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)
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