|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 188
Apprentice
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 188 |
Sorry if this is an incredibly dumb question, but what is the difference between RealStyles and Loops?
I'm wondering whether I should add Loops-with-Styles to my collection, but honestly I don't really know what they are. I've listened to some of the demos on the PG music page and to me they sound like more RealStyles.
Thanks!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 745
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 745 |
Loops are small snippets of music that can be played over and over and over again. They loop in such a way as to sound seamless.
I use it when I just want a rhythm to noodle around while I play my guitar. Can also be used in a composition.
...Deb
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 188
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 188 |
Loops are small snippets of music that can be played over and over and over again. They loop in such a way as to sound seamless.
I use it when I just want a rhythm to noodle around while I play my guitar. Can also be used in a composition.
...Deb Thanks Deb. That makes sense and is pretty much what I thought a loop was. But isn't that what RealTracks are as well? Small snippets of music that fit seamlessly together.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,077
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,077 |
...
But isn't that what RealTracks are as well? Small snippets of music that fit seamlessly together. To a certain degree, but RealTracks are not necessarily loops as such. They are different, separate musical phrases performed (usually) over multiple bars, that can then be seamlessly joined together. It's possible that there may never be a repeated (looped) phrase when using RealTracks. Looping indicates the same musical passage repeated over and over. RealTracks are different. Hope this assists.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 188
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 188 |
...
But isn't that what RealTracks are as well? Small snippets of music that fit seamlessly together. To a certain degree, but RealTracks are not necessarily loops as such. They are different, separate musical phrases performed (usually) over multiple bars, that can then be seamlessly joined together. It's possible that there may never be a repeated (looped) phrase when using RealTracks. Looping indicates the same musical passage repeated over and over. RealTracks are different. Hope this assists. Ah, okay, thanks. Are loops purely rhythmic, then? (i.e. they can't be changed to fit chord progressions or transposed like RealTracks can?)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,381
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,381 |
It kind of depends. I started my computer-aided music making with Loops using Acid software, the early software that made "looping" a thing available for the desktop set.
Loops in general, if the software is right, can have their pitch changed and time compressed/expanded. I think most loops are rhythmical in nature, but that might also contain some pitch information in short, repeating musical phrases that "loop" end to beginning in a rhythmical pattern.
I'm not familiar with the loops available from PGMusic enough to know for certain how they are handled within BiaB. Certainly Rhythmical loops will match tempo, and will change pitch if there is pitch to be changed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,531
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,531 |
Right. Loops can conform to the Acidized standard. If they do, their pitch and timing can be altered by the program.
Tangmo, did you start with Fruity Loops, now known as FL Studio?
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,381
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,381 |
Hi Matt. I started with Acid software from Sonic Foundry. It wasn't what I was hoping for, but I had a lot of fun with it. BIAB was what I was hoping for. There were a lot of FL users on the Acid Planet website. Loops definitely have their place and there is more that can be done with them then simply painting them coast to coast. Tools and raw materials.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,021
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,021 |
Drum loops normally have beat and tempo data embedded so the digital audio workstation or DAW can stretch or shrink the loop as needed to match the length of a bar and DAW tempo. Musical loops have beat and tempo data but also have root key signature data embedded. The root key data allows a DAW to adjust the pitch of the notes within the loop.
RealDrums and RealTracks differ slightly from loops. Users auditions and selects loops. Band-in-a-Box and RealBand selects complete audio phrases out of a 3 - 4 minute audio file. The audio phrases can range from 1 to 8 bars in length. Loops can be used by any program that can read the embedded metadata. RealDrums and RealTracks work only within Band-in-a-Box, RealBand and perhaps PowerTracks Pro (but I don't think so). Copy a RealTrack audio file and import the file into any program that can read metadata and, guess what, the program will not recognize any beat, tempo or root key metadata.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 188
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 188 |
Thanks, everyone. I am getting a better idea of the distinction between the two, though I'm still unsure about whether I should get the loops packs.
I mainly use BIAB for jazz and latin, with a dash of classic pop/rock. Would you say that loops would be a useful addition to my collection?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,145
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,145 |
my small contribution is that RealTracks give you a musical equivalent of a real musician, i have both loops paks and to my ear loops give you an opportunity to create a solid background groove where repetition is essential to a thick punchy sound.
listen to some of PG's demo tracks for xtra styles and the loops pak styles to see what you think
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,859
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,859 |
<<< "RealTracks give you a musical equivalent of a real musician" >>>
That's how I think too. Except I include any style and instrument as a real musician.
I see the Chord Chart when it's populated as the demo or scratch track of a recording.
The Style instruments and any instrument additions become overdubs by session musicians.
Any chord changes, edits and regenerations as Punch-ins/outs.
BIAB 2026:RB 2026, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginners Forum
|
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,381
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,381 |
Thanks, everyone. I am getting a better idea of the distinction between the two, though I'm still unsure about whether I should get the loops packs.
I mainly use BIAB for jazz and latin, with a dash of classic pop/rock. Would you say that loops would be a useful addition to my collection? Yes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Order now!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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 new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 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 process 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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,131
Posts800,632
Members40,042
| |
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean