PG Music Band In A Box Updates

PG Music has released Band-in-a-Box 2009.5 for Windows and Mac-Intel and RealBand 2009.5 for Windows, along with 101 new RealTracks (Sets 40-66) and RealDrums Sets 21-26.

Existing Band-in-a-Box and RealBand 2009 users will receive all the latest RealTracks and RealDrums, as well as a 2009.5 update, when they purchase the Summer PlusPAK for $99. RealPAKs for Rock-Pop, Jazz, Country and Salsa are now available.

Purchase before August 31, 2009 and receive special introductory pricing for these RealPAKs – starting at $59. Plus, PG Music now offers the UltraPlusPAK Band-in-a-Box for Windows and Mac-Intel which includes all of the RealTracks and RealDrums and more.

Available pre-installed on a 160GB Portable USB Hard Drive or discs, this PAK is available from $379.

For users looking for the highest quality lossless audio, you can purchase the UltraPlusPAK Hard Drive “Audiophile” Edition for Windows or MacIntel, and receive the WAV or AIFF files for all 66 RealTracks Sets, and all 26 RealDrums Sets preinstalled on a 1TB Hard Drive. Upgrade to the UltraPlusPAK Hard Drive “Audiophile” Edition from $529.

Band-in-a-Box Version 2009.5 Build 284 (Windows)

Changes:

Added: Classic RealStyles styles made. This is a new category in the StylePicker, and it contains new styles that are intended to be commonly used RealTracks. They are divided into genres, so you can go to Classic RealStyles – Jazz to easily find RealStyles for Jazz Swing, Bossa etc. (Note: For RealTracks released prior to August 2009 there are many Classic RealStyles included in the RealTracks patches).

Added: Guitar RealCharts have been improved. The new guitar RealTracks have more accurate guitar display/tab/notation for the corresponding RealTracks.

Added: The Verify function in the RealTracks assign dialog has been enhanced. It checks your installation to find out if RealTracks are properly installed, or if any files are missing.

Improved: Song Memo enhanced. The font for the song memo is size selectable.

Improved: Developer mode for RealDrums enhanced. If the file c:\bbNumberedDeveloperFiles.txt exists, the DrumAudioResults.txt with information get numbered and written to c:\bb\Results folder (Note: This feature is only for those people developing their own RealDrums files. You need to create a c:\bb\Results folder first).

Improved: Realtracks are enhanced. These features are present in the new RealTracks that are released with 2009.5: Smoother playing of piano parts over slash chords; Support for some more complex slash chords like C7/E played by piano; RealTracks feature to only play certain riffs in certain keys. This feature happens automatically on certain RealTracks, no settings are needed.

Added: RealCharts for piano are auto hand-split now. RealTracks (and MIDI style) piano parts that are on the piano track will appear with hands-split (right hand in red, left hand in blue) on the Big Piano window, and in notation. There is a setting for this on the Notation-Options dialog.

Added: Smooth Audio looping. Now the audio track loops seamlessly, including when it is used with the conductor. Frozen songs now loop smoothly and are usable with the conductor.

Added: Any missing RealTracks/RealDrums are listed. When a song is loaded, played or saved, a yellow hint message will appear if any RealTracks or RealDrums are missing, listing the files that are missing or not available in your installation.

Added: The SongList dialog now lists if any RealDrums or RealTracks were not found, in a separate column ('d’ and 't’ indicates missing RealDrums or RealTracks, '-' indicates missing style). Note: If you want to disable this feature, you can add the file AlsoReadStylesWithSongListBuildUp_False.txt to your bb folder (contents irrelevant).

Added: Chord Options dialog now has a 'Clear All’ button that erases all Rests/Shots/Pushes/Pedal Bass from a song.

Fixed: Audible 'Audio Glitches’ in some RealTracks were removed.

Added: Songs with RealTracks on Drums (and no drum part) get a drum count-in. For example, _BG_BAND.STY.

Added: If a ChordSheet/ notation transpose is in effect, there is a Transpose 'yellow hint’ message on bootup as a reminder.

Added: Audio Base tempo reminder message. If saving a song, and Audio Base tempo is different than the Song Tempo, a warning message will show, asking you to confirm that you want to save it like this.

Improved: Feature that starts a new line on a part marker (section) has been enhanced – Previously a section with only 2 bars wouldn’t start a new line, now it does. F5 bar settings Notation – on a new line – now works for chord sections. Notation starts a new line on a part marker (like the chord sheet). This can be disabled for a song or globally.

Added: Option added for Melody-Guitar rechannel, to include events already on guitar channel.

Added: When launching AudioChordWizard, a preserve part markers question doesn’t appear now if there are no chords in the song.

Added: Message in RealTracks dialog when no style demo found.

Improved: Many more demos shown in RealTracks dialog.

Added: Multiple search terms work with RealTracks picker. If you separate terms with a space, each term is searched for separately. So a search for “Country Guitar Ev 120”, will find any Country Guitar styles with an Even feel that would work with a tempo close to 120.

Added: Multiple search terms also work with RealDrums picker.

Added: Adding a search term for RealDrums or RealTracks that has a number will filter for RealDrums or RealTracks that match the tempo or within a compatible range.

Added: Checkbox for RealTracks to show/hide RealTracks that are out of compatible tempo range.

Added: Spacebar starts from current location, and stops the song (this is now the default).

Added: Double click on radio buttons at top of screen opens up the menu (like the right mouse click does).

Changed: The RealTracks and RealDrums button now open up the RealTracks Picker and RealDrums picker, instead of the settings dialog (Control-click will open up the settings dialog).

Added: Favorite song dialog opens up song dialog if there are no songs in favorite.

Fixed: Endings weren’t playing for RealTracks that had 2 substyles.

Fixed: Some chords were silent for certain type of RealTracks with 2 substyles.

Fixed: RealTracks not honoring break bars on replay.

Fixed: Visually hung notes on guitar or piano sometimes showing when stop was pressed.

Fixed: AudioChordWizard, average song tempo was being set to 120 in Band-in-a-Box, instead of the actual tempo.

Fixed: Conductor if we press X to set a loop 4 bars, doesn’t say loop 4 bars in the yellow hint area.

Fixed: Archive button for Realtracks, when asking for drums it wasn’t archiving them.

Added: RealTracks now searchable by artist name.

Fixed: Custom solo generation was leaving a RealCharts MIDI track that could be heard.

Fixed: With some of the 101 Riffs add-ons, there were audio memos with the riffs that weren’t playing.

Fixed: When opening a song from the RealTracks dialog, the memo doesn’t open now, as it was conflicting.

Fixed: There was a bug that happened when you didn’t have any ASIO drivers installed on your computer, and you selected ASIO as your audio driver type.

Fixed: Wrong string “Pre-processing WMA” in progress dialog.

Fixed: When you save a RealTrack or MIDI track as a wave file by right-clicking on the track name and selecting Save RealTrack as WAV, ASIO drivers were automatically switched to MME.

Fixed: Songs with a style change from MIDI Drums to RealDrums.

Fixed: Yellow message for the delay between songs, and juke delay.

Fixed: Doesn’t decompress WMA to WAV when building a songlist.

Fixed: Soundtrack error generating WAV file for complete song with no lead-in.

Fixed: Soundtrack radio buttons were hidden for RealTracks parts.

Fixed: SoundTrack was not generating properly if requested length was greater than the song length.

Fixed: Stuck notes visually on big piano, piano roll, lead-sheet.

Fixed: Piano channel was getting set to 8 or 9 sometimes if hand splitting was set to true.

Changed: When File-New, a chord isn’t added to the ending bar of the song. Note: A chord would get added to the ending bar if you press Play and none exists, this is normal.

Fixed: Miscellaneous improvements and fixes done to various styles and demos.

Added: The new behaviour of the assign realtracks dialog is that it shows whatever realtracks is set for the style (or song over-ride), instead of just showing the song over-ride.

Added: Clicking on the labels in the realtracks assign dialog also sets the track.

Added: RealDrums dialog now updates after returning from Settings dialog. Also shows path name in dialog.

Added: RealDrums and RealTracks dialog shows path in title bar.

Fixed: RealCharts for Guitar was sometimes overlapping notes.

Added: Clear all bars in the Chord Options now has a confirmation dialog.

Changed: Tip dialog, show tips at startup changed to a flash message. (less annoying, still defaults to false).

Added: Some bass styles now display in Bass Tab and on the Bass fretboard.

Band-in-a-Box 2009.5 Build 6 (Mac)

Changes:

Added: Audio Chord Wizard Enhancements – Lead Sheet window that shows the chords for the whole song on a single screen. This allows you to click on a bar on the lead sheet to jump to that area of the song. You can mark sections of the song using part markers, and the sections begin on a new line with a line space between so are clearly seen. Chord editing capability added, and much more.

Improved: Guitar RealCharts have been improved. The new guitar RealTracks have more accurate guitar display/tab/notation for the corresponding RealTracks.

Improved: Realtracks are enhanced. These features are present in the new RealTracks that are released with 2009.5 – smoother playing of piano parts over slash chords, support for some more complex slash chords like C7/E played by piano, RealTracks feature to only play certain riffs in appropriate keys. This feature happens automatically, no settings are needed.

Added: Any missing RealTracks/RealDrums are listed. When a song is loaded, played or saved, a yellow hint message will appear if any RealTracks or RealDrums are missing, listing the files that are missing.

Added: Chord Options dialog now has a 'Clear All’ button that erases all Rests/Shots/Pushes/Pedal Bass from a song.

Improved: Audible 'Audio Glitches’ in some RealTracks are removed.

Added: Songs with RealTracks on the Drums track (and no drum part) get a drum countin. For example, _BG_BAND.STY.

Added: If a ChordSheet/ notation transpose is in effect, a Transpose yellow hint message on bootup as a reminder.

Added: Option for Melody Guitar rechannel, to include events already on guitar channel.

Added: Message when no style demo found in RealTracks dialog.

Added: Many more demos shown in RealTracks dialog.

Fixed: Endings weren’t playing for RealTracks that had 2 substyles.

Fixed: Some chords were silent for certain type of RealTracks (with 2 substyles).

Fixed: RealTracks not honoring break bars on replay.

Fixed: Visually hung notes on guitar or piano sometimes showing when stop was pressed.

Fixed: AudioChordWizard, average song tempo was being set to 120 in Band-in-a-Box, instead of the actual tempo.

Fixed: RealTracks now searchable by artist name.

Fixed: With some of the 101 Riffs, there are audio memos with the riffs that weren’t playing.

Changed: When File-New, a chord isn’t added to the ending bar of the song. Note: A chord would get added to the ending bar if you press Play and none exists, this is normal.

Added: Spacebar starts from current location, and stops the song (this is the default, and can be set in Preferences)

Added: Play from in the ChordSheet window plays from the tag or ending if defined.

Added: Multiple search terms work with RealTracks picker. If you separate terms with a space, each term is searched for separately. So a search for “Country Guitar Ev 120”, will find any Country Guitar styles with an Even feel that would work with a tempo of close to 120.

Added: Multiple search terms also work with RealDrums picker.

Added: Putting in a search term for RealDrums or RealTracks that has a number will filter for RealDrums or RealTracks that match the tempo or within a compatible range.

Added: Checkbox added for RealTracks to show/hide RealTracks that are out of compatible tempo range.

Added: Favorite song dialog opens up song dialog if there are no songs in favorite.

Added: The new behaviour of the assign realtracks dialog is that it shows whatever realtracks is set for the style (or song over-ride), instead of just showing the song over-ride.

Added: Clicking on the labels in the realtracks assign dialog also sets the track.

Added: RealDrums dialog now updates after returning from Settings dialog. Also shows path name in dialog.

Added: RealDrums and RealTracks dialog shows path in title bar.

Fixed: RealCharts for Guitar was sometimes overlapping notes.

Added: Clear all bars in the Chord Options now has a confirmation dialog.

Added: Clicking on the labels in the realtracks assign dialog also sets the track.

Added: Some bass styles now display in Bass Tab and on the Bass fretboard.

RealBand 2009.5 Build 4

Changes:

Added: Drag/Drop WAV or MIDI files into the Tracks Window. From Explorer, drag and drop media files (WAV, MIDI) onto the Tracks Window, and they will get added to the project on the track that you dropped them, at the current time.

Added: Repeats. Now you can add repeats to an arrangement. The repeats display on the chords window, and audio/MIDI play with the repeats. To add repeats, the Chords Window has a Bar Settings dialog “F5 key” which now has a setting for number of bars to repeat, and number of repeats. When number of bars is greater than zero, a repeat will be enabled and repeat signs shown in Chords Window.

Added: Big Clock Window – displays either Measures:Beats:Ticks, Hours Minutes Seconds Hundredths, or Samples. Clicking on the window will toggle the display mode.

Added: File | Import menu item. This lets you easily add a MIDI/ WAV/ SEQ/ or MGU file to an existing project (SEQ). This is handy when combining media types to a new or existing project.

Added: Easily move tracks up or down in relation to each other by drag n’ drop using the mouse. e.g. Drag track 1 below track 2 to change the order of the tracks.

Added: Generate button now has a new popup menu with various generation options (also has Ctrl-G hotkey).

Added: Track-Regenerate (Refresh). This is useful to regenerate when there have been tempo changes, or just to generate fresh (new) material. Right-click on a track, and choose Regenerate [xxxxx ] menu item, where xxxxx is the name of the RealTracks, RealDrums, or MIDI style that will get regenerated.

Added: Display what style is selected for a RealTrack when scrolling over it.

Added: Mixer labels for master effects . You can type in a label and it is shown vertically next to volume slider, and the labels are saved with .SEQ files.

Added: TC-Helicon Audio Harmonizer can now be used in RealBand (requires that you own PowerTracks Pro Audio 12, and have the latest build installed). Set your PT folder in the Song Preferences windows.

Added: Grid lines in Piano Roll window show triplets if snap-to is set to triplets.

Added: Double-clicking on a track in the tracks window will either launch Notation or Audio Edit window depending on track-type. If Ctrl is held and track is MIDI, then the Piano Roll will launch instead of notation.

Added: Ctrl-N hotkey pops up a dialog that lets you change the Now time location.

Added: Audio Edit popup now contains the audio effects submenu.

Added: The Chords Window now draws the window background color in gray after the song ending.

Added: Improved centering of the audio edit window while zooming. When zooming an audio edit window, and From/Thru isn’t highlighted, then it will now center around the time cursor.

Added: Audio Edit Window now has a new Drop down combo which lets you easily change to a different track.

Added: Part marker letters are now displayed in Tracks and Notation windows.

Added: Tracks Window Enhancements – Delete section of a track with the delete key instead of Ctrl-X. If a region is highlighted, pressing delete erases it. Also, new right-click items are added for delete current selection, as well as right click items for cut/copy/paste.

Added: Copy and Paste now has an option to copy and paste part markers (A and B) along with events, chords and such.

Added: Zooming in Tracks Window centers like the audio edit window does.

Added: Option for a 'Silent Lead-in’ added. This is a 2 bar lead-in with no click. Use this with the new large time display feature to see the count in.