I slightly disagree with you on this one Pete, cakewalk is a typical DAW like a Studio one, Cubase, Reaper, etc. Realband has the BiaB engine internal so you can regenerate and add in a DAW things quickly. At some point the VSTi might make it unnecessary but still it has a lot of powerful options no other DAW has. It might not be as polished as the main DAWs but it does a lot more in some areas. I am hoping that the plugin brings this capability to main stream DAWs, but till then RB is still a great tool in the bag.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB 2025, Realband, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 9 32c , Melodyne 5 editor, Presonus Audiobox 1818VSL, Presonus control app.
Realband has the BiaB engine internal so you can regenerate and add in a DAW things quickly.
That's is the only thing I use Realband for. After I set up the chords and style in BiaB, I load it into RB and add any Real Tracks that might work and export to my DAW.
I have the Edirol Hypercanvas 32 bit version and I'm surprised that the known bug with the kick drum not responding to velocity changes wasn't fixed on the port to a 64 bit version. but as jazzmammal says all you need to do is change the default in BIAB preferences or if you have exported a track already transpose the dud midi kick drum to the one that works. personally i can't hear the difference between the two in a mix
The hypercanvas was originally 32 bit and both vst and dxi versions came in the same box (i've got it upstairs!).
this site claims to offer a vst version for free so jbridge will make it work with BIAB 64 bit - just use a virus scanner when you download but as the program is now available for free download with cakewalk it probably isn't too likely to be a scam
The TTS-1 is 15 years old and is a Roland product. Roland stopped updating it years ago so nobody's going to fix that kick drum bug. They won't even provide a Win 10 driver for my Sonic Cell. Roland makes some excellent products but their lack of follow on updates sucks.
Can someone clarify for me? I am apprehensive of downloading this entire content in order to get the TTS-1 synth sounds. I don't need a new DAW since Reaper is my go to. But this TTS-1 may be needed since I am losing CoyteForte due to the new BB64.
So what exactly am I signing up for if I download the "Cakewalk by Bandlab"? Is this a on-line service? Sorry for all the questions, I actually am feeling very old trying to keep up with all this stuff and wondering if this effort is of any real value to my music....
Dan
BIAB – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud (Tip: No need to create a SC account to hear music - just hit ESC ).
Dan, I was a very long-time user of SONAR and Cakewalk Pro Audio before that. I jumped ship when I saw the BandLab site - it looked like it was for kids with no music theory. If you want to feel old and tired, look at that.
Then Cakewalk by Bandlab was released, and this turns out to be SONAR Platinum, repackaged without third party plugins, and all for free. For a while, the old SONAR User Forum held on as the only place for support. Last week BandLab created a new forum, so it looks like they really will start to be a complete solution. So, don't let the BandLab iPhone app appearance put you off. Cakewalk by Bandlab is a great product and a deal. And I think you could figure out how to keep the TTS synth if you decided to delete Cakewalk.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
BIAB – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud (Tip: No need to create a SC account to hear music - just hit ESC ).
Privacy and the ability to use the DAW program offline were concerns raised in the Cakewalk forum when the sale was first announced. Those concerns appear to have been fully addressed by BandLab through changes made to the BandLab Assistant.
BandLab has both online and offline components. Online participation is completely voluntary and is not necessary except to check, download and install updates.
An email address and password is needed to open a BandLab account. A BandLab account is required to download the BandLab Assistant program. The BandLab Assistant program acts as an account and file manager so it needs to be installed to download and install the Cakewalk by BandLab program file.
Once the Cakewalk by BandLab program file is installed it's yours. You may choose to uninstall the BandLab Assistant program and Cakewalk by BandLab will still run without any limitations. However, should you want to check for updates you would need to install the BandLab Assistant program once more. You may also choose to exit and close the BandLab Assistant program by clicking on the "X" icon in the top, right corner of the program header. A different choice is to leave BandLab Assistant installed but set it to run only when you want it to.
The BandLab Assistant program has a round, cogwheel settings icon in the top left corner of the header. Click to open the settings button.
The settings window also has a "Sign Out" button that will sign you out of your BandLab account. If you press this button, the next time you start the BandLab Assistant program it will prompt you for the email address and password you provided when you set up your BandLab account.
The "Launch on startup" switch is set to the on position the BandLab Assistant program automatically runs whenever you turn on your computer. Place the switch in the off position to disable automatic startup.
The middle of the settings window has a large "Quit" button that closes down and exits the BandLab Assistant program. Of course the BandLab Assistant settings window also has the exit "X" icon in the top, right header location.
Thanks Jim, I have gotten comfortable with installing and jumping through lots of hoops and installing file managers which connect to the mother-site for upgrades and version management and authorization. It is a burden we bare if you to get many of the modern applications. My concern here is do I want this burden for this product. I am still on the fence, but this info you have provided is helpful in saving me a lot of time in figuring this out. Thanks much.
BIAB – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud (Tip: No need to create a SC account to hear music - just hit ESC ).
Dan, to point out another option understand the TTS-1 is ok but the sounds are still a bit dated. Decent yes but not really all that great. If you want to use BB64 you have the new SynthFont 64. The soundfont that's included with it sounds decent but not that great either. The big deal here is it's capable of loading in huge soundfont libraries like over 2 gigs. A 2 gig soundfont should sound pretty good. They're not free though, you would have to do some google searches and check them out.
Dan, to point out another option understand the TTS-1 is ok but the sounds are still a bit dated. Decent yes but not really all that great. If you want to use BB64 you have the new SynthFont 64. The soundfont that's included with it sounds decent but not that great either. The big deal here is it's capable of loading in huge soundfont libraries like over 2 gigs. A 2 gig soundfont should sound pretty good. They're not free though, you would have to do some google searches and check them out.
Bob
A big advantage of using soundfonts is that you can personalize them. For example you can have one just to orchestration, one for rock, one for jazz, etc. Also you can change individual patches. For example if you find a better trumpet soundfont you can replace the one in your GM soundfont. Also you can replace those helicopter and other mostly useless sounds with patches like more strings, brass, choirs etc. In other words with soundfonts, although dated like the TTS-1, you have a lot more options available.
Just my opinion and YMMV.
I got banned from Weight Watchers for dropping a bag of M&Ms on the floor. It was the best game of Hungry Hippos I've ever seen!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
A big advantage of using soundfonts is that you can personalize them. For example you can have one just to orchestration, one for rock, one for jazz, etc. Also you can change individual patches. For example if you find a better trumpet soundfont you can replace the one in your GM soundfont. Also you can replace those helicopter and other mostly useless sounds with patches like more strings, brass, choirs etc. In other words with soundfonts, although dated like the TTS-1, you have a lot more options available.
Just my opinion and YMMV.
Mario, have you ever tried making your own soundfont set? I haven't, although I imagine it to be an extremely time-consuming, passion-driven task, isn't? Bless the hearts of those brave folks that did it and decided to share it with the world!
I was sampled back in the early 70s on my flugelhorn. It was painstaking. And that was only one sound per pitch. Imagine how difficult it is now, with all the nuances of playing that are available (volume, timbre, attack etc. ).
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
A big advantage of using soundfonts is that you can personalize them. For example you can have one just to orchestration, one for rock, one for jazz, etc. Also you can change individual patches. For example if you find a better trumpet soundfont you can replace the one in your GM soundfont. Also you can replace those helicopter and other mostly useless sounds with patches like more strings, brass, choirs etc. In other words with soundfonts, although dated like the TTS-1, you have a lot more options available.
Just my opinion and YMMV.
Mario, have you ever tried making your own soundfont set? I haven't, although I imagine it to be an extremely time-consuming, passion-driven task, isn't? Bless the hearts of those brave folks that did it and decided to share it with the world!
I did make many of them back in the day when I was using soundfonts as my main sound source. It is very easy. You just use the soundfont librarian https://soundfont-librarian.software.informer.com/ and move soundfonts around. You copy from one soundfont from one set into your target soundfont set.
If you mean recording an instrument and making it into a soundfont then no.
There are many soundfonts available, many free, some shareware and some pro ones for purchase.
I got banned from Weight Watchers for dropping a bag of M&Ms on the floor. It was the best game of Hungry Hippos I've ever seen!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
My take on cakewalk is that much like sonar it is a rich and powerful DAW, however I always found it to be really cluttered and required a lot of fiddling around to make it useable to my workflow. I did record a few nice tracks in it back a couple years ago, but found I got a ton of work done with far less fiddling around in Studio one. Sometimes I still miss the old Multitrack studio program I used for a long time that Mac suggested. It was the most stable program I ever used. And simple as can be.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB 2025, Realband, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 9 32c , Melodyne 5 editor, Presonus Audiobox 1818VSL, Presonus control app.
Cakewalk by BandLab (CbB) has a few features that can help simplify and declutter the look of the GUI.
One is to right click on the Control Bar and select modules. Everything on the control bar belongs in a module so by selecting and deselecting modules the control bar can be as simple or complex as you desire. Then there are the windows that perform similar to the Windows in Band-in-a-Box or RealBand. You can have a window for tracks, window for loops, window for mixing and so on. So the next suggestion is to have open only the windows you need to perform whatever task you are doing.
Once you've set up the screen to perform whatever task you want to perform save a screenset. A screenset is a snapshot of the current layout of various views and windows in a project, including which windows are open, their size, position, zoom level and whether they are docked or floating. You can create up to 10 screensets per project and freely switch between screensets at any time.
There is also templates. Templates make it easy to create new projects with predefined settings.
On another subject, the MultiTrack Studio daw (MTS) is alive and well. For those seeking a powerful but easy to use DAW, MTS has a lot to offer. It's claim to fame is a built-in midi soft synth and the program is not computer resource hungry. The synths are modeled instruments so the program does not occupy a lot of storage space. +++ HERE +++ is a link to learn more about the program. The 3 minute video demonstration is a lot of fun to watch and listen to!
MarioD <<< A big advantage of using soundfonts is that you can personalize them. For example you can have one just to orchestration, one for rock, one for jazz, etc. Also you can change individual patches. For example if you find a better trumpet soundfont you can replace the one in your GM soundfont. Also you can replace those helicopter and other mostly useless sounds with patches like more strings, brass, choirs etc. In other words with soundfonts, although dated like the TTS-1, you have a lot more options available. >>>
I played around with creating sfz files and was able to create one fairly quickly and without knowing what I was doing by finding a tutorial on YouTube and the instructor had a screen shot of a sfz that was larger and more complex than what I had the ability to do myself. I paused the screen and copied his text. Then I inserted my samples I had made so the file used my samples to sound out. It worked quite well and I had a fairly complex and complete sfz.
MarioD <<<If you mean recording an instrument and making it into a soundfont then no. >>>
Mario, the conversation led me along this train of thought from your quote,"For example if you find a better trumpet..." to Can I make a better trumpet part for my song?
For Example, you have a song with a trumpet RealTrack that you wish it could play a more complex or recognizable riff than what the RT itself can generate. It seems possible to me that using a template such as I did above, I could generate 7 tracks of trumpet RT playing over my project chord chart and take samples from those track generations and insert them into my sfz template thus creating an sfz modeled from my project Chord Chart and RealTrack instrument.
Could I not use a mixture of RT Trumpet and six tracks of midi trumpet creating more complex riffs and chords and mute/unmute between the seven tracks to generate, render and export a WAV mix of my Chord Chart BIAB project creating a custom track to be imported back into my BIAB project as a Performance Track?
I recall a BIAB tutorial video from a few years back where a midi bass riff was used to place a specific riff into a bar replacing the BIAB RT Bass for that bar using this method and it was indistinguishable.
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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