I tend to enter chords and generate the tracks using Realtracks in BIAB. If a Realtrack sounds a bit off I put it into RB and do a MultiRiff replacement. Then to Reaper to arrange, mix and “master”. If I want to add some MIDI I tend to go to Cakewalk where I find editing MIDI easier before pulling the audio files into Reaper for finishing.
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
You say you are a ten year user but how up to date are you on both programs.
2019 (3) With the extra styles pack.
As an IT professional when I worked I am ALWAYS up to date on everything I own. I actually have a schedule to check about a dozen programs I use for updates, though I never have auto update on for anything. I want control of what comes into my computers. Pro Tools stays up to date as well.
"Expensive" is of no matter to me. I am not wealthy, but I am comfortable. I won it in the songwriting forum awards, though I had already purchased it.
I bought it initially, and every year since, because it write backing tracks. The DAW side is not the primary concern, as I get what I need written, get it close, and send it off to Rog who is a WIZARD behind the mixer. When I did any mixing for other people who brought me tracks I always did it in Pro Tools.
The reason I even asked about this is that people are always posting their help screens to answer questions in BIAB, which is of no use to me because the RB screens are not the same. Because I started from day 1 with RB, RB is as natural for me as BIAB is for the old timers who never used RB.
I know that there are "features" in RB that are "unique" to the program, but as a DAW it is weak (to say it gently).
Once I suggested that I would not be against if both programs are re-done (properly) and merged into one, with ALL the features modular. You need them-you add them to the work environment. If not, you "un-click" them and they do not bother you any more. As expected, it was met with skepticism.
Oh well, I still think that merging them is a good idea
All roads lead to RealTracks RealDrums MidiSuperTracks RealDrumCharts MidiTracks. We don't all travel the same road but we end up in the same place. I have always used RealBand but too many bugs n crashing has moved me up a notch the the Plugin as I can MultiRiff in it directly in any DAW without crashing and bugs, though I'm am very thankful that there was a RealBand. The Plugin will bring a whole new user base to PG as RealBand don't work on Mac and most pro audio users are on a Mac.
I wanted to like RB, but it seemed slow and unstable, and not worth the time to figure out what the issues were since I already had a DAW that worked great. I didn't see anything in RB that I wasn't able to already get with the toolchain I was using.
Does RB works for you? That's awesome for you. As long as you're making the music you want, that's all that matters.
Band in a box, then use reason 10 for midi & sound forge for mixing. Don't really use RB as I've never really wanted to change from the format I've used
I've always liked to keep my apps separate. So I use BiaB for auto accompaniment, Power Tracks Pro Audio for a DAW, a very old Master Tracks Pro for MIDI sequencing, and a very old Encore for Notation.
This summer when gigging gets slow, I'm installing Cakewalk and if I like it I'll keep it.
Keeping my tools separate is just one of my personal quirks.
Hi I think many of the perceived problems folks find in RB or working in multiple programs in general. Is that at some stage after importing you are going to need to save, at this point you need to make your mind up where you are going next. All daws including RB have a native format that will save the whole project as it is and retain for further editing by that program . in RB it is a. SEQ file in Cakewalk it is a cakewalk project file .CWP.
Lett’s say you have a BIAB song that you then open in RB If you save say a RB editing session as a BIAB file it will not save all the info,unless you save it as a SEQ. There is no magic bullet like always converting to midi as midi does not itself support many things found in DAWs like Chord data.
So what I am trying to say is once you find a work flow that carries along in a logical sequence to you, from one piece of software to the other don’t try and go backwards Or you will likely lose something on the way.
I might also say there is a lot of difference between opening and importing and saving, saving as, and exporting, when working in multiple software. Just my thoughts Mike
It's difficult to pinpoint, it is just not very intuitive to my old and tired mind. I'll try again soon and list the mental hurdles as I come to them.
My elementary teachers were not trained to recognize dyslexia so I've suffered difficulty reading all of my life. I learn by watching and I intend watch the tutorials when I can find the time. (chortle)
Peter and Callie keep me busy backstage and I love them for it!
I’m guessing that a lot of us who use BIAB and don’t use RB, do so because we started using BIAB back in the days when there were no Real Drums and no Real Tracks let alone a Real Band and already had our studio work flows well established by the time Real Band came along.
Biab every time for speed to audition styles, try opening an artist performance track (from song and lessons folder) in both Baib and RB and speed difference is huge, think the audio track is missing in RB as well.
RB has its place for multi generation of tracks that biab can't match.
Other than the above I find biab is a far more fun program to use than RB. You don't really know what it is going to throw at you next time you open it and what inspiration you can get from this.
Windows 10 (64bit) M-Audio Fast Track Pro, Band in a Box 2025, Cubase 14, Cakewalk and far too many VST plugins that I probably don't need or will ever use
Don Gaynor:"I especially like the fact that RB has 48 tracks and volume automation. I could definitely find use for that feature. As a work-around, I create several soloists in BB then manipulate them with F5 (bar settings). Obviously, it would be much easier in RB."
___________________________________
There's something you may want to try to overcome the perception of the 8 track limit of BIAB and it's a feature and not a workaround. Each channel of the BIAB mixer can have as many as 10 different instruments assigned to it during a song. A song can have up to 70 instruments.
That's actually the minimum you would have using the medley feature. By committing to finished sub mixes/groups/busses, the instrument count can easily exceed 100 and occupying dozens of tracks.
I have composed and posted several songs created using this method where all of the tracks were chosen, generated, mixed and Fx's added without ever leaving the BIAB program for the backing track. "My Sad Story" is one example.
There are several ways to access the medley feature and medleys can be programmed to alternate or change instruments by part marker, designated number of bars, chorus or manually enter the changes.
All of the instruments of a medley song can be selected to play individually or to play simultaneously.
PGMusic has expanded the medley capability in the 2019 version and added some preset medley RealTrack selections.
The variations of the Medley feature are nearly limitless and offer as much opportunity as you'll get using RealBand. You will not have the visual tracks view of RB and it's not quite as intuitive as RB or any other DAW but then, BIAB is not a DAW so it should not be expected.
BIAB does an excellent job of cross fading between the instrument changes and also selecting complementary audio phrases between the two instruments for realistic changes of one instrument ending as the other begins. You'll find in some instances, during a change, both instruments will sound so you get a very human sounding pass off of one instrument to another as both instruments are playing simultaneously. Variations of audio levels between two instruments can be automated in the bar settings by using the 'Change by' command in the drop down menu under Volume Changes. In the Bar Settings Menu is where you also make manual instrument changes. Select the bar you wish for the change to occur, open Bar Settings (F5) and select the RealTracks Button to access a list of all the RealTracks. Follow the prompts to make RT changes back and forth at selected bars. For instance, change a RT acoustic guitar for a Banjo at bar 6 and then select bar 10 and change the banjo to a pedal steel. The result is bars 1-5 play the guitar, 6-10 play the banjo and the remainder of the chorus plays the pedal steel. Use the Volume Changes Menu for the track to balance any volume differences between the instruments.
The easiest way to access the Medley feature is to search in StylePicker filtered for Medley and choose one from the list and audition how it plays.
The quickest way to create a custom medley is using the RealTracks Picker Dialog and selecting the Medley Button in the upper right corner. Follow the prompts to create the medley and how the various instruments will play.
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.
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows 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)
Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
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)
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