BiaB or RealBand do not transmit song tempo information. Applications like Addictive Drums 2 requires tempo and similiar information to properly interact with the host program.
You can use any VST for drums, if Band-in-a-Box is providing the MIDI note patterns. So you hook up Addictive drums like a VST and can use it.
))) "I am a Jazz snob" You can be a jazz snob and still get the UlltraPak
There are 800 hours of JAZZ Realtracks in the UltraPak, including the Jazz greats like Ron Carter, Kenny Barron, Pat Martino, Phil Woods. Not sure why a "Jazz snob" wouldn't be interested in that. You currently have 80 hours of Jazz RealTracks, one tenth of the UltraPak. Also, you mentioned you play Jazz fusion guitar, on the UltraPak you also get Jon Herington RealTracks. As Steely Dans guitarist for the last 10 years or so, he's considered one of the best in the world - should be of interest to a Jazz fusion player.
I managed to load Addictive Drums 2 but the user interface of AD2 was cut short on the right side so I couldn't access all the features of AD2.
Is this a bug or am I missing something ?
Short question: If I have MIDI files for AD2 can I load them into BIAB ?
PS
I am NOT a Jazz snob but sometimes I sound like one
DS
Originally Posted By: PeterGannon
You can use any VST for drums, if Band-in-a-Box is providing the MIDI note patterns. So you hook up Addictive drums like a VST and can use it.
))) "I am a Jazz snob" You can be a jazz snob and still get the UlltraPak
There are 800 hours of JAZZ Realtracks in the UltraPak, including the Jazz greats like Ron Carter, Kenny Barron, Pat Martino, Phil Woods. Not sure why a "Jazz snob" wouldn't be interested in that. You currently have 80 hours of Jazz RealTracks, one tenth of the UltraPak. Also, you mentioned you play Jazz fusion guitar, on the UltraPak you also get Jon Herington RealTracks. As Steely Dans guitarist for the last 10 years or so, he's considered one of the best in the world - should be of interest to a Jazz fusion player.
))) Short question: If I have MIDI files for AD2 can I load them into BIAB ?
Any MIDI file can be loaded onto then played back, so the answer is yes to your question. But I expect that you'd want to be able to do more than that, such as edit the MIDI file etc. so I don't recommend doing that.
Because that is what a DAW is for. And we include RealBand which is a DAW that would allow you to load MIDI files, edit the, etc. and play them back through a VST.
I just want to be able to play MIDI files with VSTi's like Addictive Drums 2. The rest I'll do with RealTracks/Usertracks
I do all my MIDI editing in Cubase
Any info on why I can't see the whole GUI of Addictive Drums 2 ???
Cheers
Originally Posted By: PeterGannon
))) Short question: If I have MIDI files for AD2 can I load them into BIAB ?
Any MIDI file can be loaded onto then played back, so the answer is yes to your question. But I expect that you'd want to be able to do more than that, such as edit the MIDI file etc. so I don't recommend doing that.
Because that is what a DAW is for. And we include RealBand which is a DAW that would allow you to load MIDI files, edit the, etc. and play them back through a VST.
))) I just want to be able to play MIDI files with VSTi's like Addictive Drums 2. The rest I'll do with RealTracks/Usertracks
Is there some reason that right out of the gate you've decided to not use Band-in-a-Box MIDI drum styles or RealDrums, in favor of playing premade MIDI files. I thought from your messages above that you get bored if you hear the same part played even a few choruses apart. Why would listening to the same MIDI file drum part appeal to you, and do you expect a premade midi file to match every song you're creating?
Lots of Band-in-a-Box users use many tools to make the finished product, including other VSTs and DAW. But they usually switch to the DAW (eg. Cubase) rather than try to import the files into Band-in-a-Box to work with. So they use BIAB to create the files, and then move to the DaW to add their custom files.
))) I just want to be able to play MIDI files with VSTi's like Addictive Drums 2. The rest I'll do with RealTracks/Usertracks
Is there some reason that right out of the gate you've decided to not use Band-in-a-Box MIDI drum styles or RealDrums, in favor of playing premade MIDI files. I thought from your messages above that you get bored if you hear the same part played even a few choruses apart. Why would listening to the same MIDI file drum part appeal to you, and do you expect a premade midi file to match every song you're creating?
Lots of Band-in-a-Box users use many tools to make the finished product, including other VSTs and DAW. But they usually switch to the DAW (eg. Cubase) rather than try to import the files into Band-in-a-Box to work with. So they use BIAB to create the files, and then move to the DaW to add their custom files.
Screen resolution is fine 1280X1024 and works great in Cubase. If I increase it 1920X1080 everything will become too small.
I use the Band-in-a-Box MIDI drum styles and RealDrums and they sound great.
I just want to see if it's possible and how it works with AD2 !
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: 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.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
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.
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