wilsonts,

First of all, thank you for returning to this thread, continuing to ask questions and taking time to read and consider all responses. I have enjoyed participating in this conversation immensely. It has been an educational experience for me too.

I believe midi is just as valid a source for creating live performance backing tracks as RealTracks. In fact some will insist midi is more suitable because of the precise editing capability and sound engine choices. But, this conversation is about RealTracks.

If you are going to use RealTracks to create backing tracks the most efficient way is to have all of them available for use, that's just the truth. Having anything less leads to user frustration. That's why I see forum members suggest to potential buyers, Pro and Mega PAK users upgrade to the UltraPAK or higher. You need all the RealTracks to be able to produce all the audio backing tracks you want.

Side question, why does the Pro and Mega PAKs exist then? In my opinion for three reasons. One to offer a lower cost entry level product for new users without removing any functions or features. Second to offer products educators can use in a classroom setting. Third to offer a product suitable for music teachers to create audio tracks for students to use to practice their instrument. Notice you changed how you want to use Band-in-a-Box because you changed what you want to do with the output Band-in-a-Box produces. Your goal changed from creating practice songs to producing backing tracks for live performance.

Does that make the midi styles redundant or useless? No. Have you listened to the sound quality of a professional sound module or keyboard? You can use a soft synth like Kontakt, SampleTank but you have to learn how to use the tools.

There's more but that's it for tonight. What do you think so far?

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