Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#490480 09/11/18 01:30 PM
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 218
W
wish Offline OP
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
W
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 218
Hi, have been more than happy with the real tracks side of this software for producing backing tracks for my acoustic guitar/vocals but want to add some finer details to the songs with the use of midi.
My very old midi keyboard controller has crashed so looking for advice on what to look for, whether I go for on board sounds and if so, can I use those sounds with BiaB? For the main, I guess I am looking to add those recognisable riffs in some songs to make it sound closer to the tune.
For the very small time I have put into midi I am struggling to work it out but will cross that bridge again when I am up and running with something to play with.
Appreciate your thoughts.
Cheers


BIAB 2022 UltraPAK
Xtra packs 1,2,3,4,5,6,13
2019 and 2018 49pak
Asus Zen Book UX533F 1TB ssd
Windows10 pro, 16g i7 64bit
Allen and Heath Z10fx mixer
Alesis V25 controller

wish #490495 09/11/18 03:39 PM
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,099
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,099
You most likely will be happy with any modern, name brand keyboard such as Casio, Yamaha, Roland, Korg or Ketron. Most modern keyboards don't have 5 pin midi jacks but instead move midi over USB. I would start by looking at whatever brand your last keyboard was just because you'll have some amount of familiarity to start with.

Lots of online and brick & mortar stores sell most of their keyboards at Christmas time so if you can wait a month or two you will find the best bargains.

Yes you will be able to use the keyboard sound module with Band-in-a-Box but you may end up sending the analog signal into the computer through the line-in connection on your computer so, if that is important to you, make sure whatever keyboard you purchase has line out ports (normally round red and white RCA connectors).

There are a good number of keyboard musicians on this forum so I'm sure they will have additional advice.


Jim Fogle - 2024 BiaB (1109) RB (Build 3) Ultra+ PAK
Cakewalk - Zoom MRS-8 recorder
Desktop: i7 Win 10 build 2004, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD
Laptop: i3 64bit Win 10 build 21H2, 8GB ram 500GB HDD
Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
wish #490557 09/12/18 07:04 AM
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,260
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,260
My 25 year Roland JV30 died about 6 months ago.
I wanted a smaller footprint keyboard CONTROLLER only and did not need onboard sounds as I have modules.
So....I went with this one which worked right out of the box and worked well with my Midisport 4x4 midi patch bay.
No issues for me....judgement call for you. smile

https://jet.com/product/Stage-Right-by-Monoprice-49-Key-MIDI-Keyboard-Controller-Black/7d0d85803a924485b8378d5671097a50?jcmp=pla:ggl:nj_dur_cwin_arts_crafts_hobbies_a1:arts_crafts_hobbies_musical_instruments_keyboard_accessories_a1:na:PLA_785510785_46694330612_pla-293473586095_c:na:na:na:2PLA15&code=PLA15&pid=kenshoo_int&c=785510785&is_retargeting=true&clickid=69af6ee4-9120-4ffe-8fa1-dbae1bff4693&kclid=69af6ee4-9120-4ffe-8fa1-dbae1bff4693&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoOCNv_i13QIVl4jICh3P7g55EAYYBCABEgLIo_D_BwE

Good hunting......lots of choices out there to check out as Jim Fogle points out.


Last edited by chulaivet1966; 09/12/18 07:23 AM.
wish #490704 09/12/18 08:26 PM
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753
If you want a board with "good" sounds built in be prepared to upwards of $1000 or so. Otherwise, If you want to stick with the software synths and RealTracks all yo really need is a good controller keyboard to input/record/edit midi. I have a Roland JUNO GI but mostly only use it to input midi. Or I simply use a iRig Keys37 for quick and simple stuff. Most of my sounds are coming from RealTracks, SampleTank and a few software synths. Selecting sounds on the JUNO and assigning midi Program Changes per track to get my DAW to play the JUNO for me and such only slowed down my creativity. I get a lot more done by keeping it simple and working inside the box.
Decent controller keyboards are what,. . . $100 - $300?


Does the noise in your head bother me ?
wish #490712 09/12/18 11:04 PM
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 218
W
wish Offline OP
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
W
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 218
Thanks for the input. If I went with just a controller keyboard do I need this ‘edrirol’ interface which I currently have?


BIAB 2022 UltraPAK
Xtra packs 1,2,3,4,5,6,13
2019 and 2018 49pak
Asus Zen Book UX533F 1TB ssd
Windows10 pro, 16g i7 64bit
Allen and Heath Z10fx mixer
Alesis V25 controller

wish #490720 09/13/18 02:37 AM
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,645
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,645
Originally Posted By: wish
Thanks for the input. If I went with just a controller keyboard do I need this ‘edrirol’ interface which I currently have?


No, MIDI controller keyboards use USB so you just plug it into your computer.

But I would not remove the Edrirol. You can still use it for mics, guitars, audio outputs from hard synths/keyboards, etc.


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
wish #490807 09/13/18 05:28 PM
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753
How many free USB ports do you have on your computer? Mine has 3. 1 is my Audio/Midi interface. 2 is my wireless mouse and computer keyboard. 3. Is the one I use to go back and forth between printer, iRig Keys and a few other things. So, in case you run short on USB ports you might consider a midi keyboard that use midi over USB and also has full midi 5 pin DIN connectors IN, OUT and THRU. Then you have more options. You can use an audio/midi interface that operates on USB but also has 5 pin midi connectors. Connect your keyboard controller to the interface via standard midi cables. Then the keyboard and interface are essentially sharing 1 USB port. It also gives you more options if you ever want to use your controller with other midi hardware. For example; I still have a hardware Edirol SD-20 Synth. I 'can' run it directly on USB but I keep it connected to my audio/midi interface via midi cables to save a USB port and also I only have to choose my interface for my hardware midi in and out in my DAW. I don't have to switch between the two, (and others).
What model number Edirol interface do you have? Does it also have standard midi connections?


Does the noise in your head bother me ?
Tobias #491016 09/14/18 06:45 PM
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 218
W
wish Offline OP
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
W
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 218
Thanks all for your thoughts.
My "Edirol" (generic) is pretty new as my original Blue Edirol would not work with Windows 10.
While the keyboard was working I was at least able to get sounds via this new device. This new controller as the old one, has a USB on one end and 2 x 5 pin midi plugs on the other.
Think a controller keyboard will do the job and that at least will challenge me to get the on board midi sounds working. I have purchased the Coyote software so that should be all I need to get sufficient sounds.
Cheers


BIAB 2022 UltraPAK
Xtra packs 1,2,3,4,5,6,13
2019 and 2018 49pak
Asus Zen Book UX533F 1TB ssd
Windows10 pro, 16g i7 64bit
Allen and Heath Z10fx mixer
Alesis V25 controller

wish #491536 09/17/18 06:55 PM
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753
I don't know what "Edirol" (generic) means. That's why I ask for the model number. What I'm suggesting is that your current keyboard controller does not work with Windows 10 using the USB connection because there is no driver that makes it compatible with Windows 10. However, your current keyboard controller will work fine with windows 10 as long as you connect the MIDI out and MIDI in to an Audio/MIDI interface.
Example; Behringer UMC204HD interface works with Windows 10 via a single USB connection since Behringer makes a driver that works with windows 10. The UMC204HD has standard MIDI in and out jacks. This means your computer will be reading what is happening at the UMC204HD and doesn't care what midi device you have connected to it. And "voila'" midi in and out to Band In A Box. Well, Midi in is all you really need.
UMC204HD is $80 US at amazon.com.
There are many other audio/midi interfaces that do this.
Since you are headed toward Coyote, a software synth, for your sounds maybe you don't need an external hardware synth at this time. Maybe getting your current midi controller working via midi cables might be the way to go.
For me, I rarely use external hardware synths anymore.
BTW, I think you can get the Cakewalk TTS-1 General Midi software synth for free if you install the free Cakewalk By Bandlab. It is similar to Coyote softsynth and very simple to use.


Does the noise in your head bother me ?
wish #491954 09/20/18 02:05 AM
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 218
W
wish Offline OP
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
W
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 218
Thanks Tobias, I had to buy a new midi interface for Windows 10, it wasn’t an Edirol but it worked fine. In the meantime my keyboard which is probably 15/18 years old...at least decided to cease.
Hence my question on where to go next. The interface has no name but has worked. It appears this interface is not now required with th3 USB midi keyboards.


BIAB 2022 UltraPAK
Xtra packs 1,2,3,4,5,6,13
2019 and 2018 49pak
Asus Zen Book UX533F 1TB ssd
Windows10 pro, 16g i7 64bit
Allen and Heath Z10fx mixer
Alesis V25 controller

wish #492060 09/20/18 09:08 PM
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753
A midi keyboard controller with MIDI over USB only is gonna work fine for you. However, there are some I have seen that simply do dot work with windows 10 or even windows 8.x simply because the manufacturer does not make drivers that are compatible. So be sure you read up on the units you are considering.
If you are a piano player you might want to get one with 88 keys. Or you might be okay with 61 keys.
As far as connecting to your computer to record midi tracks, the song characters you mentioned, if that's all you want to do a 49 key controller is probably sufficient and takes up far less space on a desk.
Alesis, M-Audio, Neckar, Akai, Korg, Novation, Edirol, These are all reputable manufacturers. Like I said, be sure to check if they have drivers for windows 10 and read some reviews. I good return policy might alleviate hesitation to make a purchase.


Does the noise in your head bother me ?
Tobias #492065 09/20/18 10:00 PM
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 218
W
wish Offline OP
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
W
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 218
Thanks againTobias, appreciate your post.
Mainly play guitar although I went through 4 years of classical piano at High School,
Hated it but the best thing the folks did for me. Just want to do fills and riffs on the keyboard so I will take your thougts on board when buying this week.
Cheers


BIAB 2022 UltraPAK
Xtra packs 1,2,3,4,5,6,13
2019 and 2018 49pak
Asus Zen Book UX533F 1TB ssd
Windows10 pro, 16g i7 64bit
Allen and Heath Z10fx mixer
Alesis V25 controller

wish #492117 09/21/18 09:35 AM
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,753
The way I got the iRigKeys was a few years ago someone on this forum posted info about a sale at IK Multimedia where you get SampleTank 3 free when purchasing one of their iRig Keys. The iRig Keys is pretty flimsy but it works for a lot of what I need. It's very light and small. The keys are very small too. However, I use SampleTank 3 all the time. It has a whole lot of really good sounds in it and is quite easy to use. Since you seem to like RealTracks and are headed for use of software instruments you might check out SampleTank 3. Maybe the have another deal or something.


Does the noise in your head bother me ?
wish #492133 09/21/18 12:52 PM
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 218
W
wish Offline OP
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
W
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 218
Got that


BIAB 2022 UltraPAK
Xtra packs 1,2,3,4,5,6,13
2019 and 2018 49pak
Asus Zen Book UX533F 1TB ssd
Windows10 pro, 16g i7 64bit
Allen and Heath Z10fx mixer
Alesis V25 controller

wish #492380 09/23/18 04:33 PM
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,169
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,169
Just last week purchased a Novation Launchkey (my olde M-Audio would often lose notes when pressed and I got fed up fixing them). The Launchpad 61 mk2 seems very good. Unfortunately as a control surface one has to configure Sonar by hand but then I don’t use it that way. It does all I want and then some at a very good price less than $300 in Australia. Has quite a bit of software comes with it also including your choice of one of the Addictive Keys programs. In my case Electric Grand as I already had the others. It also has Ableton Live Lite which the keyboard speaks to natively. (Not my cup of tea as I have other DAWs that I prefer.)

It seems one can even use the Launchkey with an iPad.

Tony

Last edited by Teunis; 09/23/18 06:10 PM.

HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home,
Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612
BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
wish #492395 09/24/18 12:06 AM
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 218
W
wish Offline OP
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
W
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 218
Thanks Tony, will have a look at that option.


BIAB 2022 UltraPAK
Xtra packs 1,2,3,4,5,6,13
2019 and 2018 49pak
Asus Zen Book UX533F 1TB ssd
Windows10 pro, 16g i7 64bit
Allen and Heath Z10fx mixer
Alesis V25 controller

Teunis #492551 09/24/18 11:26 PM
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,169
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,169
Wish sent you a PM re the purchase it might help.

Tony


HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home,
Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612
BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Review: 4.75 out of 5 Stars!

If you're looking for a in-depth review of the newest Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows version, you'll definitely find it with Sound-Guy's latest review, Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Review: Incredible new capabilities to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs.

A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."

"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."

"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."

Happy Easter! Holiday Hours...

2024 is well underway - it's already Easter Weekend!

Our Customer Service hours this weekend are:

Friday, March 29: 8-4
Saturday, March 30: 8-4
Sunday, March 31: closed

Regular hours resume Monday, April 1st - no joke!

Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!

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!

There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.

If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.

We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!

Congratulations to the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!

We've just announced the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!

There are 45 winners, each receiving a Band-in-a-Box 2024 UltraPAK! Read the official announcement to see if you've won.

Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed!

Video: Volume Automation in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®

We've created a video to help you learn more about the Volume Automation options in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows.

Band-in-a-Box® 2024: Volume Automation

www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024full/chapter11.htm#volume-automation

Video: Audio Input Monitoring with Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®

We've created this short video to explain Audio Input Monitoring within Band-in-a-Box® 2024, and included some tips & troubleshooting details too!

Band-in-a-Box® 2024: Audio Input Monitoring

3:17: Tips
5:10: Troubleshooting

www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024full/chapter11.htm#audio-input-monitoring

Video: Enhanced Melodists in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®!

We've enhanced the Melodists feature included in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows!

Access the Melodist feature by pressing F7 in the program to open the new MultiPicker Library and locate the [Melodist] tab.

You can now generate a melody on any track in the program - very handy! Plus, you select how much of the melody you want generated - specify a range, or apply it to the whole track.

See the Melodist in action with our video, Band-in-a-Box® 2024: The Melodist Window.

Learn even more about the enhancements to the Melodist feature in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024upgrade/chapter3.htm#enhanced-melodist

Forum Statistics
Forums66
Topics81,399
Posts732,550
Members38,442
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
Newest Members
danielsk, Mark Morgan, zagrajbarke, Ernest J, Izzy
38,442 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 199
Al-David 133
DC Ron 115
rsdean 85
dcuny 83
Today's Birthdays
(charlie), WobblyGstring
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5