core functionality can catch up with the innovations.