Dome, you have some fine answers above. Welcome to the forum.

I might just add a little to this:

3) Could I use BIAB/RealBand as my composition tool wholly and solely?

Yes, but other tools help complement the process, depending on what you want to do. For example, I compose in BIAB but use a number of other tools for 'finishing' a song. These include an audio editor (I use Adobe Audition but there's a good free one, Audacity), some plugins (Ozone is my favorite), and a sequencer. [I only use another sequencer because I learned it long before RealBand became available; if I were starting out new, I would learn RealBand first.] I also use a dedicated notation software for scores.

Interestingly, sometimes this works in reverse. The other day, I needed to take a song in a notation program into cut time. The notation software would not do it, so I exported MIDI and took that into BIAB where you can Expand Durations by 2. Then back to the notation software. Amazing, a real time saver.

As for sounds, Mario and I have a different approach, I guess. I like having really good MIDI sound in BIAB because it inspires me more when I'm composing. Although I have a few software synths, I still use a hardware MIDI sound module.

I highly encourage you to try BIAB. You should love it as we do.

About the audiophile version, the only ones who need that are pros producing the highest quality output they can. I can hear the difference, but it's pretty subtle. Since you can upgrade by calling PG Music Sales, start with the 'regular' version and get to know the program. Use your money to buy as many RealTracks as you can, instead of the audiophile version.

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; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.