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; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, 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
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; 04/09/2305:09 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 2026 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.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
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Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 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:
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-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
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MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
Playable RealTracks Set 5
RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
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