Many people have mentioned in earlier threads they like to begin a song in Band-in-a-Box to figure out song basics like the best styles (or styles), key signature, tempo, chord progression and song structure.

Once the song framework is understood, the Band-in-a-Box SGU song file can be saved and exported as a SGU file. The SGU file can be imported into RealBand then saved as a SEQ file which is the native file format for RealBand. BiaB is restricted to eight tracks while RealBand can have up to 48 tracks so you can easily use many more instrument sounds. RealBand follows a timeline so many people feel more comfortable with it. Real Band will let you regenerate RealTracks in sections as small as one measure. The RealBand "multiriff" feature generates up to eight selections so you can choose what you want faster.

To me the biggest difference between BiaB and RealBand is how track regeneration is handled. BiaB regenerates EVERYTHING when the regen button is pressed while RealBand regenerates only the selected area when the regen button is pressed. While it not as bad as it use to be it is very easy to regenerate a track in BiaB when you don't want to.

While RealBand performs most daw functions, many people prefer to move audio tracks to their favorite daw for additional editing, mixing and (possibly) mastering.

It is truely whatever workflow that works best for YOU!

Jim Fogle - 2025 BiaB (Build 1128) RB (Build 5) - Ultra+ PAK
DAWs: Cakewalk Sonar - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8
Laptop: i3 Win 10, 8GB ram 500GB HDD
Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD
Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home