Computer music software company PG Music Inc. has released its new sequencing, arranging, and digital recording program, RealBand 2008.5 (Win; $129).

RealBand combines Band-in-a-Box and the PowerTracks Pro Audio DAW with PG Music''s RealTracks and RealDrums; this allows you to create performances by combining your own tracks with generated MIDI and audio accompaniments based on your input chord progressions. Using this sequencer program, you can produce your own song arrangements as if you were recording with other studio musicians, and then edit your work for a finished song. You can record up to 48 audio or MIDI tracks.

The company has additionally released three new RealTracks Sets, in bluegrass and blues genres. All RealTracks and RealDrums Sets feature audio recordings of real studio musicians, to replace the MIDI track. These audio recordings play along to the chord progressions you enter; they are not MIDI patterns or audio samples.

RealBand 2008.5 is available individually as RealBand Pro or bundled within a MegaPak, SuperPak, or UltraPak at varying prices. For more information, please visit pgmusic.com.