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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2023
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Band in a Box is a great music production software, for seniors. I have never seen any young musicians on YouTube ever using, or even talking about BiaB.
Just being curious, is BiaB a software suitable for users at the age of 40 and under?
Anyone knows who the dude is in the 2023 Boot Camp videos on YouTube? PG Music should really hire this dude to make more Boot Camp videos in the future, to attract the younger generations.
What makes Boot Camp videos more value-adding than other videos on YouTube? Humanization. In stead of a man or a woman reading the user manual and bore audience to death, the Boot Camp videos use real life examples/senarios to teach how to make real music with relevant and useful features, and ignore useless and redundant features.
Anyway, I hope in the future, more and more young people would become passionate and enthusiastic with Band in a Box, just as they do now with Toontrack, Native Instruments, Image-Line, iZoptope, Ujam, and many other big names.
MAKE USER YOUNG AGAIN - BIAB 2024
A Canadian music producer, singer songwriter, composer, and professional guitarist.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Newbie
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Great suggestion, I too have thought this and I'm only 72 years old 
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I wrote some EDM styles, https://www.nortonmusic.com/style24.html and it is one of the lowest selling style e-disks I have in my catalog. Some of the people who purchased it tell me they love and asked me to do more. But I guess just not enough younger people know about BiaB. And that's a pity, because BiaB is a good tool to create that kind of music. A user can make his/her own grooves without having to sample other people's recordings, and thus avoid paying copyright royalties. Insights and incites by Notes ♫
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Imagine if everyone in this forum could share a little bit of their BiaB knowledge with their grandchildren.
In 2030, BiaB will still be alive and isn't going down like IBM or Kodak.
We the people need to take actions NOW to make BiaB great again!!!
BIAB LIVES MATTER!!!
A Canadian music producer, singer songwriter, composer, and professional guitarist.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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The guy on the bootcamp series talks like he's an employee of PG Music.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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That's why I said those videos are good actually creating up the song using all the wonderful implemented functions directly in Biab, they are not like the other videos reading from a manual seen here. @MusicVillain please stay here and keep posting, don't go ! it needs knowledgeable users here to bring it into the modern age.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Interesting topic, especially because it relates to the future development of Biab.
I think I am a bit ambivalent on this one.
On the one hand, I feel that Biab can be seen as a vehicle to promote and "defend" traditional styles of music that are clearly losing out, among the younger generations, to the new electronic/loop-based/no-melody kinds of music (I dont even know how to define these "genres", I'm too old I guess, but I hope you know what I mean). Nothing against these, the world evolves and I'm fine with that, actually. But I do worry that when new things come out, older things are too quickly forgotten or dismissed by the younger. So, in this view, I welcome the idea that BIAB still stubbornly sticks with jazz, folk, country, rock etc. Love it. And, even more so, I absolutely love BIAB as something that represents and spreads the idea that music is ACTUALLY played by real people (with Real Tracks), human beings with musical skills and taste, and it's not just the assembly of loops made on a laptop by someone in a bedroom with no music knowledge or taste whatsoever. So, there's that. Long live BIAB in its current form, for these reasons. On the other hand ...
... on the other hand, though, I do see the limitations. I'd certainly love to see BIAB grow significantly beyond its niche, and acquire more customers, and more musical diversity, and attract younger people. And that's because growth means more resources, more and better capabilities, better software, more inspiration, more possibilities to innovate through cross-fertilization of very different genres etc etc etc. And, in order to do that, I guess BIAB should try to incorporate features that are attractive to the younger generations, but without "losing its soul", so to speak. And by "features" I'm not just talking about more modern genres for its styles and tracks, but also (maybe) better integration with loop-based music production styles and philosophy, more modern interface etc etc. Easier said than done, I know.
As I said, I'm ambivalent. I don't know what to wish. I'm sure that at PG Music they have a clear strategic vision about this issue. Personally, I like BIAB because every year it gives me more of the same kind of musical stuff that I truly love. I'm the perfect target customer, I guess. But "more of the same" is a very risky strategy in the long term.
Long live BIAB, regardless.
Last edited by Jon Thomas; 02/11/23 11:25 PM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Yes, it's the very thing that will keep all the styles of music alive.
If the software is modern it will attract younger users, this way they can be introduced to other styles.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2003
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Perhaps PGM would do well to make a major update to their UI; it really does look like refugee from 1994. ...not just the assembly of loops made on a laptop by someone in a bedroom with no music knowledge or taste whatsoever.... I'm going to have to defend loop based music creation here. Even though I have no use for loops myself, I understand that it can be done well and that it actually does take some talent and discernment to do so.
Byron Dickens BIAB. CbB. Mixbus 32C 8 HP Envy. Intel core i7. 16GB RAM W10. Focusrite Scarlett 18i 20. Various instruments played with varying degrees of proficiency. https://soundcloud.com/athanorsoundlabs
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2011
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I find one of the unique qualities of Band-in-a-Box is it allows me to explore the many audio sources used in production.
Band-in-a-Box works with user recorded audio, MIDI, virtual instruments, audio loops and insert effects in addition to PG Music's RealTracks. It doesn't care about the audio source which allows me to concentrate on the song structure.
Jim Fogle - 2025 BiaB (1124) RB (1) Ultra+ PAK DAWs: Cakewalk by BandLab (CbB) - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8 Laptop: i3 Win 10, 8GB ram 500GB HDD Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2023
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Tom Cruise, Top Gun Maverick, the theme song is "Hold My Hand", by LadyGaga.
It's a traditional four chords rock song, with a tiny bit of EDM elements blended into heavily distorted guitar.
Guess what? Huge success! Both young people and old people love this song. There are hundreds of people doing covers on YouTube.
On the other hand, BiaB is alienating young generation, not because of the genres, but due to it's Windows XP era interface.
There are over 300 commands in BiaB, but only less than 30 of them are truly useful. The remaining 270 are just there to intimidate and confuse the users.
For example, in the Melodiest dialogue box: "Change Song Chords" option, "Change Song Style" option, are you kidding me? I want you to help me generate a melody to fit my song, but you put these options there to screw my song. Why you hate me so much?
HIDE THESE GOD AWEFUL USELESS COMMANDS & OPTIONS, SO ONLY THE USEFUL ONES CAN BE SEEN!!!
A Canadian music producer, singer songwriter, composer, and professional guitarist.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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For example, in the Melodiest dialogue box: "Change Song Chords" option, "Change Song Style" option, are you kidding me? I want you to help me generate a melody to fit my song, but you put these options there to screw my song. Why you hate me so much?
Good point, but bad example. Those two obtions are necessary to identify a melody which fits your chords, even if you don't have chords. I do admit that the process will be iterative as you try to figure the logic, but it is logical once you get it done. Like much of BIAB. I just spent a moring on a project to identify a melody, and I think I got some good stuff...
BIAB – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, 1TB WD Black NVMe SSD, 2TB WDC Blue SSD, 1TB WD Blue, 2 TB SK NVMe, 6 TB External, Motu Audio Express 6x6
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I think the BBPlugin/BBPlugin Standalone is where the focus needs to be for new younger users.
This way you can get away from the old Delphi code limitations and bloat.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 225
Apprentice
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I'm going to have to defend loop based music creation here. Even though I have no use for loops myself, I understand that it can be done well and that it actually does take some talent and discernment to do so.
Just a quick clarification. I agree with Byron. Any kind of music may involve talent and discernment (or the opposite), including loop-based music. That was not my point. My point is: - younger generations use loop-based production a lot. Not my thing, not my taste, but that's irrelevant. However, should BIAB accomodate loop-based production in a better, more straightforward, modern way, in order to attract the young a bit more? (and yes, @JimFogle I know it's already possible, and I know that with BIAB you can use any source, including loops, but the implementation is clearly way too convoluted and clearly not at the center of the focus of BIAB's operations and interface. Can you imagine a 18 years old choosing BIAB to create looped-based songs? There are far better alternatives, "better" from the 18 years old point of view). That is the question I was wondering about. And I dont have an answer, obviously. - the idea of integrating BIAB's core strenghts (real tracks, chord based production, "traditional" genres etc etc) with more loop-friendly / young-friendly operations and interface, might help introducing the "loop-only" younger generation to BIAB and, more importantly, to traditional styles, genres, ways of music production. That would be a good thing, in my opinion. Not for me, but generally a good thing. Nothing against loops, per se. In fact, I also use them (although quite rarely).
Last edited by Jon Thomas; 02/12/23 10:46 PM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 117
Apprentice
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Posts: 117 |
nobody is going to create decent contemporary EDM songs using BIAB.
Programs like Reason and Ableton are popular for modern pop and dance genres for a reason, with their huge sample libraries, loops, built-in library of cutting-edge synths, and effects, powerful routing and automation and fast efficient workflow.
BIAB is not the right tool for the job. Stuff like hip-hop, trap are not even chord based.
Still love BIAB though, but it's best suited for generic sounding jazz, pop, blues & country imho. As long as young people enjoy playing those genres, then I'm sure there will be new adopters and BIAB has a bright future.
As we discussed in another thread, the GUI and workflow will be a turn off, for people coming from other well-established DAWs.
Last edited by konaboy; 02/13/23 04:52 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2020
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Kona.
i see where your coming from, and this has been discussed before re EDM/modern genres etc. but my question is do people really explore biab and realband (rb) properly ?
cos in recent years more 'modern' styles have been added.
the reason i mention this is there are more than a few styles that could be used or adapted for edm etc.
ive just finished a 'kinda rap' song useing a biab style.
i'll post it in the showcase so people can tell me if i'm out to lunch or not.
lets not forget rb has 48 traks one can anything with. ive even done special effects with it.
in rb you can do a slew of stuff. depends how one approaches the task at hand.
your correct some other products have lots of big sample libs...but there are nearly free/free sample libs out there and loads of virtual instruments...
eg computer music mag from the uk which offers something like 80 free plug ins n' vi's//synths etc etc.
(just explore it on you tube sometime. some very impressive stuff in cm's vault.)
one problem ive found if i'm confronted with huge sample libs//vi's is i have sooo many sample options..it takes up ages to come to a decision as to which ones to use in a song. thus 'paralysis by analysis' often occurs.
thus i limit my choices to the pg styles//sound creation tools and augmented by cm mag sounds.
but maybe i'm useless at modern genres (as at my core i'm a rocker ). but we will see when i load up the song on in showcase...and get egg on my face...lol.
its an experimental song cos so many people say biab cant do modern stuff.
in conclusion all i'm saying is the tools are there in pg products to do anything one wishes. its just how one chooses to use them. the key is to delve deeply.
happiness.
om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 02/13/23 05:52 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 824
Expert
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Expert
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Posts: 824 |
I think the BBPlugin/BBPlugin Standalone is where the focus needs to be for new younger users.
This way you can get away from the old Delphi code limitations and bloat. +1 Perhaps for ALL users. I wish it worked better in the Mac World with Logic Pro. I'd love to be able to use it reliably in my workflow.
biab2024(Mac) Latest Build
Mac OS Sequoia 15.0.1
Apple M2 pro 32GB Ram
Logic Pro 11
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Actually, I think BiaB is a good tool for EDM.
I've written some EDM styles and you can make them repeat and repeat just like a recorded loop. Then you can use the B section as a variation of that loop. With Multi styles, you can get a couple more variations, if you want.
What could be easier. Enter your chord, or few chords, choose an EDM style, and set the repeat function. And you're done.
But since my EDM style disk is not one of my top-selling disks, even though some who have bought it tell me it's great, I guess there aren't many EDM creators using BiaB.
Perhaps if they knew about this, it's change.
Insoights and incites by Notes ♫
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
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Let's not forget, RealTracks ARE audio loops. BIAB is perfectly capable of making contemporary music. This is after all making music with computers. As with any musical instrument, the musician is more important than the tool. Here is an example done some time ago demonstrating the versatility of a BIAB style using both midi and RealTrack Loops: https://soundcloud.com/cxp-2/style-versatility-demoHowever, the discussions in the forum and the typical showcase entry would send twenty-somethings running in the opposite direction no matter the UI.
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows® Today!
If you’ve already purchased Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®, great news—a new update is now available! This update introduces a handy new feature: a vertical cursor in the Tracks window that shows the current location across all tracks, and more.
Discover everything included in this free update and download it now at https://www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1124
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Boot Camp: The AI Lyrics Generator
With Band-in-a-Box 2025® for Windows®, we've introduced an exciting new feature: the AI Lyrics Generator! In this video, Tobin guides you step-by-step on how to make the most of this new tool.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Boot Camp: The AI Lyrics Generator video.
Check out the forum post for more information.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Using VST3 Plugins
Band-in-a-Box 2025® for Windows® now includes support for VST3 plugins, bringing even more creative possibilities to your music production. Join Simon as he guides you through the process in this easy-to-follow demonstration!
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Using VST3 Plugins
Join the conversation on our forum.
Video: Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows: Using The BB Stem Splitter!
In this video, Tobin provides a crash course on using the new BB Stem Splitter feature included in Band-in-a-Box 2025® for Windows®. During this process he also uses the Audio Chord Wizard (ACW) and the new Equalize Tempo feature.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Using the BB Stem Splitter
Check out the forum post for some optional Tips & Tricks!
Congrats to Misha (Rustyspoon)…downloaded/installed a full Audiophile 2025!
Breaking News!
We’re thrilled to announce that Rustyspoon has made PG history as the very first person to successfully complete the download and install of the full Band-in-a-Box 2025 Windows Audiophile Edition (with FLAC files)—a whopping 610GB of data!
A big shoutout to Rustyspoon for stepping up to be our test "elf!"
Thank you for your support, Rustyspoon!
Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows Videos
With the launch of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows, we're adding new videos to our YouTube channel. We'll also share them here once they are published so you can easily find all the Band-in-a-Box® 2025 and new Add-on videos in one place!
Whether it's a summary of the new features, demonstrations of the 202 new RealTracks, new XPro Styles PAK 8, or Xtra Styles PAKs 18, information on the 2025 49-PAK, or detailed tutorials for other Band-in-a-Box® 2025 features, we have you covered!
Reference this forum post for One-Stop Shopping of our Band-in-a-Box® 2025 Videos - we will be updating this post as more videos are added!
Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows is here, packed with major new features and an incredible collection of available new content! This includes 202 RealTracks (in Sets 449-467), plus 20 bonus Unreleased RealTracks in the 2025 49-PAK. There are new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 4, two new sets of “RealDrums Stems,” XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAK 19, and more!
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We've packed our Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK with some incredible Add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is automatically included with most Band-in-a-Box® for Windows 2025 packages, but for even more Add-ons (including 20 Unreleased RealTracks!) upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49. You can see the full lists of items in each package, and listen to demos here.
If you have any questions, feel free to connect with us directly—we’re here to help!
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