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Band-in-a-Box VST and Pro Tools/AAX DAW Plugin (Windows)
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2 |
Using the desktop app, you are able to type in notes and hearing the changes realtime.
I was thrilled to know that I could use BIAB inside my DAW, but, please correct me if I am wrong, If I start a new song using the VSTI and start making changes to either notes, measures or timing, in order to see those changes, I have to generate, even the small change.
What is the difference between the desktop and the vsti? . Why does the desktop app uses MEMORY and the VSTI needs to generate and write to disk ?
Please tell me that there are future plans to make the VSTI behave more like the Desktop app.
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Band-in-a-Box VST and Pro Tools/AAX DAW Plugin (Windows)
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954 |
The vst uses a silent version of Biab in the background BBW4. This generates the tracks and saves them as wav's to the SavedTracks folder. Play from RAM has been suggested and could be implemented in a future version. This is a very simple solution here A VST to send Tempo/Play/Stop/Loop/Continue to main Biab app from DAW
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Band-in-a-Box VST and Pro Tools/AAX DAW Plugin (Windows)
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Joined: May 2020
Posts: 2,766
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 2,766 |
The Band-in-a-Box VST is meant to be an add-on to Band-in-a-Box, not a replacement. We are keeping features to a minimum on it intentionally, so that it doesn't become a system hog.
I work here
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Band-in-a-Box VST and Pro Tools/AAX DAW Plugin (Windows)
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 551
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 551 |
The Band-in-a-Box VST is meant to be an add-on to Band-in-a-Box, not a replacement. We are keeping features to a minimum on it intentionally, so that it doesn't become a system hog. Well imo thats the wrong way to be looking at BIAB plugin. Its the future and offers by far the most wide ranging and productive music composition workflow opportunities of all the technologies PG has developed in the past. BIAB started as a wonderful MIDI practice aid arguably primarily for jazzers and students of improvisation. Since Realtracks - this has broadened out into being a songwriting and inspirational song starter tool. But in order to really maximise on this its just an obvious given fact that most decent songs started in BIAB using realtracks will end up in a DAW. Now given that the whole point of BIAB and the chord sheet arranger mode of working is to be able to try out different options - basically style and chord progression - the speed with which one can try out ideas and chop and change depends on how fast regeneration occurs. and more and more BIAB users who try the plugin are going to want to maximise the time they spend in the plugin instead of BIAB standalone. I also disagree about the "resource-hog" issue. that background BB4 plugin could generate to RAM - JUST LIKE BIAB standalone does 0- and then the result could be streamed via interprocess audio-piping in exactly the way other dual-app combinations work. For examples we have ReWire, IAA on iOS and Vienna Ensemble Pro. This would avoid the need to have the BIAB plugin take up lots of ram and do the generating itself - and instead keep everything inside that BB4 DAEMON. A lot simpler because as I understand things BB4 is a modified and optimised version of the BIAB standalone app engine. In addition to streaming generated audio from RAM in the BIAB daemon to the client plugin ( instead of just reading from file - as the current plugin does ) it really is high time that the client plugin supports multichannel audio and not just stereo. Clearly having instruments ( real track or midi ) on separate tracks in one's DAW is the way 99 % of users work - and not having to constantly drag regenerated files from disk into separate tracks in the DAW HAS to be a better, more workflow enhancing and time saving method. than the current scheme. I really hope PG are working hard on this for version 3.0 of the plugin .
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
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Band-in-a-Box VST and Pro Tools/AAX DAW Plugin (Windows)
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,831
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,831 |
To answer the OP No it will never be like the program, whats the purpose for that? it was never intended to br BiaB. Just a Plugin to give BiaB generation capability to a DAW program.
John times 3 is very right about one thing, the plugin will bring many new users in and therefore more revenue. There are far more DAW users than BiaB users and the plugin could be very interesting to them. For It to get a DAW user to pop for BiaB and therefore the Plugin as part of the package will require it to have a smooth workflow, and stable solid manners.
On the subject to generating to Ram I'm not sure how that helps, but if it does great. If I understand BiaB when you hit generate it starts the process and before it is done it begins to play, and continues to generate in the background. I'm not sure how that works in a DAW. When you generate you can't drag it into the DAW until it finishes generating.
So John, are you suggesting that it generate to Ram so you can play the tracks faster in the plugin before dragging, and not drag until your done with the creation process, and are happy with the tracks? I can see some benefit to that, especially when it comes to bar to bar generation. Even if it can't start to play before generation is done, maybe Generation can be enhanced even more to once again shorten the duration.
Interesting conversation here. I can't wait to see what is implemented.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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Band-in-a-Box VST and Pro Tools/AAX DAW Plugin (Windows)
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954 |
The trouble with keeping using BBW4 is it's 1990's limitations: https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=622208#Post622208having just the basic generate code directly in the Plugin code would allow the Plugin to develop at lightning speed, along with RAM play option.
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Band-in-a-Box VST and Pro Tools/AAX DAW Plugin (Windows)
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 7,954 |
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
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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 amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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!
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There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
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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.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
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®!
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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)
Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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Forums57
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