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RealBand
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I am considering buying BiaB 2009 w/ Real Tracks. (mega paks) I have the demo which is 2007 demo.

I know nothing about Biab/RT. I have been using a Cakewalk product with much success. I have a Firewire Saffire recording interface for mid & audio input with really low latency. My main reason for considering Biab & RT is for the decent sounding instruments...like dobro, fiddle, pedal steel, and other instruments.

I guess my question is If I get Biab/RT, (I might be off course on this) I could import an MP3 track created in cake.... drums, guitar, vocals, and then I would desire to create a new track in Biab/RT using the instrument sounds.... sax, fiddle, whatever..... so could I send my midi in to Biab to use it as a soft synth to create either a midi or convert it to a wave audio for export back into my DAW?

Am I on target with this of completely off course...... if so...what is the best way to use Biab RT to create audio instrument tracks for use in my DAW projects?


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You can do it in many ways.

*Export MIDI tracks from BIAB as MIDI file to open in Cakewalk and continue working, recording your own tracks to the backing, etc.

*Export RealTracks as WAV files, separate tracks to import into the Cakewalk session.

*Convert MIDI tracks to wav file first and export to Cakewalk as wav files.

*Any combination of the above.


--Mac

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Make sure you understand the difference between BIAB with Real Tracks & Real Band with Real Tracks.


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RealBand
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BIAB/RB has the "chord wizard" that accepts audio files and tries to create the beat and chord structure of the audio file in BIAB. If you have a midi file from cakewalk, that would work even better. The Chord wizard feature can be tricky at times.

Once you have the correct chord structure in BIAB/RB, you can add real track instruments to your heart's content.

Here's an example of a song Letha sent me and I used the auto chord wizard and then added dobro and fiddle (and a little guitar/harp from me): http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7426062 . She use a little drum machine, so the tempo stayed nice and steady.

Kevin


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RealBand
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Since this is the Real Band forum, let me focus on that because you get RB with the package. Consider Real Band as Cakewalk with Band in a Box combined in the same program. All you need to do is save your Cake project as a midi file and then open it up in RB. RB will use the same synth you used in Cake or you can use different synths if you like. Once you have the file open, you have everything on it's own track just like any other sequencer. Here's the really neat part. You can now select a Biab style, right click any empty track then select either a midi instrument or a Real Track instrument and create a track using that style. Oh, yeah you have to make sure the chords are set up properly in the chord grid. Anyway, you have 48 total tracks to create as many different instrument tracks as you want using several different Biab styles to go with what you've already done in Cake. This gives you a ton of options to choose from in your final mix. If there's a track you don't like, select a different style and try it again.

Bob


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Hey herb, how's it goin' ? BiaB is a great track bed arranger, as is RB. RB is just MC on steriods. The typical DAW side of RB is very much like MC, as it is DX based, and will use TTS, or VSC and allow you to use some sound fonts. I have had issues with SFZfree in it so far as the VSTi implimentation is a little behind MC to date, but the folks here are working on that issue. The other issues is that it does not use Jamstix as well. The jam feature does not work, it will act as a midi drum synth though. The real advantage to BiaB and Rb is in the ability to type in the chords and generate a basic song by style. And to take an audio track and anylize it with the chord wizard and find the chords. Adding Real drums and real tracks is a great add on as well. Over at Music Town there are links to some nice tutorials for these programs.


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What is this Music Town that you speak of?

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Music Town is a small web site i have where a few of us store tutorials, and tech notes, and ideas. We have a chat box there and use it at times to help Newbies with software setup and other issues.


HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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How can we access the tutorials? It may help close some gaps for me.

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Stephan, here is the link for the original stuff Ray did here. http://rsthigpen.com/free/


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Thanks!!!

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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.

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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.

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You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®

With your version 2026 for Windows 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)
  • Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)

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)

Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Video: New User Interface (GUI)

Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!

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

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac 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.

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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 Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac 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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