|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 464
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 464 |
I am in the process of deciding what DAW I will change to. I like RB, but there are some things that happen repeatedly and they are annoying. Plus, I have found a few things that other DAWs have that RB doesn't.
I noticed a couple of people use Mixcraft. If you have time, would you answer a few questions for me?
Any particular reason you went with Mixcraft? What did you compare it to?
Any recurrent annoyances? If so, what are they?
Thanks.
2b
i5-3210 laptop. Win 10 Home. 2.5ghz, 64 bit. 6gb RAM. Focusrite Scarlet 2i2.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,105
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,105 |
There’s a lot of info here in past discussions about DAWs. I have always thought that RealBand shouldn’t be included. It has DAW functions, sure, but as the only DAW that reads BIAB files it has unique features. Thus even if you use RealBand along with BIAB, you should also learn a more traditional DAW if you want to get serious.
Ok, so which one?
I’ve tried many and used several in studios. Most have free demos. Most have similar features. The way they implement the features, and even what they call them, is what you have to evaluate.
For decades I used Cakewalk Pro Audio, which became SONAR. Now the essence of this is the free BandLab. Before we knew SONAR would be ‘saved’ I tried Reaper, Cubase, and others. The one I found easiest to transfer to was Mixcraft. I also liked that it had a good iPad app. Had I not been proficient in SONAR, I’m sure a different DAW could have seemed more sensible.
Note that I primarily use a PC for pro audio. I only used the Mac for notation software in the early 90s. Had I stayed on Mac, I would have spent more time on Pro Tools, which is used in the studios I go to. Once the PC caught up to the Mac, I had no need for one except to support others in the family who use one.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,693
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,693 |
2b, you have several threads going and most mention RB. I may have missed some things but you kept talking about things like you can't get VST's to load and other issues. I just revisited your thread in the RB forum concerning that VST issue and it ended on 10/28 with no further input from you saying if you figured that out or not.
Now you're asking about other DAW's and making comments about other DAW's doing things RB can't. Respectfully, you don't know enough to make that statement. You also also seem confused by some basic Windows operations. Obviously I could be wrong, this is just a forum and I'm not a mind reader but you need to be very proficient with Windows before you go jumping into something as complex as digital audio. You need to be the guy friends and relatives come to with their Window's problems.
As an outside observer my advice is to settle down and learn what you have which is Biab and RB. There are people here who have used Power Tracks and then RB for years and never use another DAW. Despite what some here will say, RB is a perfectly competent DAW. I'll repeat that Real Band is as much a DAW as any other name you've read about. Stay with it and learn it before flying around from one thing to another. VST's work perfectly well in RB, you just can't seem to understand instructions and I think I know why, it's because of the tech jargon. That cannot be avoided because a DAW is replicating what goes on in a real multi million dollar recording studio. Like every other specialty out there, studios have their own language. Earlier in your computer using experience were you confused by printer jargon like Landscape, Portrait, a Print Cue and stuff like that? It's because your computer print function is using the terms used by professional print shops. Exactly the same things as a DAW using the jargon of studios. You have to learn those terms and understand them. Trying to just jump in and make it work without that basic background is just crusin for a brusin, ya know?
This stuff takes time and patience, I know you probably don't believe me but you have more tools right now than you can learn in the next year. Or two. Or three. It's all there right in front of you with Real Band. The basic principles are the same from one DAW to another. If you can't figure out RB then good luck with the others too. RB is known as one of the easier ones to learn for a nooby.
Please understand I'm not talking down or making fun or any of that. 15 years ago I was in the exact same position. I knew less than squat about any of this and was a total lost soul but I gradually got it. It's like anything else it's easy once you know it, haha.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,325
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,325 |
There’s a lot of info here in past discussions about DAWs. I have always thought that RealBand shouldn’t be included. It has DAW functions, sure, but as the only DAW that reads BIAB files it has unique features. Thus even if you use RealBand along with BIAB, you should also learn a more traditional DAW if you want to get serious.
I’ve tried many and used several in studios. Most have free demos. Most have similar features. The way they implement the features, and even what they call them, is what you have to evaluate. OP....note all of the above. Take your time...check all the free demos to determine application intuitiveness and if the GUI is appealing. All DAW apps have their place and one's choice is very subjective. What's easy and intuitive for me may ugly and cumbersome for someone else. Then....learn the program of your choice and know it will require some effort and patience if you're totally unfamiliar with DAW software. I grew up with Sonar (Sonar X3 now) since 1994 so I've long ago found what's worked for me and at 71 I'm done upgrading.  Yes....I would recommend Sonar (now totally free) from Bandlab. But, that's just me. That's my take on it....
Last edited by chulaivet1966; 11/15/18 07:02 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,085
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,085 |
Realband was my first DAW. I'll forever be grateful for it and the folks here because I knew zilch about computer recording. I moved to Tracktion so I could get their plugins (it doesn't come with those same ones anymore) and then tried a couple of others before I settled on Reaper.
Take advantage of the free trials and do a song from start to finish with each one then decide what's most comfortable for you. There's a learning curve with all of them. And each of us have our own workflows. I think Dani Lindroos uses Mixcraft and so does Alex Rand so you might shoot them a pm.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,173
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,173 |
Over the years I have played with a number of DAWs. I have used cut down versions of Cubase (Cubasis it was back then) CM Magazines DAW, Plazma, Music Maker, Sonar Producer et al. I have had several looks at Ableton but it is not for me. When the Cakewalk carfuffle hit last year I downloaded Reaper. Within two days I purchased a license.
I use BIAB to generate the song, I might use RealBand to make some adjustments to RealTracks, I might go to Sonar to edit or create MIDI parts (then render them to audio), I pull the audio into Reaper. Why this way, RealBand helps regenerating bits of Realtracks but I am more used to mixing in Reaper. Sonar has better MIDI editing in my opinion but I’m more used to Sonar. When it comes to slicing cut and pasting audio bits Reaper does this better and easier. Setting things such as slowing endings or whatever Reaper is far simpler than elsewhere IMHO. Once I learnt how to set up mixes I found Reaper easier and more flexible than Sonar.
Yep it took some learning and some of the stuff I learnt in Reaper can be applied to Sonar, which has help Sonar for me. Same can be said for BIAB. As I learn more, things change for me but essentially the learning for me is as much fun as creating. I still spend a couple of hours a day researching plugins and better methods for doing things but I’m lucky, I’m not on any deadline. At my age to get out and playing at all is a blessing. Making the tracks sound as I want them a joy. I believe there is not one product that does it all, neither am I looking for such a product but I embrace each for what they deliver and the knowledge they bring me. (I had a wise man once say to me “knowledge may be hard to acquire, but once you have it, it is easy to carry.”)
My thoughts 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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 464
Journeyman
|
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 464 |
Jazzmammal,
I appreciate your perspective. A couple of thoughts:
I concede that some of the computer terminology is unfamiliar. At the same time, I don't think I am the only one who has trouble with RB.
I don't mind the time to learn RB. I agree with you that I should stick with one DAW and learn it fully. I would like that DAW to be RB, and I have put a lot of time into it. I like the interface, particularly because I have trouble reading things on the dark backgrounds some of the other DAWs seem to favor. The RB buttons are laid out well and I can usually find things.
My problem with RB is that there are a few things which seem to happen every session that are just too annoying. Examples:
I click on Edit and RB decides it is time to Initialize the Accompaniment Function. I have no idea why. If it has to do that before it can edit, why doesn't it happen as the program is loading? After it finishes, none of the functions work until I hit the Escape key repeatedly.
When I am editing RT's in RB, the arrow keys don't work for the transport function until I go to the bottom of the screen and hit the rewind key. Then they work again.
My RB crashes on a regular basis. Last night I was trying to generate an RT in RB so I could choose different sections and make a comp track. I clicked on the command. First thing was that I got two screens showing RT's, one over the other. I thought this was nothing so I chose an RT. My computer froze. Escape, escape. Tried again. Got an RT with exactly the same tempo, but it was obviously messed up. Dissonance, odd chords, tempo out of sync. I deleted it, erased the track and tried again. RB locked up my computer and I had to restart.
As far as VST's, I have tried several that should work with RB and jbridge (which I have). Sample Tank 3 won't work. Kent from PG had to take control of my computer to get APL Bass to work. Jamstix won't work. I couldn't get the free version of SSD5 to work. I like to work with midi so this is important to me.
As far as my computer, I have a laptop with 6gb RAM. It runs at 2.6ghz. BB works fine on it. This is my second installation and I try to keep it updated.
In the past, I have suggested that PG should consider improving RB and charging a little more for it. Perhaps a Lite version could be bundled with BB, with a better one available for an additional charge. But either way, the problems I have detailed above make the experience a bit less fun. That's why I am looking.
One last point. I appreciate your response Jazzmammal. I take no offense and I know you are just trying to help.
2b
i5-3210 laptop. Win 10 Home. 2.5ghz, 64 bit. 6gb RAM. Focusrite Scarlet 2i2.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,827
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,827 |
2bSolo, Regarding RealBand, there are some steps you can take that will let the program work better. Some you may already know but I haven't seen them mentioned in other threads so the ideas maybe new to you. RealBand (RB) handles RealTracks differently than Band-in-a-Box (BiaB). BiaB generates the first few seconds of the RealTracks in a song project then begins playback. The rest of each RealTracks is generated as a background task while the song project continues to be played. RB will not start until all of each RealTracks is generated so the time that it takes for playback to begin is much longer when compared to BiaB. RB stores audio edits in memory. Each audio edit is treated as a separate audio file so the more you edit, the more audio files RB has to manage and the higher the probability the program will glitch or crash. Two ways to reduce the probability of a glitch or crash are to: 1) frequently save your work, once every five to ten minutes doesn't hurt and 2) use the Consolidate Audio feature. This description is from page 236 of the RB Users Manual and explains how the feature works. Use the Consolidate Audio Region feature when you are working with WAV (digital audio) files to recreate a track or region as one contiguous file. While not always necessary, this is especially useful in situations where you have performed many edits (e.g., Cut/Copy/Paste) and the resulting track has been broken up into many smaller wave “chunks” that may cause audio glitches and/or timing errors as your computer has to work harder to open and close the many small files. The “consolidate” feature effectively serves to “stitch together” these smaller files into one big file. The non-real time audio effects work better with consolidated tracks, if these effects are returning error messages the problem is often corrected by applying this feature. This command will offer the option to include silence when consolidating from the start of the song and tracks(s) don't start at the very beginning Frequently following these two steps greatly reduced crashes for me. I believe they will for you too.
Jim Fogle - 2025 BiaB (Build 1128) RB (Build 5) - Ultra+ PAK DAWs: Cakewalk Sonar - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8 Laptop: i3 Win 10, 8GB ram 500GB HDD Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753 |
My first DAW was Power Tracks by PG Music. Maybe it was version 6 or 7. I don't remember. The main thing I liked most was the Fly-By Hints. These helped my learning curve greatly. Along the way I updated to version 10. Although the program is considered limited compared to other DAWs its the simplicity of it that helped me get a good understanding of the basic process and terminology.
I tend to take recording breaks for many months or even a year here and there as I get involved with live music projects. Then I get back to recording.
A few years ago I started doing more recording and found PT wasn't cutting it for me. I was ready for more. I tried Sonar LE, Traktion, n-Track Studio, Music Creator 7, Cakewalk and Reaper. I stuck with Reaper.
Some of my favorite things about Reaper. (in no specific order)
* Kenny Gioia videos are very simple for me to find and grasp a task I want to attempt. Usually 10 - 15 minutes or less on any one task and I've got it learnt.
* Stable as an old oak tree. I have never, ever, ever had a lock up or crash that was a fault of Reaper itself. Overtaxed my RAM a couple of times though. That was my fault.
* It comes with very good and extensive plugins.
* Each and every plugin, including mostly free third party plugins, have worked with no issues at all. (I stick with VST, VST3, VSTi, DX and DXi. I do not install RTAS or AAX versions)
* The screen is easy to see and throwing random colors on the tracks improves this even further.
* $60
* Has a professional appearance so when friends/musicians come over they are impressed.
* So far it has been able to accomplish every audio task and even some video tasks I want.
* Many keyboard short-cut save time once learned.
* Easy, built in file directory cleaner. (as long as I have my project properly set up to save orderly into a project folder)
* The Reaper forum itself is rather helpful and friendly but I don't use it often because most of the answers I need I find in a Kenny Gioia video.
Does the noise in your head bother me ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 464
Journeyman
|
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 464 |
Thanks for the tips, Jim. I do both of these things and I still get crashes.
Yesterday was another example things that shouldn't happen. I tried to use the Time Stretch feature. First it told me that I was going to run into existing data, so I shortened the percentage of stretch. Again, same message. So I shortened again and proceeded. It did the stretch but it left a gap, even though it had told me there wasn't room. The yellow box never went away. And the program locked up. And to top it off, crash. This feature has never worked for me without a problem.
I'm pretty sure I am moving to Reaper. I wanted to finish this project before making the change, but I don't think I can.
Thanks to all who have posted. I echo the comments about this group. You folks are great.
2b
i5-3210 laptop. Win 10 Home. 2.5ghz, 64 bit. 6gb RAM. Focusrite Scarlet 2i2.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,326
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,326 |
2bsolo
Your experience is same as mine. I worked with RB for a longtime and I still do, but for me it is get in and get out as soon as possible. Reaper on the other hand is a joy to work in. Primarily given that on my system it is and has been for years Rock-Solid. Can count on one hand the number of times it has crushed over these years. Add to that the Reaper Forum and many videos to view when you what to learn a new feature. And with Reaper there is always something new with constant upgrades. I know it is a sensitive issue to step into this forum and advise folks not to use RB as your DAW, but as we see here often, there is no shortage of good intentioned opinions.
BIAB – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud (Tip: No need to create a SC account to hear music - just hit ESC ).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,693
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,693 |
I finished an album of 8 songs in RB a few months ago. Some all audio, some audio and midi and one all midi. Zero crashes. Zero. For midi I used SampleTank 3. When I picked it up about 18 months ago it simply loaded right up. Zero issues. These songs all have vocals. I created several vocal comp tracks and edited the crap out of them. Zero crashes.
Do you guys who can't seem to get RB to work see a pattern here? I hate to be blunt but somebody can't read proper English. Seriously. The way RB works is described in detail all over the place. The Initialize Accompaniment function is well explained. It was the result of USER REQUESTS. If you're only working with midi you don't need it so we didn't want RB to automatically initialize that on boot up so it doesn't do it until it's needed. This is not a problem it's a FEATURE. Jeese Louise guys. Read, read and read some more.
AND why isn't all the talk about RB in the RB FORUM? There is a dedicated forum for RB ya know.
All the instructions for ST3 for example are on IKM's website along with RB's help files along with a ton of threads from the last few years right here. Doesn't anybody understand Forum Search or Google Search? Both will pull up all the different threads about installing VST's and ST3 in particular.
I swear, I'm just shaking my head here. RB does NOT CRASH, has NO PROBLEM with VST's. Oh yeah, I have Jamstix too, Garritan, several freebie VST's. NO PROBLEM.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,326
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,326 |
Jeese Louise Bob, can't someone else voice an opinion which is contrary to yours?
BIAB – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud (Tip: No need to create a SC account to hear music - just hit ESC ).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,696
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,696 |
I swear, I'm just shaking my head here. RB does NOT CRASH, has NO PROBLEM with VST's. Oh yeah, I have Jamstix too, Garritan, several freebie VST's. NO PROBLEM. Well then, congratulations on achieving certification. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954 |
+1 Jeese Louise Bob, can't someone else voice an opinion which is contrary to yours? I swear, I'm just shaking my head here. RB does NOT CRASH, has NO PROBLEM with VST's. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,693
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,693 |
Dudes, I've said this before. Contrary comments that imply there's something inherently wrong with the program need to be based on FACTS. Of course anybody can have any opinion they want no matter how stupid it is but in a discussion like this give me the facts please.
If there's a problem you post it in DETAIL so others can replicate it. Probably 95% of all these so called issues are user errors because nobody else can replicate it. It if is truly a bug PG will look into it and issue a patch for it. An example of that was the VST tempo lock issue. That was supposed to work for years and didn't until a couple years ago. In case you guys think I'm just a fan boy every year when the testing started my very first post in the RB test forum was "Have you fixed the tempo lock issue yet?" That was a bug.
Having issues in loading VST's is not a bug and saying the program crashes all the time is not a bug either because others do not have that issue and it doesn't crash for anybody else other than once in a great while. If you're getting more than the occasional random crash it's you, period. You should post EXACTLY what you did to create that crash and let all of us try to replicate it.
Now, what's the definition of a bug? A bug is something that is supposed to work a certain way according to the documentation and does not. If something is not in the documentation and you're having fun going off the reservation with stuff that PG doesn't recommend and you get crashes then that's on you. If you WISHED something worked a different way, fine request it but it's not a bug.
Does this make sense or am I talking to the wall?
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,105
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,105 |
2bsolo has other threads about RealBand. This thread is not about RealBand.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,693
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,693 |
Thanks for the tips, Jim. I do both of these things and I still get crashes.
Yesterday was another example things that shouldn't happen. I tried to use the Time Stretch feature. First it told me that I was going to run into existing data, so I shortened the percentage of stretch. Again, same message. So I shortened again and proceeded. It did the stretch but it left a gap, even though it had told me there wasn't room. The yellow box never went away. And the program locked up. And to top it off, crash. This feature has never worked for me without a problem. This is an example of what I'm talking about. Of course you can do whatever you want and what makes you happy but why haven't you posted these two specific issues in the RB forum? And by posted I mean details like I highlighted track 5, measure 8-12, opened this window, entered that value and hit Enter and it caused the crash. Without getting into details when you got that message saying something about "running into existing data" it means exactly that. You set it up wrong so the process is going to wind up overlapping what's already there. As I said earlier you have a VST thread started in the RB forum but you never finished it. People gave you pretty good instructions but at the end you never responded to say that it worked or it didn't. It sounds like it didn't. Well, don't just drop it, you're still missing something so go back to that thread and keep going with it. Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,693
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,693 |
Use some logic David. It works on everybody's Windows machine. When it doesn't it means the machine is not stock, the person is using some old funky interface with a 10 year old driver or it's simply user error based on not following the proper steps. Trust me the testers do not find that many bugs and if all their setups were producing these problems everybody would know about it. Just ask yourself this question: Where are the hundreds of angry posts from new users who want refunds? All we see are just a few from folks who never post specifics, they just say they can't make something work. Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
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 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 Windows or for Mac.
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.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: 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 because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!
We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!
Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:
Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, 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, and more!
Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
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
Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)
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!
The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!
Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!
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
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!
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!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums58
Topics84,574
Posts781,196
Members39,690
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean