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Hi there, I've been wrestling with the Bar settings Instrument Changes At This Bar function. I followed instructions, select the bar, set the instrument(s) to Mute, and then set the instrument(s) back to normal where I'd like it to come back in. This works just fine in Band In A Box however when I open the file in RealBand the bar settings are gone, ALL the instruments play throughout the whole song. I tried reseting ALL the bar settings and re-entered them, again play fine in BnB, however the tracks I muted still play thru the whole song, am I missing something, is this a RB bug, it doesn't recognize the mute and unmute events?
Last edited by bykhed01; 02/24/26 11:23 AM. Reason: add unmute
Thanks,
Frank
Band-in-a-Box® for Windows
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Realband does not recognize all the feature capabilities of Band-in-a-Box. The F5 bar settings set in Band-in-a-Box are not recognized in Realband. PG Music does not recognize this as a bug but more a reason to do as much work as you can in Band-in-a-Box. I should add, Realband has some capabilities that Band-in-a-Box doesn't have.
Also, if you use the DAW plugin you'll discover the Band-in-a-Box features that aren't recognized in Realband are not recognized in the DAW plugin.
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It's not a bug.
In RB it is just different.
Some people think it should make them stay in BiaB, but my preference is to let BiaB do what it's good at and get out to RB as soon as I can
(before any editing level, just get the style and chords done)
There are multiple ways to 'mute' a track in RB:
Just cut the section (you can always regenerate it later again if wanted).
Or click the little down arrow on a track; you will then see the Volume Automation - drag the line down to lower volume where you want, and raise it back up wherever you want.
Or use a plugin to lower the volume .. or cut/paste a section to a different track so you still have it, then mute that track for now
Or open the Mixer and use 'Record Mixer Moves' so you can adjust the volumes as it plays and record those actions in the mixer.
//among other ways off the top of my head
Just different ways of doing things than 'Bar Settings'
Last edited by rharv; 02/24/26 04:10 PM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Frank,
I am sorry that I can't be helpful, but can I please ask 2 questions, as it relates to one of my prominent requests for BIAB?
As you might know, BIAB has approximately ~16 available tracks. (total count is 24, but lets say ~8 are reserved for your RTs Rd, MIDI)
Question 1: If BIAB had a normal / standardized way to record audio, would 16 available tracks suffice your needs to record your instruments, vocals?
Question 2: Lets say you answered yes to question 1, would you need another piece of software (a Daw) to record your music? And if yes, why?
Thank you!
P.S. I see that in your profile you have BIAB 2025 listed... Not sure if you upgraded to 2026 or not. If you didn't you might be in for a pleasant surprise, as UI significantly improved.
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One of the main arguments I hear around here for using RB is because it has BIAB features built right in that no other DAW has. And then, when you try to use it, you find out really quick that some of the work you already did in BIAB just gets ignored by RB. Call it whatever you want. I'd call that a bug.
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It's a matter of learning WHEN to switch to RB from BiaB
Once you've tried mixing (or some of the other stuff RB does better) inside BiaB, then yes you can lose some stuff.
Those that have success with RB also say get out of BiaB as soon as you can.
It would be kind of anti-productive to make two softwares that do everything the same, wouldn't it?
Last edited by rharv; 02/25/26 05:19 AM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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It's a matter of learning WHEN to switch to RB from BiaB In my mind, most people (not all) who use BIAB would need 4-12 tracks of accepted normal (*standard) way to record their instrument and / or vocals to complete their projects. If that is done right in BIAB, than perhaps it shouldn't be a question of WHEN, but a question of WHY.
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doesn't anybody read the PG tips and tricks forum the band in the box forum
Or the real band forum....jeesh.
To the op...
In the real band forum I posted a thread when real band might be a better solution than band in a box and differences and how I use both products...
Simply real band does some things better than band in the Box EG audio and midi editing.
Please note some people have done nearly a hundred songs in real band.
Various songs in my signature SoundCloud were done including real band...
Om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 02/25/26 07:18 AM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs(90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
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It would be kind of anti-productive to make two softwares that do everything the same, wouldn't it? What is "anti-productive" is claiming RB can open the BIAB files and then silently dropping various settings when RB opens the files! At a bare minimum, RB should warn the user of what work will be lost when opening BIAB files! Is there even anything in the documentation that explicitly lists what all is ignored by RB when opening BIAB files? If not there sure should be! When software behaves like this it does not inspire confidence and causes users like me to abandon it for other solutions. get out of BiaB as soon as you can. I certainly agree with you on this point! But I must say, with the 2026 version I am enjoying my time in BIAB a LOT more! They really improved the UX. More left to do but a GREAT improvement!
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Frank might be scared to post now  Frank, please ignore this little chat among us. It's just some of us believe that RB is next best thing and others that it should become a legacy item and limited resources should be re-directed to bring BIAB and Plugin to where they should be. From my observation, while there are a handful of VERY vocal RB supporters, most people use BIAB / Plugin and (non-RB)DAW combination. My take, if audio recording is properly set up, even on limited (by count) BIAB tracks, a lot of people (not all) wouldn't need RB or a DAW for that matter as it will fully satisfy their needs. If you find the time, kindly answer 2 of my questions from above. Thank you.
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Question 1:If[ BIAB had a normal / standardized way to record audio, would 16 available tracks suffice your needs to record your instruments, vocals? At this time I think 16 tracks would suffice. I've using BIAB for 11 years, on and off, and use RB to record tracks using the BIAB backing tracks, vocals, trumpet, guitar is done by me to RB.
Question 2: Lets say you answered yes to question 1, would you need another piece of software (a Daw) to record your music? And if yes, why? At some point I may want to do more tracks depending on my proficiency with the music I write and record, along with expertise in the software I use, which up until now is BIAB and RB. Certainly I'm disappointed that the muted events aren't integrated in the file, isn't it just another MIDI bit that could be exported and imported?
Thank you!
P.S. I see that in your profile you have BIAB 2025 listed... Not sure if you upgraded to 2026 or not. If you didn't you might be in for a pleasant surprise, as UI significantly improved. [/quote] I may upgrade at some point, see the PlusPak is $129.
Thanks,
Frank
Band-in-a-Box® for Windows
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Hi, thanks for all the good chats on this topic. Just thought I'd let you know that I did search in BIAB Help, on YouTube, Chrome, BIAB forums for the answer but didn't find any, thus this post. Has it ever had a product enhancement requirement request?
Thanks,
Frank
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Hi Rustyspoon, I can understand the how using a DAW plug-in could outweigh nvesting in RB if its losing users and there's a "better" solution out there. I'm curious if the bar settings from BIAB would be sent and/or recognized by the external DAW; depends on how the interface is designed and implemented.
Thanks,
Frank
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Frank, please ignore this little chat among us. The "little chat" is directly responding to the OP's reported problem. I couldn't find a better example of this RB bug! A user unfamiliar with RB, logically assumes that, because RB claims to work with BIAB files, it will properly open them and retain the work already invested. But RB silently ignores some things and the opened song sounds nothing like it did in BIAB. I get that these are not really the same product or prolly even produced by the same team so there are compromises necessary. But how about a warning screen when opening a BIAB file if RB detects settings it cannot honor? The OP would have immediately seen what was wrong.
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bykhed01. (note...i'm posting the following also in case there are any 'lurkers' contemplating buying pg's brilliant software music apps.) heres some 'truths' from someone who has worked in and led teams developing very complex large software apps.. (in industry...not music..)... ..it is very difficult in complex software to build an app that someone doesnt complain about. particularly apps like Realband...rb (and bb) due to the fact that such apps arent simple for even the best developers with years of experience... this isnt like coding up a 100 line app.... they are huge challenges due to the fact that rb (and bb) are choc full of features in response to user requests.. youll notice there are no competitors for either rb (or bb) on the market. (BECAUSE THESE ARE VERY VERY COMPLEX APPS !) ..as such due to the plethora of features in rb (and bb) if a new or existing user isnt willing to go through manuals and vids they will find it 'tough sledding' due to the depths of features. there is only so much a developer can do. in addition some people just dont want to learn another app. (just human nature....do you like doing dishes ?..lol.) given the above however if one is willing to get 'stuck in' there are lots of great usefull features in rb that arent in bb or any app ive ever seen. let me say both rb and bb have their plusses and minuses. see this thread re differences...and when might consider rb over bb... https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=859938#Post859938in summary the user that learns both rb and bb will realise a very powerfull song creation solution. i basically use bb for quickly laying down song ideas and then for the detailed work rb. in many respects they complement each other...like a marriage. fyi...there is a thread from folks that like rb on these forums. i'm very busy so maybe someone can find it. bottom line...if one doesnt use rb one misses various capabilities. eg fractional tempos...detailed editing of audio/midi tracks.. rb handling 48 k projects...seeing visually in rb tracks view odd time sigs divisions within a bar and many other features. rb has various features not in bb. happiness. om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 02/25/26 01:35 PM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs(90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
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bykhed01. (note...i'm posting the following also in case there are any 'lurkers' contemplating buying pg's brilliant software music apps.) heres some 'truths' from someone who has worked in and led teams developing very complex large software apps.. (in industry...not music..)... ..it is very difficult in complex software to build an app that someone doesnt complain about. particularly apps like Realband...rb (and bb) due to the fact that such apps arent simple for even the best developers with years of experience... this isnt like coding up a 100 line app.... they are huge challenges due to the fact that rb (and bb) are choc full of features in response to user requests.. youll notice there are no competitors for either rb (or bb) on the market. (BECAUSE THESE ARE VERY VERY COMPLEX APPS !) ..as such due to the plethora of features in rb (and bb) if a new or existing user isnt willing to go through manuals and vids they will find it 'tough sledding' due to the depths of features. there is only so much a developer can do. in addition some people just dont want to learn another app. (just human nature....do you like doing dishes ?..lol.) given the above however if one is willing to get 'stuck in' there are lots of great usefull features in rb that arent in bb or any app ive ever seen. let me say both rb and bb have their plusses and minuses. see this thread re differences...and when might consider rb over bb... https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=859938#Post859938in summary the user that learns both rb and bb will realise a very powerfull song creation solution. i basically use bb for quickly laying down song ideas and then for the detailed work rb. in many respects they complement each other...like a marriage. fyi...there is a thread from folks that like rb on these forums. i'm very busy so maybe someone can find it. bottom line...if one doesnt use rb one misses various capabilities. eg fractional tempos...detailed editing of audio/midi tracks.. rb handling 48 k projects...seeing visually in rb tracks view odd time sigs divisions within a bar and many other features. rb has various features not in bb. happiness. om TL;DR Something useful would be a list of all features in BIAB one should avoid if they plan to move their song to RB. Does such a list exist? And if your response is RTM then kindly tell me where in the manual this list exists. This would be truly useful info to have.
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I understand quite well complex software development and appreciate all the work that has and will go into this great product, this is why I've bought/upgraded it 7 times . As such, and as others have said, it would be helpful to have a functional map between BIAB and RB for features and functions so users can find answers when using these products; perhaps there is a users guide that has such a mapping however I wasn't able to find it. This software has so many capabilities and we users are creative and as such dig into ways to add our pizzaz to our music, which I spend much time using and am constantly learning how to leverage it more and more. I've enjoyed the integration between BIAB and RB, but If the strategy is to move towards DAW plugins so be it, however such a mapping between BIAB and DAW interfaces would also benefit from a mapping of functionality between the 2. Perhaps color coding what's in vs. out within the BIAB application to designate if its shared/exported as part of the BIAB to DAW/RB interface vs. not so users can more efficiently and effectively create our works of art.
Thanks,
Frank
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Frank, Thank you for your detailed reply! As you might of guessed, I care deeply about BIAB I don't know if Bar settings are carried over to Plugin. Very possibly it does. I prefer working mainly in BIAB (not plugin), not to overcomplicate things until I get arrangement at least 50% complete, only then I move stems and MIDI to DAW. Overcomplication... truth be told, that is why I asked those 2 questions. I believe hobbyists that only need a handful of tracks should not be send to RB, instead PGM should properly update existing function to accepted standards. BIAB has a way to record audio, but the process is very awkward and severely outdated. I am not a professional by any means, but I would like to have a way to record audio sketches the easy / common way in BIAB, instead of jumping from software to software. P.S. PGM has an option of upgrading just program (without content) for about $70. In my view, 2026 update was one of the best since I was here.
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It would be kind of anti-productive to make two softwares that do everything the same, wouldn't it? What is "anti-productive" is claiming RB can open the BIAB files and then silently dropping various settings when RB opens the files! At a bare minimum, RB should warn the user of what work will be lost when opening BIAB files! Is there even anything in the documentation that explicitly lists what all is ignored by RB when opening BIAB files? If not there sure should be! When software behaves like this it does not inspire confidence and causes users like me to abandon it for other solutions. get out of BiaB as soon as you can. I certainly agree with you on this point! But I must say, with the 2026 version I am enjoying my time in BIAB a LOT more! They really improved the UX. More left to do but a GREAT improvement! I agree, the BiaB UX changes did make BiaB more tolerable. And yes, it would be nice if RB told people what would be dropped. Baby steps seems the approach. However, I don't think it hurts for us to explain to some that if they do decide to use RB, we give tips/explanations of what we know, like move there early. I mean, we're just trying to help someone here.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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i agree with people who say there needs to be a detailed
list of differences for bb and rb and have suggested such
several times...as well as vids showing creating a song
from start to finish in bb and rb.
A tip I forgot to mention..
One can generate tracks fast in BB and then drag the tracks into RB... where you have 256 tracks.
So one thing you can do for example is when you generate a track fast in BB that you really really like just drag it over to RB.
ps i like the new bb gui.
om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 02/25/26 06:28 PM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs(90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
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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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