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RealBand
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Joined: May 2014
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I see references to RealBand. But I am unable to find a brief narrative that describes what this software is useful for. I don't want to read extensive installation and usage instructionals. I only want to find out about its basic functions.
I will be receiving my BIAB 2015 upgrade soon. Questions come to mind -
a. What does RealBand do ?
b. In order to use RealBand, do I need BIAB ?
c. If I decide to use RealBand, is there an additional cost, and if so, what is the amount ?
d. Is there a glossary for all the unknown terms forum members are using ? I see terms that I have trouble finding in the PGMusic "pdf" manuals.
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RealBand
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I see references to RealBand. But I am unable to find a brief narrative that describes what this software is useful for. I don't want to read extensive installation and usage instructionals. I only want to find out about its basic functions.
I will be receiving my BIAB 2015 upgrade soon. Questions come to mind -
a. What does RealBand do ?
b. In order to use RealBand, do I need BIAB ?
c. If I decide to use RealBand, is there an additional cost, and if so, what is the amount ?
d. Is there a glossary for all the unknown terms forum members are using ? I see terms that I have trouble finding in the PGMusic "pdf" manuals.
1) if you've used any other DAW such as Sonar, ProTools then you already understand some of what RealBand does. It's a multi-track audio-MIDI DAW with some of BIAB's features added 2) You don't need BIAB to use RealBand... but since it comes packaged with BIAB at no extra cost, if you have Real Band then you also have BIAB 3) If there are terms being used here that you don't yet know, the easiest thing would be to ask one at a time and we'll be happy to explain many of us use BIAB to very quickly capture the essence of an idea by entering chords and applying them to one of several thousand included styles. Once the basic song idea is roughed out in BIAB, we reopen it in RealBand where we have different tools and more tracks to expand and refine on the basic idea.
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RealBand
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BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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RealBand
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My answers:
a. What does RealBand do ?
A. It does much of what BiaB does in a more linear way. It also records more tracks (48 available), allows more generated tracks, and some other features unique to it. For people who are used to working in a linear, multitrack environment it is more intuitive. For some users that are more 'Chorus repeat' oriented, Biab may be more comfortable. I'm not comparing it to Sonar or Pro Tools, but Realband is a lot more like one of those programs than BiaB is. They are different. How you like to work and what you want to do will dictate which is better for you. Tell us more about what you want to do with them, then we could better explain how they would different for you.
b. In order to use RealBand, do I need BIAB ?
A. You need BiaB, since it is the only way to own Realband. Realband is very unique in that it is not sold on its own. It has to have BiaB to 'rely on' for some stuff, but expands BiaB in a different environment.
c. If I decide to use RealBand, is there an additional cost, and if so, what is the amount ?
A. No extra charge; you own Realband if you own a recent copy of BiaB; it is included. Which is why in the question above the answer is you need BiaB .. you don't have to use it though! They come as a package because Realband relies on BiaB code for the BiaB features. *Note - you can buy Realband without the BiaB features; it is sold on this site as 'Powertracks'. It is simply a 48 track DAW.
d. Is there a glossary for all the unknown terms forum members are using ? I see terms that I have trouble finding in the PGMusic "pdf" manuals.
A. You may be better off to just ask here on the forums. Terms used here are sometimes best explained here.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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RealBand
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Joined: May 2000
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How did you find that? I've never seen it stand-alone!
No I do not have a 2014 PT manual.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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RealBand
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I've never seen RB as a standalone either... but $99 for a first time purchase is killer!!
at that price it couldn't possibly come with very many styles and real tracks.. but it sure would be a good way for people to get acquainted with the possibilities before buying the whole shebang!
I've been thinking about buying power tracks too... mostly because I have two different setups.. one on a desktop for creating my trax.. and the other on a notebook, for playing them back in performances.. and even though I don't use both at the same time, I'm not comfortable having RB installed on two machines. Paying for power tracks would solve that problem.
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RealBand
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Joined: Aug 2011
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Not sure if they have not updated the page to 2015 yet or it's only last years model you can buy ?
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RealBand
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"RealBand is a fully-featured and powerful music arranging, sequencing, and digital recording program. It combines the most popular features from PG Music’s PowerTracks Pro Audio and Band-in-a-Box programs into an all-in-one sequencing program with automatic accompaniment. You can create an arrangement with Band-in-a-Box tracks; type in the chords, add RealTracks and RealDrums that follow the chord changes, add your own tracks, and then edit and produce the finished song without ever leaving the program."The brief, narrative description above came from the features description on the standalone RealBand page. ++ HERE ++ is a link to the feature description.
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RealBand
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... I'm not comfortable having RB installed on two machines. Paying for power tracks would solve that problem.
I've got both BiaB and RB simultaneously installed on two systems - desktop and laptop. My understanding is that this conforms legally with the PGM licensing model. Why are you uncomfortable with having it installed twice? Trevor
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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RealBand
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... I'm not comfortable having RB installed on two machines. Paying for power tracks would solve that problem.
I've got both BiaB and RB simultaneously installed on two systems - desktop and laptop. My understanding is that this conforms legally with the PGM licensing model. Why are you uncomfortable with having it installed twice? Trevor because when I installed the most recent version, the agreement I had to click said that it can only be installed on one machine
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RealBand
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... I'm not comfortable having RB installed on two machines. Paying for power tracks would solve that problem.
I've got both BiaB and RB simultaneously installed on two systems - desktop and laptop. My understanding is that this conforms legally with the PGM licensing model. Why are you uncomfortable with having it installed twice? Trevor because when I installed the most recent version, the agreement I had to click said that it can only be installed on one machine Hi Pat Post 225023 is from Andrew at PG Music, and states: "We allow 3 activations per license, and you can use the "Release" and "Restore" options (Help | Utilities) to transfer an activation to a different machine. You can do that without any intervention by PG Music, as long as you have internet. There is also a 30-day grace period. We're trying to keep this very user-friendly. Don't hesitate to contact us if you are having any trouble with activation.
_________________________
Andrew
PG Music Inc. "I only ever use one machine at a time, the laptop or desktop, and they're both in the same room. And they're only ever used by me, no-one else, ever, period. Your comment is a fair call, but I think PGM are a little more lenient... Interested to know if any other users have installed more than once, like me. I don't want to go to jail all by myself (ha ha)
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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RealBand
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Joined: Dec 2000
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From the time PGMusic implemented the license code, they were very clear that you are allowed three authorizations per code, which can be moved from machine to machine by deactivating on the old machine and activating on the new machine (this is what MakeMusic does - allows deactivating/activating to move from machine to machine, although their system seems to often get hung up by anti-virus and firewall settings, and you end up having to call anyway).
It sounds to me that it's really the EULA that needs to have its wording changed.
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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RealBand
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OK, the way most software companies define "3 activations" works like this:
I have some software installed and licensed. That's my 1st install.
Hard drive crashes, so I reinstall on the new computer. That's my 2nd install.
Conceivably you could use up the 3 installs and have to buy the software again. It doesn't typically have to do with having the software installed simultaneously on 3 machines.
In my case I *DO* have the software installed simultaneously on two machines for the sake of convenience. I take a project from one environment to the other 5 times a day.. I'm certainly not going to deactivate the one and reactivate the other.. that would be a total PITA. (I assume that pertains to deactivating the LICENSE, not simply shutting down one installation when firing up the next)
So I'm thinking that in order to honor the spirit and letter of their EULA, I should pay for a second product. Laptop isn't a development environment, its just for playback, so PowerTracks would work fine, be cheap and ease my conscience.
It would also be a one time expense, since its the development tools that make upgrades fun. Unless something changed in the file format, I might never have to pay the second fee again.
That's my thinking anyway.
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RealBand
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Now I'm starting to wonder if some of the problems I've had with 2015 aren't because I activated it on 2 machines without deactivating it on either.
----update----
problem solved, conscience eased... just bought Power tracks for 49 bucks.
all's well
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RealBand
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Pat -
PGMusic can jump in if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that the activations from PGMusic are concurrent activations on different computers; that's different from permitting multiple non-concurrent activations on one specific machine in the event of crash or re-install.
I think PGMusic realized that working musicians have a desktop at home and also use laptops for gigs or for portable recording. And some will have two laptops on a gig for redundancy in the event of failure - that makes for 3 computers. Hence the 3 activations.
The original EULA allowed for only one installation of the software, but was effectively unenforceable. The new method allows them to enforce it, but with reasonable flexibility for the user.
And if you go over your activations and think it was in error, you can call PGMusic and they'll work it out with you.
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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RealBand
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you're probably right John.
That's they way I've looked at it until I actually READ what I was agreeing to, and it specifically said that I can only have it installed on one computer. (at a time? open and in use? if not unregistered while another copy is in use?)
It would be interesting to hear an official observation on the topic of having RB simultaneously registered on two machines.
But $49 is cheaper and faster that guilt-therapy, so I went for the quick and easy and guaranteed fix.
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I've written to PGM Support asking them to clarify once and for all if simultaneous activations for the one user are allowed or expressly denied.
Will provide feedback here.
Trev
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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RealBand
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did you include a link to this discussion so they can see it in context of how we are interpreting the terms differently among ourselves?
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RealBand
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did you include a link to this discussion so they can see it in context of how we are interpreting the terms differently among ourselves?
Pat, yes, have included a link. This is an extract of the correspondence: ... A question has arisen that the EULA states that the software can only be installed on one machine.
A separate statement by PGM staff also mentioned: 'We allow 3 activations per license '
I'm writing to ask you to clarify if (up to 3) simultaneous activations for the one licensed user are allowed or expressly denied?
In other words, can the software be installed concurrently on more than one computer that is only used by the same licensed user?Will certainly post any response here. Trev
Last edited by VideoTrack; 01/13/15 12:23 PM.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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I recall some discussion quite a while back in time -- more than two or three years --, where somebody of PG Staff said something like: "We don't mind a second installation if it is the same user." The wording was definitely different and acknowledging that one is working on a desktop at home, but away from home, like on a stage or in a hotel room, it might be used by the same individual on a second computer. Sometimes it is inconvenient to carry an extra external disk, like if you're working on battery these things consume quite some time's worth of energy.
Desktop; i7-2600k, 8 GB mem., Win 10 Pro, BIAB 2017; RB 2017 - latest build
Laptop: i5-2410M, 4 GB mem, Win 10 Pro, BIAB 2017; RB 2017 - latest build
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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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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 process 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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
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Happy New Year!
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Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
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You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
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- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
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Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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