.....You should remember, there are thousands of people using all of this already. Some comments that you see are people wanting the plugin to work in a different way with their DAW or have additional features. Most, including me, are happy with how everything works now.....
Q. Are you one of the thousands of people that are happy with how everything works now ?
I spend most of my time finding workarounds for Biab to do things it should just do, this is an example getting a generated track to playback in sync with the current tracks in the DAW to see what track or multiriff fits best, a simple thing the VST should do but don't, yet apparently thousands of people are happy with this. How to Sync Play BiabVST Tracks Watch Video Demo
I upgraded from BiaB 2017 to BiaB 2019 specifically for the plugin. It will be a great thing when it is working correctly. Until then 2017 would be just as good for me.
"The desire for fame is the last infirmity cast off even by the wise." Cornelius Tacitus
Q. Are you one of the thousands of people that are happy with how everything works now ?
Yes.
I often see things discussed here on the forum where a technique is called a work around or deficiency in BIAB because it's done differently in BIAB than in Reaper, Sonar or Studio one DAW's. I interpret the technique to simply be the way it's done in BIAB rather than how the same process is handled in a DAW. I have never viewed BIAB to be a DAW. I see the same issue between Audacity and DAW's. Audacity is an Audio Editor and does not always function exactly like a DAW. That's not a deficiency but a difference. I'm happy with my car even though I know it would sink if I used it as a boat. Same concept in BIAB versus DAW with me.
I'm completely happy with BIAB because I use it to create audio/midi/chords and such and export to DAW or Stand alone Multitrack to do further processing.
I'm one of the thousands of people that are happy with how everything works in BiAB because I view the process of using BIAB to create tracks and the resulting output to be the same as if I hired session musicians to come into my studio and work on my projects. Once the session musicians have completed their workday, been paid and gone, you work with the tracks recorded or rehire them to come back and rerecord if necessary.
I am very happy to see that the progress have been made into adapting BIAB to modern software standards as we getting closer to the third decade of twenty first century. But I feel that VST is still far from where it has to be. It is a big step in the right direction, but only a step. I will wait until it matures, or at least fixed properly before using it.
I mainly upgraded for the 64 bit version and the VST but after playing around with them for a couple days I'm back to using the 32 bit version, they look very promising but at this stage they're an early beta release at best, not something that should have been released as a retail product
Also the quantity of real tracks and styles continues to increase, 202 real tracks with this release, but There are only a few of them that I see myself actually using.
At this point it would make no difference to me if I was using version 2019 or an earlier version.
So I guess I'm excited about the prospects of a VST that actually functions like a VST, but I'm a little concerned that rather than a real VST all we'll get is a new name for the DAW plugin mode of Band in a Box that only allows us to drag and drop wav files into a DAW with a few new features added.
New contents (realtracks, etc) are just great, as usual.
On the other hand, the program itself, to be honest, seems to be a little bit out of control, there are just too many bugs and things not working as they should everywhere, specially (but not only) on new features.
I bought BIAB to have a great time exploring new features and content, but I'm spending way more time fixing problems than actually using the program. This happens, more or less, every year, it's only that this year was worst than usually.
It's obvious that BIAB needs a complete rewrite from the scratch, its core code is more than 20 years old (255 bar limit, 8 character filenames, etc) and this is just too much for any piece of software. I suspect they are never going do that, so I hope they seriously concentrate on fixing bugs (there are MANY of them reported for years) instead of simply ignoring the bug reports and keep adding more and more buggy new features for 2020.
No. I purchased the upgrade and I will love using the new RealTracks. But the excitement I felt learning about 64-bit and VST has mostly faded now that I see what they have delivered. It reminds me of the new GUI feature that I quickly turned off. And of the track renaming feature which I stopped using because it is not used consistently throughout the software. And of UserTracks which never seemed to reach their potential. And VideoTracks which should never have been added.
I think PGM have become too used to their easy-to-please-never-critical senior market. They have had little serious competition. The result is...a VST that appears to be little more than drag/drop wrapped in a VST. And the boss assures everyone that this is plenty. But pretty much every time a new user drops into the forum, especially younger pros, their first impression of BIAB is "what a mess"!
At this point I wish they would just stop adding weight and complexity and just do what they do best...RealTracks! I'll keep upgrading for RealTracks. They are truly AMAZING!
Yes and a little NO. No: Lots of bugs. I think PG already knows most of them. 64-bit is a very good start, but there is a lot to do. VST, actually not a real progress compared to render the files and import it. YES: I'm one of these old easy-to-please users. Since ATARI ST days. I saw a lot of progress in these years and yes, I trust PG that this will last. And I know even software engineers have to pay their rent. And I want the company to remain alive. And I have more money than in the old ATARI days. And I like 64bit, maybe someday I like VST. And who knows someday it will be possible to work with real 6/8 bars. Hope I'm still alive
Yes, I am relatively happy with the BiaB 2019... I'm very happy with PG Music and their support efforts... Love the Forum, in spite of some frustrated negativity. The positive vibe & helpful nature of some here, far exceed the negative...
Yes, I am relatively happy with the BiaB 2019... I'm very happy with PG Music and their support efforts... Love the Forum, in spite of some frustrated negativity. The positive vibe & helpful nature of some here, far exceed the negative...
That's for sure ...
Originally Posted By: Pipeline
.... a simple thing the VST should do but don't, yet apparently thousands of people are happy with this ...
Ain't no VST (just yet?) .... and feel kind of 'cheated'. Still need all them quite time consuming ole hat-tricks to get what i want properly exported. Current thing i am working on is now at version 5 reworked in, and exported from BIAB.
A few more editable audiotracks there could help out. BIAB slaving to MTC or Midiclock is STILL NOT POSSIBLE ! Asked for that already 20 years ago, them Ataridays.
Tried realband as DAW few times, but it ain't flexible enough regarding midi data (grooving, selection of particular notes and special edits) and controller editing, and plugin handling IMO. But a lot of BIAB is great, like the RTs, the styles, printing leadsheets etc.
Yes, no, maybe. I upgrade every year just because. Primarily the real tracks. Every year I plan on digging into the program and actually learning how to use it. Last year I never even go around to registering it. This year is THE YEAR!
Dell 610 dual Monitor, win 7-10, Sonar Plat, ProTools 10 & 11, Reaper 4, BIAB/real Band 2022, Easy Drummer, Superior Drummer, Kontact Essentials, Personnel Orchestra, Korg Legacy Analog & Digital
A key quote: "In the widest possible sense a VST-Plug-in is an audio process. A VST Plug-in is not an application. It needs a host application that handles the audio streams and makes use of the process the VST plug-in supplies. Generally speaking, it [a VST plugin] can take a stream of audio data, apply a process to the audio and send the result back to the host application."
From reports so far, sounds to me like the BB-VST is NOT receiving an audio stream from the host. Or just about any other data either except tempo. At any rate, if I gotta drag generated tracks manually from plugin to host track, how is this much different from what we can do already?
What saddens me the most is that the head of company says he's satisfied with it, which implies there'll be no further development. Say it aint so Peter.
I wrote somewhere else “look for a standard of excellence not perfection” I’m sure if you seek perfection you will be surely disappointed. There is always room for improvement.
I read somewhere else on the Forums a wish that BB did this or that. I thought to myself thank heavens it does not. We all have differing views on what constitutes perfection. It is impossible to cover for everyone’s views.
My thoughts
Tony
HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home, Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612 BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
I wrote somewhere else “look for a standard of excellence not perfection” I’m sure if you seek perfection you will be surely disappointed. There is always room for improvement.
I read somewhere else on the Forums a wish that BB did this or that. I thought to myself thank heavens it does not. We all have differing views on what constitutes perfection. It is impossible to cover for everyone’s views.
My thoughts
Tony
While I generally agree, literally anything can be excused by this philosophy. I ordered a car and it came without wheels. Yes, I can purchase wheels and rig it up but when a common definition/expectation exists, receiving something less than that and complaining is not "seeking perfection". And as a previous poster pointed out, there is a clear definition of what a VST does and this, this ain't that! Also, I paid in actual currency and was not allowed to pay in shells or chickens even though those might have value!
Don't forget we are asking about "& BiabVST" @Charlie Fogle is the VST working correctly for you ?
Yes it is now but didn't at first. I currently use Presonus Studio One 3.5 Professional and after the last BIAB update it began working. Before the last update, it was crashing S1 if I tried to load it.
I wrote somewhere else “look for a standard of excellence not perfection” I’m sure if you seek perfection you will be surely disappointed. There is always room for improvement.
Many of the bug reports are referring to standard or very basic features: VST not being recognised or not following the tempo of the host, importing audio not working, songpicker not launching, transposing recorded audio not working, realtracks making aleatory noises... things like that.
Asking these features to get fixed shouldn't be wrong in a mature community. We all want the best for BIAB.
I mainly upgraded to 2019 to move to the Audiophile version.
My workflow has been, Create in BiaB, Load into RB, Add more tracks, Export to DAW. I thought the VST might make that faster & easier, but that's not happening yet.
I thought 64-bit would enable the use of better VSTi's. IDK yet, but we'll see.
I hope & expect to see improvements to the VST and to the program itself. All that said, there really isn't anything else like BiaB.
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 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 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
Playable RealTracks Set 4
RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
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.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
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.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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