Can anyone please describe the roadmap for REAL BAND?
I like Biab to generate tracks, change instruments, add lyrics, and make changes. Also to import midi. also export video.
However biab doesnt do enough with midi, in my opinion.
Hence I got to RB. Working in real band was a disappointment: It didn't import or transfer lyrics from Biab. It didn't import/ transfer markers. So already I cant see using it.
So how could it be useful?
Doesn't seem to have the 24/94 sound engine quality of my daw as well.
Yes it separates midi, but my impulse is to get out of it asap.
The roadmap would have to come from PGMusic. We users are not privy to that.
But from your comments...
First of all, though, BIAB will not give you 24/96. Everything is recorded in 16-bit, 44.1Khz wav files (converted to compressed WMA files unless you happen to have the audiophile edition). Your DAW, however, can upsample that content when you load it.
RealBand will support greater than 16/44.1; however, you'll have to set it to match your sound card.
Lyrics can be imported into RealBand from BIAB as long as they are note based lyrics. RealBand doesn't support bar based lyrics. Just the way it is.
By markers, I assume you mean the A/B substyle markers. If you export to MIDI from BIAB and then import that MIDI into RealBand, then you're not going to get those markers, because they are BIAB specific, not in the MIDI standard. However, if you open an SGU or MGU file directly into RealBand, your chord grid markers should be preserved.
I would probably spend some time looking at the various videos provided by PGMusic for both products to get a better handle on how it works (and now you can even request videos in the new forum). And keep asking questions here. But we need to know specifically what you are trying to accomplish and specifically what didn't work, and may have to provide a copy of the file you are working on so we can better take a look (using dropbox, for example).
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA
Doesn't seem to have the 24/94 sound engine quality of my daw as well.
I beg to differ; audio selection options shown in image below. Generated Tracks will depend on your package purchased but it does have the mentioned bit/rate options depending on your selected sound card (not DAW). Just tryin' to hep.
Last edited by rharv; 11/06/1803:32 PM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
I'd say the reasons to use RealBand is that once you have your Band-in-a-Box song laid out, you can open it in RealBand and have 48 audio or MIDI tracks available for recording (Band-in-a-Box has one audio track and two MIDI tracks the user can record to).
You can also regenerate just selected bars of the tracks BIAB had generated, which isn't possible in Band-in-a-Box.
For these reasons, it's good for finishing projects that were started in BIAB.
It's also great for editing MIDI files, since it works natively in the General MIDI format, unlike many DAWs.
Of course, if you're already comfortable in another DAW, you can drag and drop tracks directly from BIAB to your DAW. It requires a few more clicks than just opening the song in RB, but it's not too bad. The biggest drawback is that your DAW can't regenerate BB tracks, but you can regenerate the song in BIAB, drag multiple versions of a track into your DAW, and copy and paste to keep the best parts.
I always say that the best DAW is the one you're comfortable with.
I find RB works out really well for my music lessons. I had really bad timing issues and with RB and BB most of it is gone. More and more I am using RB because I feel I have more control over what I am attempting to accomplish.
At first I found it very difficult but the more I work with it I like it.
Again, I can't use REAL BAND 2018. who ever heard of a song without lyrics ?
Huh? You've never heard of an Instrumental? C'mon.
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.
are these over-sites? I mean come on, real band only has to communicate with one app in the universe!
John addressed both of your issues previously. Have you tried his suggestions? Any change? First test would be simply opening one of your SGU files in RB. Do Markers come across? Then address your lyric entry issue, which may mean a change of work flow in BiaB to save time in the long run.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
I am not an RB user, but I do have a large collection of songs written with BIAB that include lyrics, both note based and a few old ones that are bar based.
I found it hard to believe that RB wouldn't be able to accept songs with lyrics or part markers so I followed John's advice and opened one of my existing note based songs in RB. It's is a "modern" pop/rock song, not a jazz classic. It has both Ral tracks, a real drum and a midi track. I didn't convert it to MIDI, WAVE, MP3 or anything else. I just opened the MGU file in RB.
It worked perfectly!! I have all the notes, it generated all of the accompaniment, the lyrics are all there, and so are the part markers. It took a while, much longer than BIAB to generate all the real tracks, but it completed successfully.
I do not understand how you can say it doesn't work.
BIAB for Windows Version 2019 (643) Windows 10 (1909)
Just to comment on your "jazz" opinion - at the last count less than 24% were jazz styles
As we are today jazz or semi jazz styles have crept into modern day and pop music just as hip hop etc. has crept into jazz
I do arrangements for a wide spectrum of music for church - pop and folk and never had any difficulty in finding ample styles appropriate to use
I sympathise with you on your other problem and yes the program must move forward but we have a very great deal to be thankful for and it seems a pity that the two programs could not be joined into one
jazzman
Last edited by Jazzman; 11/08/1805:04 AM.
BIAB - RealBand - 2022 Windows 10 64 Zoo computer with 7i processor- SSD 1TB -2TB HDD Roland keyboards
Can anyone please describe the roadmap for REAL BAND?
I like Biab to generate tracks, change instruments, add lyrics, and make changes. Also to import midi. also export video.
However biab doesnt do enough with midi, in my opinion.
Hence I got to RB. Working in real band was a disappointment: It didn't import or transfer lyrics from Biab. It didn't import/ transfer markers. So already I cant see using it.
So how could it be useful?
Doesn't seem to have the 24/94 sound engine quality of my daw as well.
Yes it separates midi, but my impulse is to get out of it asap.
What is it's roadmap?
Instead can more midi tools be put in biab?
thanks
I suggest your roadmap for RB would be to reverse your workflow and start your project with RB. You can create your chord chart, part markers, select the style, tempo, and key signature and do your midi work first. Save the RB project as a midi file.
The midi file will instantly open in BIAB with the correct key signature, tempo part markers and your chord progression populating the Chord chart. At this point, you are ready to use Biab to generate tracks,change instruments,add lyrics, and make any additional changes you wish. Also you're ready to import more midi and export video.
Since your midi is in place in RB in the saved project, you have several choices for either generating midi tracks or rendering midi tracks to audio and importing that audio.
BIAB is capable of creating very complex songs that contain dozens of instruments as well as dozens of tracks so your project should proceed just as smoothly, if not smoother than had you started the project in BIAB and migrated to RB or another DAW.
It always seem to boil down to which is 'better', Biab or Realband. Guess it's the way you work to solve this issue.
As Cubase user since Atari days (Pro24 then, and audio came with the Falcon), i never liked Realband, or powertracks as DAW very much. Why? Probably the interface and some working routines are quite different. Especially the editing of MIDI data seem to me a bit like it's still in its KinderGarten days.
I must say RealBand intrigues me because of its music generation & creation capabilities, and more available audio tracks. As such i still plan on taking a deeper dive down with it, alas sort of scared of them possible sharks hiding in troubled water. But for now i am more familiar with BIAB, can shoot faster with it. Used it for so long now.
PS luckily PG gives as a choice by offering both ..... and maybe RealBand holds the real Trump card. Call me a PG fan. F
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.
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.
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!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
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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.
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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)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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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)
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!
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