There are several updates I think make upgrading worthwhile. Here are some that come to mind:
10) You can now copy and move audio from track to track the same as you midi.
This one seems pretty basic. Only achieved now with 2021?
Quote:
Especially when it comes to audio, there is much less reason to move to a DAW other than personal preference. Many things users previously used DAWs for can now be done in BiaB. Not only is there more audio functionality but rendered audio and audio playback will sound better.
Do you feel RealBand is now on par with or better than Reaper?
A BIAB user for more than 30 years (if you can believe it) !
Compare RealBand to Reaper? Why? How? They perform different jobs.
RealBand compliments Band-in-a-Box. RealBand offers features Band-in-a-Box doesn't have while Band-in-a-Box has features RealBand doesn't have. Both RealBand and Band-in-a-Box work with PG Music content like RealTracks and SuperMidi.
Reaper includes programming by script which allows users to mold the DAW to fit particular case uses and extend it's features.
I don't see how it's fair to either product to compare them. And, the question veers off topic.
So, that clearly begs the question: what's the workflow that one should use to avoid going back and forth between BIAB and RB?
In my opinion, for accompaniment users, there's little if any benefit to move a project to RB. A very complex arrangement consisting of dozens of instruments mixed, panned and audio leveled can be programmed and rendered taking little time to complete. Constructing a song in BIAB by programming the arrangement similar to how one contructs the song form and chord progression into the Chord Chart yields a professional quality render that the BIAB algorithm has anticipated instrument changes such as solo intro's and endings, instrument mutes and return to normal status, the same as the Chord Chart anticipates and reacts to shots, holds, rests, drum fills, Part Markers and chord changes. The result is that BIAB selects part appropriate audio or midi and provides smooth transitions, avoids abrupt beginnings and cut off's and also many other automated actions and create nice, complex arrangements that normally don't require any post editing.
The same is true of composing except users have developed a workflow that prompts them into thinking they have to have a high degree of individual instrument manual control.
Originally Posted By: Funkifized
How does one make up for the fact that RB doesn't do anything with Multistyles and won't import frozen tracks?
Complete those actions in BIAB and export the audio out to RB.
just thinking out loud but what happens if...........
you freeze tracks in BIAB open the file in RB - tempo and bars should match delete all the regenerated tracks (which would leave the chord sheet and part markers i think!) re-open BIAB and select DAW mode and drag and drop the frozen tracks (and multi style changes) into the RB song...........
would that work? you'd still have to add reverb etc to the tracks in RB but would that be a simple workaround?
can't see any need to go back to BIAB if it works
Bob, there's a better method that requires less importing/exporting back and forth between you may want to try. There are steps to create a BIAB song and open the saved file in RB with the individual frozen tracks saved with or without Fx applied to the tracks. The process freezes the track, names the track and saves the track to the song file folder. In versions of BIAB prior to 2021, the Mixer tracks display both the blue snowflake symbol and also the changes the track color to orange. It's possible to confirm the saved track is identical to the current BIAB Mixer track. The saved tracks can be imported into any DAW that can use WAV or WMA audio files.
There are additional benefits to opening the BIAB song file in RB. In versions prior to 2021: The saved files are named to match the Legacy BIAB Mixer Channels. (Bass, Piano, Drums, Guitar, Strings, Melody, Soloist and Audio) In RB, the first 8 BIAB can be converted to regular tracks and the frozen saved files can be imported to the matching RB first 8 BIAB tracks at the top of the tracks sheet. In RB, the chords and part markers are imported correctly. In RB, the underlying midi tracks are imported.
Opening a BIAB project in RB that's been prepared and saved in the BIAB project before opening it in RB provides the following in order:
The first 8 tracks will have the frozen and saved BIAB project tracks and they will be loaded in the BIAB Legacy Name order. (B,P,D,G,S,M,S,A) The tracks starting at track 9 will have the new generated instruments from the BIAB project followed by The underlying MIDI instrument tracks.
This isn't a workaround but a BIAB feature that's been available for recording audio since at least 2014 when I became aware of it. It works with both Windows and Mac systems.
Best of all. It literally is no harder to implement than freezing tracks. All of the freezing, naming, saving and track marking (snowflake and color change) are automated by BIAB.
Individual tracks can be selected from a single track to all of the BIAB Mixer tracks. In 2021, Utility Tracks can also be selected with a bit of effort. This process works with MIDI, RealTracks or Audio. This process allows the creation of Stems and sub-mixes from within BIAB with no requirement of a DAW.
___________
To use this process:
Once a track is ready to be frozen and ready for export, rather than freeze the track in the normal manner,
Right click on the track: Track Actions| Save as Performance File (WAV,WMA)
That's it for BIAB. BIAB automates all of the rest of the actions! I've added a Screenshot of the BIAB project save folder. Note the files are saved in the BIAB Legacy Name format and in their listed order.
In RB, converting the BB tracks to regular tracks and importing the frozen saved tracks are the only additional actions that are necessary for the initial project setup to be as I described above.
Terst is a level 2 test that is erased once a folder is dropped into a thread to demonstrate an action.
All of the files in the folder were created in BIAB and can be imported into RB or any other DAW that can accept WAV or WMA files... The files in this folder were imported into RB after I opened the BIAB file in RB.
I saved the RB SEQ file into my Terst folder to make erasure a single click process.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows 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)
Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
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)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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