It's not and has never been about sound quality. It's about the functionality of Real Band vs other DAW's. Sure you may not need the features, but some of us do. And it's not necessarily about being a pro, it's more about the convenience of working easily on the projects and doing things a certain way.
I've seen folks use Audacity to record with but I can't imagine their workflow. Yikes...!!!
Having a fully functional and full featured DAW just makes life in the studio easier.
One more thing I don't think RB does.... and correct me if I'm wrong.... I don't believe it lets you set up sub busses for like kind things. I love using vocal sub busses and guitar sub busses to make my guitars and vocals cohesive with the same exact reverb and EQ settings. Busses are an indispensable tool in the way I work. If you've never used them, once you try them you will be hooked. As a side... it also cuts down on the number of individual FX that are needed. AND.... it lets you keep your tracks totally clean and dry. That's really, really useful when doing audio editing on the fly. Seriously useful.
PG is now selling Cakewalk's Music Creator. That is one sweet little DAW. Not a "fully featured" DAW like it's big brother SONAR.... but still way more functional than Real Band. When I first started using PG stuff, I was using MC4, and it did everything I needed easily. I commend PG for adding MC7 to their store. They should use it as a guide when they think about adding functionality to RB. Make RB do the things that MC can do and in a similar, easy to use, way, and they will have a WINNER!!
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 09/13/1601:12 PM.
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.
One more thing I don't think RB does.... and correct me if I'm wrong.... I don't believe it lets you set up sub busses for like kind things. I love using vocal sub busses and guitar sub busses to make my guitars and vocals cohesive with the same exact reverb and EQ settings. Busses are an indispensable tool in the way I work.
I'm correcting you because you are wrong. AUX Sends .. 8 of them. If that is not enough you can resort to SubGroups (another 15, as 1 has to be the main out).
Use the AUX Send dials in the Mixer to send the signal to the AUX channel (1-8) Use the Port assign to send it to a subgroup if you need to (again; almost twice as many of these are available) I think you can send a Track to an AUX (making 8 effects available) .. or multiple AUX channels making 4 X 8 theoretically .. then route the AUX to a Subgroup making another exponential amount for the total. It's different in RB, I admit, but quite a few options are there.
Image below shows AUX send and Subgroup Port routes. AUX in yellow, Subgroups in Red .. (of course combinations of each are available, evidenced by my additional AUX sends being sent to a secondary SubGroup)
Last edited by rharv; 09/13/1602:04 PM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
One more thing I don't think RB does.... and correct me if I'm wrong.... I don't believe it lets you set up sub busses for like kind things. I love using vocal sub busses and guitar sub busses to make my guitars and vocals cohesive with the same exact reverb and EQ settings. Busses are an indispensable tool in the way I work.
I'm correcting you because you are wrong. AUX Sends .. 8 of them. If that is not enough you can resort to SubGroups (another 15, as 1 has to be the main out).
Use the AUX Send dials in the Mixer to send the signal to the AUX channel (1-8) Use the Port assign to send it to a subgroup if you need to (again; almost twice as many of these are available) I think you can send a Track to an AUX (making 8 effects available) .. or multiple AUX channels making 4 X 8 theoretically .. then route the AUX to a Subgroup making another exponential amount for the total. It's different in RB, I admit, but quite a few options are there.
Image below shows AUX send and Subgroup Port routes. AUX in yellow, Subgroups in Red .. (of course combinations of each are available, evidenced by my additional AUX sends being sent to a secondary SubGroup)
Thanks... that;s what I needed to know. Next time I'm in the RB daw I'll check it out.
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.
Im noticing I enjoying playing with the biab chords displayed.
1. Can I record a high quality guitar solo on the single track supplied -
b. and export it to a DAW?
2. Any DAWS that show the chords being played in real time , Like Biab?
{ I may have answered my own question -- I just looked at Real band - does it do this?
So far I didn't get too far in real band, and have been using my other DAWS. }
thanks
To get back on topic, the first part of the question has been answered but the second part has been missed since we got sidetracked with the pros/cons of RB.
Yes, RB does this two main ways. First, it has the same chord grid that Biab has so just click the chord grid and see it highlighting the chords as the song is playing. Second, RB also has full notation including a Lead Sheet. You can open that up and see the chords as well while the song is playing.
My advice is to take the time to watch all the RB videos and get familiar with the program. Depending on what you like or need, RB could be enough by itself.
I know what you mean about needing busses, Herb. RB has had AUX Sends and SubGroups for a long time. Once again, how it is implemented may be different than most other DAWs, and thus people miss it.
I use these a lot, like you do in Sonar.
Once I've used, say, EQ, OBTune, compression and delay on a vocal track (not uncommon), I often need to send it to an AUX buss with a reverb, or maybe two AUX busses (one for the room that gets shared with other tracks and one for ring of that individual track) .. don't get me started on live drums routing. You can record them as well as you can, but they are gonna need some work, and busses and subgroups and ..
Heck, one of first things I do in a mixing project is load Ambience in AUX 1 slot .. I know I'll end up using it and might as well start enjoying it now..
"We've more similarities than differences" That was an inside joke; it was a song a few of us on the forum did a few years back.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
..... RB has had AUX Sends and SubGroups for a long time. Once again, how it is implemented may be different than most other DAWs, and thus people miss it.
Is it possible to use AUX Sends & Subgroups with Midi/Synth tracks or only audio?
Back to the original post; Has anyone tried PGs Audio To Midi Converter, generate the midi track off of a single track of recorded guitar or piano, interpret the midi chords, import to your DAW of choice?
On the side topic; I started using the AUX Busses once I figured out I had to scroll to the right in the mixer view to find them. Maybe some are missing them simply because they are not in the immediate view. I like it this way. Helps keep the screen uncluttered and gui features are larger than some DAWs that have too much crowded on one screen. I have Tracktion, Music Creator 7, Audacity, all get used for one thing or another but, RealTracks is my main DAW for almost everything. That might only be due to my basic workflow usually starts with a few BIAB track and also because PowerTracks was my first DAW and the activated Fly-By Hints are very helpful too me.
..... RB has had AUX Sends and SubGroups for a long time. Once again, how it is implemented may be different than most other DAWs, and thus people miss it.
Is it possible to use AUX Sends & Subgroups with Midi/Synth tracks or only audio?
Not sure if this would help: This is a set of 8 VST plugins, that can create up to 8 aux busses in any VST host.
Each plugin has the following controls:
1: a level fader to control the output level to the bus (in send mode), or from the bus (in receive mode)
2: a switch to change from send to receive mode (click on the led display)
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 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 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
Playable RealTracks Set 4
RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order 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.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order 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.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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