July 31, 2020 Uncommon RealTracks Instruments for Band-in-a-Box®

Today is Uncommon Instrument Awareness Day.

Examples of "uncommon instruments" include anything from Spoons to the Wheelharp to the Singing Ringing Tree, and more!
(there's probably more instruments out there that we DON'T know than we DO know)

Although our RealTracks collection doesn't include many 'uncommon instruments', we do offer some pretty unique choices!

On top of the usual varieties we offer for Piano, Guitar, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Bass, Tuba, Trumpet, Trombone, and more - our RealTracks library also offers a nice selection of Shakuhachi and Kalimba - there's even a Koto RealTrack included in Set 212!

Kalimba: RealTracks Set 271
Koto: RealTracks Set 212
Shakuhachi: RealTracks Sets 193 & 212

What's the most surprising RealTrack Instrument that you've come across?

Posted at 11:09 AM

July 31, 2020 Holiday Hours - Monday, August 3 (British Columbia Day)

Monday, August 3 is British Columbia Day!

Since we are located in British Columbia (Victoria, on Vancouver Island), that means it's a holiday for us! Don't worry, some of our team will still be available - our hours on Monday are 8AM-4PM PST.

Regular hours resume Tuesday, August 4. www.pgmusic.com/contact.htm

Posted at 10:29 AM

July 31, 2020 User Showcase Song - Fire The Next Time

We arranged the lyric based, in large part, on three 19th century African-American Spirituals, “God gave Noah the rainbow sign,” “I’ve got a home in that rock,” and “Mary, don’t you weep.” Much later gospel and folk music can be readily traced to tunes like these with a little research - a debt that is frequently not credited.

https://soundcloud.com/mootsman/fire-the-next-time-1

Our title is taken from “no more water, the fire next time” a line found in some versions of these old songs. And, more significantly, James Baldwin used it as the title of his civil rights book “The Fire Next Time” published in 1963. BTW, The phrase “...home in that rock” may reference “honey in the rock” that is traditionally thought to mean there’s some good in the toughest of places.

This is a completely new production retaining only the lyric from an acoustic version we posted seven years ago. A big shout-out to Peter for the guitar tracks/arrangement input and to PG Music for their products and this community.

As always your comments are welcome and appreciated.Janice: vocal, melody and arrangement

Peter: guitar solos and fills
Bud: lyric compilation, tech stuff and arrangement
Vocal: Rodes NT1 mic > Scarlett 212 > Logic Pro X > Logic EQ > Waves CLA Vocals
Guitar (Peter): solos, fills including wah wah fill
Drums: RD BluesRockSlowEv^1-a:SideStick , b:Snare > Waves CLA Drums
Conga: RD CongasEv8 Waves > CLA Drums
Gongs: EMT Plate Reverb sim (thanks to Peter for samples)
Rhythm guitar: RT 3164 Baritone Electric > Waves CLA Guitar
Bass: RT 2903 Acoustic > Waves Bass Rider > Neutron 3
Piano: MIDI SuperTrack 3004: Piano, ElectricVintage > Logic Pro X Wurlitzer Classic sound
(Neutron’s “anti-masking” used on most tracks)

Mastering: Ozone EQ > Ozone Dynamics > Ozone Imager > Ozone Maximizer > Ozone Tonal Balance > Logic Pro X Loudness Meter

Posted at 10:27 AM

July 30, 2020 User Showcase Song - Are We There Yet?

I've been away from the forum for a little while but I'm back now with a new song: ARE WE THERE YET?

This song is an upbeat, toe-tapping country instrumental, featuring guitars, pedal steel, horns and rhythm section.
I hope you like it.
As always comments, praise, criticism or suggestions, are welcome - but especially praise grin
Thanks,
Mike
The Band:
RT379:Bass, Electric, Country DoubleTime Ev 088
RT411:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Train Pickin' Ev 130
RT2110:Horn Section, Background, R&B Ev16 110\
Piano PopRootsyJohn Ev16 100 (Supertrack)
RealDrums-TrainBeat
RT1507:Pedal Steel, Soloist, CountryTrainPaul Ev16 140
RT603:Pedal Steel, Background Train Ev 130

Posted at 10:20 AM

July 30, 2020 Band-in-a-Box® 2020 Portuguese for Windows is Here!

Existem mais de 50 novos recursos no Band-in-a-Box® 2020! Existem aprimoramentos no RealTracks (RealTracks vocais com som mais suave, RealTracks Engrossados, Substitutos de RealTracks e MultiFrases). A maioria dos RealDrums agora possui RealCharts (com notação de bateria precisa). Há um novo navegador de artistas do RealTracks para encontrar informações/biografias/links/listas de RealTracks em todos os artistas. Um novo Navegador de recursos permite que o usuário novo ou "esquecido" encontre e use facilmente a maioria dos recursos/teclas de atalho/documentos em uma única janela. Equalizar Tempoaprimoramentos na Seleção de Músicas, baixo/bateria ou apenas bateria nas introduções automáticas, 3.400 títulos adicionados, aprimoramentos no MusicXML, visualização de guitarra para "Canhotos" e "Estudantes", aprimoramentos de arrastar e soltar, exibição de várias janelas do Interpretador de Acordes de Áudio e muito mais!

COMPRE/ATUALIZE, & BAIXE AGORA!

Posted at 09:52 AM

July 29, 2020 Band-in-a-Box® 2019 Mac Update Ready!

Just because Band-in-a-Box® 2020 for Mac is here doesn't mean we've forgotten our 2019 users!

If you're still using Band-in-a-Box® 2019, make sure you download the latest patch update (b324) for an updated splash screen (macOS 10.12 and 10.13 users), smoother Song Titles dialog, access to your (purchased) RealTracks Set 328, and we've corrected the reported issue with opening songs from older versions of Band-in-a-Box in the 2019 version.

Learn more about this patch and download it here.

Posted at 02:04 PM

July 29, 2020 User Showcase Song - Your Paradise

YouTube: Your Paradise - Translitic Song Sketch
SoundCloud: Your Paradise - Translitic Song Sketch

===========================
TRACK & SONG INFO

Bass - 1122: Bass, Acoustic, CountryWaltz Sw 110
Accordion - 3045: Accordion, Rhythm KlezmerPopWaltz Ev 110
Drums - RealDrums=PopRockWaltzBrushes Ev: a: Brushes b: PopRockWaltz
Guitar - 1181:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking PopWaltz Ev 120

ev8, ¾, Cm, 110

In addition to the BIAB tracks above, I added the following:

Midi drum track in Superior Drummer
Midi bass track in Trilian
Keys (ethereal) track using Ethereal Earth in Kontakt
Keys (carnival) track using Kinetic Toys Carnival in Kontakt
Acoustic gypsy jazz guitar strumming track
Adjustments to the BIAB guitar track (and played over the top of it to make it sound more authentic)

===========================
VIDEO:
Me in my closet with a video overlay of a carousel near the Eiffel Tower.
===========================

Lyrics

Posted at 09:45 AM

July 28, 2020 Review - Loops-with-Style PAK 2 for Band-in-a-Box® 2020

"Dr. Dave" Walker is at it again! You may remember his recent reviews of both Band-in-a-Box 2020 for Mac and Xtra Styles PAK 9 - now he has something to say about our Loops-with-Style PAK 2 - check it out: Click here to read...

With money being tight for most musicians, this is a wonderful gift for those on a limited budget. At $29, it offers months and years of fun and experimentation, bringing many ideas to fruition as songs with enough variation so that your audience doesn’t jump to "aw, that's a computer!" while still keeping the power of the software in your hands.
-"Dr. Dave" Walker

Thank you again Dr. Dave for the great review!

Learn more about Loops-with-Style PAKs: Windows | Mac

Posted at 11:27 AM

July 28, 2020 User Showcase Song - I Just Wanna Ride

Using BIAB as bass, drums, rhythm guitars. Using my guitars on stereo, a little different sound here.
https://soundcloud.com/cliftondykes/i-just-wanna-ride

Enjoy!
Cliff

Posted at 11:09 AM

July 27, 2020 Band-in-a-Box® - My New Favorite Thing

Did you know we have a My Favorite Things forum? We encourage you to share your favorite features in Band-in-a-Box and RealBand there, along with what features you use the most and why - we LOVE getting feedback!

Like the latest post from Tangmo:

My New Favorite Thing - Extra Style PAK #9 with Loop Pack #2

Great job, folks!

Thanks Tangmo!

Learn more about Loops-with-Style PAKs: Windows | Mac

Learn more about Xtra Styles PAKs: Windows | Mac

Posted at 12:38 PM

July 27, 2020 User Showcase Song - Tropical Sky

So with the heat, and the corona..... beer of course.... and just how I think.... Here's a song that is a bit of a play on words about the corona.... beer of course....

I just had fun with this... Roll up some of your favorite herbal cure, get a case of the corona....beer of course, and have a listen

Tropical Sky: https://soundcloud.com/guitarhacker/tropical-sky

There was over 20 tracks in this but I put several of them into isolation before I quarantined them to the dust bin of digital oblivion. So, here's the 17 that were left in.

The Band:
Bass 3464 Island Groove
Drums Island groove 16 with percussion
Steel drums 3522 Island groove
Djembe even 8
B3 2619 Funk groove

Vocals are 3 tracks of lead & doubling
BGV are 3 tracks of harmony and utter nonsense

Guitars in 6 tracks.... are 2 tracks of acoustic guitar for stereo bed, 2 tracks of rhythm chunky funky island feel, thin bright groove, and 2 tracks of bright, cleanish lead tracks.... all played by me.

Posted at 10:45 AM

July 24, 2020 Refresh Your Band-in-a-Box® 2020 for Windows Today!

Update your Band-in-a-Box 2020 to the latest build 725 for Windows today! This free update acknowledges song memo edits when saving your work, resolves step-advance within the Big Piano window, revives a killed audio track, and more!

Just like our recent Mac patch, the DAW Plugin has been updated too! We've added "insert" and "delete" options into the chord sheet context menu and addressed 20+ reported 'bugs'!

Learn more & update today!

Posted at 08:11 AM

July 24, 2020 User Showcase Song - Something New

https://soundcloud.com/user-293941206/something-new

200 bpm 3/4

style:AG_Alex - Bluesy 3/4 Gospel

I played Bass, additional drums, vocals
The fiddle I think was 1144 fiddle, background bluegrass(outside}
throughout: 1004:Guitar, 12-String Acoustic, Rhythm ClassicRockStrumming Ev16 065
very little: 3436:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm BritPsycPopBalladArpHiPhaser Ev 065
throughout: 1164:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm CelticReel Ev16 110
very little: ~543:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Dreamy Ev 120
throughout: BodhranCelticReel^1-a,b:WoodSimple
very little: 2729:Organ, Rhythm BluesShuffleMike Sw 130

Posted at 07:57 AM

July 23, 2020 User Showcase Song - Stop Talking

It was my plan to release this song in august, but it was ready now. So I thought, why wait?
The title suggest some heavy stuff, but it is not. It is light Bluesy song with a nice chorus (I think).
I pictured myself driving a car on the highway, thinking about everything related to my (former) relation. And how to get rid of it, now that it's starting to look a bit like stalking. I hope you believe me, but all of this is fiction. No one ever stalked me...

I bet some part of you will swing (probably your feet)when listening to this song. If not, listen again(?)
Maybe this sounds a little too frivolous, but I had some setbacks producing it. Now I am very relieved I succed in finishing it. I do hope you like it.

Hans Berkhout (Birchwood)

The song: https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130/stop-stalking

The style and instruments:
Style:_CARRYON.STY
BiaB
RealTracks: 2260:Bas, Elektric, Funky Groove 60s Gel 100
RealTracks: 2157:Piano, Elektric Vintage, Funky Groove 60s John Gel 100
RealTracks: 2677:Guitar, Acoustic, Blues Gel 85
Loop: Dubstep\Dubstep - saviour_140_drum_loop_1_e_minor ev8.wav
RealTracks: 1706:Guitar, Elektric, Soloist Country Brent Gel 85
RealDrums:DrivingPop8ths^02-a:Kick, b:HiHat, QuarterKick

Me
Keyboard1: Native Instr. Guitar, bowed strings
Keyboard 2: Native Instr. Guitar, muted strings

Lyrics

Posted at 11:05 AM

July 23, 2020 Update Your Band-in-a-Box® 2020 for Mac Today!

The newest Band-in-a-Box® 2020 Mac update, build 415, corrects bar based lyrics placement in the leadsheet window, allows for smoother notation scroll-ahead, applies DAW Plugin improvements, and more!

This free patch also includes the recently released build 414, which addresses Chord Sheet videos syncing issues, the "Kill Audio" track is now recovered if the song changes are not saved, StylePicker demo improvements, and more!

The DAW Plugin has been updated too! We’ve added "insert" and "delete" options into the chord sheet context menu and addressed 20+ reported 'bugs'! Learn more & update today!

Posted at 10:57 AM

July 22, 2020 User Showcase Song - A Lazy Summer Afternoon

It has been hot and well I have been lazy so this piece is the result.

A Lazy Summer Afternoon: https://soundcloud.com/richrayer/lazy-summer-afternoon

Memo on style for this piece:

Style is _TRAMCAR.STY (Tram Car Thickened Mmms Stride)
PianoCustom Synth is Synth/Plugin Loaded
MelodyCustom Synth is Synth/Plugin Loaded

RealTracks in style: ~732:Bass, Acoustic, Jazz Ballad Sw 060
RealTracks in style: ~942:Piano, Acoustic, Solo-Accompaniment JazzStrideBallad Sw 060
RealTracks in style: 3278:Vocal Mmms, Rhythm RockNRollGospel12-8 4-part Sw 065
RealTracks in song: ~750:Sax, Tenor, Soloist Jazz Ballad Sw 060
RealDrums [in style:JazzOlder^3-a:Brushes , b:Sidestick, Ride

Posted at 11:18 AM

July 21, 2020 User Showcase Song - Love it , Hate it , Rate it.

I was searching for a song idea when I thought , why not write a song about writing a song ? The first draft included name-checking many of my favourite artists on this forum but then it occured that you may not like that . But I did leave the best one in.
The essence of the song is to encourage comments (good bad or ugly) in order to improve. When listening to one's song over and over one gets to the Forrest/Trees point when a fresh pair of ears is required and this forum is the perfect place for that.

So crank the dial up to #11 and here is: Love it , Hate it , Rate it

BIAB
1739:Bass, Synth ModernDancePop8ths Ev 120
1747:Synth, Rhythm ModernDancePopRave16thsTickle Ev 120
1744:Synth, Rhythm ModernDancePopRaveDrops Ev 120
1395:Synth, Rhythm, EuroDance SubduedHitsStraight Ev16 120
1738:Bass, Synth ModernDancePopSync Ev 120
2308:Synth, Rhythm BubblegumPopPluckySynth Ev 140
1932:Synth, Rhythm, EuroDance SubduedHits Ev16 120
1771:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm JazzFunkMovinMuted Ev16 130
RealDrums [in style:UrbanPopEv16Uplift^1-a:clap, b:tamb
1739:Bass, Synth ModernDancePop8ths Ev 120
1747:Synth, Rhythm ModernDancePopRave16thsTickle Ev 120
1744:Synth, Rhythm ModernDancePopRaveDrops Ev 120
1395:Synth, Rhythm, EuroDance SubduedHitsStraight Ev16 120
RealDrums [in style:SynthDrumsDanceRock^2-a: Electronic Claps , b: Snare and Bass
Style is _KPELEC2.STY (Medium Electronic K-Pop)
Me: Guitar patch on my synth

Lyrics

Posted at 12:40 PM

July 21, 2020 Refresh Your Band-in-a-Box® 2020 for Mac with Build 414!

Add the latest update, build 414, to your Band-in-a-Box® 2020 Mac installation today! The Chord Sheet videos syncing issues have been addressed, "Kill Audio" track is now recovered if the song changes are not saved, StylePicker demo improvements have been applied, and more!

The DAW Plugin has been updated too! We’ve added "insert" and "delete" options into the chord sheet context menu and addressed 20+ reported 'bugs'! Learn more & update today!

Posted at 12:35 PM

July 20, 2020 Dragging Band-in-a-Box® Tracks Into Cakewalk

If you receive the message "Selected files are not compatible with this operation" when you try to drag tracks into Cakewalk using the VST DAW Plugin for Band-in-a-Box®, it's likely because on of the tracks is a MIDI file. Cakewalk does not accept multiple files simultaneously if one of the files is a MIDI file.

The solution is to drag each track individually, rather than dragging all tracks using the blue [ALL] button in the Style Mix track. This applies if your song has one or more MIDI tracks.

This error and its solution were recently posted to our Band-in-a-Box® DAW Plugin for Windows FAQ Forum, here. Check back on this Forum if you run into any issues with the Band-in-a-Box® VST DAW Plugin, it's a great resource!

Posted at 01:14 PM

July 20, 2020 User Showcase Song - The Other Side Of Nowhere

Hi, all! Well, once again, I have been caught up in some overwhelming situations of life that have kept me from being here as much as I desire to be. But I have been very busy, and have a few new songs that I will be sharing soon. Here's one to start with...
SoundCloud
Video

This song is an ode to writer's block. I have never really had much of a problem with it (my problem would be more along the lines of writer's disruption.) smile But I think we all can relate. My oldest daughter is a prolific, published writer (won awards for essays.) We were talking recently about the most common way to deal with writer's block: simply get a paper and pen and start writing anything that comes into your head (no matter if it makes sense or not) until something starts coming together that you can work with - then build it from there. So I was talking to someone the other day and asked him where lived. He replied, "I live in the middle of nowhere." (A common phrase in Texas.) That got me to thinking - what's on the other side of nowhere? So I thought "the other side of nowhere" is a pretty good description of where we are when we are in writer's block. Hence, the birth of this song...

I hope you enjoy it. Realtracks listed below make a great band. I played the acoustic piano, organ and percussion parts, as well as the orchestration at the end. This was all tracked and mixed in Luna, UAD's free daw for owners of UAD thunderbolt interfaces. It's an amazing workstation, which I am really coming to love working with.

RealTracks/Drums used...
RealTracks in song: 3123:Bass, Acoustic, Pop8thsSteady Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 3520:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Americana16thsDelayBrent Ev16 075
RealTracks in song: 3059:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm Muted16thsFintan Ev16 080
RealTracks in song: 3133:Guitar, Resonator, Background FolkCoolEddyDelay Sw16 075
RealTracks in song: 3109:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm AmericanaFolk16thsLowBrent Ev16 060
RealTracks in song: 3336:Piano, Electric, Rhythm LoungeFunkJeff Ev16 080
RealDrums in song: AmericanaRoots16th^03-a:Kick, Sidestick, b:Toms
Lyrics

Posted at 01:01 PM

July 17, 2020 NEW Band-in-a-Box® Video Testimonial: Henry Clarke

We LOVE to hear what people think about Band-in-a-Box®, which is why it's so exciting to receive another Video Testimonial!

Henry's video will make anyone and everyone excited about Band-in-a-Box®! Don't believe us? Watch it now: youtu.be/Y_C1Y2oiRC4

Band-in-a-Box is my choice for creating and producing great music … With the DAW Integration and Loops I can create songs that fit my Genre to a "T" ...Also Background Vocals make it a valuable tool for my songwriting. WELL DONE PG MUSIC!!
-Henry Clarke
Independent Artist, Songwriter, Producer, and more

Learn more about Henry when you visit his bio page.

Share your own testimonial with us too! There are details on this option here.

Posted at 02:12 PM

July 17, 2020 User Showcase Song - Lucinda Songs

Hi All,

Hope everyone is well. I thought I would share a new arrangement / recording of a song I wrote some years back.

This is called Lucinda Songs

Thanks for listening...

All BIAB Tracks:
366: Bass, Electric, Country Ev 065
362: Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 085
362: Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 085
2446: Guitar, Baritone Electric, Background Ev 065
RealDrums: NashvilleEven16 Sidestick HiHat
Lyrics

Posted at 10:05 AM

July 16, 2020 User Showcase Song - How To Rock From Home

Let us rock the virus away! Rock till we get free again!

How To Rock From Home

Used:
RealDrums: RockHardLA
RT391: Guitar
RT3204: Pedal Steel
RT1273: Guitar Electric
...and a bunch of other stuff

I wish you all well!
Will

Posted at 09:36 AM

July 15, 2020 The Xtra Styles PAK & Loops-with-Style PAK Special ENDS TODAY!

It's the last day to SAVE when you SUPERCHARGE your Band-in-a-Box® 2020 UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition with 200 new RealStyles with Xtra Styles PAK 9, and 100 NEW Loops & 50 NEW Styles with Loops-with-Style PAK 2!!

ORDER NOW! OUR SPECIAL ENDS TODAY!

Save more than 50% when you order Xtra Styles PAKs & Loops-with-Style PAKs for Band-in-a-Box®!

Add 200 Groundbreaking NEW RealStyles with Xtra Styles PAK 9 for $29 (reg. $49) and 100 NEW Loops & 50 NEW Styles with Loops-with-Style PAK 2 for just $19 (reg. $29)! Or, add all 1,400+ RealStyles with Xtra Styles PAK 1-9 for only $199 (reg. $349)!

Learn more:
Xtra Styles PAKs
Loops-with-Style PAKs

Mac user? Click here for OS specific purchase links.

Posted at 09:59 AM

July 15, 2020 User Showcase Song - High Pass

A funky blues tune this time up, always fun to do: High Pass

The band:
RealTracks in song: 2622:Organ, Rhythm FunkSwing16 Sw16 085
Drums: EZDrummer2
Bass: Marty Straub
Guitars: Dave Bell
Vocals: Chris Spruit
Mixed with Reaper, mastered with Ozone 9
Lyrics

Posted at 09:53 AM

July 14, 2020 Changing Languages in Band-in-a-Box® 2020 for Windows #TipTuesday

Band-in-a-Box® 2020 for Windows translations are now available in 8 different languages!

Adding a "language patch" is easy - simply head to the language forum of your choice, and look for a pinned post announcing the new version. Requests can also be sent to sales@pgmusic.com.

Once you've installed the language patch, simply open the program and voilà - translated!

To switch back to the English version of Band-in-a-Box, in the program you would select Options | Language Selection... choose USA English, then restart the program.

Learn more about the Options menu in Band-in-a-Box® here.

Band-in-a-Box® 2020 for Windows translated versions currently available:
Danish
Dutch
French
German
Polish
Italian
Spanish
Swedish

Posted at 02:20 PM

July 14, 2020 User Showcase Song - Waiting For The Sun

Hey there,

hope you are alright and have/had a great sunday. Here is our latest work. Hope you enjoy it.

https://soundcloud.com/rebecca-newcountry/waiting-for-the-sun

Lyrics
Key=Eb , Tempo 130, Length (m:s)=4:09
Style is _CLOUDED.STY (Clouded Songwriter Folk)
Drums EzDrummer Nashville
RealTracks in style: ~2478:Bass, Acoustic, Held Ev 110
RealTracks in style: ~405:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 120
RealTracks in style: ~1119:Guitar, 12-String Acoustic, Strumming Ev 120
RealTracks in style: 408:Guitar, Resonator, Background Allis Ev 120
RealTracks in song: 3149:Mandola, Background AmericanaFolk8thsAndy ev 120
RealTracks in song: 3144:Fiddle, 5-string, Background FolkLongNotesAndy 120
RealTracks in song: 2857:Harmonica, Background CountryPopJellyRoll Ev 120

Take care,
Rebecca and Jochen

Posted at 09:47 AM

July 13, 2020 Add-ons Special ENDING! Xtra Styles PAK 9 & Loops-with-Style PAK 2...

There's still A LITTLE time left to SAVE when you SUPERCHARGE your Band-in-a-Box® 2020 UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition with 200 new RealStyles with Xtra Styles PAK 9, and 100 NEW Loops & 50 NEW Styles with Loops-with-Style PAK 2!!

ORDER NOW! OUR SPECIAL ENDS JULY 15TH!

Xtra Styles PAK 9 includes deep-south New Orleans gospel, a country soul groove, a psychedelic pop ballad, action-sequence cinematic metal, a Cajun jaw harp boogie, post-punk folk rock, quarter-feel jazz blues, several modern jazz styles, a modern Celtic folk reel, multiple 6/8 grooves, and so much more! There's a MultiStyle in every genre, and our biggest MultiStyle has a total of ten substyles! Add it to your collection today for just $29 (reg. $49)!

Loops-with-Style PAK 2 includes 50 new Styles & 100 new Loops to add to your Band-in-a-Box® collection! There are two new genres: gospel and funk, and we've added to the selection for electronic, hip hop, jazz, pop, R&B, rock, and world! Purchase Loops-with-Style PAK 2 on sale for only $19 (reg. $29)!

Already have a few of our Xtra Styles PAKs? Top up now - each of our 9 Xtra Styles PAKs are just $29 (reg. $49)! Don't have any, and want them ALL? Grab all during our sale for just $199 (reg. $349)!

Learn more about Xtra Styles PAKs for Band-in-a-Box and listen to demos here.

More information on Loops-with-Style PAKs can be found here.

Mac user? Click here for OS specific purchase links.

Posted at 02:19 PM

July 13, 2020 User Showcase Song - Come Away With Me

Hi Folks. Being a fan of Billy Strings and Molly Tuttle I got motivated to make my first attempt at Bluegrass.
Biab did all the heavy lifting and I just came along for the ride , but it was a fun ride!
I welcome any constructive criticism or suggestions how I could improve.
Thanks in advance for listening and here is

Come away with me

Tempo 140 Key F 4/4

All Real Tracks
427 Bass
431 Guitar - strumming
426 Banjo - rhythm
428 Fiddle - rhythm
434 Fiddle - Soloist
435 Guitar - Soloist

P.S. These guys are great .... They show up on time and don't get drunk!

Posted at 11:20 AM

July 10, 2020 User Showcase Song - I Regret

I don't post many of mine on here, but I thought I'd share this one. The usual disclaimer - as a recording engineer I make a pretty good songwriter.

I Regret

This was cobbled together from a bunch of different realtracks, I've found that rather that loading styles I enjoy 'starting from scratch'. Here's what I have on it:
2877 Acoustic Bass, NashvilleBrushesBalladPush16 Drums, 2808 acoustic piano, 3113 Nylon guitar, 2666 pedal steel, and 367 electric guitar. There's also a Brent Mason solo (forget which) and background vocal "mmms".

Finished/mixed in Logic Pro X.

Posted at 10:30 AM

July 09, 2020 RealBand® Turns 12!

RealBand® for Windows® is your all-in-one audio workstation and accompaniment program, and if you've purchased a copy of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows in the last decade, it's been included in your purchase!

We released RealBand in July 2008, along with Band-in-a-Box® 2008.5.

"RealBand brings a new level of ease and flexibility to anyone creating recordings. Record your own tracks, type in the chords, pick a style, and then add any MIDI or audio (Real) tracks to follow your chords - all in a single program. For example, type in chords to your song, generate a RealDrums track, record in your guitar and vocal parts. Then put on your 'arranger' hat and have some fun automatically adding RealTracks - maybe a guitar solo, or pedal steel background for the bridge."

We hope everyone enjoys using RealBand, which combines some great features from our PowerTracks Pro Audio program with the powerful accompaniment features from Band-in-a-Box®!

Posted at 01:02 PM

July 09, 2020 Band-in-a-Box® 2020 Spanish for Windows is Here!

¡Hay más de 50 nuevas características en Band-in-a-Box^® 2020! Hay mejoras en RealTracks (RealTracks Vocal de Sonido más Suave, RealTracks Engrosamiento, RealTracks "Find-a-Sub" y MultiRiffs). La mayoría de los RealDrums ahora tienen RealCharts (con notación de batería precisa). Hay un nuevo navegador de Artistas RealTracks para encontrar información / biografías / enlaces / listas de RealTracks en todos los artistas. Un nuevo Navegador de Funciones permite al usuario nuevo u "olvidadizo" encontrar y usar fácilmente la mayoría de las funciones / teclas de acceso rápido / documentos desde una sola ventana. Ecualizar Tempo permite cambiar una canción de rubato grabada a un tempo fijo. Tiempo de audio mejorado / estiramiento de tono (Elastique) incluido. Hay mejoras en el Selector de Canciones, Bajo/Batería o Batería solo Auto-Intros, 3.400 títulos añadidos, mejoras MusicXML, guitarra para "Zurdos" y "Vista de estudiante", mejoras de Arrastrar y Soltar, Ventana Múltiple del Mago del Acorde de Audio y mucho más!

COMPRE/ACTUALIZE Y DESCARGUE YA!

Posted at 12:52 PM

July 09, 2020 User Showcase Song - Time Passes

Decades ago one of Bud's bandmates was fond of saying “time passes and things change.” This is a bit of a tribute to him.

Thanks to Peter for the great guitar tracks!

Your time to listen and comment is much appreciated.

Time Passes
(c) 2020 B. Merritt/J. Merritt/P. Fulham

Be safe.

Janice: Vocals, melody and arrangement
Rodes NT1 > Scarlett 212 > Logic Pro X > Nectar 2 / BGV Waves CLA Vocals

Peter: Guitars - acoustic Intro/fills & electric solos

Bud: engineering, mixing, mastering, lyric, photo, etc.

Drums: RD NashvilleBrushesCountryPop
Waves CLA Drums

Bass: RT 2877 Acoustic, AmericanaSlow
Waves Bass Rider > Neutron 3

Piano:
MIDI SuperTrack 1809 Piano, Rhythm CountryBalladJohn
MIDI SuperTrack 2099 Piano, Rhythm PopModernGrooveHeld
Logic Pro X Steinway Grand > Waves CLA Unplugged

Rhythm Guitar:
RT 1680 12-String Acoustic, Fingerpicking
RT 1680 12-String Acoustic, Fingerpicking Held
Waves CLA Unplugged

Mastering: Ozone 9 EQ > Ozone 9 Imager > Ozone 9 Maximizer
> Logic Pro X Loudness Meter > Ozone 9 Tonal Balance

Posted at 08:39 AM

July 08, 2020 Video - Entering More Than 4 Chords Per Bar in Band-in-a-Box!

One of our latest support videos created by Tobin shows off a great workaround for entering more than 4 chords per bar in your Band-in-a-Box song, using a combination of half-time and normal RealTracks - check it out!

Posted at 10:49 AM

July 08, 2020 User Showcase Song - Guitar and Orchestra

Just me having some fun with our favorite program!

https://soundcloud.com/mario_guitar/guitar-and-orchestra

BiaB style = Slow Pop Orchestral

I deleted the drum track.
The following tracks are using Kirt Hunter's Studio
1-Bass - Virtuoso basses
2-Cellos - Virtuoso Cellos - I duplicate the bass track and raised it one octave
3-Guitar - Virtuoso Strings
4-strings - Virtuoso Serenity Legato

Piano - Amadeus Orchestra - Harp

All tracks were slightly altered to better fit the song. All but the bass and cello tracks have a touch of Raum reverb.

I am playing my Harley Benton guitar straight into my mixing board with effects Blue Cat's Re-Guitar set to Jazz Wide and with TR5 Tape Echo.

The master track effects are Aphex Vintage Exciter - preset - Project Legato.

All comments good or not so good are welcomed.

Posted at 10:45 AM

July 07, 2020 User Showcase Song - Unknown Factors

I wrote this today just to experiment with a chord progression I created to see how it sounded.

https://soundcloud.com/user3562166/unknown-factors

I used the RENDEVUE.STY with the tempo set to 85. It was sent as wave files to my Cakewalk DAW. I created the melodic line in Finale and transported the melody midi to Cakewalk and added it to the BiaB backup band. Use it for your quiet times.

Posted at 11:26 AM

July 06, 2020 Video Testimonial - Dennis Dearing Talks Band-in-a-Box®

Dennis remembers Band-in-a-Box® from years ago, but his connection to Mike Harrison and hearing him talk about the RealTracks is what really got him excited about the program!

Hear his thoughts and see how he uses the Band-in-a-Box® VST DAW Plugin for his projects with his Video Testimonial:

https://youtu.be/WqmtoxfJwDw

It's been a great addition to my workflow!
-Dennis Dearing

To learn more about Dennis, check out his testimonial page here.

You can create your own video testimonial letting people know how you use the program too! Learn how here.

Posted at 12:59 PM

July 06, 2020 User Showcase Song - She's Got a Good Heart

Hope everyone is doing well. Here's something new . . . well, at least from a production standpoint. I wrote this song a few years back and I tried a few times to do a BIAB version of this when I first started with the software—but kept coming up horribly empty. Hoping I have improved to some degree, I decided to revisit it recently and this is where I ended up for better or worse. Hope you enjoy the listen and thanks as always for the kind feedback.

She's Got a Good Heart

Lyrics

RealTracks: 683 Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotesPush Ev 120
RealTracks: 634 Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopAmericanMuted Ev 120 (B:8ths)
RealTracks: 703 Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Spirited Ev 085
RealTracks: 860 Guitar, Electric, Rhythm HardRockWaltzSustainA-B Ev 140
RealTracks: 629 Guitar, Electric, Pop American Dirty
RealTracks: 3183 Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm FastPowerRockQuinn Ev 160
RealTracks: 494 Piano, Acoustic, HeldChords 120
RealTracks: 1530 Guitar, Electric, Soloist PopPower Ev 120
RealDrums: RockHardModernEv8^1-a:Snare, HiHat , b:4 beat Snare, HiHat

Posted at 12:36 PM

July 03, 2020 Band-in-a-Box® 2020 Polish for Windows is Here!

Dodaliśmy ponad 50 nowych funkcji do Band-in-a-Box® 2020! Są udoskonalenia ścieżek RealTracks (Delikatniej brzmiące wokale RealTracks, Pogrubianie RealTracks, funkcja "Znajdź odmianę" dla RealTracks i MultiRiffów). Większość RealDrums ma teraz RealCharts (z dokładną Notacją Bębnów). Jest nowa Przeglądarka Artystów RealTracks umożliwiające znalezienie informacji/biografii/linków/listy ścieżek RealTracks dla wszystkich artystów. Nowa Przeglądarka Funkcji pozwala nowym lub "zapominalskim" użytkownikom na łatwe znalezienie i użycie większości funkcji/skrótów/dokumentów z poziomu jednego okna. Funkcja Wyrównaj Tempo pozwala na zmianę utworu nagranego w rytmie rubato i dostosowanie go do ustalonego tempa. Udoskonalono funkcje rozciągania brzmień audio w czasie/wysokości dźwięku (Elastique). Są też udoskonalenia opcji Wybory Utworu, automatycznych wstępów na Basie/Bębnach lub tylko samych bębnach (Auto-Intros), dodano 3,400 tytułów, są udoskonalenia w zakresie MusicXML, mamy widok dla gitarzysty "Leworęcznego" oraz "Widok dla ucznia" przy grze na gitarze, udoskonalenia opcji Przeciągnij i Upuść, multi-okna wyświetlającego Magika Audio Akordów i wiele innych poprawek!

ZAKUP/UAKTUALNIJ & POBIERZ TERAZ!

Posted at 10:31 AM

July 03, 2020 User Showcase Song - What I Believe

All I have is a Stratocaster, a few dozen chords, and a copy of BIAB 2020. But I plan to take on the world.

WHAT I BELIEVE
By David Snyder

Lyrics

All music and lyrics copyright 2020 by David Snyder
ASCAP/Day of Faith Records

David Snyder, guitar, vocals, production, engineering
mixing and mastering

RealTracks in style: 3501:Bass, Electric, NashvilleRadioBalladAB Ev16 075
RealTracks in song: 2403:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm FunkyFolk Ev16 110
RealTracks in style: 2643:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm ModernPopHardHighMurray Ev16 075
RealTracks in style: 2644:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm ModernPopHardMurray Ev16 075
RealDrums [in style:RockThrashHalfTimeEv16^7-a:Snare , Tom Groove , b:Snare, Bell Ride
RT Mandolin

Posted at 10:09 AM

July 02, 2020 User Showcase Song - Let Our Children Play

We've all gone crazy in the last few months.... this is my observation on the situation in the world today. Just writing and singing about what I see, think, and feel. This is a song about hoping that we stop being stupid and realize that WE have the power to change our world but it has to be done with love.

I actually have 3 songs start on this topic. All with different points of view. This one is finished or close to it. The others probably won't be heard outside of my studio.... maybe. Still got another idea floating around in my head.... we'll see.

So, here's the song.

Let Our Children Play

The band is:

Drums: P&W even 16
B3: 2692
Piano: 2693
Bass: 3501
Choir: 2975 & 2976

I have 3 vocal tracks and 5 guitar tracks in it. 2 crunch rhythm laying down a bed.... 2 acoustics for grins, and the lead. I actually tried to get fairly close to the lead that BB generated because it was pretty decent. I didn't take the time to get it note for note because that's not generally how I roll these days.

Lyrics

Posted at 01:02 PM

July 02, 2020 Add-ons Special EXTENDED! Xtra Styles PAK 9 & Loops-with-Style PAK 2...

There's still time to SAVE when you SUPERCHARGE your Band-in-a-Box® 2020 UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition with 200 new RealStyles with Xtra Styles PAK 9, and 100 NEW Loops & 50 NEW Styles with Loops-with-Style PAK 2!!

We've EXTENDED our special until JULY 15TH!

Xtra Styles PAK 9 includes deep-south New Orleans gospel, a country soul groove, a psychedelic pop ballad, action-sequence cinematic metal, a Cajun jaw harp boogie, post-punk folk rock, quarter-feel jazz blues, several modern jazz styles, a modern Celtic folk reel, multiple 6/8 grooves, and so much more! There's a MultiStyle in every genre, and our biggest MultiStyle has a total of ten substyles! Add it to your collection today for just $29 (reg. $49)!

Loops-with-Style PAK 2 includes 50 new Styles & 100 new Loops to add to your Band-in-a-Box® collection! There are two new genres: gospel and funk, and we've added to the selection for electronic, hip hop, jazz, pop, R&B, rock, and world! Purchase Loops-with-Style PAK 2 on sale for only $19 (reg. $29)!

Already have a few of our Xtra Styles PAKs? Top up now - each of our 9 Xtra Styles PAKs are just $29 (reg. $49)! Don't have any, and want them ALL? Grab all during our sale for just $199 (reg. $349)!

Learn more about Xtra Styles PAKs for Band-in-a-Box and listen to demos here.

More information on Loops-with-Style PAKs can be found here.

Mac user? Click here for OS specific purchase links.

Posted at 12:59 PM