I make a lot of suggestions that to me seems like the obvious thing to do in this day and age from using so many other audio applications other than PG apps, though it might seem like ramblings, something out of the realm of science fiction to PG and other users here, it is in reality where the PG apps should be. PG app have for a long time been liken to XP 32bit compared to using the Win7 64bit of other audio apps. Microsoft made this leap ahead for the better they didn't just cosmetically update XP to Win7 like 98>Me it was all NEW. I remember XP was great after 98/Me but you still got so many crashes, freeze ups, reinstalls on a regular basis, this was incredibly stressful but I have had Win7 64 since it was released and have had maybe 2 crashes in all that time, NO STRESS, i repeat NO STRESS. PG apps are still in that XP crashing error timewarp and there is a lot of denial, resistance to change. The magic of what PG apps can do is held back soooooooo far by the interface from it's true potential compared to where other 64 bit audio applications are, the great RealTrack/Drum musicians and the music they produce are totally let down by the interface, the interface should be the same quality as the musicians themselves, the software itself should be a work of art, high end professionalism. The reliability, professionalism and performance of the musicians should be the same as that of the software. Just because of the magic that it produces, doesn't mean it's okay to have the old 32bit programing , "make do" interface and get away with it, as the chickens will still eat whatever you throw at them no questions asked. Sure you can tweak it, cosmetically change and add new features to it each year and old users will still buy it regardless but it does not do it true justice of where it can and should be. Sure you can get away with using it like you could with XP on a simple, stressful, unreliable level. It should not have to stay on the level it is, maybe most user that buy it now just use it to make up songs and post them in the UserShowcase. There is greater potential for it to be used in a more professional way also, but for that it needs a 64 bit Professional 24bit 48khz Audiophile version. It should not be still marketed for just fun, learning music, hobbyist or accompaniment market, sure it started out that way with all the cartoon style graphics.
Don't put 64bit 24/48 BB-RB Pro version in the too hard basket, do the RT musicians say "No, I'm not playing that it's too hard, give me something basic, the users will "make do" with it" ?
I have spent some much time imputing and working out ways of doing things to make it better because of all the problems I encounter using it, I just feel it is so much wasted time and NRG if it goes nowhere and things are just cherry picked.
In other beta/feature request forums it flows, you make the suggestion - it's implemented "now" - downloaded - there is feedback and thankfulness and it works. In PG forum this action if any can take years n years, 10 years even and results in incredible stress and frustration. Is this the way that it has to be and there is absolutely nothing that can be done about it, it's just the way things work around here and will always be that way forever ?
I don't want to wait another 10 years to come back here.
Excellent points Pipeline, respectfully & thoughtfully explained. Since you've started this conversation once more I'd like to offer my standard suggestion...create a RealTracks VSTi!
This would work as a Kontakt plugin maybe? Don't even bother upgrading the BIAB/RB interface; leave it as-is for the current satisfied customers. Keep it on the same "upgrade" schedule adding a couple of new tricks every year.
Hire a UX expert to design the RealTrack UI and maybe even a team of devs to create it. All of a sudden you would have a world-class product that every Kontakt owner would want! In fact, NI might even want to fund some of the dev in order to sell more Kontakt! Maybe make it a one-year NI exclusive working only with Kontakt but after a year you make it available as a straight up VSTi.
Keep only the main features like multi-riff and bar-by-bar generation to allow maximum control over the generated tracks. Go further by publishing an index of some sort to allow me to pick and choose riffs to build my track if I want. Leave out a lot of the obscure features that add little to the most common usage like Play Jukebox and Generate Title (I'm sure there are quite a few like this that are rarely used and would not add much value to the VSTi product). You would not need the mixer at all and all of the PG effects could be dropped since I have my DAW and tons of plugs there.
Yes you are right again ! a RealTracks/Drums/Midi VSTi (VST for audio only app) Leave the other apps how they are and you load that basic operation VST in your High End 64bit DAW and it won't have a massive learning curve for regular DAW Studio users.
Okay I will put the Cryogenics on hold and hope that it comes out soon.
Yes you are right again ! a RealTracks/Drums/Midi VSTi (VST for audio only app) Leave the other apps how they are and you load that basic operation VST in your High End 64bit DAW and it won't have a massive learning curve for regular DAW Studio users.
Okay I will put the Cryogenics on hold and hope that it comes out soon.
I think I just need a holiday from it all.
Well, I just wanna say I greatly appreciate your hacks and tips! You have saved me more than once with tips like how to switch from normal to DI guitar RTs!! Without your advice I would have had to trial and error it for hours and possibly never got it where I wanted it but with your folder switching tip it just worked! And some of your tips about integration with RapidComposer I am looking forward to trying but just have not had time yet.
I think this is all you would need in a vst ? so you can enter the chords directly in the track (zoom track in for tight chords), Generate Button to give all the generate options including MultiRiffs, tracks just drag n drop into DAW along with the realchart midi, maybe you could have the notation/tab come up on double click a realchart track ? you can easily add extra realtracks/drums to a recorded session or generate up the complete style. Basically to keep it as simple as possible to avoid any crashes.
I think this is all you would need in a vst ? so you can enter the chords directly in the track (zoom track in for tight chords), Generate Button to give all the generate options including MultiRiffs, tracks just drag n drop into DAW along with the realchart midi, maybe you could have the notation/tab come up on double click a realchart track ? you can easily add extra realtracks/drums to a recorded session or generate up the complete style. Basically to keep it as simple as possible to avoid any crashes.
That would be a great start and they could use all of us as guinea pigs. Baby steps...get a basic VSTi working...add features...package and sell it!
They could learn a LOT from RapidComposer in this area!
And Open/Save to import your chords/song from SGU/SEQ and Save to SEQ. It could have a chord track drag export button that will drag a midi track out that has chords and chord names as markers, that most DAWs read.
I think the VST will need to be able to import/drag a tempo mapped midi from the host into the plugin track for tempo changes or if it was like a live recording that was mapped after. (ACW is good for creating Drum Tempo Maps, just open a drum track from a live recording with the ACW in RealBand, then you just generate a Metronome track up, then save the Metronome Midi track, open the midi in a new session in your DAW then drag all the live tracks in.) This will let the plugin get an accurate map for RealTrack/Drum/Midi generation rather than following the tempo changes up as the host plays.
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
Playable RealTracks Set 4
RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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