In RealBand, when I attempt to load a VST3 to a track, the name of the VST (e.g Kontakt) or the instrument selected doesn’t show on the track, even though the VST3 Kontakt 7 seems to be loaded and working ok. This is how I am loading VSTs: 1. In Tracks Window, change track to midi 2. Right click on track 3. Select “Port”, then select any port from PORT 17 on (click DXi/VSTi ) 4. Click in the first box of the DirectX/VST window 5. Select “<VST3i> - Select VST3i plugin” 6. In VST3 MIDI INSTRUMENT SELECTOR, click “Kontakt 7” and click on Choose. Kontakt 7 is loaded, and I can choose a Kontakt instrument, and it works, but on the track in the Tracks Window, under “Untitled”, it says “MIDI >>Select VST3 Plugin<<”. The selected port in the Ports list also says “MIDI >>Select VST3 Plugin<<”. When I go through the same procedure but load a VST2 instead, under “Untitled”, it says “MIDI >> Kontakt<<”.
Last year when Native Instruments went exclusively VST3, they provided a workaround so that those of us without VST3 compatibility (e,g. RealBand) could use a VST2 version of Komplete Kontrol to act as a shell for Kontakt instruments until they did away with VST2 completely. I wonder if this is causing any problems with VST3 even though I don’t use Komplete Kontrol at all now that RealBand is VST3 compatible. Here is the workaround: https://support.native-instruments.com/hc/fr/articles/14394517675677-How-to-Keep-Komplete-Kontrol-2-9-and-Komplete-Kontrol-3-on-Your-System
And another thing: whenever I right click on my Realband shortcut to run as administrator, the computer hangs and I have to restart. I downloaded and installed BIAB2025 from the PG Music website to my 1TB C drive. Thanks in advance for any help or advice (and Merry Christmas to all Forum members and PG Music staff.. Cheers, Mike
If it still says "Select VST3 plugin" for the port name, and you move the tracks window slightly, the port name should update to whatever VST3 you had selected.
Mike, I had thought moving the window slightly would help, but even if it's still saying "select VST3 Plugin" then it's still just a display issue with the Tracks Window. There will be an update that fixes that display issue, but, until that's available as long as you loaded the VST3i plugin, then it should still work regardless of the Tracks Win display issue. (at least that's the case with other plugins I've tried) Thanks.
Thanks Jeff and Moultipass. I'm glad it's only a display issue and can be fixed. Any thoughts on why I can't right click on Biab and RealBand shortcuts on the desktop, or some BIAB/RealBand files in Explorer? Whenever I right click on these icons, the computer hangs and I have to restart. The BIAB/RB shortcuts on my desktop have small blue and yellow shields on the icons. Does this mean I'm already running bothy program as administrator? I downloaded and installed BIAB2025 from the PG Music website to my 1TB C drive. Thanks again. Mike
That shield can imply 'Run ad administrator' as you suspected. Try going to your \Realband\ folder and look for Raelband64.exe fie. Right click it and go to Compatibility tab. Do you see a checkbox for Run as administrator? Is it enabled? Try unchecking it. If it won't let you then you are not logged in as an administrator and may be the source of that problem.
Last edited by rharv; 12/21/2409:32 PM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
That shield can imply 'Run ad administrator' as you suspected. Try going to your \Realband\ folder and look for Raelband64.exe fie. Right click it and go to Compatibility tab. Do you see a checkbox for Run as administrator? Is it enabled? Try unchecking it. If it won't let you then you are not logged in as an administrator and may be the source of that problem.
Thanks rharv. When I right-click on realband64.exe, Windows Explorer hangs (the hourglass goes round and round). I can use other apps on the computer but I can't close or use Explorer. I have to restart the computer. The same thing happens if I try to right-click on Biab and RealBand shortcuts on the desktop. Perplexing. The same thing was happening before I installed BIAB2025.
A bit of history: My old Acer Predator computer (with two drives) recently failed but a tech was able to copy/clone my data to a new computer which has a 1TB C drive. From the old Acer he removed the D drive, which I now use as an external D drive on my new computer. On the Acer I had BIAB 2022 and RealTracks and RealDrums installed on this D drive. Realband was on my C drive. When I told the tech about not being able to right click on RealBand and BIAB icons/files he suggested reinstalling the programs - which is effectively what I have done by downloading and installing BIAB2025, RealBand2025 and RealTracks and RealDrums on my C drive. Thanks again. Hopefully we get to the bottom of this issue soon.
Mike. (i'm a pomme...lol....love australia.) check out my pc tips sometime in pg tips section to save a ton of typing for me.
have you tried just hanging the pg content/drive off a usb port and doing a minimal install ? works like a charm for me. then i just have icons in win task bar i clik on to bring up bb or rb. both boot in a few secs.
i used to have all on c drive. but now with fast usb and m.2 drives i'm getting practically blink of an eye generating of pg content in bb.
i know some comment about potential probs with usb but ive been doing this for several years with nary a hiccup. works very well for static pc installations. also frees up my c drive.
hth/ymmv/merry x .
om
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.)
Mike, If you see the shield, it is most likely set to Run As Administrator. That probably happened back on the old computer and when it got cloned it carried that setting over, maybe with a different administrative user ... so when you re-install it carries it over again. I'm sure there is a way to disable that flag, but unless you are comfortable with running scripts, it may be a daunting task, and even then you'd need to be an Administrator to do so.
Can you log into the computer as Administrator (user)? Or does that user not exist as far as you know?
Is your normal user an Administrator?
You can find out by opening a command prompt (cmd) and type the below, then hit Enter It shows your user and at the bottom will show if that user is an Administrator:
net user "%username%"
In my image it shows this account is in both Administrator and User groups.
Last edited by rharv; 12/22/2407:14 AM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
Mike, If you see the shield, it is most likely set to Run As Administrator. That probably happened back on the old computer and when it got cloned it carried that setting over, maybe with a different administrative user ... so when you re-install it carries it over again. I'm sure there is a way to disable that flag, but unless you are comfortable with running scripts, it may be a daunting task, and even then you'd need to be an Administrator to do so.
Can you log into the computer as Administrator (user)? Or does that user not exist as far as you know?
Is your normal user an Administrator?
You can find out by opening a command prompt (cmd) and type the below, then hit Enter It shows your user and at the bottom will show if that user is an Administrator:
net user "%username%"
In my image it shows this account is in both Administrator and User groups.
Thanks rharv. Attached is my info but I'm not really sure what it means.
That says you are an administrator and *should be able to go to Realband64.exe, right-click and remove the 'Run As Administrator option mentioned above. Since you are an administrator the actual shortcut shouldn't hang .. are you sure there isn't a pop up asking if you want to allow RB to make changes somewhere? That would explain why it waits for a response from you at that point.
Maybe minimize every other open window to find it (?)
Last edited by rharv; 12/23/2404:19 PM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
That says you are an administrator and *should be able to go to Realband64.exe, right-click and remove the 'Run As Administrator option mentioned above. Since you are an administrator the actual shortcut shouldn't hang .. are you sure there isn't a pop up asking if you want to allow RB to make changes somewhere? That would explain why it waits for a response from you at that point.
Maybe minimize every other open window to find it (?)
I minimised/closed everything rharv but Explorer still hangs. Thanks, Mike
Did that system have two screens previously and only one now? That's another weird issue I've seen, where a pop up occurs on a (now) non-existent screen .. I know, I know, it's an extremely long shot.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
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No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 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® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 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 22 requires the 2026 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.
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!
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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®.
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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!
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