January 31, 2020 Band-in-a-Box® 2020 for Windows - New Add-ons Summary

With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2020 for Windows, we also released some powerful new Band-in-a-Box® Add-ons!

202 RealTracks
15 MIDI SuperTracks
170 Instrumental Studies
40 Unreleased RealTracks
30 All-MIDI Styles
291 RealDrums Transcriptions
Loops-with-style PAK 1 (available for Mac too!)
Xtra Styles PAK 8 (available for Mac too!)

Learn more about each of these new Add-ons with our "New Content" page, here, or click on each of the above titles.

Posted at 08:58 AM

January 31, 2020 User Showcase Song - Mary and Me

Mary And Me a song I was involved with a few moons ago revamped with Band in a Box.
Lead and Rhythm Guitar all the rest RealTracks.
-Brian
https://soundcloud.com/briancadoret/mary-and-me

RealTracks
420:Bass, Electric, Blues Sw 120
1854:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm CountryBoogie Sw 110
2593:Horn Section, Background CroonerBigBand9-Part Sw 110
425:Organ, B3, Background Blues Sw 120
RealDrums NashvilleShuffle^13-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride

Posted at 08:20 AM

January 30, 2020 User Showcase Song - B.I.A.B. Place

This song was created using only LOOPS. The Loops were all created from BIAB RealTracks.

The SGU for this song was only 16 measures long (4 chords, repeated 4 times).
Most of the loops are 4 measures cut from that. That is typically what you get if you buy loops.

I've done a number of productions lately that use loops from other sources/companies. I figured I could just as easily create my own from the 2900 RealTracks in BIAB.

I figured while I was at it, I might as well write about it, too. So...

...this is a "love song to Band-In-A-Box". BEEN IN A BETTER PLACE

Loops created from the following RealTracks:
2524:Bass, Electric, FunkHalfNotePulseSync Ev16 100
2617:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Funk16thsWahWah Ev16 100
1932:Synth, Rhythm, EuroDance SubduedHits Ev16 120
2407:Synth, Rhythm, JazzFunkPlucky Ev 110
1748:Synth, Rhythm ModernDancePopRaveMajestic Ev 120
2933:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking SongwriterFolkSlapQuinn Ev 120
RealDrums: UrbanPopEv16CitySlick^1-a:Clap, b:Kck

Lyrics & Studio One process explained here.

Posted at 08:29 AM

January 29, 2020 User Showcase Song - Ballin' The Jack

Another song written by one of our favorite artists: Trad. Arr.
So nice of him to fill in when we have writer’s block.

https://soundcloud.com/mootsman/ballin-the-jack

First appearing in the late 1890’s the term “Jack” refers to a steam locomotive and “Balling” meant going full throttle. Later it was referenced in this traditional 1913 song to introduce a new dance. It’s been done by hundreds of artists from early jazz and blues to Judy Garland to Brenda Lee.

We made up an acoustic mashup genre band with 40’s boogie woogie piano, jazz rhythm guitar, rockabilly bass, western swing solo fiddle, fiddle background chops and N’ville drums. smile We also used an early jazzy chord progression and tweaked the lyric a bit and the melody a lot.

Comments are always welcome. Thanks for your time to listen!

Note: As this song is in the public domain (world wide) we own all rights to this arrangement and thus it conforms to PG Music’s ownership protocols.

Tech stuff:
Janice: Vocal > Rodes NT1 mic > Scarlett 212 USB interface > Logic Pro DAW > Logic Pro Channel EQ > Waves CLA Vocals
Bass: RT 2351 Acoustic Rockabilly / Waves Bass Rider > Neutron
Drums: N’ville Hillbilly Swing / Waves CLA Drums
Piano: MIDI SuperTrack 2067 Rhythm 40s Boogie > Logic Pro Grand Steinway > Waves CLA Unplugged > Waves Imager /
Guitar Rhythm: RT 558 Acoustic Jazz > Waves CLA Unplugged
Fiddle Solo: RT 1872 Western Swing (Bluesy) > Waves CLA Unplugged
The last note in solo to vocal segue was changed via Logic Pro’s pitch editor. Thanks to PeterF for the suggestion.
Fiddle Rhythm: RT 1115 Fiddle Country Swing Chops > Waves CLA Unplugged
Mastering: Logic Pro EQ > Waves LinMB > Waves Imager > Waves UltraMaximizer > Ozone Tonal Balance > YouLean Loudness Meter

Posted at 08:45 AM

January 29, 2020 Announcing The 2019 User Showcase Winners!

In 2019 there were 1,089 new & original compositions shared by 157 different artists to our User Showcase Forum!

There were song compositions posted from at least 23 countries, including: USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, France, Japan, Denmark, Finland, South Africa, Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jersey Channel Is, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, and Sweden. In 2019 alone there were over 26,000 posts in the User Showcase forum, with 1.1 million views!

Many thanks to all who have contributed!

We've announced the "Top 40" User Showcase Awards to the top 43 contributors of 2019 – each of them will receive a free Band-in-a-Box 2020 UltraPAK (including the 49 PAK bonus)!

We've reviewed the contributions from Jan 1 to Dec 31, 2019, and have based the results on a combination of the following criteria:

- great compositions/arrangements/productions
- use lots of Band-in-a-Box or RealBand (RealTracks or MIDI)
- most contributions
- other contribution to the forum (songwriting tips etc.)
- haven't won before (not an absolute requirement)
- haven't already got a free version from beta testing etc.

Visit this announcement post to see if you're a winner!

Posted at 08:35 AM

January 28, 2020 The Band-in-a-Box® 2020 49-PAK with 40 Unreleased RealTracks!

Our Band-in-a-Box® 2020 49-PAK is still available, and it's loaded with Add-ons you'll want in your Band-in-a-Box® library!

Our 2020 49-PAK includes 40 Unreleased RealTracks, Instrumental Studies 9: Western Swing Country Guitar Licks, Instrumental Studies 10: Train-Beat Country Guitar Licks, Instrumental Studies 11: Workin' Country Guitar Licks, Instrumental Studies 12: Rhythm Changes Jazz Guitar Soloing, Instrumental Studies 13: Jazz Blues Guitar Soloing, MIDI SuperTracks Set 30: Jazz, Funk, and Gospel Keyboards, MIDI SuperTracks Set 31: All Bass with 6 new bass MIDI SuperTracks, "Look Ma! More MIDI 3" with 15 styles, "Look Ma! More MIDI 4" with 15 styles, and over 280 RealCharts for RealDrums (transcriptions) with Drum Notation!

Purchasing an UltraPAK, UltraPAK+ or Audiophile Edition? As of January 16th, the 2020 49-PAK is included in your purchase (uncompressed RealTracks files for the Audiophile too)! Band-in-a-Box® Pro, MegaPAK, or PlusPAK customers can add this to their purchase for just $49, and will be prompted during the online checkout process.

Learn more about the Band-in-a-Box® 2020 49-PAK and listen to demos at www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.49pak.htm

Posted at 08:05 AM

January 28, 2020 User Showcase Song - A Day In The Light

https://soundcloud.com/torrey-bliss/a-day-here-in-the-light

A couple years ago I put up a song with a dream sequence that contained an uptempo part that was very short in duration. The song was called "A Day In The Light" which was a co-write with David Snyder (I sure do miss seeing you around here David-The place lost a step when you went quiet) I credit David for the title of this one. This is a re-write of the uptempo part. It's about escaping the pressures and realities of life through dreaming! I wrote the lyrics on the fly today and will certainly want to improve some of them! It's going to take some tweaking but I kind of like it and hope any who listen does also! Thanks for checking it out!

BIAB
Drums-Rock Hard Shuffle
Bass-2749 Rock Hard Shuffle Doug
Guitar-2753 Rock Heavy Shuffle Murray
Guitar-2750 Rock Heavy Shuffle Craig

Me
Vocals
Guitars Lead and Rhythm Played through a Roland GR55
Organ
Synths

Posted at 08:02 AM

January 23, 2020 User Tip - Create harmony Using the TC Helicon in RealBand 2020

Interested in creating harmonies using RealBand and the TC Helicon? Check out this forum post, where program user Noel96 shares information on his technique!

Have a tip of your own to share? Feel free to post it to our Tips & Tricks forum!

Thanks for sharing, Noel96!

Posted at 01:51 PM

January 23, 2020 User Showcase Song - 田園協奏曲 (Translation: Pastorale Concerto)

Hello, forum friends! After a little blank, this is my first post of this year. This song is written for the latest recording session of our music circle in this winter. I wrote this song based on the melody at the beginning of Beethoven's symphony "Pastorale".

I would like to introduce you two versions with the same score, which are the live band version and the RealTrack version. Any comments encouraged. Always welcome.

Title: 田園協奏曲 (Translation: Pastorale Concerto)
Vocal: Natsuki Yoshikawa, our local female jazz vocalist

Link of Live Band Version by Yamaha Teachers: https://soundcloud.com/animarorecords/pastorale-concerto-live-band-version
Link of RealTracks Version: https://soundcloud.com/animarorecords/pastorale-concerto

Style is _HEART.STY Heartfelt Gospel Ballad
RealTracks in style: ~700:Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotesPush Ev 085
RealDrums in Style: PopRock8ths^04-a:Closed Hat, Sidestick, b:Closed Hat, Snare
Style is ST_ELMO.STY(MIDI)
Style MIDI Instrument is : Acoustic Piano (1) played with Steinberg The Grand 3

Following additional VST instruments played with EastWest Symphonic Orchestra used
Solo Violin
Ist Violins
2nd Violins
Violas
Cellos
Bassoon

Posted at 01:47 PM

January 22, 2020 User Showcase Song - I'm Not Ready

Murky Americana Baritone Ballad is anew style for 2020.
This is alittle longer than I normaly write.
Greetings to all. As always all comments welcome.

https://soundcloud.com/ironbarkbob/im-not-ready

****** Song Summary *************
File:Im not ready.MGU
Key=C#m, Tempo 60, Length (m:s)=4:00
4 bar intro, 52 bar chorus, from bar 5 to bar 56. Repeat x1 chorus
Melody has 99 notes, Melody harmony is < no harmony >(0)
No Soloist track.
Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0,
Song is saved with bar changes for Volume Changes,
Style is _MURKY.STY (Murky Americana Baritone Ballad)

RealTracks in style: 2877:Bass, Acoustic, AmericanaSlow16thsByron Ev16 060
RealTracks in style: 3160:Guitar, Baritone Electric, Rhythm AmericanaSlow16thsBrent Ev16 060
RealTracks in style: 841:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopBalladSlowGritty Ev 065
RealDrums [in style:AmericanaRoots16th^02-a:Sidestick, b:Snare

Posted at 11:48 AM

January 22, 2020 Band-in-a-Box® 2020 for Windows & VST DAW Plugin Update Available!

Band-in-a-Box® 2020 for Windows users!!! The latest FREE patch (build 713) and DAW Plugin Update 2.4.5 is available - learn more and download here.

Summary of changes for build 713:
Fixed: Rendered audio files might be silent if mono and 24 bit are selected.
Fixed: Possible crash when rendering to audio at 48.0kHz or 96.0kHz sample rate.
Improved: Better support for localized versions.
Fixed: Importing audio files that were 96 kHz sampling rate would fail.
Fixed: The [More Info...] button in the Artist Browser dialog would launch the wrong web page.
Fixed: Importing an ABCNotation file would not include the key signature.
Fixed: ABC files only opening some chords.
Fixed: Problem storing minor keys.(ampersand).
Fixed: A few artists not displaying properly in Artist Browsers.
Improved: RealDrums Picker information for the 2020 RealDrums has been updated/improved.
Fixed: Some of the RealDrums from the 2020 release did not have drum groove names.
Improved: All of the 2020 MIDI SuperTracks now have memos.
Fixed: Some RealTracks were listed under the incorrect Set# in the RealTracks Picker.
Fixed: _Gentle style from Xtra PAK 4 had an acoustic guitar set to Held mode.
Fixed: Some ska style demos had drum drop outs.
Fixed: Rendered files were not being normalized.
Fixed: Pressing spacebar in the Notation window might launch a web browser instead of starting playback.
Fixed: Practice window | Master Solos | Blues Piano, displays N/A.
Fixed: MusicXML files created by Band-in-a-Box cannot be loaded by Band-in-a-Box if song title contains & (ampersand).
Fixed: Japanese lyrics are garbage text when saving to MusicXML.
Fixed: Various animations (eg. Guitar window notes) would freeze during playback if using MME drivers.
Fixed: With some computers, distorted audio when soloing a track.
Fixed: Changing a custom track label had no option to Undo, and did not prompt user to save song.
Updated: Manual/Help [routine updates]
Fixed: When re-saving a song that has an audio track, the audio track was not copied.
Fixed: Dropping a song file onto Band-in-a-Box did not set the current directory.
Fixed: The RealTracks picker window should remember its location when reopening.
Fixed: The Piano Roll window was opening at the wrong bar location.
Improved: Better quality audio resampling when rendering audio to higher sample rates.
Fixed: Resampler quality setting in ASIO drivers dialog was ignored.
Fixed: Using WAS audio drivers with 24 bit & 48kHz output rate might result in noise.

Summary of Changes for DAW Plugin Update 2.4.5 (Jan 21 2020)
Fixed: Opening Band-in-a-Box song files (.sgu) would fail if the file names and/or paths contained any European language characters (eg. à,è).
Fixed: Message if bbw4 has no valid handle
Fixed: Mute and sync buttons not working properly
Fixed: Clicking cancel would lag before cancelling
Fixed: Right-click anywhere on track for context menu
Fixed: Increase maximum chord sheet font size
Added: Double click track name to launch picker of currently selected track
Added: Flashing GENERATE button to notify if song needs to be regenerated
Added: Mute and sync buttons to track context menu
Added: Right-click chord opens bar settings menu at that bar
Added: Error code for bbw4 related error messages
Fixed: Plugin asking to save when booting the plugin and selecting File/Open
Fixed: Crash when running vst3 plugin in reaper
Fixed: Scroll bar margins when resizing plugin
Fixed: Bar settings not saving
Fixed: Time Base, and Natural Arrangement not saving settings
Fixed: Calling bbw4 when already open will bring windows to front
Fixed: Tool tips in Preferences Dialog
Fixed: Time signature should be set from DAW when first opened
Fixed: Set "..." colours for truncated chords to black
Fixed: Selected track in table should be more obvious
Fixed: Click YES to Save dialog and then cancel will reset save state to true
Added: Right click for track table context menu
Added: Medley/Multi (thickening) feature

Posted at 07:58 AM

January 21, 2020 User Showcase Song - Saved By Stories

Many of my early songs were folk style tales inspired by a lifelong reading habit (I'm thankful now we had no tv 'til I was hooked on books). Slowly sorting and rerecording/remixing those songs for a playlist, I felt the need for a title song; here it is.

https://soundcloud.com/user-564042721/saved-by-stories

...and before you ask; I announced a displeasure with our location and desire to leave home to my mother at age 6.
Didn't get much beyond the garden gate 'til later.
The first verse is based on a news report of a gutsier young boy in Eastern Europe somewhere who did get a few miles "round the world" before being apprehended.
--
Style is _FLKSWAG.STY (Folk Swing Acoustic Guitar w/ Ba)

RealTracks in style: ~1136:Bass, Acoustic-Guitar, FolkSwing Sw 110
RealTracks in style: ~1679:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking CountryBrent Sw 120
RealTracks in style: ~1142:Ukulele, Strumming FolkSwing Sw 110
RealTracks in style: 2440:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking FolkySwing Sw 110
RealTracks in song: 2855:Harmonica, Background CountrySwingJellyRoll Sw 120
RealDrums [in style:JazzBrushes#1: a: JazzBrushes#1b: JazzBrushes#1

Posted at 01:43 PM

January 20, 2020 Band-in-a-Box® 2020 for Windows on a USB 3.0 Hard Drive - Speed Thrills!

Did you know... all Band-in-a-Box® 2020 for Windows UltraPAK and UltraPAK+ orders ship preinstalled on a USB 3.0 hard drive!

What does this mean? Faster hard drive transfer rates will enhance the program operations (faster time to generate tracks, reduced audio artifacts) and offer faster transfer speeds (typically up to 3x faster)!

Band-in-a-Box^® UltraPAK $469
Upgrade from Version 2019: $279
Upgrade from Version 2018 or earlier or crossgrade: $299

Band-in-a-Box^® UltraPAK+ $569
Upgrade from Version 2019: $379
Upgrade from Version 2018 or earlier or crossgrade: $399

Note: The difference between the UltraPAK and the UltraPAK+ is that the Songs & Lessons PAK is included in the UltraPAK+ package.

Our Band-in-a-Box® Audiophile Edition ships preinstalled on a USB 3.0 hard drive too!
Band-in-a-Box^® Audiophile Edition $669
Upgrade from Version 2019: $479
Upgrade from Version 2018 or earlier or crossgrade: $499
Upgrade from ANY previous Audiophile Edition: $299

Posted at 12:45 PM

January 20, 2020 User Showcase Song - January - Instrumental

https://soundcloud.com/dcuny/january

The guitars are Native Instruments; the remainder of the instruments are BiaB.

A lot of the flavor comes from the "Raum" reverb, which was a freebie from Native Instruments. I probably went overboard on the effects, but I thought it fit the feel of the song.

Edited in Reaper, with a bit of cut and paste on the cello part. Final processing through the Lurrsen Mastering Console and Ozone Imager 2 to widen the stereo spread.

Instruments:
NI Picked Acoustic - "Uphill" pattern
NI Session Electric - "Wanderlust" pattern
Synth Pad, PopBelieve Ev16 065 - 1543
Piano, Acoustic, Solo-Accompaniment PopLiverpool Ev 065 - 891
Cello, Background Slow Swing - 2558
Pedal Steel, Background DreamySingleNote Ev 075 - 2666
Vocal Mmms, Rhythm RockNRollGospel12-8 4-part Sw 065 - 3278
Vocal Oohs, Background Pop3-part Ev - 3027

Posted at 11:23 AM

January 17, 2020 We're at The NAMM Show!

Heading to The NAMM Show? Make sure you stop by Booth 1015 (Hall E) - we'll be doing product demonstrations every hour, with some RealTracks Artists popping in for performances with Band-in-a-Box too!

Click here for more information about The NAMM Show, held in Anaheim California at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Posted at 11:42 AM

January 17, 2020 User Showcase Song - I'll Never Fall

In composing and producing this song, I was influenced by watching Echo in the Canyon last month. The lake in the song is Lake Michigan being observed from the Michigan coast.
https://soundcloud.com/scott-schwarz-740132899/ill-never-fall

Note on the mix: Recent illness caused a profound hearing loss in my left ear for a few weeks, but now I am recovering most of my hearing; consequently, the mix might be a bit unbalanced. I'm not happy with the way the vocal sits, but I will work on that when I have more time. I should have waited to record this, but I had an itch to scratch.

I used the PAIRDUP style on this, sans the mandolin. I added a strumming acoustic, organ, and the new Brit Psych soloist.

RTs:
RealBass 3120 Bass, Acoustic
RealDrums-DrivingPop8ths
RealGuitar 1681 Guitar, 12-String Acoustic, Fingerpickin
RealStrings 1030 Guitar, 12-String Electric, Fingerpick
RT691 Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming AcRockBright
RT3438 Guitar, Electric, Soloist BritPsycPopBallad
RT2692 Organ, Rhythm ModernPopSlowMike

Posted at 10:42 AM

January 16, 2020 User Showcase Song - A Waltz: That Beautiful Night

First of all I want to wish you a very good 2020. With lots of songs to be made and all that in good health!

This song originally was made by me in 2017, but I wasn't really happy with it. So it took me some time between other things to refresh that song. At first the lyrics now rhyme. But only with the great help from Stefan Nachtsheim who helped me with the proper grammar. He is really strict, although he lookes so friendly. But I have dedicated this song to him.
And I changed a lot in the melody, so it sounds more like a waltz than the original song: Click here to listen...

The song is a bit melancholic, but waltzes mostly are. It's about an old man in a care home thinking of the good old time; the beautiful night. So, no politics, no hidden messages. Only a sensitive song that was nice to sing.

The song has tempochanges: from 105 for the verses to 145 for the chorusses. The style is Rundown. The key is G. I used a piano, two cello's, a fiddle and a nylon sologuitar and drums. In the chorusses I had to use some other instruments (two rhythm guitars, different drum) because the first ones couldn't handle the tempochange.
I faced a problem. With every tempochage I heard a click and a thick white bar appeared in the audio track. Had to remove them manually.

Posted at 01:11 PM

January 15, 2020 User Showcase Song - Lost Soul

A lost soul just wandering around, wasting his life. Sometimes he will hit a high but immediately falls back to wandering and wishing his life away. He never does reach happiness.

https://soundcloud.com/mario_guitar/lost-soul-1

BiaB styles:
Main style = Oreg Slow - Slow New Age World-B - deleted the strings and drums
Drum style - -NSE16^2.styl - Nashville Even 16
String Style - Question.styl - Smooth Jazz

Instrumentation
Bass = AmpleBass Upright - effect = compression
Piano - EZKeys - Dream Machine
Strings - Kurt Hunters Diamond Orchestra - Pizzicato
Drums - Presonus GM kit
I played my wind controller using Screaming Trumpet sound source

I used reverb on all but the upright bass and kick drum.

Posted at 10:02 AM

January 15, 2020 IT'S THE LAST DAY OF OUR BAND-IN-A-BOX® 2020 FOR WINDOWS SPECIAL!

IT'S THE LAST DAY OF OUR SPECIAL! ORDER TODAY TO SAVE UP TO 50% ON YOUR BAND-IN-A-BOX® UPGRADE!!!!

That's right - there's still a little time to save up to 50% when you purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2020 for Windows Upgrade!

Customers LOVE Band-in-a-Box® 2020 for Windows with over 50 new features, plus the 202 New RealTracks, new RealStyles, 15 new MIDI SuperTracks, 170 new Instrumental Studies, 30 new MIDI Styles, 280 RealDrums Transcriptions, the 2020 Free Bonus PAK, 2020 49-PAK, and new Xtra Styles PAK 8!

We've packed our Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK with some amazing Add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is automatically included with most Band-in-a-Box^® for Windows 2020 packages, but for more even more Add-ons (including 40 Unreleased RealTracks) upgrade it to the 2020 49-PAK for only $49. You can see the full lists of items in each package, and listen to demos here.

Check out our Band-in-a-Box^® packages page for all the purchase options available.

Posted at 09:58 AM

January 14, 2020 User Showcase Song - Busy, Crazy World

I promise I have no intention whatsoever to flood the board with my "songs" ... it's just that today happened to be Sunday, my day off, so ... hope you enjoy and I will try to do something else other than writing songs this coming week :-)

Busy,Crazy World - listen

The band is below, mixed in Audacity with my voice. Thanks for listening and for any feedback!!!

****** Song Summary *************
Title: Busy, Crazy World
File:Busy, Crazy World - 12 January 2020.SGU
Key=C , Tempo 65, Length (m:s)=3:55
No intro. 60 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 60. Repeat x1 chorus
No Melody
Soloist track has 102 notes, Soloist harmony is < no harmony >(0)
Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0,
Soloist is saved with the song : Mandola BG AmericanaFolk16th (3150)
Style is _SVELTE.STY (Svelte Gospel Americana)

RealTracks in style: 2877:Bass, Acoustic, AmericanaSlow16thsByron Ev16 060
RealTracks in style: 2808:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm SoulfulPop16thsMike Ev16 065
RealTracks in style: 2879:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm AmericanaSparseSlow16thsColin Ev16 060
RealTracks in style: 1596:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Pop16ths Ev16 065
RealDrums [in style:PraiseWorshipSlow16ths^3-a:Hat, b:H24

*******************

Posted at 10:52 AM

January 14, 2020 It's Almost Over - Order by January 15th to SAVE on Xtra Styles PAKs & Loops-with-Style PAK 1!

NEW products for Band-in-a-Box® 2019 for Mac: Xtra Styles PAK 8 and Loops-with-Style PAK 1!

--SPECIAL PRICING ONLY AVAILABLE UNTIL JANUARY 15TH!--

We've added 164 fantastic new RealStyles in Xtra Styles PAK 8! These are imaginative new combinations of our existing RealTracks library that fall into four categories: Rock/Pop 8, Jazz 8, Country 8, and Celtic 1. To celebrate the release of Xtra Styles PAK 8, ALL of our Xtra Styles PAKs 1-8 are on sale for just $29 each! Learn more & listen to demos here.

Also brand-new is our Loops-with-Style PAK 1 for Band-in-a-Box^®, which gives you the chance to expand your loops collection with 100 new loops! We've taken the RealDrums and RealTracks source audio and remixed, remastered, and combined it to create these original loops. All of your favorite genres are covered like jazz, funk, rock, pop, electronic, hip-hop, and more! To show them in action, we've created 50 new RealStyles that each include two of the loops. Plus, if you use the loops in Band-in-a-Box, we've included intelligent versions of the loops that automatically switch at A and B part markers. Each loop has a matching sister loop that works perfectly for another substyle! Get started with Loops-with-Style PAK 1 for the introductory price of just $19 until January 15th (reg: $29). Learn more & watch a great video demonstration here.

Note: Xtra Styles PAK 8 and Loops-with-Style PAK 1 require the Band-in-a-Box® 2019 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Windows User? Choose from these links: Xtra Styles PAKs | Loops-with-Style PAK 1

Posted at 10:22 AM

January 13, 2020 Built-in Audio Chord Wizard Enhancements in Band-in-a-Box® 2020!

Our Band-in-a-Box® 2020 for Windows version includes some great enhancements to the Built-in Audio Chord Wizard!

-The built-in Audio Chord Wizard is now accessible from the [Audio Chord Wizard] button.
-The Audio Edit window now displays chords and tempos for each bar. They are shown when the Audio Chord Wizard mode is active so that you can see the tempo for each bar as you set the bar lines.
-When you start entering bar lines, the program automatically sets the tempo to the tempo of the first bar.
-Once the tempo of the first bar is set, the program automatically moves the location of the first bar of audio over so that the visual space of the count-in bars is visible.
-After you’ve added the bar lines, IF you adjust the first or second bar and the tempo of the first bar changes accordingly, the program automatically changes the tempo of the song to match.
-Multi-window display. This gives the Audio Chord Wizard a multi-window view so that you can see and edit both the Audio Edit window and the Chords Sheet at the same time. This display is best viewed with a small toolbar mode. This allows you to see the chords as they are being interpreted by the wizard.
-The Audio Chord Wizard can send the transcribed MIDI notes to the Soloist track for further analysis by the user (via Piano Roll or Notation window). Note that this is a "snapshot" view every 8th note of the pitches present, not an attempt at polyphonic transcription. To use this feature, enable the "MIDI to Soloist" check box.

Read more about these enhancements here, or jump to the New Feature - Audio Chord Wizard (ACW) Enhancements section of our New Features video here.

Posted at 12:53 PM

January 13, 2020 User Showcase Song - See See Rider

The US has the strictest copyright laws in the known universe but the law was changed two years ago. Now every January 1 (Public Domain Day!) works that are 75 years old become PD. So, for 2020, songs published in 1924 are no longer copyrighted, are in the PD and artists own 100% of the rights to their arrangement.

BTW, if you are interested in this year's PD entries this article lists them along with other info: 2020 PD Info

To celebrate PD Day and the New Year we chose one of the new PD songs, Ma Rainey’s “See See Rider,” for an early 60’s rock arrangement. It’s been done in many styles…big band, blues, rock, R&B and more. Laverne Baker, The Animals and Mitch Ryder had hits with it.

https://soundcloud.com/mootsman/see-see-rider

We asked Peter if he’d like to join in on guitar and, catching us completely by pleasant surprise, he sent three styles including this Chuck Berry like version. The other two were great but the Chuck track seemed to nail that early 60’s garage band feel we were aiming for (and we are big CB fans).

So here’s something a bit different from our bluesy based stuff and we hope you like it. Thanks to BiaB for making this bit of fun possible!

Janice: Lead vocals and background vocals > Rodes NT1 > Scarlett 212 > Logic Pro X EQ > Waves CLA Vocals

Peter: Guitar solos and fills > whatever the man does smile

Drums: RockClassicBrit > Waves CLA Drums
Doubled snare: From the RockClassicBrit kit > Waves CLA Drums
Handclaps: Four tracks > Logic Pro X Chromaverb
Thanks to floyd for the loops.

Bass: RT 1010 BritInvasion > rendered DI > Logic Pro Bass Amp Sim > Waves CLA Bass

Guitar Rhythm: RT499 StoneZ Flash 1
Guitar Rhythm: RT505 StoneZ Flash 2

Piano Rhythm: Midi SuperTrack 1796 BritBluesInvasionJohn > Logic Pro X Grand Steinway sound > Logic Pro X Direction Mixer > CLA Unplugged > Waves Imager

Mastering: Logic Pro X > Logic Pro X EQ > Waves LinMB > Waves L2 Maximizer > YouLean Loudness Meter

Posted at 10:09 AM

January 10, 2020 The Band-in-a-Box® 2020 for Windows® Special ENDS January 15th!!!

IT'S YOUR LAST WEEKEND TO SAVE UP TO 50% ON YOUR BAND-IN-A-BOX® UPGRADE!

Our SALE on Band-in-a-Box® 2020 Upgrade purchases ends January 15, 2020, so there is still some time to save up to 50% when you purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2020 for Windows Upgrade!

Customers LOVE Band-in-a-Box® 2020 for Windows with over 50 new features, plus the 202 New RealTracks, new RealStyles, 15 new MIDI SuperTracks, 170 new Instrumental Studies, 30 new MIDI Styles, 280 RealDrums Transcriptions, the 2020 Free Bonus PAK, 2020 49-PAK, and new Xtra Styles PAK 8!

We've packed our Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK with some amazing Add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is automatically included with most Band-in-a-Box^® for Windows 2020 packages, but for more even more Add-ons (including 40 Unreleased RealTracks) upgrade it to the 2020 49-PAK for only $49. You can see the full lists of items in each package, and listen to demos here.

Check out our Band-in-a-Box^® packages page for all the purchase options available.

Learn more about all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2020 for Windows at: www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.new.htm

If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!

Posted at 12:41 PM

January 10, 2020 User Showcase Song - Bad Men

Here's a new one to start the year: Bad Men

Leon – Lyric & Vocals
Me – Guitar & vocals

The Band:
RealTracks in style: 1417:Bass, Electric, RootsRock Ev 100
RealTracks in style: 635:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm RootsRockDirty Ev 100
RealTracks in style: 638:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm RootsRockTremolo Ev 100
RealTracks in song: 1752:Accordion, Rhythm Pop8ths Ev 110
RealTracks in song: 2764:Organ, Rhythm CountryBluesRockMike Ev 110
RealTracks in song: 2035:Mandolin, Soloist CountryAndy Ev 120
RealDrums [in style:RockRootsEv8^1-a:Snare, Open HiHat , b:Snare, Ride

Lyrics

Posted at 08:47 AM

January 09, 2020 User Showcase Song - Star Of the Bollywood Screen

https://soundcloud.com/user-427542889/star-of-the-bollywood-screen/s-gNy2X

Song details:
BOLLYWD.STY
Loop:World\Bollywood party_80_basses
Loop:World\Bollywood - taal_93 percussion
Loop:World\Bollywood - party_80_percussion
408:Guitar, Resonator, Background, Allis Ev 120
User tracks: Sitar, Loop Bollywood Party Sw 16 080
1304:guitar, Acoustic Rhythm CelticReel Ev 16 110
3263:Cello, Rhythm CelticReelChoppingSyncNatalie Ev16 110

Additional Instruments:
Reason 11: Sounds - Congas, Tambourine
Korg M1 LE Legacy: Kalimba

Lyrics

Posted at 07:57 AM

January 09, 2020 Band-in-a-Box® 2019 for Windows Patch Update Available! (Build 643)

Still using Band-in-a-Box® 2019 for Windows? Build 643 is a free update full of updates for version 2019, and includes a VST DAW Plugin update to 1.16.29.

Learn more and download here. | Direct download

Note: this patch is not intended to update your version to the recently released Band-in-a-Box® 2020, which is available for purchase here.

Summary of Changes for Version 2019 Build 643 (Jan 14 2020):
Fixed: Practice window | Master Solos | Blues Piano, displays N/A.
Fixed: The Drop Station would not update if dropping a file onto Presonus Studio One.
Fixed: Possible freeze when importing compressed audio files.
Fixed: Crash with error "external exception C06D007F" while launching if using Windows XP.
Fixed: Access violation in Song Titles browser if no song is selected when clicking [Close].
Fixed: Band-in-a-Box might crash during bootup if there is a problem with font installation (usually after upgrading Windows 7 to Windows 10).
Fixed: Band-in-a-Box might crash during bootup if an ASIO driver was previously selected, and the device is no longer connected to the computer.
Fixed: If an ASIO driver cannot connect during bootup, the default WAS driver should be used instead.
Improved: BootupLog.txt will include more elaborate information when troubleshooting bootup problems. This only applies if WriteBootUpLog.txt is present in the Data folder.
Fixed: RealTracks #2975 (Vocal Oohs-Aahs) sometimes played incorrect chords for m7b5 and C7.
Fixed: Some bars for the B section of RT 2529 were dropping out.
Fixed: Some Bass and Nylon Guitar RealTracks (including 2718, 2724, 2722, 2725, 2719) have RealCharts added.
Fixed: Several Piano and Organ MIDI SuperTracks have been edited to remove spurious MIDI events (e.g. mod wheel sometimes caused 'warbling' effect).
Updated: PDF and help (routine cleanup/updaes).
Fixed: Band-in-a-Box might crash when opening a song that contains note-based lyrics.
Fixed: Lyrics would not display in the Big Lyrics if "Show chord symbols above the lyrics" was enabled.
Fixed: Bar Lyrics and Section Text layers do not line up with bars in Notation window if there are repeats in song, and fake sheet mode is enabled.
Fixed: Possible crash if editing a text layer while using the floating Notation Window.
Fixed: "There is no audio file currently recorded" error message when using Audio > Plugin.
Fixed: If using the 64 bit version of Band-in-a-Box, the BB2Go window would display an erroneous QuickTime version, and converting files to .m4a would fail. QuickTime is only available for the 32 bit version, but is only required if using Windows Vista or earlier.
Fixed: Sforzando might not automatically be added to the VST list, causing Hi-Q patch selection to fail.
Fixed: [Video] > Render Video(s)... menu item should launch the Make Chordsheet Video dialog if Video RealTracks export is not available.
Fixed: When choosing a compressed format for rendering files, and "One file per track" is enabled, the resulting files are .wav format instead of the compressed format.
Fixed: Dragging a single track to export MIDI causes that track to be permanently soloed.
Fixed: The About dialog said 'for Macintosh' instead of 'for Windows'.
Fixed: StylePicker: User Category list wasn't refreshing after choosing a new user category.
Changed: Default the 'include similar styles in the stylepicker' to false each bootup.
Fixed: melodists were getting quantized incorrectly.
Fixed: Rebuilding styles list was causing errors sometimes.
Fixed: Clicking OK in the MIDI/Audio Driver Setup dialog should not close the floating Mixer window.
Fixed: Applying audio effects using Audio > Plugins would fail with error "Plugin cancelled. Original file is preserved".
Fixed: Audio will not import to a custom position if there is already audio on the Audio track.
Fixed: Audio > Edit Audio > Timeshift Audio would crash the program if the Audio Edit window was not open.
Fixed: Close button in Select chorus start/end dialog should behave like Cancel, ie user clicking on bar afterwards shouldn't do anything.
Fixed: Wrong notes on Oohs and Aahs RealTracks.

Summary of changes for Band-in-a-Box DAW Plugin 1.16.29:
Fixed: bounds when highlighting in chord sheet
Fixed: make selected cell at the end after pasting
Fixed: some styles not dragging all tracks from blue button
Fixed: losing focus in chord sheet
Fixed: plugin stops playing non-synced tracks when closing and then opening plugin
Fixed: track text not resizing correctly
Fixed: C#7b5b9b13 to chord sheet
Fixed: Audio stutters when resizing plugin in some DAWs
Fixed: auto gen after open feature not working in Studio One 4
Fixed: Open dialog in infinite loop
Fixed: Alert window buttons "punch hole" when pressed
Fixed: distortion when stopping playback in pro tools
Fixed: Verify folders before each call to Biab
Fixed: Send space bar keystrokes to DAW
Fixed: Added message if attempting to drag tracks before generating
Fixed: Transpose not working
Added: shift-arrows to select in chord sheet
Added: SHIFT-TAB to go backwards in chord sheet, TAB to go forward
Added: SHIFT-ENTER to go backwards in chord sheet
Added: copy selected cell if nothing highlighted
Added: support for all Biab file types

Posted at 07:43 AM

January 08, 2020 New Left-Handed & Student View Guitar Window in Band-in-a-Box® 2020 for Windows!

With Band-in-a-Box® 2020 for Windows, the Guitar window has been remade and now supports the left-handed (in addition to right-handed) guitar and student view!

The student view is the view a student (or YouTube video watcher) would have of the (right-handed) guitar facing him with the head at the right and low notes at the top. There's also a left-handed student view, so all 4 possible views are supported.

To change the view, press the [Guitar] toolbar button to open the Guitar window and then the [Settings] button.

See this new feature in action when you jump to the "Left-Handed & Student View Guitar Fretboard" topic in our 2020 New Features video: Click here...

Posted at 01:09 PM

January 08, 2020 User Showcase Song - Shuffle It Up

Here's a new song written using BIAB and the BIAB VST plugin.
This one is a contemporary pop jazz track created in Studio One using an assortment of plugins from Waves and others.

https://soundcloud.com/ray_legnini/shuffle-it-up

It features multiple guitars, a baritone guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, and some loops.

The melody guitar is a Gibson archtop; the background guitars are a Strat. Some of the melody guitar part was recorded with a mic on a Fender amp and other parts were recorded direct into Studio One and then send into the new Ampire XT blackface amp plugin.

There are some synth parts that were pulled from the guitar parts by using Melodyne to extract the pitches and assign them as MIDI to a VST synth in Studio One.

Style is _MUMBLIN.STY
RealTracks in style: 2906:Piano, ElectricVintage, Rhythm BluesyPopMike Ev 100
RealTracks in song: 2903:Bass, Acoustic, BluesyPopByron Ev 100
RealDrums in Style: BluesRockFunky16ths^1-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Busy Snare, HiHat

Loop from BIAB -
Funk - Funk16ths Hat and Snare 4-bar ev16

Posted at 12:43 PM

January 07, 2020 Loops with Style PAK 1 - Just $19 Until January 15th!

The recently released Loops-with-Style PAK 1 is your chance to expand your loops collection with 100 new loops!

To show them in action, we've created 50 new RealStyles that each include two of the loops. Plus, if you use the loops in Band-in-a-Box, we've included intelligent versions of the loops that automatically switch at A and B part markers. Each loop has a matching sister loop that works perfectly for another substyle!

We're offering Loops-with-Style PAK 1 at the introductory price of $19, but only until January 15, 2020 (reg. price $29). Purchase here.

Note: Loops-with-Style PAK 1 requires the Band-in-a-Box® 2019 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Watch the demonstration video...

Windows user? Click here for product information, or to to purchase Loops-with-Style PAK 1.

Posted at 10:38 AM

January 07, 2020 User Showcase Song - Wishin' And Whiskey

End of another year.

A time for reflection...

https://soundcloud.com/fjsongs/wishin-and-whiskey

The BAND:
RealTracks in song: 1418:Bass, Electric, SouthernRock Ev16 085
RealTracks in song: 676:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming FolkRockBritEighths Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 836:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm AltCountryRootsy Ev 075 (A:muted)
RealTracks in song: 3059:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm Muted16thsFintan Ev16 080
RealTracks in song: 2854:Harmonica, Background CountryBalladJellyRoll Ev 085
RealDrums in Song:PopModernGrooveSync16^1-a:Snare on 4, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride

Bottoms up!

Wishin' you a very musical 2020!! (...and maybe some Whiskey.)

Click here for lyrics.

Posted at 10:17 AM

January 06, 2020 Video - Band-in-a-Box® 2020 for Windows® DAW Plugin 2.0 New Features

Learn all about the newest features added to our Band-in-a-Box® 2020 for Windows® DAW Plugin 2.0! Watch the video...

There are over 40 enhancements to the Band-in-a-Box® DAW Plugin, including Audio Harmonies (apply to any DAW audio track, 1-4 voices, using intelligent Band-in-a-Box® harmonies with passing tones). New features allow Customizing Tracks, Bar and Song settings. RealTracks, RealDrums sound improvements (gap filling, thickening), enhancements or reading/writing more data types to/from BIAB song files and much more!

Posted at 01:14 PM

January 06, 2020 User Showcase Song - Want to Bring You Flowers

Well, what a way to end the Year! I managed to complete a song I wanted to do a long time ago, dedicated to my late mother who encouraged me to sing with my soul. Here's to you Mom!

This song was done entirely with Band in A Box real instruments from the 2019 edition (BTW just purchased the 2020 update).

I wish all the BIAB users a Happy new year and many happy music production hours

Title: Wanna bring you flowers lyrics
https://soundcloud.com/chris-oosthuizen-1/want-to-bring-you-flowers

RealTracks in style: 366:Bass, Electric, Country Ev 065
RealTracks in style: ~365:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 085
RealTracks in style: ~362:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 085
RealTracks in style: 2444:Guitar, Baritone Electric, Background PopCountryBrent Ev 085
RealDrums [in style:NashvilleEven8^2-a:Sidestick, HiHat , b:Snare, HiHat

PS. A special shout out to Joanne Cooper who's YouTube tips are worth their weight in gold

Posted at 01:05 PM

January 03, 2020 Xtra Styles PAK 8 for Band-in-a-Box® - Special Extended to January 15th!

Xtra Styles PAK 8 is here, with 164 new RealStyles!

Customers LOVE the new volumes for Country, Jazz, Rock-Pop, and Celtic! They include fretless bass indie rock, stormy electric piano blues, an outer-space rock waltz, Hawaiian crooner jazz pop, a rumba flamenca big band, several simplified jazz practice styles, a bowed-bass 12/8 jazz ballad, dreamy fingerstyle guitar country, an atmospheric pedal-steel soundtrack, chicken pickin' western, Irish folk rock, a romantic Celtic air ballad, many new Celtic jigs and reels, and much, much more! We've also included two new MultiStyles that use up to eight substyles each.

The new Country Volume 8, Jazz Volume 8, Rock-Pop Volume 8, and Celtic Volume 1 are just $15 each. Or, get the All Xtra Styles PAK 8 (with all 4 volumes) for only $29 (reg. $49) during our special.

Want all the Xtra Syles PAKs, with over 1,000 RealStyles? The All Xtra Styles PAK 1-8 Bundle is what you're looking for! This bundle includes all of our Xtra Styles for the special price of $189 (reg. $329) until January 15, 2020.

Learn more, listen to demos, or purchase here. (Mac users: click here.)

Note: Xtra Styles PAK 8 requires the Band-in-a-Box® 2019 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Posted at 12:27 PM

January 03, 2020 User Showcase Song - I'm Falling

This is a song I wrote back in 2010. I actually wrote it for Michael Buble as a Big Band number. Unfortunately I don't have a big band. Or Michael Buble's great voice! I just need to get him to hear it.

Any and all comments welcome.

I'm Falling

RealTracks in style: 564:Bass, Electric, Blues Monday Sw 065
RealTracks in style: 565:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Blues Monday Sw 065
RealTracks in song: 568:Guitar, Electric, Soloist Blues Monday Sw 065
RealTracks in style: ~569:Guitar, Resophonic, Rhythm Blues Delta Sw 065
RealDrums [in style:CountryShuffle128

Equipment: Roland VS 1680
Digitech Vocalist VR
Yamaha MSP5 Monitors
Behringer MDX2600
Rode NT1 Microphone
Art Studio V3 Pre Amp
Lurssen Mastering Console

Posted at 09:16 AM

January 02, 2020 User Showcase Song - Don't Let Go

One last song from us to finish off the year: Don't Let Go

The band:
1717:Bass, Electric, TexasBluesRockStraight Ev 120
1772:Piano, Electric, Rhythm JazzFunkMovin Ev16 130
RealDrums:JazzFunkMovin^2-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride

I'm playing the guitar parts.

Mixed with reaper using native plugins and plugins from Waves and iZotope, mastered with Ozone9.

EDIT: floyd asked how I processed the bass track.

For the bass I used the Waves CLA Bass plugin, and I'm using the Clean preset. Sometimes I tweak it a little, but this time I didn't.

I followed that with just the EQ section of Neutron 2. I have a dynamic mode 12 db cut with a Q of 2 at 63 HZ. Also added a 12 db HPF at 40 HZ. I came up with those values by using the masking feature of Neutron (looking at the drum track) and the Tonal Balance control plugin on the master bus.

Posted at 12:26 PM

January 02, 2020 The Band-in-a-Box® 2020 for Windows® Special is EXTENDED Until January 15th!!!

SPECIAL EXTENDED!!!

Customers LOVE Band-in-a-Box® 2020 for Windows with over 50 new features, plus the 202 New RealTracks, new RealStyles, 15 new MIDI SuperTracks, 170 new Instrumental Studies, 30 new MIDI Styles, 280 RealDrums Transcriptions, the 2020 Free Bonus PAK, 2020 49-PAK, and new Xtra Styles PAK 8!

We've extended our SALE on Band-in-a-Box® 2020 Upgrade purchases until January 15, 2020 - that's right, there's still time to save up to 50% when you purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2020 for Windows Upgrade!

We've packed our Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK with some amazing Add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is automatically included with most Band-in-a-Box^® for Windows 2020 packages, but for more even more Add-ons (including 40 Unreleased RealTracks) upgrade it to the 2020 49-PAK for only $49. You can see the full lists of items in each package, and listen to demos here.

Check out our Band-in-a-Box^® packages page for all the purchase options available.

Learn more about all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2020 for Windows at: www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.new.htm

If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!

Posted at 12:23 PM