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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 66
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 66 |
This is nuts.Why does one need a Real Band program when he can do the same stuff with BIAB? If you want to playback real tracks you can do that in BIAB.So what is the purpose of Real Band but another gimmick?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 581
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 581 |
Sorry, but you sound just a tad grumpy this morning...
Real Band is a better tool to use if you plan to add 'live' players to your songs. It's also better for mixing all the tracks down to a stereo .wav or .wma file.
If you don't need to use it, just ignore it. It didn't cost you any extra $, right ?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,726
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Veteran
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,726 |
As Mitch pointed out many users of BIAB use Realband for a truckload of reasons, none that I can offer as I don't use it (yet) but hey it did not cost any extra so one of these days I might get around to getting more involved with Realband myself. Until then, do what I do, enjoy BIAB and ignore the Realband desktop icon.  Regarding "a gimmick" I hardily think PG Music is so desperate they have to sell product by confusing the consumer with any gimmicks. Later,
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 349
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 349 |
Hi rd151 Welcome to the forums. Lots of useful info here and experienced people always willing to help. Sometimes the learning curves can be frustrating with any new programs and these forums along with the excellent PG Music support staff can solve pretty much any problem you might have. I like to suggest to newbies to check out "Song from start to finish - BIAB, RealBand, & Reaper" videos located here: http://www.pgmusic.com/videos.user.htmIt will give you a good overall view of some of the capabilities of BIAB in conjunction with RB and their use with other DAW's, in this case, Reaper, to bring your musical ideas to reality. Best wishes, Carkins
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109 |
here's why *I* like RB:
1) you have MUCH more flexibility to PLACE sound, both audio and MIDI, exactly where you want to in a track
2) you have MANY more tracks available
3) you have multiple MIDI ports available (BIAB has 1)
4) you have more MIDI resolution if you want it
5) The ability to pick and add instruments as needed without loading a whole style at once is (in my opinion) easier in RB (although ver 2012 made it about as easy in BIAB)
6) The use of loops is more convenient in Real Band
7) You have more control over effects (maybe not empirically, but it seems more intuitive to me in RB)
8) if you are already used to other DAWs, RB's paradigm is pretty familiar already...
9) audio effects that make it easy to fade in and fade out instruments according to taste
10) many more tracks on which you can record your own playing (BIAB only has 2)
11) since many people take BIAB projects and develop them further in a DAWQ, RB is the perfect one to use because it is included with BIAB, and it natively reads all the same proprietary file types (not true of other DAWs)
I could go on, but my wife is looking over my shoulder waiting for me to take her shopping... But that's a brief overview
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 25,071
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 25,071 |
To sum everything up RB is a DAW and BiaB is not.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
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: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259 |
To add to the rest, you can import a midi file and edit some or all of the parts and print out the related notation. I even use it to cut and paste mp3 files.
I bought Mixcraft to use as a DAW, but mostly use RB instead.
Cornet Curmudgeon
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,853
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,853 |
Quote:
This is nuts.Why does one need a Real Band program when he can do the same stuff with BIAB?
That's not a true statement. There are many things RealBand does that Band-in-a-Box doesn't do, and vice versa. The two complement each other. And again, if you don't need it, don't use it. It's just part of the package.
I don't use Microsoft Publisher, but it came with Microsoft Office. No big deal.
Click on this FAQ link to find out more about the differences between the programs.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,677
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,677 |
It's funny, I've seen users ask the exact opposite - "if RB can do all this why do I need BiaB?"
Learn them both, and you'll be twice as amazed at the deal it is to get both of them included. 90% of my work happens in RB; I used to think I was an exception (and I probably am) but I see a lot more RB ethusiasts lately.
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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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
Quote:
This is nuts.Why does one need a Real Band program when he can do the same stuff with BIAB? If you want to playback real tracks you can do that in BIAB.So what is the purpose of Real Band but another gimmick?
Another gimmick. Right. Spoken like a true ignoramus who doesn't have a clue...
Why is it always the ones who don't know anything about anything who make these kinds of statements?
Real Band and Biab are two entirely and I repeat entirely different programs. They do NOT do the same "stuff". Under certain condidions and circumstances yes, they're similar. Jeesh. That statement alone shows you have no clue. How many different midi instrument tracks does Biab have? No, you have to look it up. Real Band has 48. You never do any live audio recording? How many audio recording tracks does Biab have? Look that up too. RB has 48. Start with these two and do some reading. Oh yeah, ever tried to create a really long song in Biab? What's the maximum number of bars can you use? Look that up as well. Don't worry, there's more.
It may be true YOU don't need all the different functions in RB, maybe you only work with small 4 or 5 piece arrangements but that doesn't make your post any less ignorant.
What's the matter with simply saying nicely you don't understand Real Band and could someone please explain how it could work with Biab?
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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The only thing similar between the two is that they both play back music.
A rickshaw and a Corvette are both wheeled vehicles that will get you from point A to point B but they are not the same thing.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 300
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 300 |
Quote "It may be true YOU don't need all the different functions in RB, maybe you only work with small 4 or 5 piece arrangements but that doesn't make your post any less ignorant.
What's the matter with simply saying nicely you don't understand Real Band and could someone please explain how it could work with Biab?"end quote
Excellent analysis... I totally agree with your answer.. I have yet to learn RB, & am looking forward to using it, & it's certainly not a gimmick on PG Music to sell BIAB.. They have a money back guarantee if a person doesn't like it or if they feel they were coerced into buying it,.MHO
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 583
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 583 |
Like others, I'm one of those long-time BIAB users in a live setting and have never messed with RB. However, I hope to get around to it. I'm working New Year's Eve with a 4-piece group, with BIAB as the main rhythm section. Recently, I got the PreSonus Studio One software for multitrack recording. Never done that on a computer. Have always used stand-alone recorders. Got 3 of 'em. Probably should have looked at RB first; but, I needed a good interface that came with the program. Maybe rd151 said what he said just to get folks started.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 84
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 84 |
Oh my, so much grouchiness in one little thread  For play-along, BIAB is all you need. I use it to practice and to investigate new arrangements. The odd time I wish to record my guitar or (god forbid) my voice, I use RB. I could record in BIAB but it just isn't as flexible and the results are less editable. Now smile everyone. Get with the spirit. Spread the love via PG Music  John
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
We're all smiling John and there's plenty of love for PG Music around here. If one guy wants to simply ask some questions about the differences between Biab and RB all of us will certainly help him including me.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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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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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 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!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 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.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 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!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 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.
Peter Gannon Talks Band-in-a-Box with zplane
zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!
Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
Check out the full interview here: https://products.zplane.de/blog/peter-gannon-interview-pg-music
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
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