Drum loops normally have beat and tempo data embedded so the digital audio workstation or DAW can stretch or shrink the loop as needed to match the length of a bar and DAW tempo. Musical loops have beat and tempo data but also have root key signature data embedded. The root key data allows a DAW to adjust the pitch of the notes within the loop.

RealDrums and RealTracks differ slightly from loops. Users auditions and selects loops. Band-in-a-Box and RealBand selects complete audio phrases out of a 3 - 4 minute audio file. The audio phrases can range from 1 to 8 bars in length. Loops can be used by any program that can read the embedded metadata. RealDrums and RealTracks work only within Band-in-a-Box, RealBand and perhaps PowerTracks Pro (but I don't think so). Copy a RealTrack audio file and import the file into any program that can read metadata and, guess what, the program will not recognize any beat, tempo or root key metadata.


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