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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 6
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 6 |
I'm not happy with the synthesizer ForteDXi that I bought for BiB. Surfing around I ended up at Garritan Personal Orchestra and Jazz and Big Band. Is that a good choice or is there a better synth for BiB? My budget is 250-300 USD.
A requirement for Garritan is that the sound card is ASIO compatible. So far I'm just using the built-in Realtek, which is not good. Any suggestions for a decent USB ASIO soundcard?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 11,395
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Problem with the GPO is it is not GM. On top of that the sounds are not that good IMO.
Actually the Coyote Forte DXi is one of the best sounding GM synths out there. Are you sure you are not confusing the ForteDXi with the CoyoteWT?? The WT is the free GM synth with comes with BIAB and not all that good, but the Forte is a different sound.
Bottom line GM is best with BIAB.
Dan, BIAB2024, SoundCloud Win11, i7(12thGen), 32GB, 1TB SSD(M.2 NVMe SSD), 2TB Libraries, 1 TB(WD-Black), 2TB SSD(M.2 NVMe SSD)Data, Motu Audio Express, Keystation 61, SL88 Studio, Reaper
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,811
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Welcome RolfA,
Garritan J&BB and PO are two good programs. Yes there are better ones out there but they cost a lot more money. Kontakt is one of the best and you can get it sometimes on sale for around $250 USB. SampleTank 3 is another good one. You can spend from around $400 to thousands of dollars at non-sale prices for great softsynths. BUT all will need audio interfaces, commonly called sound cards, that have native ASIO drivers.
There are a number of good audio interfaces in your $250-$300 price range but before anyone can give you some solid advice we would need to know exactly what you need. Things like how many audio inputs do you need? Will you be directly record guitars or basses, that is not using a mic in front of an amp? What type of mic(s) are you using? Condenser? dynamic? Do you need MIDI input and output? etc.
Once we have that information then we can help you pick out what you need. If possible over estimate what you need. Nothing is worse then buying something that you outgrow in a year!
Also asking a group of people what kind of interface should I buy is like asking the same group what kind of car should I buy. You will get many different answers!
I hope this helps.
Me, it's not about how many times you fail, it's about how many times you get back up.
Cop, that's not how field sobriety tests work.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,475
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As to what sound lib to buy for $250-300 you will get AT least 500 - 600 suggestions on what to get- LOL Where did you read you HAVE to use ASIO with Garritan? It says "... AISO or Direct Sound." I have all the Garritan libs and the ARIA engine/player will work with MME /direct sound (just with latency - as all MME will), although I use AISO for better latency response. Now RE: ASIO - the Realtek "sound card," which is the sound chipset I have on my MoBo, works just fine with ASIO4ALL (a free, see link below, driver) it is a generic ASIO "driver", but I also have an external sound card. I usually use it for it's native ASIO driver (my audio card is no longer made so no reason to suggest it) http://www.asio4all.com/Continuing the what "sound" generator to buy - depends on what you will be doing: the full version of Native Instruments Kontakt will be the first one that many folks will say you cannot live without (you can live without it but hey it is the the almost de facto standard). But get the free Kontakt version anyway. Another is IK Multimedia Sampletank 3 but there is a love-hate with it with some folks. I have it AND Kontakt and I use it as much as Kontakt. But I also have a few dozen others plus many many external modules so I don't use Kontakt OR Sampeltank for bulk of my sounds. if you are or will be doing MAINLY GM maybe look at external sound module like Ketron SD-2 - a lot of folks swear by it. you can still get until midnight, or is it 2 feb?? for $1 for A LARGE (somewhat dated) collection of sounds for a 4 part player I bought it for GRINS - not BAD for just STARTING http://www.pluginboutique.com/product/1-Instruments/64-Virtual-Instrument/1560-Xpand-2someone even has link to get it free I forget where FOUND IT looks like still free http://djworx.com/everyone-is-a-winner-with-worxmas-2016/ EDIT Whoops looks like MarioD beat me to the Kontakt thing (yes WAIT for SALE)
Last edited by Larry Kehl; 01/31/17 01:37 PM.
Win10Pro,i9,64GB,2TBSSD+20TBHDDs,1080TI,BIAB'24,Scarlett18i8,Montage7,Fusion 8HD,QS8,Integra7,XV5080,QSR,SC-8850,SPLAT,FL21&others,Komp.14,IK suite&others, just a guitar player-AXE FX III &FM9T, FishmanTP, MIDIGuitar2, GK2/3'sw/GI20
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 11,395
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 11,395 |
OK guys, are you really suggesting to our new guy that GM in not the way to go? I can't imagine working in BIAB and having to map each instrument each time I open a new song. I know there is a place for the non-GM stuff. I have invested a health amount in it myself, but for BIAB 98+% of my time is GM. Oh by the way, welcome to the forum 
Last edited by MusicStudent; 01/31/17 01:48 PM.
Dan, BIAB2024, SoundCloud Win11, i7(12thGen), 32GB, 1TB SSD(M.2 NVMe SSD), 2TB Libraries, 1 TB(WD-Black), 2TB SSD(M.2 NVMe SSD)Data, Motu Audio Express, Keystation 61, SL88 Studio, Reaper
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,475
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Posts: 2,475 |
DAN
You are correct he NEEDS a GM player and we should have stressed that, but he already HAS Coyote Forte (sunk cost anyway) - he just doesn't like the sound.
Rolfa
There are also, recently, a lot of threads about FREE GM soundfonts and soundfont players here at PG (you can do your own search) just look for them.
You may actually find a soundfont (SFZ or SF2) player you like and a free GM SF2 or SFZ sound set you like better than Coyote Forte. I have a few I like as well as Coyote but none are as good as my external GM modules.
In any case good hunting
LArry
Win10Pro,i9,64GB,2TBSSD+20TBHDDs,1080TI,BIAB'24,Scarlett18i8,Montage7,Fusion 8HD,QS8,Integra7,XV5080,QSR,SC-8850,SPLAT,FL21&others,Komp.14,IK suite&others, just a guitar player-AXE FX III &FM9T, FishmanTP, MIDIGuitar2, GK2/3'sw/GI20
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,796
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,796 |
I use Hypersonic 2 at times for general GM2 (mind the 2) try and trial work. Alas its not 64bit, but works with BIAB. Tried the Roland Hyper canvas BTW, don't really like it's sounds that much.
So I bought Sampletank's (2.5) Omnisynth recommended GM2 from IK, but found it too much a hassle to keep it working correctly at most times.
USB hardware for audio i am still not a fan of, but these days might work better with the modern v.3. I always preferred RME and Firewire, and the older M-Audio Delta 10/10 PCI and extension box i used quite a long time before that. For firewire my current PC needs an extra PCIe card though.
The best allround AND GM2 thing i still have laying on the shelf is a Soundblaster Audigy ZS with breakout box (jacks for headphones, stereo in out, also cinch, volume and headphone out with pot meters and ADAT). Someone gave me adapted 64bit drivers that work with it, not available from Creative BTW. However it only fits the older type PCI slots, not present on my new motherboard. The built in GM stuff is very good and you can also upload your own sound fonts and SF-GM stuff into the system. If someone offers me a fair price, around 150, i might sell it as i cannot use it any more. IMO still ideal for a standalone PC with PCI slots, and no noticeable latency.
BTW I tend to use BIABs wavetable Coyore VST/DXi occasionally since some times BIAB doesn't like Hypersonic when exporting MIDI files. Though is doesn't sound as good as Hypersonic 2. -F
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,811
Veteran
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Joined: Dec 2003
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OK guys, are you really suggesting to our new guy that GM in not the way to go? I can't imagine working in BIAB and having to map each instrument each time I open a new song. I know there is a place for the non-GM stuff. I have invested a health amount in it myself, but for BIAB 98+% of my time is GM. Oh by the way, welcome to the forum Dan, since he already purchased Garritan programs and was asking about better sounds I had assumed, I know, that he wanted non-GM patches. As you know GM sounds are at the bottom of sound patches when compared to Garritan, Kontakt, SampleTank, UVI, etc. However if he is looking at GM sound sources then Cakewalk's TTS-1 is one of the better ones. PS - although this is his first post he may not be new to computer music. When I posted my first post I already have 10-15 years using MIDI sequencers.
Me, it's not about how many times you fail, it's about how many times you get back up.
Cop, that's not how field sobriety tests work.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,796
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,796 |
A PS, just got Halion Sonic 2 running as GM VST, also a good one if you have bought it. Go to options, select GM under Global ... BIAB remembers the settings, it runs smoothly its seems. F
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Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!
The Newest RealBand 2024 Update is Here!
The newest RealBand 2024 Build 5 update is now available!
Download and install this to your RealBand 2024 for updated print options, streamlined loading and saving of .SGU & MGU (BB) files, and to add a number of program adjustments that address user-reported bugs and concerns.
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Backup copies are offered during the checkout process on our website.
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With this update, there's more control when saving images from the Print Preview window, we've added defaults to the MultiPicker for sorting and font size, updated printing options, updated RealTracks and other content, and addressed user-reported issues with the StylePicker, MIDI Soloists, key signature changes, and more!
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A few excerpts:
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"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."
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The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!
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