How do you use it with BIAB? I know I could export track to MP3/WAV then use Reaper or Tracktion to record but that kills the flexibility of BIAB as a practice tool - change tempo or key, loop section, get scales suggestions, play along with generated solo and grab some ideas from there.
PS. Do not want to go Amplitube way. PS2. My audio interface is Zoom U44.
You'd have to either use a real amp, or have a stand-alone amp simulation program running at the same time as Band-in-a-Box. Your guitar would play through that amp sim separately from Band-in-a-Box, while BIAB plays.
Since Band-in-a-Box doesn't support input monitoring, that's the only way you can use an amp sim in real-time while using BIAB.
Alternately, you could open the song in RealBand, and apply an amp sim plugin to the "Input Monitor Insert" channel. This'll work as long as you're using an ASIO or WAS audio driver, with input monitoring enabled.
You'd have to either use a real amp, or have a stand-alone amp simulation program running at the same time as Band-in-a-Box. Your guitar would play through that amp sim separately from Band-in-a-Box, while BIAB plays.
Since Band-in-a-Box doesn't support input monitoring, that's the only way you can use an amp sim in real-time while using BIAB.
Alternately, you could open the song in RealBand, and apply an amp sim plugin to the "Input Monitor Insert" channel. This'll work as long as you're using an ASIO or WAS audio driver, with input monitoring enabled.
Thanks Kent
I think that you cannot do option 1 with Zoom U44 ASIO driver being output for both BIAB and amp emulator. I think that using preamp output from external amp into Zoom UI might be the only option.
Regarding option #2 how do you set a track as "Input Monitor Insert"? Need to read on that. Also I was not able to split the input channels - RealBand would not allow me to assign input #2 (vocal) on Zoom to one track and input #1 (guitar) to another track. I guess I need to go through some basic RealBand tutorials. That stuff works very easy in Tracktion.
You'd have to use an MME driver in BIAB, and WAS or ASIO in the amp sim. Not every ASIO driver will allow you to have sound in BIAB while another program is using ASIO though, which we won't have control over unfortunately. Using a hardware amp would make things a lot simpler.
In RealBand, if you go to Options - Preferences - Audio, and change the "Input Channel for Mono Tracks" setting to "L+R (two tracks)", then you can record vox and guitar at the same time. Just set two consecutive tracks to Audio - Mono, select the first one, and hit Record. Channel 1 will go on the first track, channel 2 on the second. Personally, I'd just record one at a time to prevent the guitar from bleeding through on the vocal track, but the option's there if that's how you prefer to work.
If you hit the VST/DX Plugins button, you can choose "Input Monitor Insert" in the "Track" drop-down menu, and then any plugins you select will be applied to the input signal, in real time (though there may be latency).
You'd have to use an MME driver in BIAB, and WAS or ASIO in the amp sim. Not every ASIO driver will allow you to have sound in BIAB while another program is using ASIO though, which we won't have control over unfortunately. Using a hardware amp would make things a lot simpler.
In RealBand, if you go to Options - Preferences - Audio, and change the "Input Channel for Mono Tracks" setting to "L+R (two tracks)", then you can record vox and guitar at the same time. Just set two consecutive tracks to Audio - Mono, select the first one, and hit Record. Channel 1 will go on the first track, channel 2 on the second. Personally, I'd just record one at a time to prevent the guitar from bleeding through on the vocal track, but the option's there if that's how you prefer to work.
If you hit the VST/DX Plugins button, you can choose "Input Monitor Insert" in the "Track" drop-down menu, and then any plugins you select will be applied to the input signal, in real time (though there may be latency).
Thanks Kent PG Music
OK so I am able to attach BIAS FX amp emulator as Input Monitor insert. However the main issue that I have is that I CANNOT seem to assign SINGLE input channel from Zoom U44 to a track in RealBand. In Tracktion I see all 4 inputs from U44 in Settings then I can enabled those I am using (I wanted 4 inputs to be able to use guitar synth in stereo, guitar signal and vocal without having to switch settings all the time). Then on Track setting I simply pick if track is mono or stereo and pick which one (or two) out of 4 I want to go into that track. RealBand does not seem to allow me any choice on input channel for a track. And I cannot enable or disable them. Except enable 1+2 or 3+4.
It does allow you to choose your input, that "Input Channel for Mono Tracks" setting is the key.
Let's say you want to record only guitar, and it's in input #1. Go to Options - Preferences - Audio, and change the "Input Channel for Mono Tracks" setting to Left. If you want to record only vocals from input 2, select Right.
There's no way to record a stereo track and 2 mono tracks simultaneously, but you can record two stereo tracks, and split the second one to two mono tracks.
In that ASIO Audio Drivers window, hold down Ctrl, and select both pairs of inputs. Then in the Tracks window, set two consecutive tracks' types to "Audio - Stereo", choose the first one, and hit Record. Channels 1 and 2 will go on the first track, 3 and 4 will go on the other. You can then use Edit - Track - "Split a Stereo Track into 2 Mono Tracks" to separate your guitar and vocal tracks.
Alternately, if "Input Channel for Mono Tracks" is set to "1+2 (Two Tracks)", you can record 4 consecutive mono tracks the same way, and use Edit - Track - Merge Two Mono Tracks to Stereo to join the first two.
I'm a guitar player. Jazz/Blues/Rock Instrumentals. I practice and perform using arrangements (backing tracks) I create in Band in a Box.
I pretty much use the first approach mentioned by Kent. I use a real guitar plugged into a real guitar amp(Quilter) Basically my performing rig. I use BIAB (PC) audio out (Digital out to Mixer to JBL 305's) from the PC to work out the arrangement I like.
You can easily loop and change tempo inside biab but I have found an easier approach for rehearsing, at least for me.
Once I like the arrangement I create a .WAV output at the performance tempo. I make mine mono.
I then use an IOS device (Ipad and/or Iphone) and Anytune Pro. With this I cab make my practice and performance setlists.
The beauty of Anytune is that you can easily adjust tempo (and/or key) for the practicing. You can also adjust EQ(song by song if you like) for your PA out. Its quite a great tool.
Sometimes after practicing an arrangement I go back to BIAB to change style,key, ending intro, etc. Then I just output a new .wav and replace the tune.
If your PA has bluetooth (like my Bose S1 pro) i can bluetooth the audio file to the pa AND control the pa with a bluetooth pedal (next tune, previous, start/stop, eq on/off, vol level. Currently I use a Blueboard with a cheap expression pedal for volume.
Either the iphone or the Ipad work identical. I prefer the Ipad because I'm 60 years old and cranky.
Its pretty slick and works great both in the practice room and at the gig. I've had a few musicians check out my rig.
Anyway, that's just me Hope my post is relevant
biab2026(Mac) Latest Build Mac OS (Latest) Apple Mac Mini M2 pro 32GB Ram Logic Pro (latest or pretty close) Blue and White Sea Star
It does allow you to choose your input, that "Input Channel for Mono Tracks" setting is the key.
Let's say you want to record only guitar, and it's in input #1. Go to Options - Preferences - Audio, and change the "Input Channel for Mono Tracks" setting to Left. If you want to record only vocals from input 2, select Right.
There's no way to record a stereo track and 2 mono tracks simultaneously, but you can record two stereo tracks, and split the second one to two mono tracks.
In that ASIO Audio Drivers window, hold down Ctrl, and select both pairs of inputs. Then in the Tracks window, set two consecutive tracks' types to "Audio - Stereo", choose the first one, and hit Record. Channels 1 and 2 will go on the first track, 3 and 4 will go on the other. You can then use Edit - Track - "Split a Stereo Track into 2 Mono Tracks" to separate your guitar and vocal tracks.
Alternately, if "Input Channel for Mono Tracks" is set to "1+2 (Two Tracks)", you can record 4 consecutive mono tracks the same way, and use Edit - Track - Merge Two Mono Tracks to Stereo to join the first two.
Thanks Kent PG Music
Kent - I admit I may be doing something wrong in RealBand track setup but no matter how I try (setting track to mono and selecting Left or Right for Mono tracks in the wizard I have shown) I cannot get separation - both vocal input in Input 2 on Zoom interface and guitar input on Input 1 are recorded into the track. I have to spend more time with RealBand tutorials but in the worst scenario I have recording case covered - export/drag&drop tracks into Tracktion (either directly from track if that will get fixed at one point or selecting Solo and exporting Master). For practice I think that there is no avoiding external amp - which is OK - I do not always want to practice with headphones on. I will reply to the other message on that subject once I get that part going.
I'm a guitar player. Jazz/Blues/Rock Instrumentals. I practice and perform using arrangements (backing tracks) I create in Band in a Box.
I pretty much use the first approach mentioned by Kent. I use a real guitar plugged into a real guitar amp(Quilter) Basically my performing rig. I use BIAB (PC) audio out (Digital out to Mixer to JBL 305's) from the PC to work out the arrangement I like.
You can easily loop and change tempo inside biab but I have found an easier approach for rehearsing, at least for me. (...) Hope my post is relevant
Hi Mr Geeze - sorry for delay - I replied yesterday but forum software ate it. Thank you for very helpful post. I think I see now that there is no escaping of external amp. Amp plugins are fine for adding processing for recorded clean track but I honestly never encountered one where latency was not killing the whole deal. Standalone BIAS FX is probably my fav amp modeling software but I constantly strugle with "mushy/spongy" feel that even slight latency delay. And I rather not have it as part of my practice routine.
I have couple good Evans amps (head and a combo). I think that they are somewhere in AI Clarus SLR range as far as quality goes. Originally Evans started making them for pedal steel player and you can still find older combos with 15" speaker. They are loud 150W very clean with very precise EQ. I use combo for my own gigs - I am amateur jazz guitarist - play gigs with couple of friends - mostly for fun - retirement places etc. When I go to jam session I typically bring Blues Jr since people are usually confused by EQ on Evans and cannot dial good tone. Combo has XLR out so I can use it for practice with main speaker muted. Nice part is that you still have a speaker ready - so if you get tired of headphones it is there.
I hooked it last night - Evans and BIAB to ZoomU44 and I think that will be my practice rig for now.
For recording I hope I can figure out what causes issues with WAV export from BIAB. But if I use BIAB for gig - I think that I might try running it on laptop and trying the Conductor app to control it - so we are not strictly confined to pre-recorded backup. I used to play with full band - drums, bass, piano, sax/clarinet, alto (samotimes) and me on guitar. But drummer decided to pursue more rock oriented projects and pianist (excellent classically trained fellow and math genius) decided to move to different uni for grad school. So basically it is me, bass and sax. So for now BIAB will be part of our jam. Much easier to coordinate rehearsal for 3 people than 5 too ;-)
I’m not sure if this is what you mean but I plug my guitar into my QuadCapture interface. Let the track know you are recording (or playing) in mono. Then add an amp sym as an FX. I tend to use TH2 albeit I have TH3, Guitar Rigs 4 & 5, Amplitube et al. I set the Amp how I want. Using Sonar or Reaper I set it to record with no effects (add them later) that way there are more options when you want them.
When doing live shows I just use the BB tracks I have mixed and rendered in Reaper. Let the file play through media player. I use a Tricapture interface to plug my guitar in through my laptop and once again use TH2 that I have preset to the sound and levels I want. Media player and the guitar are set and balanced. The result comes out of the Tricapture into a PA. Everything is prebalanced and ready to go.
The guitar is mono and the BB tracks are stereo. My PA is stereo so it spreads out quite nicely.
Very simple. Tony
HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home, Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612 BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
I’m not sure if this is what you mean but I plug my guitar into my QuadCapture interface. Let the track know you are recording (or playing) in mono. Then add an amp sym as an FX. I tend to use TH2 albeit I have TH3, Guitar Rigs 4 & 5, Amplitube et al. (...)
Very simple. Tony
Thanks Tony - I do understand that is possible to use amp plugin. But when I practice I do not want to practice with guitar going straight to headphones - it is messing my playing - I tend to play to hard then and it is rather unpleasant experience to listen to "naked" guitar. I decided to reshuffle my gears a bit and just use Hi Z out of amp that I usually use for gigs - Evans RE150 into ADA cab emulator. It sounds really nice (I will post some recordings later). And I option to defeat min speaker or not on the amp so that way I can practice/record with headphones or not. And I can record vocals an guitar together.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed 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 transcribe 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, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 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 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
Playable RealTracks Set 5
RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
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.
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