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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 264
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 264 |
Excuse my ignorance, but what's the difference between the two? Oh, I have both and plan to get the 2012 upgrade (from 2010) but I have yet to use RealBand.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,789
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,789 |
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,357
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,357 |
rokq,
Have a look at the Realband videos (under the Support link at the top of the web page). That will help you see the difference. Realband is essentially a DAW with the added ability that it can create arrangements just like BIAB.
Regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 581
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 581 |
If you never plan on recording 'live' instruments, then you probably do not need Real Band. RB has many features, but the main one is for recording yourself / others playing real instruments or singing etc..
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,470
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,470 |
You could duplicate Real Band with two separate apps, a DAW/MIDI sequencer and BiaB. Some like myself prefer to have the apps separate (I use BiaB, Power Tracks Pro Audio, Master Tracks Pro and Encore), and some prefer to have them combined.
Real Band combines many of the features of both Band-in-a-Box and Power Tracks Pro Audio.
There is no right or wrong way to do it, it's entirely up to the musician's personal preference.
Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 493
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 493 |
For my purposes, RealBand allows me to make song arrangements that are not limited to the 5 main instruments of BIAB. So I can have 3 guitars, pedal steel, piano, strings, drums, bass, fiddle, etc. up to the limit of RB (I think 48 tracks). I can then cut and paste sections, delete sections or move sections of each instrument pretty much at will. Very useful in my opinion for really getting the most out of the many Realtracks and midi sounds that come with it.
I use BIAB for building the basic structure of the song and often BIAB is adequate for a given arrangement so I don't use RB on all songs, but it sure is nice to have once you learn how to use it.
Good luck.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944 |
))) You could duplicate Real Band with two separate apps, a DAW/MIDI sequencer and BiaB. This is not correct. There are useful features found in RealBand that are not found in BiaB or a DAW. An example is the MultiRiff feature (introduced in 2012). Highlight a section of a track, choose multiriff, and you get to see a menu dialog of possible riffs that would work over that section using the chosen RealTracks. All the riffs are different, no duplicates. Audition them within the menu dialog, until you find the one that works best, and then insert them into your composition. For example, you can listen to a bunch of different pedal steel riffs, until you find the one that works best with your song. Or add 3 strumming guitar parts, all different, so that it makes a fat sound. You can see the MultiRiff feature in action in the RealBand 2012 video... http://www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.demos.htm
Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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[quote}Highlight a section of a track, choose multiriff, and you get to see a menu dialog of possible riffs that would work over that section using the chosen RealTracks. All the riffs are different, no duplicates. Audition them within the menu dialog, until you find the one that works best, and then insert them into your composition.
Now THIS makes me want to run home right now and load it up. How many times have I generated as many as 8 solos and then cut and pasted chunks together.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,448
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,448 |
Another example is that RealBand, alone among DAWs, transfers chord info directly from BIAB files, overcoming this severe limitation of the MIDI standard.
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; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,055
Productor Musical
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Productor Musical
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,055 |
))) An example is the MultiRiff feature (introduced in 2012). Highlight a section of a track, choose multiriff, and you get to see a menu dialog of possible riffs that would work over that section using the chosen RealTracks. All the riffs are different, no duplicates. Audition them within the menu dialog, until you find the one that works best, and then insert them into your composition.
Yes! fantastic and useful feature, even for guitarist and educators, it come as a great resource to get stimulant ideas for songs, backing tracks and compositions. Also it is time saving as it make easier to get a suitable riffs on your taste. I was amazed with MultiRiff in RealBand!
I think RealBand is really a unique tool by combining cool DAW features and BiaB power in one pack.
Carlos
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 581
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 581 |
NOTE about the Multi-riff selector... this is a GREAT new feature! ...
...but if your song has any tempo changes in it, the hightlighted section will regenerate but a portion of the wave form after the regen'd section will be erased. Sure hope this gets fixed ASAP.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944 |
Right Mitch, That does happen with certain tempo changes in a song, and will be fixed in the next free patch build. In the meantime, if you choose a blank track to work with (or have a song that doesn't have those tempo changes prior to the point of insertion), the issue won't happen.
Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 581
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 581 |
Great Peter. Yes, that is the work around for now... I use a blank track for any/all regen stuff on tunes with tempo changes. A lot of my tunes only have ritard endings, so the tempo change is after the point of insertion, but still the wave form gets erased.
It IS a great time saver and wonderful new feature !
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,455
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,455 |
"if you choose a blank track to work with "
Thanks, good to know.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 264
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 264 |
Thanks all. I actually plan to get into BIAB and RealTracks (plus actually read the manual!) more in 2012!!
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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.
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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!
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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®.
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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.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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-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)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
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- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
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- 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)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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