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#155774 04/04/12 04:42 AM
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Could someone please give me the nutshell version of Realband vs BIAB?
I'm new and just want to understand in general. In BIAB, I can use realband styles and all of the other features that BIAB offers. When would I only use RealBand? I have read a few of the post concerning this and it seems that there are things you can do in Realband but not in BIAB. I would appreciate any input or point me to a comparison of BIAB/Realband.


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Real Band is a DAW with many features that I use to Mix with. I start by making a song in Biab and then open it in RB to add FX, adjust track levals and do regeneration if needed. Some just use RB as many of the same functions are in both.

Tommyc #155776 04/04/12 05:09 AM
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Well, Realband comes when you buy Band in a Box, included with the thing.

Realband is a rather complete multitrack recording software, to include both audio and MIDI tracks, audio effects, full featured, that can also open a Band in a Box autoaccompaniment songfile. This allows the user to take a Band in a Box generated song and continue much further with it by adding their own tracks of vocals, instruments, whatever, and turn that Band in a Box song into a complete produced audio product.


--Mac

Mac #155777 04/04/12 05:11 AM
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WOW! Seems like I struck gold with this product. I am going to have to retire to have the time I want to spend with it.


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BIAB is basically an auto accompaniment software. Its forte is the ability to try different styles with a chord pattern to quickly come up with something that sounds good enough to jam along with. The songs it generates mimic an actual band in the sense that the songs regenerate every time you play, and like real musicians, it plays the song a bit differently each time. So each performance is fresh and dynamic.

So, if you want to jam along with a program (or even play live) BIAB is a good product.

However it lacks certain features that are generally considered "must-have" for home recording and bringing a rough song to a state of polish suitable for a CD. That's where Real Band comes in. Starting with the output of a BIAB song, Realband gives you a lot more control to add additional tracks, edit them, rearrange which instruments play or stop playing, fading volumes in and out, adding effects, mixing, mastering etc

So people who mostly play along with the program tend to use BIAB. Those who make recordings for distribution usually start with BIAB then move the project to RB to refine it.


And you're right... both products are amazing. Anybody who loves music can get lost in this software. The people at PGMusic have given the world a real gift, IMHO.

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Thanks for the great input. I understand the difference now.
This is a dream come true for me. I am proud to be a part of such a friendly, active user's group.


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Quote:

WOW! Seems like I struck gold with this product. I am going to have to retire to have the time I want to spend with it.




That is what I thought . . . now instead I'm playing nearly 100 gigs a year.

But loving it!

Welcome Aboard,

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Quote:

Quote:

WOW! Seems like I struck gold with this product. I am going to have to retire to have the time I want to spend with it.




That is what I thought . . . now instead I'm playing nearly 100 gigs a year.

But loving it!

Welcome Aboard,




Danny,
100 gigs per year ?? Is music your full-time job?

way to go! Glad to see which of us are actually making things happen

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100 gigs a year? That's a lot of songs. I remember when I only had storage for 100 megs a year...

Ba-dum-bump!



John

Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 8TB SSD
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BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK

http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting and construction)
jford #155783 04/05/12 09:11 PM
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Quote:

100 gigs a year? That's a lot of songs. I remember when I only had storage for 100 megs a year...

Ba-dum-bump!






heh heh

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Hi

one of the most intresting parts for me is being able to add different vst instruments to each channel in Real Band where you can only have one in BIAB although its now much easier to use romplers like Garritan`s BIG Band and Jazzband, GPO,Sample tank 2 and others these days in BIAB.

regards Jazzband


I always play the right notes but not always in the right order
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Options, and opportunities are limited only by your imagination.


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.
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PG Music News
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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Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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.

Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!

Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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.

Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!

Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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.

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