Originally Posted By: saxgentleman67
Originally Posted By: Charlie Fogle
<< I am just trying to get some clarity on whether or not I need to spend an extra $200 to get the Xtra Styles Paks 1-10. >>

If that is your simple question and "Assuming by composition...I mean the straightforward recording of backing tracks that are good enough sounding to put out commercially, not necessarily on a CD though."

The answer is clear..... Yes you do. As a composer that uses BIAB, you will find these Xtra Paks essential over time. The versatility of BIAB depends solely on the amount of content you have to work with. The core BIAB program is the same across all versions.


Someone had told me they do everything in MIDI Styles to start with, NOT REAL Styles. I guess that is what confused me. It sounds like you are not one who uses the MIDI Styles?

Yes, I start nearly every project with a midi style. Especially covers or a song I'm trying to "in the style of". I do this for several reasons. For covers, a good midi file gives the expected riffs, phrases, timing, melody for a guide, as well as the feel and groove of a song. It is infinitely easier to audition and select a RealTrack to an existing and accurate production than the opposite. Almost always a midi song is easier and faster than working with an MP3. It's faster and normally more accurate in populating the chord chart with the chords and midi generations are faster than RealTrack generations. I don't worry about the accuracy of the midi sounds initially and that's an issue only if I retain a midi patch in my project.

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.