Vector* vs Scalar*
The most important part of core technology in BiaB is the vector generation. Vectors are location addresses pointing to the source material (RealTracks & RealDrums), aka the green colored style tracks. Because each vector track is just a collection of link addresses, it is light-weighted, fast processing, and can be regenerated easily, most ideally to work with.
On the other side, once BiaB is rendered and exported as an audio file, such as WAV, WMA, MP3, it becomes a scalar track, which can not be relinked to the source material or regenerated anymore.
* Vector = Address Data File, Contains Data Linking/Pointing to Source Soundbank
* Scalar = Rendered Audio File
RealDrums and RealTracks are the most important BiaB sound sources because they offer the realistic sound users overwhelmingly prefer. The technology implementation, you name part of it vector generation, is just one reason those sources are preferred. Software algorithms and source material are two other reasons.
This statement overlooks the other sound sources available to BiaB users. Midi patterns present in most styles have been available since the program's inception. MidiSuperTracks combine human midi recordings with high quality patches. Artist Performance Tracks (APT) provide a path for users to consolidate audio or import song specific performances. UserTracks allow users to build their own audio library.
Some sound sources, specifically APT and UserTracks, are overlooked and underutilized gems. But at the same time that means even in it's present state there is plenty of resources for users to explore.
You and I seem to agree the longer you stay in Band-in-a-Box the more you can utilize it's resources.
The instant you render and create a scalar track to move out of Band-in-a-Box you lose ALL the unique resources the program offers. If you want to change anything you can always go back but that's starting over and losing all your preceding work.
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BiaB VST DAW Plugin
It's just a lite version of BiaB with less features. When you drag tracks from the plugin to the DAW, all tracks become scalar tracks (rendered audio tracks). BBPlugin doesn't seem to offer much of value.
Agree. I believe the main reason it exists is to introduce traditional DAW users to Band-in-a-Box. If it's Saturday night and the guitar player has left the studio a producer can still create a backing track. It is also useful to video studios.
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RealBand
RealBand is supposed to be the best DAW to work with BiaB, and I don't know why there are not many people using it. It's true while compare to BiaB, RealBand is lack of features. But within RealBand, without the need of BBPlugin, RealBand itself can read chord sheet, generate vector tracks, of which can be regenerated as wish. Why RealBand hasn't become the most popular DAW in the BiaB community?
Short history lesson. PowerTracks was created by an independent developer and distributed by PG Music. The core of PowerTracks was used to create RealBand. RealBand does not support all the features available in a song file created in BiaB. Why move a song file from BiaB to RB if all the stuff in the song file doesn't translate?
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Rockos Reaper
Why Reaper seems to be the most popular DAW in the BiaB community? Does it have any advantages over other DAWs such as Ableton, Cubase, Studio One, etc?
Reaper may or may not be the most popular DAW but it's members within this forum are certainly the most vocal about their DAW.
Most forum users do not discuss their DAW by name. Most of those that do mention their DAW by name seem to use Reaper. One reason is because Reaper supports scripting that can customize how it looks. Scripting also allows Reaper to support BiaB influenced features that it otherwise can not support.
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BiaB Track Injector
It is a genius idea to utilize the vector technology of BiaB. But it's currently in beta and there're bugs and may not work for all users.
This is a feature developed by forum user Musocity using a Reaper script. You should discuss any issues or enhancements with Musocity.
Over the years Musocity, previously known as SolidRock or Pipeline, has presented feature ideas in the forum. It's possible some of those ideas inspired PG Music to develop or enhance BiaB features.
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BiaB vs RealBand
Since RealBand can do exactly what BiaB is doing, generate vector tracks from a built-in chord sheet, plus RealBand has the visual sequencer view like a DAW, why does everyone seem to work with BiaB and export to DAW, completely skip and ignore the existence of RealBand?
Band-in-a-Box was already a mature product when RealBand was introduced as a free companion product for Window users. It's possible long time BiaB users developed a workflow that included a DAW before RealBand was available.
RealBand and it's parent product, PowerTracks, is not available to Mac users so a huge chunk of the BiaB audience does not have access to RealBand.
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