Is using Band-in-a-Box in your music production cheating? No.
The word
cheat is defined as "act dishonest or unfair in order to gain an advantage" and "avoid (something undesirable) by luck or skill". Using Band-in-a-Box does not match either definition.
Using Band-in-a-Box in your production is no different than using any other production tool. How does using Band-in-a-Box differ from using 1) a midi pattern, 2) Kontakt as a sound module, 3) a convolution reverb using impulses recorded at Abbey Roads studio B to emulate the sound of the studio, 4) session musicians. I could go on and on with examples.
How is it dishonest or unfair to use Band-in-a-Box? How will using Band-in-a-Box help gain an advantage?
The magazines "Recording" has a feature where people submit recordings so the feature author can evaluate the quality of the production. Typically the owner of the recording will list who performed what along with additional comments about what equipment and tools were used during production. The feature author then offers production suggestions. In this instance the song was created in a home studio by two people. One person wrote and sang the song while the second manned the hard disc digital recorder. Then the singer manned the recorder while the other person played guitar and flute. The song writer was responsible for producing the song and submitting the song for consideration. Band-in-a-Box drums, bass and pedal steel guitar were added during production and listed in the credits. The reviewer treated the Band-in-a-Box tracks as though the tracks were live performances in his comments.
All recordings create audio illusions. Band-in-a-Box is just another tool to create an illusion.