There was an issue with Reaper not handling wma files well as it was using ffmpeg decoder but the very helpful guys over at Reaper implemented the Windows Media Foundation codec to fix this issue after I asked them and I did some testing, now Reaper plays wma direct accurately on old or new hardware. You will need the latest version from 6.57 It now plays fine on a 1.9GHz Celeron Win7 laptop with a 5400rpm HD. Thanks to the incredibly helpful guys at Reaper this shows what I have been saying about Biab/BBPlugin/RealBand playing source files direct that seemed to fall on deaf ears around here. All this would allow Biab to be used as a Live Arranger that will be a game changer, the Reaper guys saw this, I just hope the Biab guys will also now see.
It will give you way more control of what you need as it's loading the source files directly (wma or wav) into Reaper without waiting and creating wav files. You can easily add multiriffs to any section of Reaper's track instantly without having to render a lot of wav files. You can change any section at anytime. Any item you click on will show what RealTrack section it is allowing you to see what instruments changes there are on any track instantly. Any items can be extended either way to give custom variations as you don't have one consolidated wav file. Shots and Holds for RealDrums can be custom selected by extending/shortening the Hold/Shot section for another variation. Shots and Hold for the RealTracks can be adjusted easily in timing or volume level. RealTracks can be changed from Direct Input <> FX version with one click keeping the same playing. RealDrums can be split to stems (where available) instantly after you have made any custom adjustments to the stereo drums track like adding fills where you want. I don't know why the Stems don't have the shots n holds at the end of the file same as the stereo files ???? so any shot, holds or pushes you have changed you will have to copy from the stereo drum track. The Tracks from Biab will adjust to any decimal tempo map in Reaper. It can have 4/4-3/4 time signature changes. With so many pre made Styles in Biab this allows you to create you own unique Style or pick a RealTrack instrument or Drum randomly that will match the Feel, Time Signature and tempo range it is set to.
Here's your Biab Live Arranger playing wma direct https://www.dropbox.com/s/g28fd8zss4me8h8/Biab-Live-Arranger-WMA.mp4?dl=0 you just need to put it in an easy programmed crossplatform language so you don't spend half the year on Win and the other half on Mac. It just needs to be basic without all the Biab features. When the user loads a style it just loads all the track data for those RTs and plays the user's chord input back direct from the wma/wav source file sections that are referenced in the data. Or you can just wait till Yamaha do it.
This is a very quick way to export tracks, even if the song is 255 bars it will still be quick without having wait for it to render down to a consolidated wav. You can then easily edit and tweak the solo track or adjust the level or timing of a hold, change the drum shot, hold or push level or timing, add fills where you like. Nothing is cast in stone, it's all editable to exactly what you want.
This is the simplest way to use it: Just select the BB or Util track in the floating mixer and hit "Import Selected Mixer Track" or "Import Selected Mixer Midi Track"
Chord Sheet Display options. There are 2 chord view options, Biab type and Studio One type, both are resizable windows. SGU MGU etc can be imported to Reaper regions or Reaper region injected into Biab:
Any item you select will give the name and number of the RealTrack or Drum showing any instrument changes on the track. So if you have F5 instrument or Style change they will all show exactly what instrument change is on the track that you can't see with a consolidated wav file. If you are sending the tracks to another party you can actually write cue markers with the instrument change name into the rendered wav file.
This shows again how easy it is to switch from the original FX guitar RealTrack to the Direct Input version adding a VST FX like Amplitube. You don't need to regenerate the track in a DI version giving you different riffs, this will change instantly keeping the same riffs. You can't do this with a consolidated rendered wav file from Biab.
Super Easy Drum Editing: You can easily edit the drum track how you like as every section will contain the whole drum track, you can select whatever shot, hold or push you want and adjust it's vol level or timing/position or put any fill anywhere, you can use A/B Endings anywhere in the song. You can copy the hits from the end of the track and add them wherever you like, let them bleed, adjust vol level as you don't have a consolidated rendered wav file. It can the be instantly made into stems once you get it how you like without rendering and dragging a whole lot of stems, the only issue being is when they made the stems they did not add the shots, holds and pushes that are at the end of the stereo file, as you can see below in the pic, so you will need to copy them to the stem track from the stereo track wherever you have a hold etc... hopefully there will be an update to fix these.
INSANE. I've not had a chance to read/watch these vids n graphics let alone read and understand but this is impressive stuff from Reaper & YOU Pipeline.THANK YOU.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
After Drums Stems this video will show how you can use different Direct Input guitars on the one track using the same Amp VST to change rhythm patterns during the song, easily adjusting the levels to match. Rather than having a choice of A or B pattern playing you can create custom rhythm changes keeping the same guitar sound.
Live Arranger Here's Live Arranger playing Biab tracks direct from the wma source files. So as the midi chord is inputted each track will go to that chord in each source file.
Here's a video using BBPlugin as a Live Arranger. The song has 228 bars of 14 chords in C, 8 bars each so it will loop the 8 bars unless another chord is enter with the midi keyboard. You can have 2 or 3 BBPlugins to give more chords and endings.
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.
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With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
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