Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
RealBand
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 137
P
pwhack Offline OP
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
P
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 137
Hello,

I was just wondering as to what are the advantages and disadvantages of using real band for whole song project instead of using biab as well ie creating a song in biab first and then importing into real band.

I can think of a few (provided I am correct in my assertions)

Advantages of using real band.

1 ability to save real tracks as played currently in real band.


Disadvantages of using real band.

1 somewhat slower to open dialog boxes than biab (my computer anyway)
2 no preview of style in style picker (just a demo which doesn't give a clear picture of the style, well to me anyways)


Paddy


Paddy McGurk,
Liverpool,
Don't mention the Beatles!!
RealBand
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
I like to start out in BIAB because it has many more features that RealBand doesn't support at this time. Plus, I've got a lot more experience using BIAB at this point.

However, I don't think there is a pat rule to be adhered to here.

Do what you feel the most comfortable doing, I say.


--Mac

RealBand
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,278
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,278
While BiaB often provides a smoother workflow there are a few big advantages of RealBand:

    no restriction to 255 bars
    support of multiple VSTis
    plenty of tracks

Disadvantages of RealBand:

    Way poorer notation support - no repeats, second endings etc., no key signature changes


Martin
RealBand
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 69
T
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
T
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 69
Editing my song in Biab's chord window is far superior to what I can do in RealBand. Can't wait for RB to catch up there...


Freelance Rider Company
http://frco.wordpress.com/
RealBand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
This might be a daft question but why can't BIAB and RB be integrated into one programme? After all, you can't buy RB separately from BIAB. I don't see why they can't be integrated into one single programme. Peter?


Follow That Dream

Sam
Karaoke King

--------------------

Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
RealBand
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,792
R
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
R
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,792
I would worry about feature bloat. Each does a lot of good and i have seen other programs grow and add until stability and reliability went out the window.

RB is still a tad shakey as it is.


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
RealBand
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,612
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,612
Yes, please, don't combine them.

I like my realband just fine as is. I never use BiaB and the features would just be a drain here.


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
RealBand
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,278
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,278
Quote:

Yes, please, don't combine them.



+1


Martin
RealBand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
Ok, don't combine them.

Personally, I always start out in BIAB and then move it to RB (used to be PTPA but I don't really use PTPA much anymore).

There are really useful tools in BIAB that I use that don't exist in RB:

The Melodist
The Soloist
Jazz Up / Down Chords
Vocal Wizard

There are more...

BIAB is far better for composing and generating something totally new


Follow That Dream

Sam
Karaoke King

--------------------

Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
RealBand
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,844
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,844
I think what would be cool would be if BIAB could "save as" a SEQ file that could preserve all the "BIAB" stuff. So any harmonies, any RealTracks, Realdrums, solos (MIDI or RealTrack), additional MIDI channels, etc would be saved to the SEQ file. Then just open the SEQ file in RealBand to finish editing it. It seems that one of the biggest gripes is that RealBand doesn't recognize the stuff BIAB does (such as soloist, harmonies, multi-styles, etc). Since PGMusic knows the file format, I would think it would be an easy matter to save it to the SEQ file format.

I think that would go a long way towards bridging the gap between the two. It would also save time - you don't have to load scrap, insert wav files, etc. You would just open the SEQ file in RealBand and go from there.


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)
RealBand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
Excellent point, John. Also a good work around that would make the connection between BIAB and RB seamless.

A firm +1


Follow That Dream

Sam
Karaoke King

--------------------

Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
RealBand
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,957
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,957
Quote:

I think what would be cool would be if BIAB could "save as" a SEQ file that could preserve all the "BIAB" stuff. So any harmonies, any RealTracks, Realdrums, solos (MIDI or RealTrack), additional MIDI channels, etc would be saved to the SEQ file. Then just open the SEQ file in RealBand to finish editing it. It seems that one of the biggest gripes is that RealBand doesn't recognize the stuff BIAB does (such as soloist, harmonies, multi-styles, etc). Since PGMusic knows the file format, I would think it would be an easy matter to save it to the SEQ file format.

I think that would go a long way towards bridging the gap between the two. It would also save time - you don't have to load scrap, insert wav files, etc. You would just open the SEQ file in RealBand and go from there.




Excellent suggestion: +1


Retired to Make Music - No Plan B
My SoundCloud
Preview My Current Project .

RealBand
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,278
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,278
Hm ... since RB may open .MGU files, wouldn't have BB save .SEQ files be kind of redundant?


Martin
RealBand
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,957
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,957
"...that could preserve all the "BIAB" stuff".

This is the key reason for the suggestion to save a .SEQ.

While RB can indeed open a .MGU file, it does tend to loose some of the details. For example, try changing tempo in the middle of a chorus in BIAB at the B section. Works good in BIAB but open the same .MGU file in RB and the real drumer sits this one out.

RealBand
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,278
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,278
Tempo changes in the middle of a chorus of BB are passed on to RB here. Key signature changes won't get recognized - that's currently a restriction with RB anyway.


Martin
RealBand
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,957
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,957
Tempo does indeed change, however, at my end the real drums are absent.

Beat Map Error in RB


Retired to Make Music - No Plan B
My SoundCloud
Preview My Current Project .

RealBand
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,278
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,278
RealDrums do change tempo here as well.

It might be easier to duplicate the reported Beat Map Stretcher error if you could give details on a song shipped with BB.


Martin
RealBand
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,957
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,957
Martin,
I'll return to the original thread and post the actual BIAB file to see if others can duplicate the error when opening in RB.

dan


Retired to Make Music - No Plan B
My SoundCloud
Preview My Current Project .

RealBand
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 537
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 537
Song plays through OK here. I have Misty in Eb and have the melody. I added the melody to your song but the Sax is stealing the show. I'll lower the Sax volume and see how that works out.


Harold Buckelew WB2CGG Visit my Web Site www.theimperialmusiccenter.com HP Pavilion a6110n PC. BIAB 2011. In God We Trust
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!

All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!

It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.

What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?

XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!

Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!

The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.

The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.

The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.

Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!

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.

Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.

Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.

Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.

2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.

Holiday Weekend Hours

As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:

April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours

Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!

— Team PG

Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!

If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!

If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!

Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,223
Posts802,083
Members40,071
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
Newest Members
geswho22, Orchestr8, dimtass, Quamido Pirendo, Allan63
40,071 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 125
zedd 110
DC Ron 91
rsdean 85
Noel96 74
Today's Birthdays
Jed, Richard Gibbons, UZER
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5