Summer NAMM - RealTracks Artist Appearances! If Producer Mike Harrison is recording a lot of these RealTracks in Nashville you would think by now we would have the higher quality 24bit/48khz audio rather than the 16bit/44khz from the Biab 2008 days. Not to mention multi stem drum tracks to allow proper level mixing !
I remember upsampling some RealTracks to 24/48 and BBWin would not load them but MacBB did, though I think that should be easily fixed.
If you buy any Tracks/Loops/Samples/Virtual Instruments they all come in 24 bit. Superior Drummer 3 has released their drum library on a 24bit 250gig hard drive.
With the low cost of hard drive storage these days you could have a 3-4T 24bit Audiophile drive.
16/44 is Red Book standard CD quality. This is sort of like the Monster Cable argument. No, the electrons do not move faster in a Monster cable...And no, nobody but a few savants listening in a perfect room using 100K worth of equipment can hear anything better than CD quality. Just the other day I read an article about blind testing a $75 DAC against a boutique $3,000 one. Result? Nobody could tell any difference. Again.
24 bit allows more headroom in a live recording which results in a better dynamic range but that's only useful in a studio with a good mixing engineer. How would that translate into higher quality sound in Biab compared to the current Audiophile CD quality wav's?
The best thing to do is keep it stuck in the past, limit it to your own limitations and understanding and expect others to come down to that level so you are comfortable. Don't dare look beyond. Don't dare want it for studio work, DVD or Surround mix.
The best thing to do is keep it stuck in the past, limit it to your own limitations and understanding and expect others to come down to that level so you are comfortable. Don't dare look beyond. Don't dare want it for studio work, DVD or Surround mix.
So true; wish i had my old Volvo 245 back; could fix anything myself, especially on the way to a gig. These days one needs computers to change a light bulb in the car to make it work. Down under it must be a Holden. F
The best thing to do is keep it stuck in the past, limit it to your own limitations and understanding and expect others to come down to that level so you are comfortable. Don't dare look beyond. Don't dare want it for studio work, DVD or Surround mix.
There is certainly truth in your comments and you go a long way in helping recording artists overcome the current limitations to produce or create projects easier and more efficiently with third party programs that boost the abilities of BIAB. But there has always been a past. History tells us that music is about creativity and not gear and recording formats. Without folks like you accentuating product limitations, we may very well be stuck further back in the past than we are today. However, creativity has always been king and creativity overrides format technology in most every case. Tracks are most often rejected for content quality and not format. Especially if a piece is difficult, expensive, untimely or impossible to replace. Would most producers, commercial or amateur, of a recording project reject a track from Joe Bonamassa if the track was restricted to 320 MP3 quality due to some contractual stipulation? Probably not.
From Wikipedia; Multitrack recording: " The process was conceived and developed by Ross Snyder at Ampex in 1955 resulting in the first Sel-Sync machine, an 8-track machine which used 1-inch tape. This 8-track recorder was sold to the American guitarist, songwriter, luthier, and inventor Les Paul for $10,000." $10,000 in 1955 is equivalent in purchasing power to $94,193.66 in 2018.
Three track recorders were the most popular medium in the 1950's and early 1960's in commercial studios but they were not multitrack recorders, they had to record all three tracks at once. Such a limitation was overcome by innovators such as you and utilized many 'third party gear' solutions until economics and technology caught up.
In regards to what we do with home recording and BIAB and it's format quality, 1/4" magnetic tape is the past. Later, cassette based medium was the past. Millions of demos and home recordings were made using these mediums. Some made it into big time recordings.
"Don't dare want it for studio work, DVD or Surround mix." Literally thousands of hours of these inferior medium recordings made their way into mainstream, commercial recordings by some of the era's biggest recording studios and artists. My guess is that nothing has changed. Today's higher quality of inferior medium coupled with what recording engineers can do with the expensive, high quality tools they are proficient with, added with the fact that so many people now have fair to remarkable home recording equipment and skills to operate that equipment, have rendered the inferiority factor to a greatly diminished factor in the recording industry.
I don't totally agree with Bob's (Jazzmammal) assessment regarding 24 bit recording in commercial studios being a huge benefit to them. To me, the real professionals don't necessarily benefit as much as the inexperienced recordist or other low cost, lower quality recordings do from the higher quality formats. The commercial professionals have the skills, training, facilities, equipment and environment by default so they are normally working with better, cleaner tracks out of the gate than the average home recording artist. Conversely, they are also much better equipped to restore or adapt an inferior recording into a main stream project than we ever will be. In most respects, BIAB recorded RealTracks and the ability to programming these random audio pieces into customizable arrangements are the overriding benefit to the home recording BIAB customer more so than any other feature.
Saying all that, I do fully support the proposal to upgrading.
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.
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!
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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.
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
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