February 28, 2017 Band-in-a-Box® 2017 for Windows - Toolbar Modes #TipTuesday

With Band-in-a-Box® 2017 for Windows you have more control over your toolbars!

There are now 3 modes for the toolbar - to switch between them use the the Mode Selector buttons (located at the top left of the screen).

The three modes are:
1. Smaller, configurable toolbar with tabbed interface.
There's a [CUSTOM] tab in this mode that lets you select buttons you want to see in the order you want!

2. Taller toolbar with fixed on-screen Mixer, useful for people with hi-res screens.
All your buttons are there!

3. Drop Station
This makes a small screen, always on top, useful for drag and drop of files to your favorite DAW.

#TipTuesday Want to switch between your custom toolbar and the taller toolbar? Just select Ctrl+T!

Posted at 08:46 AM

February 28, 2017 User Showcase Song - Why Does It Rain?

Happy song about sad weather. Hope you enjoy it!

The band is _SHERIFF.STY with A&B styles for verse and chorus, and a few shots and holds.

lyrics by R.W. Davis
vocals by Dusty Hughes

Posted at 08:25 AM

February 27, 2017 User Showcase Song - Highland Girl

a track written for good friends whooose wedding anniversary was coming up.the lady in question lived in the outer Hebrides off the coast of Scotland. ******

Title: HIGHLAND GIRL
File:HIGHLAND GIRL.SGU
Key=D , Tempo 120, Length (m:s)=3:24
No intro. 99 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 99. Repeat x1 chorus
No Melody
No Soloist track.
Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0,
Style is _HAPN120.STY (Dire Pop w/ Held Acoustic Piano)

RealTracks in style: ~519:Bass, Electric, Pop HalfNotes Ev 120
RealTracks in style: ~2494:Piano, Acoustic, HeldChords 120
RealTracks in style: ~509:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Dire Ev 120
RealTracks in style: ~405:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 120
RealTracks in song: ~618:Fiddle, Background Allis Ev 120
RealTracks in song: 2458:Strings, Rhythm CelticWaltz Ev 100
RealDrums in style: NashvilleEven8^1-a:Sidestick, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride

Posted at 11:49 AM

February 24, 2017 User Showcase Song - Twistin' Down The Highway

A Twisting, Rock 'n' Roll foot tapper.

Uses the Hang Ten style for the drums and bass.

Other guitars and vocals - me (vocals dry at the moment).

Posted at 09:29 AM

February 24, 2017 RealTracks Patch Update Available!

Attention Band-in-a-Box® 2017 for Windows users! There's a new patch update available for your RealTracks!

Learn more about this patch & download it here.

Summary of update:
Improved: Riff selection for RealTrack Guitar, Electric, Soloist TrainBeatBrent12-key Ev16 090.
Added or Fixed: Shots and Holds for many RealTracks including the following RealTracks:
-2573: Horn Section, Rhythm MelodicOldWorldWaltz2Part Ev 180
-2722: Bass, Electric, PeruFestejo68 Sw 120
-2725: Bass, Electric, PeruValsCriollo Ev 140
-2765: Bass, Electric, PuertoRicoAguinaldo Ev16 120
-2768: Bass, Electric, AndesHuaynoA-B Ev16 085
-2769: Bass, Electric, AndesHuaynoTriad Ev16 085
-2702: Bass, Synth, CloudRapSub Ev16 075
-2770: Bass, Electric, AndesHuaynoOffbeat Ev16 085
-2773: Harp, Rhythm Celtic16ths Ev16 075
-2774: Harp, Rhythm CelticWaltzSlow Ev 085
-2775: Harp, Rhythm CelticWaltz Ev 110
-2776: Harp, Rhythm CelticJig Sw 110
-2820: Harp, Rhythm ClassicalSlow8ths Ev 085
-2823: Guitarron, MariachiWaltz Ev 150
-2824: Pedal Steel, Soloist CountryEddy12-key Ev 085
Fixed: RealTracks audition solo demo for RT#2682.
Fixed: Typo in bio's of artists Jim McGillveray and Juan Jimenez.
Fixed: Notation was missing for one of the tracks in Artist Performance set 2 (GypsyJazzLatin Ev165)

Posted at 09:24 AM

February 23, 2017 Band-in-a-Box® y RealBand 2017 en Español!

Hemos estado ocupados y hemos añadido más de 80 nuevas funciones y una impresionante colección de nuevos contenidos, incluyendo 202 RealTracks, 34 MIDI SuperTracks, Estudios Instrumental, 12-Tonos RealTracks, Notación de guitarra Hi-Q, Re-Discubierto RealTracks/MIDI SuperTracks. Nuevo sintetizador (sforzando), y más de 120 nuevos RealStyles!

www.bandinabox.com/bb.php?os=win&lang=es

Posted at 01:57 PM

February 23, 2017 The Download Manager in Band-in-a-Box® for Windows

Downloading your Band-in-a-Box® for Windows order is easy when you use the Download Manager, added with Band-in-a-Box® 2016 for Windows.

The Download Manager automatically downloads and installs all of the Band-in-a-Box® content (mainly RealTracks files) in the background. Access this feature within Band-in-a-Box® by selecting the Help | Utilities | Run Download/Install Manager now menu command. If you've entered the activation code for your purchase, this feature will know what items still need to be downloaded and installed!

Even if you think you've installed everything for your purchase, it's a great idea to run this feature to confirm this - because the Download Manger can also confirm that your installation is complete!

Learn more about the PG Music Download Manager at www.pgmusic.com/tutorial_downloadmanager.htm.

Posted at 01:54 PM

February 23, 2017 #TBT - The Metronome Pro!

In honor of "Throwback Thursday" (#TBT), let's take a look at the Metronome Pro! This program was released in 2006, and is a great way to keep the correct tempo when you're practicing!

The Metronome Pro can be used as a basic "old school" metronome and includes advanced features to take your tempo practice to a new level. In its basic mode, Metronome Pro will keep perfect time as you practice along while the advanced features provide additional practice tools such as increase tempo, trade 4's, even a song length calculator. All possible time signatures are supported, including composite time. If you need a drummer, Metronome Pro can easily be turned into a drum machine to play the drum track from any standard MIDI file.

Learn more about this program (available for just $19) here: www.pgmusic.com/metronomepro.htm - it's an excellent tool for musicians of any level!

Posted at 01:32 PM

February 23, 2017 User Showcase Song - Paperback

The band:

Drums: BluesRock 12/8
Bass: 564
Piano: 2733
Rhythm Guitar: 1924

Lead guitar: '94 Fender strat, lace sensor pickups neck position through S-Gear amp sim
Mix/pre master: Reaper with WAVES VST's, Final master: Adobe Audition V3 with Ozone V3.

Posted at 10:03 AM

February 22, 2017 New Videos! RealPAK Volume 13 for Band-in-a-Box® 2017 for Windows!

Now available - detail video demonistrations of the RealTracks & RealDrums included in the Country, Rock-Pop, and Jazz RealPAKs Volume 13 (released with Band-in-a-Box® 2017 for Windows).

RealPAK: Country Volume 13
RealPAK: Rock-Pop Volume 13
RealPAK: Jazz Volume 13

Learn more about all the RealPAKs when you visit www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.realtracks.htm

Posted at 02:17 PM

February 22, 2017 YouTube Find - Stefan Leipziger - Three - Six - Five (with Band-in-a-Box®!)

Wow - searching "Band-in-a-Box" on YouTube brings up a huge number of videos! Like this one... it sounds GREAT! www.pgmusic.com/?vid=sWFp1ZnTxT0.

Good thing we have our I just heard Band-in-a-Box on YouTube forum to share these videos! If you've found a YouTube video that uses Band-in-a-Box you can share it too!

Posted at 12:19 PM

February 22, 2017 User Showcase Song - Time Will Tell - Aired on CMT 2010!

Another BIAB Video Testimonial Production aired on CMT 2010.
I made up for a friend using a few HD Cams, it was straight out of the "Box" using
_ALLISR.STY. Fast Ctry Bal w ResGuit (120 RS)
Edited in PG Realband.

Just goes to show what BIAB is capable of.

Posted at 09:06 AM

February 21, 2017 Band-in-a-Box® 2017 in Italiano!

Abbiamo lavorato sodo e abbiamo aggiunto nuove funzioni e una sorprendente collezione di nuovi contenuti, tra cui 202 RealTracks, 34 MIDI SuperTracks, Studi Strumentali, RealTracks a 12-Tonalità, Notazione di Chitarra Hi-Q, Stili Riscoperti RealTracks/MIDI SuperTracks, un nuovo sintetizzatore (sforzando), e oltre 120 nuovi RealStyles!

www.bandinabox.com/bb.new.php?os=win&lang=it

Posted at 12:37 PM

February 21, 2017 User Tips - How to Create an Instrumental Melody Line that Follows the Vocal Using Band-in-a-Box®

Forum User Joanne Cooper has an excellent blog on her website, www.joannecooper.co.za/home - including her latest post: How to create an instrumental melody line that follows the vocal using Band-in-a-Box and Melodyne!

Joanne's instructions are easy to follow along with - click here to read the blog post.

Posted at 07:34 AM

February 21, 2017 User Showcase Song - "Coffee Talk"

Do you listen to the lounge music occasionally?
This is Instrumental Latin tune!
Please enjoy it with coffee, Scotch, or your favorite cocktail if you like.
Comments encouraged. Have at it.

Style is J!LUSH2.STY (MIDI)
Acoustic Bass(33) assigned to Wood Bass (EastWest Goliath)
Acoustic Piano(1) assigned to Rhodes Piano (EastWest Goliath)
Nylon Guitar(25) assigned to Nylon Guitar (EastWest Goliath),
MIDI Drums assigned to Jazz Brush Drums & GM Percussion (EastWest Goliath)

Additional Melody and Obbligato scored by me
Main Melody by Alto Flute (EastWest Symphonic Orchestra)
Accompanied instruments as follows
Acoustic Piano (Steinberg The Grand)
Solo Trombone & 4 Trombones (EastWest Goliath)
4 part Strings (EastWest Symphonic Orchestra)

Posted at 07:29 AM

February 20, 2017 Band-in-a-Box® 2016 for Mac Patch Update 152 Available!

Band-in-a-Box® 2016 for Mac users can download this free patch update here.

Included in the update:
Fixed: Audio could not be pasted beyond the end of the existing audio data.
Fixed: Audio importing would fail.
Improved: If making a tempo map after using the Audio Chord Wizard, and the current style has a different time signature, you will be asked to choose a different style. If possible, you can choose to keep the current style, but the time signature of each bar will be set for you.
Fixed: Automatic updates were not working.
Fixed: Some VST plugins' GUI window would not close properly, and leave a ghost window on the screen (eg. the Expand!2 plugin).
Fixed: The Expand!2 plugin would cause all menus in Band-in-a-Box to stop responding.
Changed: The new hot key for opening the Record MIDI dialog has been changed to control+R.
Fixed: The "Piano, Acoustic, Bright Grand Sforzando" patch was missing from the Hi-Q list.
Fixed: "Could not load Hi-Q patch." would show if trying to load the "Organ, Electric, Rock Sforzando" patch.
Fixed: "Could not load Hi-Q patch." would show if trying to load the "Organ, Electric, Jazz Sforzando" patch.
Fixed: Clicking on the Guitar window would show notes on the Melody mixer piano instead of the Thru mixer piano.
Fixed: VST plugins that have been uninstalled should not appear in the plugin list.
Improved: Plugins can be chosen by double-clicking on them in the list, instead of having to hit [Return] or clicking [OK].
Fixed: In the Japanese version, when opening the Email dialog, you would be asked to save the song even though it was already saved.
Fixed: In the Japanese version, attaching a rendered song to an email would produce a rendered file with garbage text in the title, and it would not be attached to the email.
Fixed: In the Japanese version, a song with an audio track would not give the option to attach the audio file.

Posted at 12:13 PM

February 20, 2017 RealBand 2017 Patch Update (Build 4) Available!

RealBand 2017 Users can download this free patch update here.

Included in the update:
Fixed - Program title was changed to 'file converter' if a conversion needed to be done such as after recording (this affected the title shown when alt-tabbing or hovering over the icon on the task bar, etc.).
Fixed - Spurious warning about rebuilding style picker when not needed has been removed.
Fixed - FX button now correctly turns blue if MIDI track is actually using a VSTi or DXi synth.
Fixed - the choose note dialog in Notation Window had garbled text.
Fixed - saving to XML would result in the timing being wrong, if the song's PPQ was not 120.
Fixed - when drawing a slur in the situation of notes being extremely close together, program could potentially slow down or freeze.
Fixed - a few miscellaneous minor localization and help-topic link issues

Posted at 12:13 PM

February 20, 2017 Band-in-a-Box® 2017 for Windows Patch Update 459 Available!

Band-in-a-Box® 2017 for Windows users can download this free patch update here.

Included in the update:
Fixed: Audio Edit window was not displaying lines for audio stretching features (bug introduced in build 458).
Fixed: Clicking on the Mixer piano (Thru track) does not display notes on the Guitar or Big Piano windows.
Fixed: The select bar dialog would conflict with keyboard input.
Fixed: Email Song dialog would not show options to attach Artist Performance Tracks if they were WMA files.
Fixed: Hitting the [\] key (forward slash) while in the notation window would crash Band-in-a-Box with the "Cannot focus a disabled or invisible window" error.
Fixed: Band-in-a-Box might crash on bootup with "Not enough timers available" error.
Fixed: The RealTracks picker might freeze if using a custom RealTracks folder location, and this folder does not exist (eg. an external hard drive is not connected, or re-connected with a different drive letter).
Fixed: If using Windows 10, holding down the mouse anywhere in the chord sheet window and scrolling the mouse wheel would cause Band-in-a-Box to immediately crash.
Fixed: When saving MusicXML files, slurs would be rejected by other programs that opened the files.
Fixed: After performing a drag and drop, the previous state of soloed tracks was not restored.
Fixed: Drag and drop of audio track would render Bass track instead.
Fixed: When using multiple monitors, some popup windows would be forced onto the primary monitor (eg. changing song title, changing track label).
Fixed: When using multiple monitors, Band-in-a-Box would not properly open to the previous size, position, and maximized state.
Fixed: Previewing chords in the chord sheet (Shift+Enter) or using the chord builder would eventually stop playing all the notes in the chord if using the "always on" setting for the audio driver (MME or ASIO).
Fixed: Splash screen was missing if running program in any language other than English.
Improved: Shots and Holds for Direct Input RealTracks can be assigned unique Holds library numbers, and unique decibel offsets.
Fixed: If using a 3/4 style, Band-in-a-Box would switch to the ZZJAZZ style (4/4) when launching the Audio Chord Wizard. This would cause an incorrect tempo map to be made afterwards.
Improved: If making a tempo map after using the Audio Chord Wizard, and the current style has a different time signature, you will be asked to choose a different style. If possible, you can choose to keep the current style, but the time signature of each bar will be set for you.
Fixed: Automatic updates were sometimes not working
Fixed: Rendered WAV files would not be acidized if the option to normalize was enabled.
Added: Drums name is more descriptive in the drums panel of the mixer, e.g. saying "snare and high hat"instead of "snhh"

Posted at 12:12 PM

February 20, 2017 User Showcase Song - Whiskey for Breakfast

his is a cowrite between me and David Snyder.

We have been kicking the idea around about writing something together for some time. He sent me the outline for this song and some lyrics for verse 1. We kicked some things around and this was the result.

There's parts of 17 tracks in this.

Drums Rock sw 16
Bass 784
B3 675
Banjo 1579
Guitar 625
Guitar 878

Live tracks include several acoustic and electric guitars including all leads. There are 5 vox tracks layered in the mix.

The song is about war and the casualties that result both physically and mentally. PTSD is serious business. Every day, according to statistics, 22 veterans take their own lives as a result of not being able to cope with it.

Posted at 08:04 AM

February 20, 2017 Band-in-a-Box® 2017 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!

Es gibt über 80 aufregende neue Funktionen in Band-in-a-Box® 2017!
Die grafische Benutzeroberfläche des Hauptbildschirms (GUI) wurde neu gestaltet mit weniger Bildschirmplatzbedarf, konfigurierbare Toolbars, einem Interface mit Register, einem Fortschrittsbalken, und mehr.

Posted at 08:00 AM

February 17, 2017 Free Band-in-a-Box® Video Tutorials!

Get the most out of your Band-in-a-Box® experience when you add our Support Videos to your arsenal!

We have an extensive collection of Support videos for Band-in-a-Box® for Windows available on our YouTube Channel & www.pgmusic.com/videos.bbwin.htm - make sure to check them out!

Looking for a tutorial video on a specific feature, and didn't see one listed? Send your suggestions to marketing@pgmusic.com.

Posted at 08:28 AM

February 17, 2017 PG Music Inc. - Update Hours of Operation

Wondering when we're available by phone, the Live Help feature on our website, or here in the office?

We've recently updated our Hours of Operation:

Customer Service & Sales:
Monday - Friday: 6:00AM to 7:00PM PST (GMT -8)
Saturday: 7:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8)
Sunday & Holidays: 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8)

Contact info:
Tel: 1-800-268-6272 or 1-888-PGMUSIC (Within USA and Canada)
Tel: + 800-4746-8742 (Outside USA and Canada where International Freephone service is available)
sales@pgmusic.com

Technical Support:
Monday - Friday: 10:00AM to 5:00PM PST (GMT -8)

Contact info:
Tel: 1-866-983-2474 or 250-475-2708
support@pgmusic.com

Additional contact information for PG Music Inc. is available at www.pgmusic.com/contact.htm.

Posted at 07:47 AM

February 17, 2017 User Showcase Song - Myths Of The Raging Seas

This is the first real musical collaboration I've had. Both music and lyrics were written by me and Miira. I took care of the arrangement with BIAB and Miira sang. Intention was to make some kind of a celtic song. Hopefully it has at least some celtic feel smile This was really fun experience and I think the outcome is quite nice for the first attempt.

Drums: Action Strikes, RD Bodhran Celtic Reel

Realtracks:
Acoustic Bass Bowed #2482, Celtic #1162
Cello #1856
Acoustic guitar #1814
Fiddle #1787, #2549
String quartet #2334
Acoustic piano #2503
Harp #2773

MIDI:
Strings from STR_QT44.sty (IO)
MST #2058 (IO)
melody - bagpipe (GPO4)

Vocals: Miira, Shevannai VST

Mixed in Adobe Audition 2017

Posted at 07:38 AM

February 16, 2017 User Showcase Song - Surf Is On The Rise

I wrote this tune as I wanted to see if I still could get a sound out of me that in some diminutive way would resemble surf music.

As I did it I came to realize that my gear is not sophisticated enough to get the smooth sound on the vocals that I wanted so, I just have to keep experimenting !

The Style used is BeachCar.STY, a style that I think I have used sometimes before, but maybe not with the same instruments all through.

The instros here are:

Bass:34, Elecpiano:6, Drums: RD:S country shuffle, Guitar: 26
VoiceOohs: GM2 54/1, Strings:51, Strings 2: 1641 Synth Pad

Posted at 02:09 PM

February 15, 2017 Band-in-a-Box® - Favorite Things!

Have you ever wanted to "shout from the rooftop" about your favorite features in Band-in-a-Box® & RealBand? We've got just the place... our My Favorite Things Forum!

This new forum is also a great place to review the features that other program users love - you never know... you may learn something new about the program, and have your "favorite list" grow too!

Posted at 02:10 PM

February 15, 2017 $0 Down Easy Payment Plan!

Late last year we began offering a $0 Down Easy Payment Plan - When you order anything from www.pgmusic.com and choose this payment option you won't pay for 30 days! After that, the total of your invoice being split into 4 equal payments charged every 30 days for 4 months after your inital purchase.

This payment option won't delay you receiving your order - even if you choose to have your order shipped, you'll still have the download links available to you - no need to wait!

Posted at 01:55 PM

February 15, 2017 User Showcase Song - This Road

This is my first song for 2017. It began in December as a chord progression. The lyrics followed and the melody was last to arrive.

The song started in BIAB. Additional tracks were then generated in Realband. Following this, the MIDI piano and wav files from Realband were taken to Reaper and vocals were recorded and effects were added (i.e. reverb, panning, Nectar, Ozone). For the piano sound, I used PG Music's HiQ 'Acoustic Grand Piano' playing in unison with a slightly brighter sounding piano from Dimension Pro.

Posted at 01:48 PM

February 14, 2017 User Showcase Song - Streaks of Love

We've been a little bit busy lately, as Rob has been moving into my place and he had far too much stuff which I now have to spread all over the place.
Anyway, here's our first contribution for 2017, a gypsy jazz ballad:

Streaks of Love - audio
Streaks of Love - video

Hope you like it.
Any comments are welcome.

Style is _GJBALAD.STY (Slow Gypsy Jazz Rhythm Section)

RealTracks:
1206:Bass, Acoustic, GypsyJazzBallad Sw 110 ('B' Only)
772:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm Jazz Sw 110 ('A' Only)
1209:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm GypsyJazzBalladGonzalo Sw 110
1210:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm GypsyJazzBalladJohn Sw 110
1213:Guitar, Acoustic, Soloist GypsyJazzBalladJohn Sw 110
1182:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming PopWaltz Ev 120
RealDrums in Song: GypsyJazzSw: a: GypsyJazzSwb: GypsyJazzSw

Posted at 09:24 AM

February 10, 2017 Band-in-a-Box® Song Title Browser Requests - New Forum!

Have you stumped the Song Title Browser feature in the Band-in-a-Box® StylePicker?

If you tried to search for a popular song and this feature didn't offer you any listings, we'd love it if you'd let us know in our newest Wishlist forum here.

We'll be checking this new forum often, making sure to add your suggestions!

Posted at 01:53 PM

February 10, 2017 Welcome to the PG Team Deryk and Yutaro!

We are excited to be adding two new people to our Customer Service Team here at PG Music: Deryk & Yutaro!

You'll soon see them popping up here in the Forum - they're already answering your calls, emails, and online chats (when you use the Live Help feature...)

Welcome to the team Deryk & Yutaro!

Posted at 01:45 PM

February 10, 2017 User Showcase Song - Playin' with Zane

The first time I heard the Zane Carney real tracks, I knew I needed to play with him... finally found some time.

** Song Summary *************
Title: _FLYAWAY Demo - Fly Away Modern Even-8 Soul Pop
File:Fly Away Modern Even-8 Soul Pop.SGU
Key=Am , Tempo 120, Length (m:s)=2:24
4 bar intro, 32 bar chorus, from bar 5 to bar 36. Repeat x2 choruses

Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0,
Song is saved with bar changes for Volume Changes,
Style is _FLYAWAY.STY (Fly Away Modern Even-8 Soul Pop)

RealTracks in style: 1434:Bass, Electric, JazzFunkPoppy Ev16 110
RealTracks in style: 2680:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Pop8thsZaneHigh Ev 120
RealTracks in style: 2681:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Pop8thsZaneLow Ev 120
RealTracks in song: 2021:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm CountryBalladJohn Ev 120
RealDrums in style: NashvilleEven16^5-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride

Posted at 01:33 PM

February 08, 2017 User Tips & Tricks - More Audio & Midi Tracks...

Our Tips & Tricks forum is a great place to read through tutorials created by other Band-in-a-Box users, or share your own tutorial!

Pipeline often shares his tutorials here, including his most recent "Biab Win More Audio & Midi Tracks" post - Click here to read through the detail Forum post.

Posted at 12:16 PM

February 08, 2017 User Showcase Song - The Girl With the Look in Her Eyes

This is my favorite song to play. It's in drop-D and I visit 11 frets. For a month it was in standard tuning, 4/4, 5 chords, 1st position...then this tune and the notes came to me later somewhere between sleeping and waking up.

Suggestions are welcomed. Seriously. I'm asking. (*The artwork is used by permission.)

Posted at 12:00 PM

February 03, 2017 Join Us on Facebook!

If you're a Facebook user, make sure to visit https://www.facebook.com/pgmusicinc/ to view & "Like" our Facebook page. You'll stay "in the know" for specials, new releases, contests, and other exciting PG Music Inc. announcements!

We're also on Twitter!

Posted at 02:12 PM

February 03, 2017 #FunFactFriday - More Than 130 RealTracks Artists for Band-in-a-Box®!

When you purchase a Band-in-a-Box® UltraPlusPAK, EverythingPAK, or Audiophile Edition, you're adding more than 130 RealTracks Artists to your band!

For a full list of the TOP MUSICIANS contributing to our RealTracks, visit our RealTracks Artist page.

Click on an artists name and you'll be directed to their Bio page, which includes demos of their RealTracks!

Posted at 01:54 PM

February 03, 2017 User Showcase Song - Little Country Church

Here's a song I wrote a while back. I finally had a friend of mine put vocals with it. I would really like some constructive criticism on the song, the mix, etc. Don't hold back as I know there is a lot of room for improvement. Thanks.

RealTracks in style: ~592:Bass, Acoustic Bluegrass Doc Ev 100
RealTracks in style: ~365:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 085
RealTracks in style: ~598:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Bluegrass Doc Ev 100
RealTracks in style: ~409:Fiddle, Background George Ev 085
RealTracks in style: ~599:Mandolin, Rhythm Bluegrass Doc Ev 100
RealTracks in style: 377:Guitar, Resonator, Background Trav Ev 088

Posted at 01:51 PM

February 02, 2017 YouTube Find - An Overview of Band-in-a-Box®

YouTube is a great place to post your own reviews and tutorials for programs that you're using. We even have an "I just heard Band-in-a-Box on YouTube" Forum to share the videos you come across that use and review our software!

Like this one, created by YouTube user "Janne Lepola" (and shared with us by Forum user "Icelander"): www.pgmusic.com/?vid=gdyWOOCX9Rk.

Have something to say about Band-in-a-Box? Create your own review and share it with us, or take part in our Video Testimonial Offer!

Posted at 12:19 PM

February 02, 2017 User Showcase Song - Out Of Your World

Hi folks, Other than the recent remix this is our first 2017 post and for it we have returned to our country roots for the first time in a couple of years of experimenting with blues, Americana and rock. Our goal was to write a traditional country song that uses a non-traditional song structure.

Vocal: Rodes NT1 - Focusrite Scarlett USB - Logic Pro X - Nectar 2
Drums: N’ville Shuffle - Alloy 2 - 140 EMT Reverb Sim
Bass: RT 534 Pop 12-8 - Alloy 2
Piano Rhythm: Midi SuperTrack 2253 Country Swing - Logic Grand Steinway - 140 EMT Reverb Sim - Ozone Stereo Imager
Electric Guitar: RT 968 Rhythm Country Swing - EMT 140 Reverb Sim
Electric Guitar: RT 1703 Soloist Country 12:8 - EMT 140 Reverb Sim
(comped from multiple regenerations)
Pedal Steel: RT 627 Background Country 12:8 - EMT 140 Reverb Sim
(comped from multiple regenerations)
Pedal Steel: RT 2000 Soloist Country 12:8 - EMT 140 Reverb Sim
(comped from multiple regenerations)
Mixing: Logic Pro X
Mastering: Ozone 7 Advanced

Posted at 11:52 AM

February 02, 2017 Band-in-a-Box® 2016 Build 150 for Mac Update Available!

Are you a Band-in-a-Box® 2016 for Mac Use? A free patch update is available! (Build 458)
You can download this patch here.

Summary of patch:

Fixed: After changing a track description, the new track description would not show on the mixer.
Fixed: Audio Edit window was not displaying UserTracks markers.
Fixed: Audio track would not be saved if song file name or path contained Japanese characters.
Fixed: Blank flash messages would appear when loading an XML file.
Fixed: Coda symbols would not display properly in the Leadsheet window (whould display as "fl").
Fixed: Flash messages would be stuck behind the Style Picker.
Fixed: If launching Display Options from the Preferences window, certain changes will be lost when clicking OK in the Preferences window.
Fixed: If using some Audio Unit plugins (eg Kontakt 5), Band-in-a-Box will freeze when exiting.
Fixed: In the Vocal Synth dialog, choosing the first English vocalist would not work (the resulting audio file would just say "shhh" for every lyric).
Fixed: In the Vocal Synth dialog, the vocalist selection was not sent correctly to the www.sinsy.jp server (eg. choosing Matsuo-P would use Xiang-Lang).
Fixed: MusicXML files that contained Japanese lyrics would import the lyrics as garbage text.
Fixed: Slow performance with tempo stretching.
Fixed: Some actions on the main screen respond very slowly when using macOS Sierra (10.12).
Fixed: Some Audio Unit plugins would not display a proper GUI.
Fixed: The "Normal" additional chords layer would not automatically open when booting up Band-in-a-Box.
Fixed: The audio device settings were not being saved between program sessions, so Band-in-a-Box would always use the "default device" for input and output.
Fixed: The Audio Edit window draws very slowly when using macOS Sierra (10.12).
Fixed: The Bar Settings layer would appear if switching between editing any editable layers.
Fixed: The OK button in the StylePicker was hard to read because it had white text on a gray background.
Fixed: The Sinsy vocal generator did not work with Japanese lyrics.
Fixed: The splash screen takes a long time to appear when using macOS Sierra (10.12).
Fixed: When starting DAW Plugin Mode, the chord sheet window would not resize properly.
Fixed: Window would disappear if resizing it to smaller than the minimum size.
Fixed: Windows would not always resize properly when toggling full screen mode.

Posted at 11:32 AM

February 01, 2017 Band-in-a-Box® 2017 Build 458 Update Available

Attention Band-in-a-Box® 2017 Users - a free patch update is available! (Build 458)
You can download this patch here.

(This is considered a beta patch because it is new; this is a cumulative update patch, which works from any 2017 build.)

Summary:
Changed: The new hot key for opening the Record MIDI dialog has been changed to CTRL+R.
Updated: Band-in-a-Box help file.
Fixed: 'Allow Repeats and Endings for Any Song' menu item was not showing check mark.
Fixed: Band-in-a-Box might crash if opening or importing an audio file that is open by another application.
Fixed: Band-in-a-Box might crash if using the "Silence" RealTracks.
Fixed: Copy or Cut in the Audio Edit window would cause Band-in-a-Box to crash.
Fixed: 'Display Chordsheet in Fakesheet Mode' menu item was not showing check mark.
Fixed: In the Vocal Synth dialog, choosing the first English vocalist would not work (the resulting audio file would just say "shhh" for every lyric).
Fixed: In the Vocal Synth dialog, the vocalist selection was not sent correctly to the www.sinsy.jp server (eg. choosing Matsuo-P would use Xiang-Lang).
Fixed: Multiple monitor support: floating windows would always open on the primary monitor. This applies to the Big Piano, Guitar, Mixer, Plugins, and Video window.
Fixed: Rendering to MP3 might fail with error "cannot get stream size".
Fixed: Rendering to MP3 will cause Band-in-a-Box to crash if choosing "MPEG Layer-3" as the codec.
Fixed: The "ASIO Always On" setting for ASIO audio drivers was not working (ie MIDI output was silent if song not playing).
Fixed: The "Output always on" setting for MME audio drivers did not work for MIDI playback (eg. clicking on the pianos, chord previewing, notation editing, etc.). It only worked for triggering MIDI directly through plugin GUIs.
Fixed: The activation window might get stuck behind the splash screen.
Fixed: The mixer might open off screen, and not be accessible.
Fixed: The splash screen was not showing.
Fixed: Tracks using the "Silence" RealTracks would display a blank label.
Fixed: Tracks with slurs might cause the Notation Window to freeze.
Fixed: Various situations will cause the Audio Edit window to crash. Eg. using the Vocal Synth dialog to import audio, opening the Audio Window, and pressing play would cause a crash.
Fixed: When disabling repeats, a spurious message would appear: "Repeats are now DISABLED. This will take effect when the NEXT song is loaded.".
Fixed: When disabling repeats, and answering "Yes" to delete all repeats, this was not undo-able.

Posted at 11:32 AM

February 01, 2017 User Showcase Song - The Gamer's Dance

Here's my first song. Period. Well, I'm not a songwriter or performer. I just finished my novel Window On Pike Place, print and audio, and the audio experience emboldened me. Anyway, we were at a nephew's wedding last year and at one time we were alone with the bride and groom (she's MT in the song), and they are avid gamers, comicon etc., and I asked if there were a gamer's dance, and they had no idea, but I looked it up in Google and couldn't find one, so I wrote this for them.

I did minimal processing, saving it as a wav file and bringing it into Audacity and then adding the vocal. I paid attention to panning, but with 2017 it came that way. I did compression once, but I didn't know (and still don't) know what I was doing, except it made it sound better. I am just starting on this journey. I would certainly appreciate any comments or help.

File:Gamer7.SGU
Key=G , Tempo 130, Length (m:s)=3:26
No intro. 110 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 110. Repeat x1 chorus
Fadeout ending bars =4.
No Melody
No Soloist track.
Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0,
Song is saved with bar changes for Patches, Styles,Volume Changes,RealDrums Changes,
Style is -BOSRK^7.STY (BossaRock-7-HiHat Loud, Ride Sty)
RealTracks in song: ~470:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm Bossa Ev 140
RealTracks in song: ~1104:Guitar, Nylon, Rhythm BossaGrooveComp Ev 140
RealDrums in Song: BossaBrushes#1: a: Brushes b: BusyBrushes
Second instrumental section style changed to BRASLIA, drums to BossaLewis
Second verse drums changed to BossaBrushesSwingPerc with congas
Third instrumental section style change back to BRASLIA, guitar changed to 362, acoustic strumming, and strings added 1943 synth rhythm Eurodance
Third verse style changed to _RIOMOON, drums changed to SambaFull^1-Sticks,RideContemp
Exit instrumental style changed to Cha Cha Salsa w/trumpet but it's muted, and drums changed to BossaRockFull^1-HiHat,Ride

Posted at 10:44 AM

February 01, 2017 Video: Getting Started with Band-in-a-Box® (Recorded at The NAMM Show)

We recently attended The NAMM Show where we demonstrated Band-in-a-Box® to anyone who wanted to learn more about the program.

This video, recorded by STUDIO.SE, stars Band-in-a-Box®, Charlie, and Gaelan - watch it for a quick demonstration on starting a song by simply picking a style and typing in chords: www.pgmusic.com/?vid=hYf3-nwKtwU

It really is as easy as we say it is!

Band-in-a-Box® is so easy to use! Just type in the chords for any song using standard chord symbols (like C, Fm7, or C13b9), choose the style you'd like, and Band-in-a-Box® does the rest... Band-in-a-Box® automatically generates a complete professional-quality arrangement of piano, bass, drums, guitar, and strings or horns.

Posted at 10:17 AM