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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 188
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OP
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 188 |
Is it worth the trouble to try this? I like Biab for creating backing tracks but frequently prefer my own tracks for bass and guitar. Over the years I have exported to Cakewalk. Recording tracks directly into Biab has inconsistent results and often causes lockups.
Should I move on to Daw once chart is developed or keep trying?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2020
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I have never tried recording bass directly into BiaB.
The method that has always worked well for me is to record "directly" into my DAW.
Quotes because I prefer to hear my playing thru my practice amp (I like the tone) so then I use my XLR Out on the amp and feed that to my interface which in turn is connected to my DAW (via USB) on a Win 11 desktop.
I use BiaB for what it's good at which is producing backing tracks.
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677BiaB 2026 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,031
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I would continue to record the way you're most comfortable with. That way you can better concentrate on your performance.
For you that's likely moving backing tracks out of Band-in-a-Box (BiaB) into Cakewalk and recording in Cakewalk.
For someone new to recording themselves I would suggest recording in Band-in-a-Box. Then they don't have to learn additional software (a DAW), can alter song structure as needed, continue to finesse backing tracks to better match their performance and have the benefit of not having to export backing tracks.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 103
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How about recording into RealBand? It comes with BIAB and directly loads the BIAB song files.
I'm not a "pro" at this, but I have had pretty good success with creating my song in BIAB and then load the SGU file into RB and recording bass and guitar tracks and other instruments there. I'll make edits and do the track processing there as well. For my uses there is no real need to export to another DAW since so far RB does everything I need for what I'm doing. One of the benefits for me is that I can visually watch the progression of the BIAB song chord changes pretty much the same as in BIAB, etc. while recording in RB. After I found that I can use most Reaper plugins in RB, that pretty much sealed it for me. It works for me, but like I say, I'm not a "pro".
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,147
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+1 for RealBand its simple and easy to use and as the post above says you can see the BIAB progression
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 188
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OP
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I take the line out of amp directly into Motu interface. This allows monitoring everything as needed.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 188
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OP
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 188 |
The bass line is critical for locking into various drum kits. Recording bass lines early helps with auditioning various real tracks and drums.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 188
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OP
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 188 |
Will check this out. Might be more efficient since you can share Biab files in both directions?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I also move over to RB as i love the ability to use the partial regeneration capability to fine tune my RTs. Now that it has the ability to hide unused tracks and has much improved comping features for recording i use it far more than Reaper or Mixbus on my machine. I set up a template with my favorite effects on each channel so i can get the sound i want. It is not perfect but what it lacks in one area it excels at in others.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,686
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My 2 cents is recording in any DAW is far superior to recording in BiaB.
Tips on how to fall asleep in a living room chair:
1- Be old
2- Sit in a chair
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,031
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My 2 cents is recording in any DAW is far superior to recording in BiaB. Mario, I'm surprised at how strong a statement you've made. Do you mind sharing why you feel "recording in any DAW is far superior to recording in BiaB."?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
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My 2 cents is recording in any DAW is far superior to recording in BiaB. Mario, I'm surprised at how strong a statement you've made. Do you mind sharing why you feel "recording in any DAW is far superior to recording in BiaB."? Jim, I don't know why Maria would say that, but I agree 100%, does that surprize you?  For me, I can tell you why. If one is just starting out and wants to dabble with recording themselves playing over BIAB backing tracks, Yes, BIAB will do it. I have demonstrated that here in the forum over the years. But, if you are serious about your recording and you want to pursue your music growth by doing recordings, you have to move to a true DAW. Recording ones music is serious business and requires serious tools and workflow that BIAB simple does not have. I would encourage anyone interested in recording to start sooner, rather than later, working one of the many available DAW's which were specifically designed for this purpose. Just my 2 cents 
Last edited by DrDan; 02/08/26 10:35 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Jim, I don't know why Maria would say that, but I agree 100%, does that surprize you? I don’t know why Maria would say such a thing either. But I think Mario might say the following: (Ducking and running for cover) 😊 Is it possible to dig a ditch with a spoon? Yes Is it possible to hammer a nail with a rock? Yes Is it possible to grow without a teacher? Yes Is it possible to experiment with chord progressions using pencil and paper? Yes But if you want to dig well, hammer cleanly, grow deeply, and compose quickly, you choose the tools and supports that make the work faster, clearer, and more effective; especially when your time is a high priority. Now I need to shovel my driveway. Honey, where’s my spatula? 😊
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677BiaB 2026 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,686
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My 2 cents is recording in any DAW is far superior to recording in BiaB. Mario, I'm surprised at how strong a statement you've made. Do you mind sharing why you feel "recording in any DAW is far superior to recording in BiaB."? Off the top of my head: 1- hearing what you are recording - although that may have changed as i have not tried to record in BiaB for some time now 2-multiple takes 3-it best fits my workflow - trying to dive deep into BiaB has always caused me problems while the DAWs that I have used over the years (Vision-Cakewalk pro audio-Sonar-Studio One Pro-Fender Studio Pro) have not Plus I agree with everything Dan has said YMMV
Tips on how to fall asleep in a living room chair:
1- Be old
2- Sit in a chair
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
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+1 for RealBand its simple and easy to use and as the post above says you can see the BIAB progression Another +1 You can still Generate when needed/desired ..
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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... if you are serious about your recording and you want to pursue your music growth by doing recordings, you have to move to a true DAW. Recording ones music is serious business and requires serious tools and workflow that BIAB simple does not have. Okay Dan, I'll play devil's advocate and bite at the bait. What serious recording tools does BiaB simply not have?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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... You choose the tools and supports that make the work faster, clearer, and more effective; especially when your time is a high priority. Bass Thumper, just like with my response to Dan I'm playing Devil's Advocate. I have a question for you; are you more familiar with using a DAW or BiaB? I ask because I assume you are more familiar with recording in a DAW than you are with recording in BiaB. Remember this thread started with the question should the op record in BiaB or a DAW. I believe anyone will work faster, clearer and be more effective using a tool they are familiar and comfortable with than using a tool they are not familiar with. At least that has been the case for me and most people I know. But when you're familiar with recording in a DAW but are not as familiar with recording in BiaB you can not say with accuracy which program the op should choose. Why would a person familiar with a DAW ask the question? Would it be reasonable to assume the op likely is about as familiar with using BiaB as they are a DAW? If that is the case why should the op learn two programs (DAW & BiaB) instead of learning more about the program (BiaB) the op has invested time and money?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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... Off the top of my head:
1- hearing what you are recording - BiaB has real time input monitoring
2-multiple takes BiaB allows multiple takes
3-it best fits my workflow - trying to dive deep into BiaB has always caused me problems while the DAWs that I have used over the years (Vision-Cakewalk pro audio-Sonar-Studio One Pro-Fender Studio Pro) have not I agree that when a program gives you problems when you try to do something but other programs do not then it's better to use the other programs.
Plus I agree with everything Dan has said
YMMV
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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+1 for RealBand its simple and easy to use and as the post above says you can see the BIAB progression Another +1 You can still Generate when needed/desired .. Unless your song file uses a feature exclusive to BiaB.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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BIAB needs a simple Arm>Record audio record option. Current method is very obsolete. Maybe not as advanced as mature DAWs, but simple enough to understand and use without digging out manual or asking questions on forum.
I feel it is getting close to that point. I just wish it would be done well (like new UI) and not half baked, even if it would be limited to the number of existing tracks.
While I record audio / MIDI in DAW, I would very much appreciate being able to use a couple of existing tracks for basic audio input recording for sketches and ideas.
2026 BIAB Piano Roll is already very usable. Time to tackle audio recording.
P.S. Ohh, and a statement: "BIAB is not a DAW" makes me nauseous. BIAB is a DAW. A different kind, but nevertheless a DAW.
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
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Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
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