Can anyone please describe the roadmap for REAL BAND?
I like Biab to generate tracks, change instruments, add lyrics, and make changes. Also to import midi. also export video.
However biab doesnt do enough with midi, in my opinion.
Hence I got to RB. Working in real band was a disappointment: It didn't import or transfer lyrics from Biab. It didn't import/ transfer markers. So already I cant see using it.
So how could it be useful?
Doesn't seem to have the 24/94 sound engine quality of my daw as well.
Yes it separates midi, but my impulse is to get out of it asap.
The roadmap would have to come from PGMusic. We users are not privy to that.
But from your comments...
First of all, though, BIAB will not give you 24/96. Everything is recorded in 16-bit, 44.1Khz wav files (converted to compressed WMA files unless you happen to have the audiophile edition). Your DAW, however, can upsample that content when you load it.
RealBand will support greater than 16/44.1; however, you'll have to set it to match your sound card.
Lyrics can be imported into RealBand from BIAB as long as they are note based lyrics. RealBand doesn't support bar based lyrics. Just the way it is.
By markers, I assume you mean the A/B substyle markers. If you export to MIDI from BIAB and then import that MIDI into RealBand, then you're not going to get those markers, because they are BIAB specific, not in the MIDI standard. However, if you open an SGU or MGU file directly into RealBand, your chord grid markers should be preserved.
I would probably spend some time looking at the various videos provided by PGMusic for both products to get a better handle on how it works (and now you can even request videos in the new forum). And keep asking questions here. But we need to know specifically what you are trying to accomplish and specifically what didn't work, and may have to provide a copy of the file you are working on so we can better take a look (using dropbox, for example).
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA
Doesn't seem to have the 24/94 sound engine quality of my daw as well.
I beg to differ; audio selection options shown in image below. Generated Tracks will depend on your package purchased but it does have the mentioned bit/rate options depending on your selected sound card (not DAW). Just tryin' to hep.
Last edited by rharv; 11/06/1802:32 PM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
I'd say the reasons to use RealBand is that once you have your Band-in-a-Box song laid out, you can open it in RealBand and have 48 audio or MIDI tracks available for recording (Band-in-a-Box has one audio track and two MIDI tracks the user can record to).
You can also regenerate just selected bars of the tracks BIAB had generated, which isn't possible in Band-in-a-Box.
For these reasons, it's good for finishing projects that were started in BIAB.
It's also great for editing MIDI files, since it works natively in the General MIDI format, unlike many DAWs.
Of course, if you're already comfortable in another DAW, you can drag and drop tracks directly from BIAB to your DAW. It requires a few more clicks than just opening the song in RB, but it's not too bad. The biggest drawback is that your DAW can't regenerate BB tracks, but you can regenerate the song in BIAB, drag multiple versions of a track into your DAW, and copy and paste to keep the best parts.
I always say that the best DAW is the one you're comfortable with.
I find RB works out really well for my music lessons. I had really bad timing issues and with RB and BB most of it is gone. More and more I am using RB because I feel I have more control over what I am attempting to accomplish.
At first I found it very difficult but the more I work with it I like it.
Again, I can't use REAL BAND 2018. who ever heard of a song without lyrics ?
Huh? You've never heard of an Instrumental? C'mon.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
are these over-sites? I mean come on, real band only has to communicate with one app in the universe!
John addressed both of your issues previously. Have you tried his suggestions? Any change? First test would be simply opening one of your SGU files in RB. Do Markers come across? Then address your lyric entry issue, which may mean a change of work flow in BiaB to save time in the long run.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
I am not an RB user, but I do have a large collection of songs written with BIAB that include lyrics, both note based and a few old ones that are bar based.
I found it hard to believe that RB wouldn't be able to accept songs with lyrics or part markers so I followed John's advice and opened one of my existing note based songs in RB. It's is a "modern" pop/rock song, not a jazz classic. It has both Ral tracks, a real drum and a midi track. I didn't convert it to MIDI, WAVE, MP3 or anything else. I just opened the MGU file in RB.
It worked perfectly!! I have all the notes, it generated all of the accompaniment, the lyrics are all there, and so are the part markers. It took a while, much longer than BIAB to generate all the real tracks, but it completed successfully.
I do not understand how you can say it doesn't work.
BIAB for Windows Version 2019 (643) Windows 10 (1909)
Just to comment on your "jazz" opinion - at the last count less than 24% were jazz styles
As we are today jazz or semi jazz styles have crept into modern day and pop music just as hip hop etc. has crept into jazz
I do arrangements for a wide spectrum of music for church - pop and folk and never had any difficulty in finding ample styles appropriate to use
I sympathise with you on your other problem and yes the program must move forward but we have a very great deal to be thankful for and it seems a pity that the two programs could not be joined into one
jazzman
Last edited by Jazzman; 11/08/1804:04 AM.
BIAB - RealBand - 2022 Windows 10 64 Zoo computer with 7i processor- SSD 1TB -2TB HDD Roland keyboards
Can anyone please describe the roadmap for REAL BAND?
I like Biab to generate tracks, change instruments, add lyrics, and make changes. Also to import midi. also export video.
However biab doesnt do enough with midi, in my opinion.
Hence I got to RB. Working in real band was a disappointment: It didn't import or transfer lyrics from Biab. It didn't import/ transfer markers. So already I cant see using it.
So how could it be useful?
Doesn't seem to have the 24/94 sound engine quality of my daw as well.
Yes it separates midi, but my impulse is to get out of it asap.
What is it's roadmap?
Instead can more midi tools be put in biab?
thanks
I suggest your roadmap for RB would be to reverse your workflow and start your project with RB. You can create your chord chart, part markers, select the style, tempo, and key signature and do your midi work first. Save the RB project as a midi file.
The midi file will instantly open in BIAB with the correct key signature, tempo part markers and your chord progression populating the Chord chart. At this point, you are ready to use Biab to generate tracks,change instruments,add lyrics, and make any additional changes you wish. Also you're ready to import more midi and export video.
Since your midi is in place in RB in the saved project, you have several choices for either generating midi tracks or rendering midi tracks to audio and importing that audio.
BIAB is capable of creating very complex songs that contain dozens of instruments as well as dozens of tracks so your project should proceed just as smoothly, if not smoother than had you started the project in BIAB and migrated to RB or another DAW.
It always seem to boil down to which is 'better', Biab or Realband. Guess it's the way you work to solve this issue.
As Cubase user since Atari days (Pro24 then, and audio came with the Falcon), i never liked Realband, or powertracks as DAW very much. Why? Probably the interface and some working routines are quite different. Especially the editing of MIDI data seem to me a bit like it's still in its KinderGarten days.
I must say RealBand intrigues me because of its music generation & creation capabilities, and more available audio tracks. As such i still plan on taking a deeper dive down with it, alas sort of scared of them possible sharks hiding in troubled water. But for now i am more familiar with BIAB, can shoot faster with it. Used it for so long now.
PS luckily PG gives as a choice by offering both ..... and maybe RealBand holds the real Trump card. Call me a PG fan. F
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
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