<< but I'm pretty sure you've also referred to these as tracks more than once in making your case that we already have more than 7 tracks, right? >>
I haven't gone back to check my previous comments. It's possible I would reply to someone and use the same term they did but it's more likely I would refer to the instruments as tracks when the RT Medley window is open because the instruments are put on the sub mixer tracks the same as a RT is placed on a BIAB Mixer Legacy track. They are medley instruments when you would refer to them as part of a Medley. Bottom line is there's a total of 77 actual mixer tracks available in the BIAB Mixer in the years prior to 2021 release with the new Utility Tracks.
<< you CANNOT apply a plugin to an individual instrument on a medley track. >>
That's correct.
<< Moving the instrument to its own track would be the only way, right? >>
No, not the only way but that's the easiest way.
<< Same with freeze, reverb and tone, right? >>
Correct for reverb and tone. Not with freeze.
<< Changing instruments bar-by-bar is a work-around to not having enough tracks in the mixer. I cannot imagine a scenario where this would be preferable to simply using an available track. >>
77 track capability is not a work around... AND - 77 tracks is not the maximum tracks available! 77 applies singularly to the first generation render.. I can't imagine a scenario where this would ever be an issue in song project.
<< Again, a decent work-around but not nearly as good as simply clicking the mute button on a track! >>
Actually, using the 'Silence' RealTrack in a Medley is a much better option than muting using Bar Settings and this has been acknowledged in the past by PG staff. The BIAB algorithm 'sees' Silence as an instrument when it's searching, selecting the audio snippets from a RealTrack raw audio file. This means the mute is hardwired into the generation. When F5 Bar Settings menu is used and the user selects Mute and Back to Normal items, the BIAB algorithm has already read the Chord Chart instructions and selected and is rendering the RealTrack audio snippets from the RealTrack audio file. This is why users sometimes experience abrupt cut offs of audio at mute points and have to regenerate the track. This doesn't happen using RT Silence because the BIAB algorithm accommodates the forthcoming 'mute' in the audio it selects by choosing appropriate audio recordings made for intros, endings and smooth transitions that were recorded during the actual RealTrack recording process. Using F5 Mute and Return to Normal are random audio selections made after the algorithm choices that may or may not be played smoothly.
<< My take-away is there are complicated, obscure but potentially useful work-arounds to BIAB's 7-track design. These work-arounds may even be considered cool features to power-users such as yourself. >>
Your take-away is completely wrong. The RealTrack Medley is a specifically designed feature for all BIAB users that is not a work-around for any task nor does it require a user be considered a Power User. The RT Medley feature allows users to easily and quickly create unique, custom and more complex song arrangements that are more advanced than simply generating a Style. It is only one of many features PG Music has built into the BIAB program that makes BIAB the most powerful and versatile song accompaniment program on the market. The fact users haven't taken advantage of its power has nothing to do with complexity or obscurity but in most cases, users apparently rush to quickly to export tracks to a DAW and have never taken the time to review the feature.
<< But for the mainstream BIAB user I remain convinced additional tracks would be preferable. >>
Yes. We've finally got that long requested wish and by users learning how to apply these long standing features that have been neglected diminishes much of the extraordinary power Utility Tracks have brought to BIAB.
<< Clicking a mute button on an additional track is gotta be better than using bar settings to insert the RealTrack called Silence! And so on! >>
Hopefully my 'Silence' explanation has finally dispelled that myth.

BIAB 2025:RB 2025, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.