Will and I were just talking about the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2008 this morning, and how it including the introduction of the RealTracks feature... it all started with Real Pedal Steel, Real Acoustic Guitar, and Tenor Sax Soloing (RealSax)!
Peter Gannon explained this new feature, and all the other new features added with Version 2008, in this video:
A complete list of the New Features released with Band-in-a-Box® 2008 for Windows can be read here.
Did you have this version? What was your reaction to the RealTracks? Catherine and I actually went to Musikmesse in Germany that year (we were hosted by our German Distributor, M3C) and demonstrated the RealTracks to anyone who would listen - and everyone was thrilled with the results! Of the three released that year, the Tenor Sax Soloing was my favorite.
I'd had it since 2005 and I thought it was OK but didnt really get along with it. (Probably the midis were a bit plinky plonky sounding with my gear then). Then with 2008 there was this new kid on the block - RT. Although they werent that much use to me (I'm English. lol) I did experiment with them and the sound quality was superb. Now I wouldnt be without them and look forward to every new Year (or new release) of RTs. Pretty much all my working BTs now are based around RTs, although in fairness there are not the number of RT styles (therefore Instruments) to match the midi's so still have a few of those. More, gimmee More!! Cheers ian
Old Guys Rule.The older I get,the better I was! BB2023 ULTRA, 1013, Win 7 and 10
I remember being blown away by RealDrums in 2007, but just those first three RealTracks in 2008 (that's all we got) were truly a game changer. This was before the Elastique Pro implementation, so you had to have more files and they were WAV (so took up a lot of space). But man, nobody had every done anything like that.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA
It was only shortly after this that a Mac version with RT's saw the light of day, and that's when I jumped on board the PG ship, having sailed steadily along for every trip every year since In fact, this inclusion of RT's became much the core reason I finally made that leap from "Classic" to OS X in the first place.
There's only one thing to do in crisis like this - Sleep on it! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
The best thing for me (in that era) was that RB was created. Without RT's, RB would still just be Powertracks .
Creating this system in such a way that both apps could use it was the coup!
The flexibility added was huge. Now you could slice/dice/pasta the RTs to your hearts delight .. regenerate sections .. generate in 7/4 if you wanted .. too many to list. It added so much value for me.
Make your sound your own! .. I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
On the downside of looking back on these two videos: I'm finding features listed as far back as that 2007 version which I'd quite welcome in my 2016 version but they're not there! So in hindsight, maybe this particular TBT was a bit of a double-edged sword
There's only one thing to do in crisis like this - Sleep on it! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
Sometimes with a new release, the "instructions" we had in previous version videos no longer apply - so you wouldn't be able to access those features the same way. Which ones are you unable to find in your 2016 Version? (also, keep in mind that this video is for Windows, so the same features may not apply to a Mac version)
when I first discovered BIAB, It was still a MIDI based program... but I distinctly remember thinking "man, if they ever figure out how to work this same magic on audio loops, it will change the way music is created ..."
then, in 2008 when the first real tracks were introduced, I remember thinking
"THIS..... CHANGES..... EVERYTHING! !! "
I also remember how many people resisted the idea... I guess because it was different...? It blew my mind that everybody didn't see the potential
Icelander, Which ones are you unable to find in your 2016 Version?
Well, the "melody influences soloing" Soloist feature springs to mind. Looks very handy, with a lot of artistic value, and I'm quite frankly rather surprised to see it gone.
Originally Posted By: Callie - PG Music
<i>(also, keep in mind that this video is for Windows, so the same features may not apply to a Mac version)</i>
You mean like the "Soundtrack" feature we still don't have and there it is way back then on the PC?! Come now, surely you know by now that if there's one person around here who does not need reminding of this fact, it's yours truly
There's only one thing to do in crisis like this - Sleep on it! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
I also remember BIAB 2008. Unfortunately, it did change everything. Initially I thought it was a nice feature, but instead it became the focal point that relegated MIDI to an afterthought to the point where even the meager MIDI content currently introduced has become premium content requiring additional payment. Audio loops were around for a decade before RealTracks and Realtracks are nothing more than “audio loops for dummies”. Today’s synthesizers feature thousands of lush, dynamic, expressive sounds that BIAB chooses to not take advantage of. Modern music features a sound palette far greater than the piano, guitar and bass audio loops that BIAB is now focusing on. The program has become a proprietary loop selector and has hit a creative wall. New editions now consist of more RealTracks and “rearranging the furniture” of the core program. I believe too much attention is paid to the older users who for one reason or another frequent the forum and probably do not represent the majority of current or potential users. There is a large modern electronic music community that understands the difference between MIDI and audio and appreciates that MIDI has more in common with sheet music than audio. RealTracks are great as a feature, not the feature.
There is a solid group here who agree with you and use MIDI in BIAB almost exclusively. There were a few recent threads here asking about what is new for MIDI in BIAB 2017. Take a look at them. One poster suggested that PG Music should make a package of just the new MIDI SuperTracks with the basic program engine, and it sounded like they would do this so you would not have to purchase any RealTracks (hope I got that detail right).
BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
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!
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.
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!
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!
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.
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