The Audacity guys love the new non destructive editing. Biab and RealBand could learn from that. Maybe it would be easier putting this into the BiabVST/Standalone than the nightmare of implementing it in BB and RB.
Ah, being that I avoid RB & don't record in BIAB I assumed that NDE was part of the package. It is, after all, a complete deal breaker if not in a DAW.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Maybe I'm not talking about the same thing but with the ability to add four separate plugins to each track in RB there is a huge opportunity to edit - or at least modify - the audio without changing the original track. Using Elements you can chain even more fx so RB can do just about anything without changing the original track.
Yes you can have non destructive FX but when it comes to copy/paste/cutting/resizing it's creating new files on the hard drive so the SEQ is getting bigger and bigger. Where as if it's just referencing the original file, meaning that any section of the file copied will still be able to be adjusted out to it's original length. This works instantly and smoothly without having to wait for RB to re-render the files because a bit has been cut out of them, so if one file has a section cut out and moved somewhere it will need to render 3 new files and delete the original one. Using NDE in RealBand would give you instant track generation, quicker than Biab ! as it's using the original source file sections that will remain untouched and give way more control in the editing of what you need. The SEQ files will be very small like a frozen SGU and has all the track section data. When you drop a file into RB it will create a copy of it to the Temp folder then write it to the SEQ when saving, all this is unnecessary in this day n age.
The reason people use Biab then RealBand or DAW is Biab is quick at generating up the song, quicker than RB and BiabVST, but Biab does not have good DAW editing. All this can change with RealBand and BiabVST giving INSTANT generation of tracks. If my hard drive didn't fill up so many times and Windows stop working from all the wav files that were being created I would not have looked into all of this.
Maybe repost to the RealBand forum to not confuse folks. This discussion applies to RealBand and not to BIAB. SEQ file size is never an issue to BIAB. Hard drive space management doesn't ever have to be an issue with a BIAB project or a thousand BIAB projects.
You have non destructive volume automation in RealBand because it was suggested, before that users had to destroy audio that can't be undestroyed as was stated in clearly in the video above, where as volume automation can be changed anytime, the same has now been implemented in Biab, that is the extent, the others are destructive and destruction will cause wav files to be written and attached to the SGU. The examples show in the forum from years back with Biab having more tracks that gave rise to Utility tracks used NDE in the "OLD" multitrack VSTs so no wav files were created. If I import wav files into Utility tracks it will make hard copies of them and attach to the SGU. A thousand BIAB projects with wav files attached would be an issue. The future can't be anything else but NDE for Biab as this is how most DAW's work, now including Audacity. It all comes back to generate time, that's why you are starting to see DAW features added to Biab because RealBand and the BiabVST are too slow to make changes or regen the whole song, the idea is great but they fall short in practicality, SO they don't want to go back n forth and want to do it all in Biab because of the gen speed, that's it ! How can you make RealBand and the BiabVST/standalone faster, or even Biab faster ????? can you give feedback on how PG can do that, or have we come to the end of development progress because of old users with old hardware ?
I agree there will probably be improvements to audio editing in BIAB if for no other reason than the addition of 16 more tracks that allowed audio recordings and the conversion of RealTracks so they can receive audio editing.
Same with the Plugin/Standalone with self contained code playing back tracks direct from the source files each track can open to display the waveform sections that can be all edited non destructively (NDE) the same as other multitrack VSTs and DAWs. If you drag the green WAV button only then will it render the sections to wav. This will give better editing control and faster generation than the main Biab app, so the Plugin Standalone could become the better way to go. Allowing real project time signatures, real tempo maps and 48khz 24bit audio. It can be released at the same time for Win & Mac (not 6 months apart). Band In A Box Lite® a self contained Plugin or Plugin Standalone.
See in the pic below, Kristal 2004 is playing back the sections of the compressed source files directly from the folder, the source files are not changed in any way, it's all done in the DAW non destructively. The Kristal application worked on 98/ME SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
PC "State of the art" machine (> 1 GHz recommended) OS Windows XP or 2000 (Win98/ME requires latest Internet Explorer 6.0, WinNT is not supported!) Display 1280 x 1024 recommended, 1024 x 768 minimum Sound ASIO-compatible sound card recommended, but should work with everything else, too
It still works on Windows 10 ! there is no way this would be so on Mac as each new weekly version OS needs a new app version. It even works on a 4K monitor
So if Kristal worked on those System Requirements and Biab could not work this way because of old users with old computers, how old are their computers ? DX4 100MHz, Pentium 100Mhz, Pentium 200Mhz ?
If Biab was made to work like the 2004 Kristal DAW now in 2023, how easy would it be to edit/copy tracks, not to mention the speed in generation because it's playing the tracks back directly from the source files non destructively.
zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!
Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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 amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed 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 transcribe 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, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
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