After many years of owning RealBand, it's only in the last few days that I've made any attempt to use it before moving files to Sonar X1. I've had no problems moving audio tracks from RB to Sonar using the drag and drop DAW plug-in mode, but how do I move midi files to my DAW? I use a Ketron so I don't have a VST/DxI synth installed (nor do I want to install one if possible). Ideally, I'd like to have the program convert the midi to audio in the process of the move to the DAW, as (I believe from memory) happens with BIAB on my system.
Help, as always, is appreciated. Thanks. Happy Labor Day to those in the US.
I don't often want midi tracks exported from BB/RB to my DAW but I have used copy and paste when I did.
Thanks for the help. I guess you convert from midi to audio when moving to your DAW; is this via a software synth? I use a Ketron and would like a simple way to do this without relying on installation of a soft synth just for conversion. Any thoughts?
I use Sonar as the DAW and it supports VST instruments. So on the rare occasion where I had a midi track that I wanted to use, I simply copied the midi track and pasted it to the midi track in the DAW.
IIRC, it copied all the midi tracks from BB/RB and pasted them into the DAW, but only the one I selected had midi data in it so I simply deleted the others and then assigned the midi track I wanted, to a synth and life was good.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Thanks for the help. I guess you convert from midi to audio when moving to your DAW; is this via a software synth? I use a Ketron and would like a simple way to do this without relying on installation of a soft synth just for conversion. Any thoughts?
Bob
If you want to use an external synth like Ketron you need to actually record the midi to audio at some point along the way, whether in RB, or another DAW.
MIDI is just data sent to a synth, the synth makes it Audio. So if you use an external synth you need to play the MIDI out to the synth and record the audio signal back from it at the same time. RB and all DAWs can do this.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
If you want to use an external synth like Ketron you need to actually record the midi to audio at some point along the way, whether in RB, or another DAW.
Thanks. Yes, that's exactly what I've been doing. It just takes a few more steps than I would prefer, but I'm good with this method.
I've found that most of the samples in the soft synths these days sound so much better than the hardware synth's voices especially if that hardware synth is more than 3 years old....
Now granted, many of the hardware synths sounded good, but when compared to a sampled piano from some of the libraries that are out now, the samples are awesome.
Since I have a synth that is over 25yrs old..... you can understand why I prefer the soft synths and samples. Mine is a Yamaha DX-27S..... quite a classic and it still works perfectly, but give me a sampled sound.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 09/04/1310:44 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
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!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
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®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
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.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean