PG Music Home Forums General Discussion Beginners Forum recording my guitar

I can only guess the reason why the top package was recommended is because the top package is the package most Band-in-a-Box users end up getting. Over the years the most common recommendation I've seen from forum members is, "get what you can afford".

All the Microsoft Windows operating system packages include the same Band-in-a-Box and RealBand programs and the DAW Plugin. There is no stunted or light version of these applications. The packages differ in the amount of additional content that is in each package. I'm defining content as RealTracks, MIDISuperTracks and styles. There are other types of content but RealTracks, MIDISuperTracks and styles are the stars.

The top packages are the Ultra PAK, Ultra+ PAK and Audiophile. These three packages contain more than 4,300 hours of RealTrack audio content recorded by studio musicians! The Ultra+ adds some musical lessons while the Audiophile includes the lessons and RealTrack audio content in lossless and lossy file formats. Lossless files have compact disc (CD) quality files while lossy files are a little less than CD quality but smaller files. +++ HERE +++ is a Matt Finley post that goes in more detail about the difference in sound quality between the Audiophile and other packages.

The Mega PAK offers about 1/4th of the RealTrack audio content, or a little more than 1,000 hours, of that contained in the packages above. Individual RealTracks are broken out from RealTrack Sets and combined into bands or combos.

The Pro PAK offers around 1/10th of the RealTrack audio content, or a little more than 450 hours, compared to the packages above. Again individual RealTracks are broken out from RealTrack Sets and combined into bands.

The Band-in-a-Box program has a chart called the MultiPicker that lists all the RealTracks, MIDISuperTracks and styles including the ones you don't have. The ones you don't have have [N/A] beside their name. That means when you have the Pro PAK you will see [N/A] beside around 90% of the listings while when you have the Mega PAK you will see [N/A] beside about 75% of the listings. Many users find the [N/A] listings extremely frustrating.

On the other hand many users that start with the top packages become so fascinated with the content they never get around to exploring all the features the programs offer. Both Band-in-a-Box and RealBand are easy to get started with but have a deep depth of features to discover.

Maybe the chart below, copied from +++ HERE +++ , will make more sense now.

TBH, PGMusic does offer deep discounts once a year and it is worth getting it while on sale.
However, get the version you are comfortable with price wise.

I'd suggest not missing out on the lower prices this time of year.
It will go up, exactly when is unknown, but the time to take the plunge is while it is on sale during the new release (like now)..

The new-release prices are good and they'll likely not be back unbtil next December. If you're convinced, take advantage of the offer price.

I'd get the Pro pack to start and upgrade later if/when you have the budget. Curiously, it's also usually a little cheaper to go that route.

I have the UMC204HD and it works flawlessy in RB. Simple to use and the ASIO driver is excellent. I don't record in BIAB but imagine it will be equally simple to use.

Ok. took the advise and made the purchase, hopefully saved a few pennies

I think that is the best path also. Remember that the engine is identical in all versions of BiaB so what you learn with the Pro pack is applicable to all packs.

Have fun and post both your successes and songs.

[quote=Bob Calver]I have the UMC204HD and it works flawlessy in RB. Simple to use and the ASIO driver is excellent. I don't record in BIAB but imagine it will be equally simple to use.

Yip I have looked at a few and when you say " it works flawlessly " its the one to buy
cheers

Buy the top package..... I do recommend that as I stated earlier. You don't need the audiophile version unless you are using it professionally. And you don't necessarily need the top package. Look at the styles and tracks , decide what you actually want and buy that. Remember that you can always upgrade and you can buy the add on packs individually.
Essentially the program is the same in each package. The difference is the number of styles and tracks that are in the package. I started with a basic version but quickly moved up and now I'm exclusively using the super duper new and improved version every year. I've been using it for close to 20 years now.