I am able to use ASIO when using Band in a Box. However, when I create a file there, I can’t use ASIO when working on the file within Real Band. if I try to, the sound in Real Band comes out all garbled.
Today, I contacted the chat helpline at PG Music. The guy there told me that MME was actually better than ASIO and to switch over to MME.
I don’t get it, everything I’ve ever heard says that ASIO is better than MME. Which is it? Isn’t one better than the other? Shouldn’t I be able to use ASIO with both programs?
Thanks.
Michael
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 12 Core Processor. 3.79 GHZ; RAM = 32.00 GB; 64 Bit Operating System; Windows 10; Focusrite 8i18 External Card; Real Band; Band in a Box; Coyote Forte Wave Table; Oxygen 49 MIDI Controller
Normally an ASIO driver is written by the vendor of your hardware and works best. The problem is that normally you cannot have more than one program open using an ASIO driver. So you use ASIO on the program in which you do recording. For playback, MME is fine. There’s more to it, but does this help?
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; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Well yes it helps. I was trying to use ASIO both in Band in a Box and in Real Band. I never run both programs at the same time. So I thought it would be OK, but maybe not.
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 12 Core Processor. 3.79 GHZ; RAM = 32.00 GB; 64 Bit Operating System; Windows 10; Focusrite 8i18 External Card; Real Band; Band in a Box; Coyote Forte Wave Table; Oxygen 49 MIDI Controller
I don’t get it, everything I’ve ever heard says that ASIO is better than MME. Which is it? Isn’t one better than the other? Shouldn’t I be able to use ASIO with both programs?
Thanks.
Michael
Yes, yes you should. Sounds like configuration problem to me. Possibly an ASIO control problem from too many programs open trying to use the ASIO driver.
Is BiaB still Open when you switch to Realband? Try closing everything else that may be trying to use the audio out and then open RB and try again to eliminate this possibility.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
Just to clarify when Matt said, "For playback, MME is fine."
When it comes to the sound that you hear from your speakers, whether the driver is ASIO or MME or WAS doesn't matter. The sound from the speakers is identical. The driver does not change the sounds, it provides a means of getting the sound to the speaker.
For getting sound to the speakers, ASIO and WAS are the quickest. MME uses is slower. This is a problem if your record in BIAB because there will be latency between the audio input from the microphone and the audio output of BIAB.
If you are not recording it doesn't matter which one you use provided the soundcard is happy with MME. There are some audio cards that require their maker's ASIO drive (e.g. I think Focusrite might be one of those cards).
I always run my BIAB using MME. My soundcard and BIAB get on better together with it.
I do the original song in BIAB. Then I move the song over to RB for editing. I don’t simply listen to the song in RB. I add instrumentation and MIDI there.
So I believe that I need ASIO on both ends of the enterprise.
Thanks.
Michael
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 12 Core Processor. 3.79 GHZ; RAM = 32.00 GB; 64 Bit Operating System; Windows 10; Focusrite 8i18 External Card; Real Band; Band in a Box; Coyote Forte Wave Table; Oxygen 49 MIDI Controller
I don’t keep both applications open. I shut everything down that seems like it could be using a sound card. For example I don’t have a browser open to some website. I close all that.
I think I posted it elsewhere but there’s a couple of shots to show you what the configuration looks like.
Thanks.
Michael
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 12 Core Processor. 3.79 GHZ; RAM = 32.00 GB; 64 Bit Operating System; Windows 10; Focusrite 8i18 External Card; Real Band; Band in a Box; Coyote Forte Wave Table; Oxygen 49 MIDI Controller
you don't need ASIO in BIAB because you are only listening to playback. ASIO allows you to record with no latency - you play along with the recording. if you are using MME the backing wouldn't sync with the recording when you played the recording back. but MME is the safest least problem prone driver to use with BIAB in most cases.
once you are in RB i used to get perfect results using WAS which eliminates latency. but if you are using a Focusrite 8i18 External Card you should have a focusrite ASIO driver that should work perfectly.
if you use that it should look after the routing automatically from the RB driver choice dialogue.
"I am able to use ASIO when using Band in a Box. However, when I create a file there, I can’t use ASIO when working on the file within Real Band. if I try to, the sound in Real Band comes out all garbled."
You state that "...if you are using a Focusrite 8i18 External Card you should have a focusrite ASIO driver that should work perfectly..."
Point is it does not work perfectly, as stated in the quoted text.
Thanks.
Michael
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 12 Core Processor. 3.79 GHZ; RAM = 32.00 GB; 64 Bit Operating System; Windows 10; Focusrite 8i18 External Card; Real Band; Band in a Box; Coyote Forte Wave Table; Oxygen 49 MIDI Controller
The first thing to do is look in the Focusrite Scarlet mixer for the ASIO settings, then try adjusting the buffer size up or down. That may be the cause of the garbled sound. Or it may not, but that's the first thing to try.
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; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
You mentioned garbled sound. Is it all distorted? Or does it stop and start a lot? Can you upload an example as it may help us determine your problem.
Matt's buffer suggestion is the way to go. In my DAW, Studio One Pro 5, I use a low buffer setting to record. But when I get all of my recording finished and I'm adding effects and such I have to increase those buffers. What are your buffer numbers?
Technically you should be able to run ASIO in BiaB, shut down BiaB, then run RB with ASIO drivers. I run BiaB in MME and my DAW in ASIO so I can have them both on screen and usable simultaneously.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
That’s good, and it’s actually quite low. Your computer must be fast. I cannot go below 256. As Mario added, when you play back a file AND use other processing on it such as an equalizer (there are tons of plugins with tons of purposes), then you may need to raise the buffers. Just lower them for recording.
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; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
So I believe that I need ASIO on both ends of the enterprise.
You keep missing this point Michael. No you don't unless you're doing live recording and by live I mean you're listening to Biab in headphones while you're recording a midi synth. A hardware synth is no problem, it's a midi synth. The whole reason Steinberg invented ASIO in the first place was for live midi recording.
If you don't know already, I'm talking about you've got some audio tracks laid down and want to add some midi tracks. You grab a midi keyboard and use it to control a softsynth like Sampletank or Kontakt or even the standard Coyote Wavetable Biab ships with.
Playing a softsynth live using MME causes horrendous latency like a half a second. You can't play and record something if you're hearing it a half second behind the audio tracks. ASIO reduces that latency down to 4 or 5 milliseconds which is roughly a buffer setting of 64, making it completely unnoticeable to the player.
If you're not doing live recording and all you're doing is mixing then nobody cares about latency and MME is fine. Switching to MME takes the strain off of your computer from using ASIO at that low buffer setting. The lower the setting the harder your CPU has to work and that's what causes the glitching. My point here is if you're not doing live recording while listening to Biab or RB you don't even need to bother installing the ASIO driver.
I've used lots of sound cards over the years and never found one that would not work with MME because it's universal on a Windows computer. If some say they have had problems with that I can't dispute it because I haven't tried everything out there but I have to doubt it very much. MME is just another version of WDM which is an older version of WASAPI (WAS for short). Regardless, they're all Window's Audio and should work with everything. If it doesn't then it's almost certainly something wrong with the system because somebody decided to tweak something and it messed up the audio.
Your question got me to remember years ago this subject came up about being able to use ASIO with more than one application at a time. There was something about Steinberg releasing a "multiclient" wrapper that allowed that but it turned out the wrapper caused more problems than it solved so unless that has been fixed you can't use ASIO in both RB and Biab have them both open. There were even issues with some media players as well. If you're recording your midi stuff in RB you probably need to close Biab down or vice versa.
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!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac 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 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.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
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!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 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 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
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
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
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)
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean