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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 272
berntd Offline OP
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I have a special offer to go from Mega to Ultra.

Should I do it?

Will it cost more every year to upgrade?
Will it have better styles for jazz and traditionsl jazz?

Any other advantages?

I am hesitant as I am unhappy with the lack of support.


Band in a Box
Latest: ULTRA 2020 (734) on Win 10
And: MEGA 2020 (720) on Windows 7

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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berntd,
It is about the content. Program is the same. With exception for add-ons Ultra is one of the most complete packages.It has much (Much!) more Real tracks and Real Drums than Mega. So if you have a special offer that is reasonable, consider it!

As far as yearly upgrades go, usually, PG runs sales toward the end of the year, but there are no set dates. I believe, you are not required to upgrade specifically to Ultra pack to Ultra pack each year, you can buy the most basic version, just to upgrade the software and get some Real Tracks (but not as many as you would upgrading yearly Ultra Pack to Ultrapack)

So if you upgrade now to Ultra pack, you will not lose the content if you upgrade to basic version 2021. But of course you might like it enough to upgrade Ultra to Ultra smile


----------------
Support... Well... Forum is actually better at that because you can get
answers from both users and PG folks. Community is well organized and helpful. Usually you get a response in a matter of couple of hours. In most cases software is stable, so once you set it up right it should not give you issues.

PS.Not trying to shield PG Customer support, I do believe that it could improve smile

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Once your at the UltraPAK stage PG Music has an UltraPAK to UltraPAK upgrade called the PlusPAK. The PlusPAK maintains your UltraPAK at the UltraPAK content level by providing the new programs and whatever content is added to the UltraPAK for that year. +++ PlusPAK +++

You have to answer what's best for you. If you value content and frequently get frustrated by running into N/A when using the StylePicker or RealTracks picker then the UltraPAK is the most economical way to get current and the PlusPAK is the most economical way to remain current thereafter.


Jim Fogle - 2024 BiaB (1111) RB (5) Ultra+ PAK
DAWs: Cakewalk by BandLab (CbB) - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8
Laptop: i3 Win 10, 8GB ram 500GB HDD
Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD
Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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simple answer is yes. even though you may not think you need some styles (all modern jazz sounds like music you hear in a lift to me!) you never know how listening to a style or genre you never used before gives you new ideas.

and once you've upgraded the pluspak every year keeps you up to date at a modest cost

i only use a fraction of what BIAB can do but just occasionally thinking out of the box (sorry!)i try something new and my horizons expand

i even bought all the pluspaks and loop paks too.....

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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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