When BIAB compiles a Real Track, I noticed some chord transitions are not seamless. How do you deal with these?
Tony, what soundcard and driver are you using?
Those glitches you hear in playback but not in the exported file are often a result of using factory sound and default drivers. They're really not designed to handle the multiple files we run in sync with synths. They can't handle the massive load so to reasonably keep up, they drop data which we hear as pops, drops, stutters and more. However, during the export it has sufficient time to render it properly.
I am using a Behringer UMC204HD interface and the default Windows drivers. It shows 30ms latency. The "seams" do not show up often, but when they do, they are noticeable and I have a sensitive ear.
Reading down the posts, it looks like you switched to ASIO. I looked at the specs and it seemed like it uses a proprietary driver, but if it runs with ASIO, that is the driver you really do want to use, certainly not the windows default driver.
I use 44.1k sample rate and 24 bit depth. Nothing is really gained by going to a higher setting unless you are writing for film/TV which want 48k/24.
30ms is not a good latency rate. That is definitely noticeable and if you're trying to play/record in sync, that's nearly impossible. You ideally want to be well under 10ms and preferably below 5ms for the best results.
The UMC204HD has a proprietary UMC driver. Works fine with the 6 DAWs I use. I set latency at 512 most of the time with 13-23ms of latency. I am comfortable with that.
Writer. Author. Music Producer. Technologist. Former contributor to Mix, Electronic Musician, Recording, Cleveland SCENE. www.tonythomas.net
Adding to Matt's comments if my DAW stutters or has other problems increasing my audio interface's buffers always solves the problem.
I am at 512 and that is what I use most of the time. I use 6 DAWs and it works fine with all of them.
it does seem like this is a logical conclusion: my computer is fine in my other programs so it should be fine for BIAB. I used to think that, too, but I changed my mind this year. No other audio program is crunching the processor in real time like BIAB, with the possible exception of a DAW that is running lots of plugins each doing real-time processing like look-ahead limiters etc.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
It is keeping track of a large database of audio and inserting pieces and pitch converting in real-time. It would probably benefit from larger buffers, not smaller ones.
The seams are more noticeable if you solo the tracks.
When you render them to audio, I think it is inserting fades in the audio tracks at the transitions, and that smooths things out. I just have to get used to it.
Writer. Author. Music Producer. Technologist. Former contributor to Mix, Electronic Musician, Recording, Cleveland SCENE. www.tonythomas.net
It would probably benefit from larger buffers, not smaller ones.
Possibly, but larger buffers take more time to fill. Try it both ways and you might be surprised. ...
Originally Posted by tony10000
When you render them to audio, I think it is inserting fades in the audio tracks at the transitions, and that smooths things out. I just have to get used to it.
Now that's an interesting speculation. I don't think we know anything about that. You might be right. I tend to think that BIAB can process at whatever pace it wants to produce the high quality rendering, because you aren't listening at the same time. The 'smoothing' is just a guess.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
I'm pretty sure they are crosssfades going on. Prevents a digital clip if the two waveforms don't align perfectly. I am also pretty sure I saw that confirmed by staff somewhere here.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
Crossfades will eliminate clicks but can’t do much for register jumping.
Bob, so I understand this, are you suggesting you think that the rendered song could sound better than if you recorded the playback in real time? That would be news to me.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
I'm pretty sure they are crosssfades going on. Prevents a digital clip if the two waveforms don't align perfectly. I am also pretty sure I saw that confirmed by staff somewhere here.
This is correct. There's also been a big jump in the number of RealTracks BIAB can read from. Prior to the introduction of the Utility Tracks, the RealTrack Medley Maker provided a sub-mix to read and program an additional 10 RealTracks per Legacy Mixer Channel. It was confirmed by PG staff that a total of 70 instruments could be configured in a variety of ways to play either simultaneously or consecutively.
The BIAB Mixer can read, select and generate 70 RealTracks creating a 70 instrument mix including cross-fades, specific audio selected for intro's, outro's, fade-in's and fade-out's. Since the introduction of the 16 Utility Tracks, all 24 tracks now have the RealTrack Medley Maker feature and one can see from the attached screenshots of the RealTrack Medley Maker - the feature includes the main instrument and 10 additional slots for a total of 11 RealTracks per Mixer Channel. This feature shows it should be possible to read, select, generate a song with 264 instrument in a single render.
Because it's digital, there's no audio degradation like there would be with analog bouncing and mixes. The RealTrack Medley Maker feature is also available in the Standalone Plug-in located in the RealTracks Picker. I agree with Matt the newer versions of BIAB likely put a greater strain on PC resources than older versions.
Crossfades will eliminate clicks but can’t do much for register jumping.
Bob, so I understand this, are you suggesting you think that the rendered song could sound better than if you recorded the playback in real time? That would be news to me.
I have no idea what you asked there, and no idea how you got that from my post. Simplified explanation - I meant when two chunks of wav, clip one & clip two, are butted together end to end, the odds of where the line on the waveform ends on clip1 lining up with the start of clip2 are slim. The result would often be an audible click or noticeable change. So they cross fade, one fades out, one fades in real fast. There's more to it than that, but the concept.
Nothing to do with recording real time or whatever you asked.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
It would probably benefit from larger buffers, not smaller ones.
Possibly, but larger buffers take more time to fill. Try it both ways and you might be surprised. ...
Originally Posted by tony10000
When you render them to audio, I think it is inserting fades in the audio tracks at the transitions, and that smooths things out. I just have to get used to it.
Now that's an interesting speculation. I don't think we know anything about that. You might be right. I tend to think that BIAB can process at whatever pace it wants to produce the high quality rendering, because you aren't listening at the same time. The 'smoothing' is just a guess.
Tony10000 is correct regarding transitions and the same for Rharv in recalling the subject being discussed by PG Staff. This concept was explained and confirmed by Andrew and demonstrated by Pipeline (Currently Musocity) years ago. I was able to locate a post regarding transitions using RT1152:Silence that quotes Andrew's remarks on the subject he had made sometime prior to the referenced post.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
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.
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
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)
Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
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)
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!
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!
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!
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!
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.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
)
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean