Hi All! BIAB newb here. This looks like a great place to hang out, and from what I've read so far here, the people here seem to be pretty cool. Apologies in advance if this is a long post. As the title of this post indicates, I'm trying to find the best solution / application to suit my needs. I have read a lot of good things about Band in a Box / Real Band and I feel this may possibly be the way for me to go however, I only have limited funds for a music software application and I don't want to buy something that may not be suitable for my needs. Thus, I was hoping someone here with a broad knowledge base of BIAB / Real Band and songwriting experience would be able to guide me in the right direction. Here's what I have so far:

HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE:
- Pretty powerful computer newly built by yours truly and running Windows 7, i7 2600K CPU, 16 GB RAM.
- ** I'm considering purchasing Kontakt 5.
- Roland 88 key MIDI keyboard.
- Limited experience using Garage Band on my old Apple rig.

MISIC STYLES I compose IN:
- Semi-classical
- Pop
- R&B
- And a little Blues.... but the majority of my music these days seems to be more R&B and Pop focused. So far I've only ever heard my music played on the piano. One day I would like to hear it played with a the backing of a band or orchestra.

1) I just need to know if you think Band in a Box / Real Band would be the way for me to go or if something like Wast West Quantum Leap etc. or similar would best suit my needs. 2) Would BIAB/Real Band be too limiting considering the styles of music I like to write? 3) Could I use BIAB/RealBand as my composition tool wholly and solely? 4) Could I use BIAB/Real Band in conjunction with any of the sound libraries or even Kontak 5 say? I have been considering purchasing BIAB Audiophile edition but this would eat up my entire budget and I fear this could be a huge expense to blow on something that may not be entirely suitable for what I want to achieve.

Thanking you all in advance for any help or guidance you may be able to offer me,
Dome.