The Playable RealTracks feature allows you to add MIDI notes to a RealTrack, using the Hi-Q instruments. They can be edited in either the Notation view or the Pianoroll view. This video is specific to the Notation view.
Please note that the Playable RealTracks is a new feature that was introduced in the 2022 version of Band-in-a-Box.
Yes, if you open your RealTracks Picker Dialog and look in | Direct Input Available | column (it may be shrunk down and just say | D.. |), the playable RealTracks will have a "Y" in there.
First, thanks for this nifty video. I learned some cool tricks!! Thanks!
But now for the bad news:
Because of my highly annoying personality structure, coupled with my complete and utter lack of self-awareness, I am planning to be a real PEST on these playable real tracks.
That is because I think they are truly awesome, but there are some things I just don’t understand or maybe could be tweaked.
I may come off as a total idiot here but I don’t mind. I just want to figure it out, so I am willing to risk being laughed at. If any of this has been addressed in an update just let me know and I will move on.
1. It seems to be kinda hard to find out WHICH real tracks go with the Hi-Q midi that is hidden under midi and not a playable real track menu of its own.
See attachment 1.
2. You can see fiddle natural bright 111 on this list above, but there is no corresponding Real Track by that name. So, which choices should consider, given that the high Q midi is supposed to sound “closest” to these tracks????
3. What is the point of this Hi-Q midi list (or the playable real tracks aspect of it, rather)? That is, you can choose to insert a playable real track from this list into an open slot (like melody) but it is just a grey indicator with no apparent function. I.e. It does not pull up and pair with a Real Track. What does the grey insert text refer to and what does it do???
See screenshot 2.
4. You can see the playable real tracks in Sforzando and they are cool and sound nice and all, but how are they related to and coupled with Real Tracks by name???
See screenshot 3.
5. If I go to search in Real Tracks and enter “playable” I get 586 (or something) choices.
But not ALL have the check mark in Direct Input (D). I thought Direct input just meant the instruments were also recorded dry with no effects and that they SOMETIMES but not ALWAYS have notation.
How do I know which ones are really playable real tracks at a glance, and how do I know which Hi-Q tracks they are paired with???
See screenshot 4.
Questions:
Is there any way to built a feature in styles that will show you exactly which styles have a playable real track, marked with something like PRT??
Is there any way to build a menu to select a playable real track that shows it as such (PRT) and also shows you which Hi-Q patch is associated with??
Maybe this stuff is here and I just can’t find it.
I will talk about notation questions in another thread because this seems enough for the time being.
And again, I apologize if I am being stupid.
(I wish there was something like a mini manual or detailed instruction set all in one place, just for Playable Real Tracks because I LOVE the concept there. LOVE it. But the info I can find on playable real tracks and how to use the feature seems kinda random hodge podge. Sorry!!!)
David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers
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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!
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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!
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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.
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