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PowerTracks Pro Audio
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Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 2
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 2 |
I was browsing around looking at Band in a Box and it seems like a neat program. But I want one where I can record myself and edit my recordings and supplement them.
I've been looking at this program here, which is PowerTracks. It seems to have three versions (Pro Audio, PowerPAK, and MultiPAK), and the differences are a greater variety of RealDrums to choose from and the fanciest package also has 1-2 MultiTracks.
I have a laptop, audio interface, SM57, and I aim to record my guitar through a Fender Mustang cheap-o modeler amp. Basically, just a simple bedroom setup.
I'm also considering mixing my guitar recordings with MIDI tracks (probably ported from notation software so I can write tracks like sheet music), so I'm wondering if this is a good option...
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PowerTracks Pro Audio
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,657
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,657 |
Powertracks is a very decent DAW. It will do what you want. Some will come along and bash it and tell you it is lacking but it will get it done. Another choice is to purchase band in a box, it comes with Real Band which is power tracks with band in a box generation capabilities built in it will allow you to create many tracks to go along with your projects. Having both band in a box and Realband is a powerful package. If you can afford it buy the ultra pack.
A simple option to get started is to buy the basic powertracks and then in December when the new release of band in a box comes out on sale buy the full package then. You will be familiar with the basic and and some experience under your belt.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB 2025, Realband, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 9 32c , Melodyne 5 editor, Presonus Audiobox 1818VSL, Presonus control app.
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PowerTracks Pro Audio
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Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 2
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 2 |
I was browsing around looking at Band in a Box and it seems like a neat program. But I want one where I can record myself and edit my recordings and supplement them. I've been looking at this program here, which is PowerTracks. It seems to have three versions (Pro Audio, PowerPAK, and MultiPAK), and the differences are a greater variety of RealDrums to https://vlc.onl/ choose from and the fanciest package also has 1-2 MultiTracks. I have a laptop, audio interface, SM57, and I aim to record my guitar through a Fender Mustang cheap-o modeler amp. Basically, just a simple bedroom setup. I'm also considering mixing my guitar recordings with MIDI tracks (probably ported from notation software so I can write tracks like sheet music), so I'm wondering if this is a good option... I got this,...
Last edited by okarimnvo; 10/09/23 03:25 AM.
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PowerTracks Pro Audio
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Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 71
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 71 |
PowerTracks as a bare daw seems completely unappealing to me, especially when you consider how much more powerful Reaper is and reaper is what $60 bucks. And if you're on Windows Cakewalk by Bandlab can still be nabbed free for now.
BIAB Mac 2024
Mac Studio 2022, M1 Max, OS Ventura 13.6
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PowerTracks Pro Audio
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 6
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 6 |
@okarimnvo
I am a longtime user of PowerTracks Pro since v3.0 (I purchased it 1995). I stopped working with v2018.
I'd go for Reaper. Add JJazzLab for arranging/accompaniment.
Last edited by Babarosa; 10/15/23 07:17 AM. Reason: Too much blabla in my initial post.
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PowerTracks Pro Audio
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Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,537
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 3,537 |
All.
Re Reaper and Powertracks (ptw).
As an avid Reaper user from v0.99 i feel however i must come to the defence of ptw as i created a ton of songs using both reaps and ptw as my primary song creation tools for many many years ...
I used both 'together' for song creation for ages.
i'm posting this out of concern that a person new to music production contemplating a purchase of ptw might be put off…and i feel this would be a shame as i consider for a paltry cost of a few burgers…ptw is a super deal and offers a ton of value in its own right and features. As Rob said…ptw will get the job done.
but let me add that imho if ptw was the only tool available on the market that the great George Martin/beatwells would still create great songs....due to great talent.
I also want to see ptw to continue to be developed and grow and prosper as I feel alternatives are good for musicians.
some history…and i hope i come across as unbiased because i think both reaps and ptw are great in their own way.
In past eras using both reaps/ptw combo i was also sometimes using commercial studios/session players as the budget allowed.
In summary I was using the reaps/ptw combo to create guide song tracks I then took into commercial studios.
so the reaps/ptw combo saved me a ton of money re song development and testing out song concepts…as i only needed to use commercial facilities for the 'icing on the proverbial song cake'.
Now here are the interesting salient points.
..re ptw…some studios used to say to me 'my goodness it does what ?'....'for just peanuts ?'. They were often floored once I showed them ptw tricks and capabilities at a cost of a few cups of tea/coffee.
..re reaps. as above some studios were floored…but told me i was 'nuts' to think
'shareware'...would one day command a large world market share.
to say i was ridiculed in those early days of reaps is an understatement....lol.
but i stood my ground because i had a background in tech and thus i know a brilliant piece of software engineering when i see it as ive managed in a previous career some pretty demanding industry systems.
What I find highly amusing is…over time…those that ridiculed me in those early reaps years probably became users from what I see on the forums.
so let's wrap things up…YES reaps is a great product…but i wouldnt dismiss ptw out of hand. I still have a fondness for the ptw product and some very happy memories creating songs with ptw. which is why i now use ptw's big brother realband(rb).
(I now use the biab/rb/reaps combo.)
Now let me offer a comment re reaps.
What troubles me a tad is…yes the recent versions of reaps offer a dizzying array of features..BUT like anything there can be downsides as this can be a problem for folks new to creating songs due to the learning cycle.
a reason why i suggest new folks start with reaps around version 2.
(I did a ton of songs in version 2 reaps with ptw.)
Why version 2 you might ask ?
Why do I like version 2 a lot ?...simple..
..for me it was a simpler lighter weight and very nimble user daw environment.
..for me at the time it mirrored the big studio gear i was using.
..it's not just a multitrack recorder but also runs vst and the pg dx plugins i like.
plus a big bonus is audio edit features. plus like ptw it comes with its own suite of plugins/fx.
In closing imho for someone new to creating songs i feel the reaps version 2 plus ptw combo is still a valid solution. each one having its strengths and in ptw's case offering a plethora of midi and other useful features.
therefore imho it's not a question of ptw versus reaps.
also let me say putting things in perspective song producers of the distant past would have been in creation heaven to think for the princely sum of around 120 bucks they could get 2 daws ie the reaps/ptw combo.
So to anyone new i would suggest you at the very least go through the plethora of ptw features ... .and maybe consider the reaps version 2 plus ptw combo.
anyway pg offer a 30 day money back on its products so whats not to like ?
also one other thing i liked for many years about the reaps/ptw combo was while musos i knew were often wrestling with lots of usb dongles and other licence schemes…i was just creating songs. I dislike intrusive schemes of this nature.
I hope ive presented an interesting perspective on reaps and ptw.
Merry xmas to all.
om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 12/05/23 04:22 AM.
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.)
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Video: New User Interface (GUI)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 60 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until December 31, 2025. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49. Browse the full contents of each package and listen to demos here.
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
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