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.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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 new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. 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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
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)
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