I tend to treat BIAB as just one invaluable tool within my arsenal of other music/recording tools. As I see it the software offers the ability to create very realistic instrumental tracks in a huge variety of styles. In the case of RealTracks and RealDrums they are realistic because they are played by real musicians. You can get these players to follow your chosen chord sequences and then easily render the wave files. These wave files can seamlessly be added to your chosen DAW recording software which in my case is REAPER. When I make songs I tend to use BIAB for just some of the instruments but combine it with other software for the remaining tracks. For instance I rarely use the BIAB bass tracks as I prefer to create my own tailor-made bass lines using something like Trillian or MonoBass. Being a keyboard player I would naturally play my own keyboard/piano tracks. However I am also a guitarist but I might use BIAB guitar tracks as the range of styles available far exceeds my abilities. Where in the UK would I be able to find a pedal steel player at short notice? What if I need a banjo played on a track, no problems BIAB would supply it. I need a harmonica, no problem call up BIAB.

I really think that the potential of BIAB is lost on many younger musicians who may not be impressed by the look of the software. Basically you have at a massive wealth of sounds which can be rendered into wave files which I think is such a huge asset. I think it is always best to have all the RealTracks and Drums available so always best to go for the top of the range version and keep it updated each year.

As far as the future is concerned. Hopefully the VST plugin will continue to develop and this will work easily with all the DAWs. The program’s interface does look rather dated and cluttered but it is perfectly functional. I am sure the developers will seek to add more contemporary grooves as styles evolve and these will hopefully please a younger user-base. It is important that the program caters for the widest range of users. I sometimes think the name of the product sounds slightly lame but it is so well known and has been around for so long it would be tricky to change it. Anyway to complete this ramble I don’t think there is any product available that offers what BIAB does which for all its faults is still a brilliant and evolving product.

Last edited by funkycornwall; 12/20/19 02:24 PM.
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