RapidComposer, FLStudio and WinAmp just have a small vst that sends tempo,sync,play,stop,loop,continue from the DAW to sync them to it. If you could just get a VST/VSTi in the DAW that it's sole purpose is to send the host's tempo,sync,play,stop,loop,continue to the main Biab app you could load the free reastream-standalone.dll VST Win or free AUNetSend/Receive Mac to send the Biab audio master or separate tracks and midi back to the DAW.
Why can't BIAB run just in slave midi clocked or MTC slave mode? Asked for this already in ATARI days, and is still IMO a most desirable function.
There is a ReWireVST that works great with RealBand but not Biab ReWire RealBand/PT and ReWire was suppose to be implemented in Biab but it never eventuated, maybe because of technical reason's ?? But you won't need proprietary ReWire, a small sync play VST should be easy to make as it only needs to send VstTimeInfo from the DAW to Biab's transport, this will then sync Biab with any DAW !
It is sending the audio and midi as a master or to separate tracks from Biab to the DAW tracks, the chord track info would need to be exported from Biab as xml or midi to the DAW. The Biab Plugin would be capable of that if ARA is implemented https://github.com/Celemony/JUCE_ARA this would also send the tempo map and time signature changes to and from the Plugin.
Originally Posted By: "como baila" post_id=4593684 time=1311127606 user_id=9693
And this would be the 'BIG' feature that would propel your program to the top of the charts: create a midi VSTi plugin version that could run directly within a DAW like Cubase.
Harmony Improvisator or 7Aliens Catanya are examples of this approach ... but implemented at an infinitely inferior level compared to your program.
Como
Originally Posted By: musicdevelopments post_id=4594621 time=1311190393 user_id=223336
Thanks for all the requests. The VSTi plug-in version would not be too much work...
Thank you! Attila
That's exactly how the RC Plugin worked with your DAW, the same way I suggested above for Biab.
I know this form of FL Studio. However, I think VST alone is more in line with the future trend However, one more function is better than one less function.
I know this form of FL Studio. However, I think VST alone is more in line with the future trend However, one more function is better than one less function. I support it. At the same time, I also hope to continue to improve bbvst, because I think bbvst is very simple and easy to use!
I think they held back on it as Biab does not use fractional/decimal tempo maps, so aligning with the DAW that had a decimal tempo map would be an issue, BUT Biab can playback tempo percentage so I would of thought it could use that to stay in sync with the DAW transport. It could calculate and use a decimal playback percentage. The files can be Acidized to fit the DAW tempo map.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Originally Posted By: "como baila" post_id=4593684 time=1311127606 user_id=9693
And this would be the 'BIG' feature that would propel your program to the top of the charts: create a midi VSTi plugin version that could run directly within a DAW like Cubase.
Harmony Improvisator or 7Aliens Catanya are examples of this approach ... but implemented at an infinitely inferior level compared to your program.
Como
Originally Posted By: musicdevelopments post_id=4594621 time=1311190393 user_id=223336
Thanks for all the requests. The VSTi plug-in version would not be too much work...
Thank you! Attila
That's exactly how the RC Plugin worked with your DAW, the same way I suggested above for Biab.
interesting suggestion! but as we all know - merely a stickytape workaround until PG finally either
A ) incorporates the entire BIAB engine inside the plugin itself
or
B ) incorporates a very similar streaming architecture to eat Pipeline has discussed - but using the BB4 daemon process to stream audio directly into the BIAB plugin itself.
I really hope this is what PG devs Adar etc are working on for BIAB 2022. Not only should the plugin be equally fast ( or slow ) as the standalone in order to really change how users workflow is impacted - adopting even more advanced techniques to boost regeneration times of RT styles would really help. Because although being able to stream demo Mp3's. of style when browsing is useful - ultimately we always need to audition style against the chord progression and tempo we wish to use. And only regeneration in the song itself will do that.
MacOS Sequoia, M4 Pro Mac Mini , 64GB RAM 512GB SSD , BIAB, Cubase, Ableton, Logic Pro, SCALER 3, GigLad, AnyTune, Synthesizer V Pro,Vienna Ensemble Pro, Audiofuse, Fractal FM3, KOMPLETE 15, StreamDeck, iReal Pro White beard, beer belly, bald patch
This is how it is at the moment: Re: ADVANTAGES OF REALBAND OVER PG's COMPETITION.
Originally Posted By: Marty Ricciotti
...
So right now I make tracks in BB then export. When I need some more instruments I open BB again and then export more tracks.
I have the BB vst loaded in Reaper but I only use it their for the track settings and following the chords when I play along. I don't like the way the BB vst needs to generate a set of tracks to your temp folder that you have to go and clean out.
But... this is a bit of a slow way to arrange.
...
You don't need to stream audio from bbw4 to the BBPlugin when bbw4 could just generate up the RT RD data that the plugin will play back the source files direct from the hard drive. This will work as fast as generating midi tracks so it will be even faster than Biab. This will work for now but eventually the BBPlugin needs to get away from bbw4 and do all the generate functions directly in the BBPlugin as there are too many restrictions in the bbw4 holding it back in the 90's same as Biab.
As for the tempo sync VST that is a simple solution for those that only want to use Biab. As for PG putting the whole of Biab in the BBPlugin I can't see that happening as it took ages fighting to get just the solo mute buttons in the BBPlugin.
Pipeline. as you know i highly respect your efforts and great ideas....and fully support them. but as i was a coder/programmer in a past life.... i was thinking like a pg developer might. eg do you have any ideas how a developer might protect a user from him/herself who decides to set up a project studio but decides, to save money, to use auntie bessies old hand me down pc thats a poc. that runs at 1ghz, with a junk slow hard drive...and then at the same time as all the clocking is occurring tween daw and plug in etc loads up a sample lib...and BINGO the whole thing crashes down around the users ears..cos the pc isnt up to the task.
so then the new naive user comes on the forum and blames pg. OR even worse disses biab on social media. for example ive seen on various user forums on the net/social media in the past people dissing a certain daw or music software, whereas the real reason was their lack of knowledge and/or a poc pc.
frankly its a conundrum // catch 22 for pg imho.only thing i can think of is , assuming all these lovely features we all want are put into bb by pg, that on first load of bb by a new user...a message comes up telling the user 'your pc is not up to snuff'.
be curious any ideas you have. how do the developers protect users with junk pc's from themselves. i would love to see all these lovely features... but how do we tell naive new users..hey buddy ideally you need to use a processor with a min rateing on cpu benchmark of 10000 and nvme or m.2 ssd's. and lots of ram etc etc.
much respect. please sir can i have more bars view in bb also lol.
om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 10/27/2103:26 AM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
Biab main application can be left how it is as a legacy application, or maybe the older 32bit version without all the extra Utility Tracks to make it easy for old users with old hardware.
But you can't hold back development because of old users with old hardware and say to studio users with modern DAW's, "Sorry guys there's nothing we can do for you"
This is Reaper on XP playing RealTracks direct from USB 2.0
This is EnergyXT 1.4 32bit 2005 VST playing all the tracks direct from PG hard drive
Band-in-a-Box runs on Windows 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10 (32 or 64-bit) and require at least a 1.0 GHz processor (2GHz+ multicore recommended). Basic MIDI features require a less powerful computer than the latest RealTracks features. For best performance, we recommend a fairly up-to-date computer with Windows 7 or higher, a fast processor, and at least 2GB RAM
REAPER supports all Windows versions from Windows XP to Windows 10.
I can understand the drawback in the 90's and Win95 not being able to handle that but it will be 2022, DAW's have had non destructive editing for over 20 years they are using ARA & VST3 now, PG are still using destructive editing from the 90's. With so many users requests PG made so many excuses not to go 64bit BUT when Apple went 64bit only, PG was forced to release a 64bit version. You can't hold back the whole of the DAW audio industry development because of "auntie bessies old hand me down pc", did the ARA developers say "sorry guys we can't develop ARA because of bessie, let's leave it for another 30 years" ?
Pipeline. you said 'you cant hold back...' etc i cant disagree with you. and i would hate to see development held back. but then all i'm saying is then pg will need to build in a test to indicate the new users pc is a poc and incapable.
lets take an industrial example i was involved in once. 1. the end user group was on us IT groups back constantly for new features...but 2. were not willing to invest in new computer hardware which was badly needed. of course we tried valiantly to keep the user group happy, but without new investment dollars...the IT group was faceing a no win situation. its a familiar situation IT groups face all across the world. and one reason of many i got out of the rat race.
i really DO want all the lovely features we all want , ..but all i'm arguing for pipe is a feature to rescue users from auntie bessie pc's..as in... HEY THERE YOU NEED A NEW PC cos your riunning a POC..lol.
best/respect om
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
The post is about having a vst to send VstTimeInfo to Biab. That would not be a problem. The thing they were worried about is that Biab is old and it don't have a decimal/fractional tempo map if the DAW has. This can be sorted by changing the playback % to sync with the DAW, then the Tracks have the ACID tempo written to them so the simply fit the DAW tempo map when dragged in.
That has nothing to do with old users with old hardware.
The other Gen/Play Direct is for the BBPlugin that a lot of users don't like as it's not as quick as Biab to generate, same deal why RealBand is not as popular as BIAB, BUT could be with the Instant Gen/Play Direct.
IF IF the Gen/Play Direct Non Destructive Editing was added to main Biab it would simply have an option for doing things the old way or the new way. "I want to play direct" Ok I will play direct. "I don't want to play direct" Ok I will render the files to RAM and play it for you. "I want Non Destructive Editing" Ok I will reference the source files. "I don't want Non Destructive Editing" Ok I will write new wav files.
See below the Midi Tracks Gen time, this is the same way the Instant Gen/Play Direct will work for RT RD Audio.
Pipeline. well ive been a good lad all year lol.. so maybe father xmas will bring some of these goodies in biab 2022. perchance to dream.
best om
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed 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 transcribe 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, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac 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)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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)
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
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 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available 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 Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
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.
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 as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
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