my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
I suppose this may, at some stage, make people happy but, for all the reasons explained in the Reaper Blog vid, it's nothing to get excited about yet. It does demonstrate how responsive Reaper is to movement, change & development. I try to stick to native Reaper VSTs for the most part with four or five non native ones that I use on a regular basis.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Quite interesting and well timed ... probably for good reasons ... I note the mention of "nobody can take your tools away" wrt Steinberg's removal of VST2.
Whether or not it will catch on depends a huge amount on who finds it beneficial. There are already multiple audio plug-in formats and many companies support several of them and various platforms offer support for some. That it started as a means to smooth cross-platform plug-ins is encouraging for me (as primarily a Linux user), which may ease cross-platform/cross-processor support generally.
Only time will tell.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
I try to stick to native Reaper VSTs for the most part with four or five non native ones that I use on a regular basis.
Me too, exactly. I've tried other plugins and found no advantages over the Reaper plugins. And, Reaper plugins seem to be more efficient when it comes to CPU and memory.
The exception is instrument plugins which Reaper largely doesn't have. Other than the instrument plugins I use, the only non-Reaper plugin I use is Amplitube 5. (BIAB is considered an instrument plugin).
For instruments, in addition to BIAB, I have EZDrummer3, DB 33, Mini Grand, Numa Player, Velvet, Xpand!2. They all work great in Reaper.
I try to stick to native Reaper VSTs for the most part with four or five non native ones that I use on a regular basis.
Me too, exactly. I've tried other plugins and found no advantages over the Reaper plugins. And, Reaper plugins seem to be more efficient when it comes to CPU and memory.
The exception is instrument plugins which Reaper largely doesn't have. Other than the instrument plugins I use, the only non-Reaper plugin I use is Amplitube 5. (BIAB is considered an instrument plugin).
For instruments, in addition to BIAB, I have EZDrummer3, DB 33, Mini Grand, Numa Player, Velvet, Xpand!2. They all work great in Reaper.
yep, yep. If you want/need confirmation bias try this play list of Dan Worrall testing Reaper plugs. He outlines some short comings but none that have had an impact on me and he, as a professional Reaper user, uses many of them along with some others that suit his pro work flow.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
In another life, I've programmed some VST plugins, and it's amazing how stable the API of this standard is. It's bad enough that AU and Pro Tools have to be supported as well.
if i remember reaper history from way way back , even before v 0.99 when i became a reaps user, lots of dsp fx routines had been created ? ive forgotten as its so looong ago.
i can remember way back being 'poo pooed' by some over suggesting they try the reaps plug ins and the js suites... same if I suggest that a studio try the 80 plug ins that come with computermusicmag.uk that cost 20 bucks in the states. I used to get it a coupla times each year for the dvd with the 80 plug ins n' various synths etc. still today i get 'non believers' on the reaps stuff and cm mag. ...sigh. so i dont bother tilting at windmills…lol.
the thing ive always loved bout the reaps plug ins are their low cpu usage. same reason i like the pg dx plug ins. i often wonder how many new users dont give the pg dx plugs a second look cos 'man their free'...lol.
As to clap i'm keeping an open mind. the fact that reaps devs are involved makes me ask if clap isnt important why reaper involvement and some other big names ? the reaps devs are v smart developers. if there is serious interest by the big studios in clap cos it has operational advantages/efficiences over current approaches, maybe clap will take off ?
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
Everybody is talking about it the last couple years but it ain't a thing yet. A bunch of talking heads on YouTube telling us how good it's going to be does not change this.
Steinberg's depreciation of VST 2 has certainly amped up the volume, however.
I'll be interested when it's real.
BIAB 2026 Audiophile Mac 24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia/Tahoe, M1 & M5 MBAir, 2012 MBP Digital Performer11, Logic, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScore/Notion/Overture
It is real and it is used by a number of hosts and a number of plug-ins. Whether it will reach a critical mass is another matter.
It'll be a struggle between those who don't want to support yet another plug-in format, those who think CLAP may reconcile all those plug-in formats into one, those who'd like to keep their format under tight rein and so on.
It's notable for me that a number of the hosts support Linux or originally came from Linux and that a good percentage of the plug-ins support Linux. That'll be neither here nor there for many, but it's quite important for some of us. It may be more important than it seems, though, because if I would like a tool, my first question is "is it available on Linux?". If it is, I'll likely get it, if it isn't I'll likely next look for a Linux alternative, if I can't find one but there's a trial/demo Windows version I'll try is in Wine. Only if I have no other choice will I use it in Windows. At present I think I have only one "won't work on Linux" application that I use, my PCB CAD system. But I'm trying KiCad.
That said, I now have a number VSTs and most(?) have behaved properly within the yadbridge VST wrapper.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
It is real and it is used by a number of hosts and a number of plug-ins.
That's funny.
At last count, I have over a thousand plug-ins from 47 vendors. Exactly one offers a CLAP plug. None of the 6 DAWs I might use support it.
Again, I'll be interested when it's real and I don't see that happening for a long time. Yes, everyone's talking about it but that doesn't mean a thing by itself.
BIAB 2026 Audiophile Mac 24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia/Tahoe, M1 & M5 MBAir, 2012 MBP Digital Performer11, Logic, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScore/Notion/Overture
It is real and it is used by a number of hosts and a number of plug-ins.
That's funny.
At last count, I have over a thousand plug-ins from 47 vendors. Exactly one offers a CLAP plug. None of the 6 DAWs I might use support it.
Again, I'll be interested when it's real and I don't see that happening for a long time. Yes, everyone's talking about it but that doesn't mean a thing by itself.
The part of my post about reaching critical mass was probably more relevant. Only time will tell that. I'll certainly not be holding my breath, but I'll be watching. I've seen a number of such schemes come and mostly go.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
FWIW, the DAWs and similar I use are Reaper, Mixbus(cf Ardour), occasionally QTracktor or Renoise. Of those Reaper and QTractor support CLAP and Mixbus/Ardour likely will fairly soon as Ardour is OpenSource. I've also tried but don't use BitWig, which also supports CLAP.
What's common about all of those is that they're available Linux native, as well as on Windows and Mac.
I happened upon this very apposite cartoon, which may amuse:
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
Having worked on a few standards I have some experience of it and yes, it's far too often true, despite our best efforts.
I have worked on some that have worked out well, but vested interests, inertia, resource pressures, and the inevitable "but we still have to support the old kit" can make it tough.
One of the most curious things, though, is the Internet, where there are few if any 'standards', but most things work out fine. That's probably because the "request for comment" philosophy means people do comment and the conventions get adjusted and tuned properly. I still struggle to comprehend IPv6, though :-D
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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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!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
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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.
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2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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This Free Bonus PAK includes:
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-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
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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)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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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