Every year BiaB software is "almost there, but not yet". Good recordings, many overlapping pieces of software to use them: Main BIAB. The DAW plugin. Real Band (required for example to export harmonies). Even a "plugin-standalone". Plus your DAW of choice (because for a high % of users, Real Band is far from the best generic DAW). Some handy scripts. Many functions are half-implemented, some documented features were broken years ago. And apparently there are not enough resources to solve them yet. I understand that developping for Intel and Apple Silicon makes this almost twice as complex. The DAW plugin does not have any written documentation (an old manager used to tell my team "software is complete when tested and documented").

My first attempt this year was again frustrating. I spent too many hours like every year. But this time I gave up on time. I used the money-back guarantee, and I re-installed 2024 Omnipak (I miss 5% of the contents). I have a workflow that covers an acceptable % of the functionality, but at least I do know which exact % works and does not work.

If the software evolves in the right direction in 2026, I'll support again by purchasing the latest and greatest RealTracks.

To me the right direction would be a working plugin to assemble music by referencing the pieces and bits in the recordings. With solos, melodies, multi-riffs, harmonies, tempo changes. A demo volume that works. A really functional GUI, no need for aesthetics. Written documentation (ctrl+"f" does not work inside youtube). No need to add links to AI to generate a picture of the album cover!