To be sure, I'm not certain I even know what a VST is...
Probably the first place to start is to make sure you don't confuse VST with VSTi.
Oversimplifying, a VSTi is a virtual instrument, such as a string or brass library of sounds. It's normally some form of MIDI but there are exceptions. A VST is itself a program but it is written to interface seamlessly with a DAW or other music program, hence the term 'plugin'. VSTs are primarily for adjusting audio, not MIDI.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
- Reaper - Toonetrack: EZDrummer3, EZKeys, EZBass, EZmix. - BIAB - Notation software mainly GuitarPro8 (and MuseScore4) - I hardly don't use any VSTs (if so mainly free ones). I recently bought EZmix which I found quite useful since it lets me get rid of most VSTs. (I have a very simple approach to it). The only other VST I have bought is Valhalla VintageVerb.
I am not a musician only an amateur playing violin and guitar as my own instruments, and some vocals.
VST is Virtual Studio Technology. Thus VSTi is Virtual Studio technology instrument. A VST is more along the lines of compressors, reverbs... signal processing stuff.
I used a US 20x20 (yeah, I know who needs that many inputs) from Tascam for years. Recently switched to the IK Multimedia AXE I/O which works great for my guitar and any limited vocals I may need. It works seamlessly with Amplitube 5 also from IK, so that is a win-win. Mostly use Cakewalk as I had invested in it plenty back when it was not free. But I also have Cubase 12 Pro and find it useful. I have more guitars than I need (my wife says!), but I play them all and each has its purpose. I have a Komplete Kontrol S61 from Native Instruments along with their Komplete Ultimate Collectors Supercalifragilistic software. And lots of other library stuff that I find uses for. I use BIAB and Real Band all the time for ideas, backing tracks, practice.
I have many of Bob 'Notes' Norton's add on styles and several of the fake disks as well. Saves a lot of time not having to enter the songs I want to practice. His stuff is top notch for anyone that might want or need it. Well worth the money.
My wife asked if I had seen the dog bowl. I told her I didn't even know he could.
I (Bud) played in bluegrass bands from the early 70's to 2003. Janice played in them from 1989 to 2003. We gigged a lot even though we were both doing 40+ hours a week in the mental health field. I can in all honesty say that I had rather sit down with Logic Pro X, BiaB and a host of Waves/Izotope plug-ins for hours than play a festival set in front of thousands much less a three night club gig -- no matter how appreciative the fans. For some reason we never thrived on it and often wanted to be out hiking or riding our bikes instead. However, I find time with BiaB and my DAW to be almost zen like at times. Mesmerizing even. To hear what I can do compared to my recording efforts from the 60's thru the early 2000's never ceases to amaze me. I mean did anybody really enjoy splicing tape?
So at the risk of redundancy, in a room that serves as an office, workout, and recording area a couple of mics, an interface, a Mac, BiaB RTs/RDs/MSTs, Logic Pro X (and its zillion sounds, fx and loops), a large Waves/Izotope suite, and a wonderful bride who is willing to sing about any genre I suggest I can get lost in the production thing. Well at least for the one per month we average. Heck sometimes I even drag the ole 1953 bass fiddle into the picture and contribute something other than the tech stuff. And, every now and then with the appearance of the proverbial blue moon I pretend I know what the hell I'm doing.
Bud
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
LOL...What it looked like before software and before the internet...lol
My bus, my band, Super Blue
I was lucky enough to play a lot with these guys'
Me,Joe, and Grady
Joe Guitar Hughes was inspired by Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown and Johnny "Guitar" Watson – "anyone who had fire in their playing and a good shuffle".[2] His first band was the Dukes of Rhythm in the 1950s, which also included his friend Johnny Copeland.[3] He worked with Little Richard and in Bobby Bland's band in the 1960s.[2]
Grady Gaines (May 14, 1934 – January 29, 2021)[2] was an American electric blues, Texas blues and jazz blues tenor saxophonist, who performed and recorded with Little Richard in the 1950s. He backed other musicians such as Dee Clark, Little Willie John, Sam Cooke, James Brown, Jackie Wilson, and Joe Tex.
This was a New Years gig, Joe and me and a really drunk lady who danced to every song we played that night...lol
Earl Gillum
Gilliam was born in New Waverly, Texas on January 13, 1930 and died aged 81 in Tomball, Texas on October 19, 2011. Gilliam was a longtime fixture in the Texas blues scene, moving to Houston at age 18 and going on to play with Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Albert “Iceman” Collins and Little Joe Washington.
Don't ever get old...lol I can't remember the bass player's name. The drummer was Johnny Preajune.
These were fun times. The only thing transistor was the PA and the keyboard.
Billy
Last edited by Planobilly; 04/09/2306:09 AM.
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
For years I have been producing music with hundreds of gigabytes of VSTs, and I was proud of myself.
Until recently, I started to dig a bit deeper on BiaB, and only realized all my efforts, knowledge, and skills in the previous years, were all wasted.
Why? Because of BiaB, I don't need to use VSTs anymore.
BiaB makes 90% of my past workflow instantly useless and irrelevant.
That's why I'm so sad and so excited at the same time. Too much emotion to handle.
Band-in-a-Box is the war to end all wars.
This makes me feel better about not knowing what the heck a VST is (sometimes ignorance is bliss). But for those that find them useful, more power to you.
I'm just glad I'm hitching my wagon to the BiaB tractor.
PG Music . . . Keep up the good work, looking forward to what the future holds for this great tool.
As far as an emotional breakdown, maybe this will help? Breakdown
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677 BiaB 2025 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
Playable RealTracks Set 4
RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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