Hi all, This is for the newbies like me. I find precious little on actual mixing with RealBand. Sure, there are newer videos that cover newer features, but I've found nothing comprehensive, including the manual. Until now! While these videos Part 1 and 2 are quite old, and cover PowerTracks specifically, everything applies to RealBand. They took me forever to stumble upon them. Here is Part 1- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY1J9DZd2y8
I always find the RealBand videos from 2-5 to be particularly helpful for me when I was learning the program, also the audio effects feature I found particularly helpful when wanting to do any dynamic processing.
Can one of you gents describe what you do during your mixdowns? I have everything exactly as I like it (levels, pans, plugins, nodes, etc.) and other than recording a fade-out via mixer moves I think I'm done. Do you delete your countdown at this stage and render to WAV? Or, do you render as is, reopen the WAV, delete the countdown and record the fade-out at this later stage, and master the WAV? Any advice much appreciated. Thanks guys!
Let me say first off that I do all of my recording and mixing in Realband and think it is a great product. Years ago, I had trouble getting the gain I needed in Realband for the finished file. I probably gave up too soon but found wavepad was quick and easy to apply the finishing touches. It also lets me open many files simultaneously for comparison. I use this feature when establishing the order of songs for a CD as it is easy to change the order of wav files to create the flow of the album.
Del, thanks, I have Audacity. What are the primary reasons for moving out of RB at this point? Thanks all!
Warren,
Side note from the discussion. Audacity has a REALLY GOOD SOUNDING automated fade. It is listed under the "Effects" menu tab as "Studio Fade Out". You'll have to scroll way down the the effects list to find it.
I know you're wanting to stay in RealBand as much as possible but I think you'll find the "Studio Fade Out" effect will give you the fade you've been looking for. You can either export all the wave forms out of RealBand into Audacity and use the "Shift" key to apply the "Studio Fade Out" effect to all the tracks at the same time or export a mixed stereo stem from RealBand into Audacity and apply the "Studio Fade Out" effect to the stem; whichever works better for you.
Also if you apply the "Studio Fade Out" effect to each individual track you can change the start fade time location for each track to have individual instruments fade out differently over time.
To answer the same question you asked Del I believe in using the tool that works best for you. I've used Audacity since before I obtained Band-in-a-Box and RealBand. The program has a few features I am very comfortable using and can achieve consistent results. The "Studio Fade Out" effect in Audacity is one example of a task where the effect obtains better results than I can.
Thanks Jim, I recall that now! I watched a couple of decent mastering videos on YouTube, and saw that the Amplify effect and a couple of others could make the final stages easier. Thanks again! BTW, this first tune is sounding really good, thanks for all the help you gave me previously Jim (and Charlie too).
Jim et al, Completely stumped, and worried. Only a few hours since my reply to Jim, and things have gone awry w/ RB! I was just about to render and get into Audacity w/ this first tune, after putting finishing touches in RB.
The first thing I noticed was when rendering via merge audio/plugins, I can hear the track sped up/weird. I'm fairly sure that's not normal behavior? The rendered WAV has some subtle clicks in it. When the SEQ is played within RB, the time bar now goes past the tune end and keeps going. Sometimes during playback in RB, I get a click. Abnormal behaviors that didn't happen earlier today.
I've traced everything to RB. Could it have gotten corrupted? Of course I've rebooted, moved files to SSDs off of mechanical drives, checked the entire Windows/audio interface/output devices, and RB is acting odd. Even loading BKS files from a day or two ago when everything was stable is doing the same thing. I increase the buffer size of the ASIO driver panel to 512 and even 1024. Help!!
There are several possibilities. You may need to consolidate audio edits from each track into a continuous waveform, the song project file may be corrupted or you maybe experiencing an issue sometimes present with RealBand releases 5 to 7.
One at a time, highlight all of each track you've edited using Cntrl + A. Right click on the track panel to bring up the track sub-menu, select "Track" (the selection just below click track) and "Consolidate Audio Region ...". This command joins all the audio on the track into one continuous audio waveform.
If you've saved your project periodically under different names you can try loading an earlier version.
Try rolling back from RealBand version 5, 6 or 7 by applying the patch for version 4.
Warren, I think the weird speed up sound you are hearing is a setting within Realband that drove me nuts for a couple of days before I figured out what it was.
To get rid of this annoying sound when rendering: Click on options, preferences, then select the Audio tab. Click on the 'Drivers' button on the Audio tab. Uncheck 'Output always on' box. This box was always unchecked until a few versions ago when they made it checked by default.
SOLVED!!! With some help from Kent @ PGM. Before he replied, I DID roll back to the Build 4 patch. The cursor not stopping at song end immediately rectified. Del, I didn't uncheck that Output Always On because it sounds like it's what you'd want for a MIDI track? Anyway, Kent had me look in MIDI/Devices to see if 'Reroute MIDI playback to default DXi/VSTi Synth' was checked (similar/same Del?), and it was- not sure if that's what he would have suggested as I've not heard back yet, but while I was in there, I could tell that the MIDI MS GS WS vs. MS MIDI Mapper dialog was messed up- IOW, I could not select MIDI Mapper and move it to the top as it had been, and as I'd quit the dialog, I'd get warning messages about MS GS WS not being a good choice. I finally was able to select MIDI Mapper, and the issue went away! More importantly, I got a perfect WAV rendered. Now, just now, when I went to look at your suggestion, I realized that through all of my experimenting, rolling back, and unplugging everything, that my ASIO audio driver switched to MME (probably when I disconnected the Focusrite), and I had to change that back- odd that things had continued to play though with output going to my audio interface, into which my speakers are connected when MME was selected. What a freaking day, but it's solved, the song is saved!! Thanks guys!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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 new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
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!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 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!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 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 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
Playable RealTracks Set 5
RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean