Okay, first some ideas. MIDI is a universal music standard managed by +++MIDI.ORG +++ that allows musical ideas, such as a song project, to be shared as data, not audio, in a small file. These files typically end with the suffix .MID. Digital Audio Workstations, or DAW, such as PowerTracks Pro for example creates project files (.SEQ in this example) that can contain audio, MIDI data and DAW specific song project information.
One problem is some way is needed for the same instrument sound to play on every machine when a .MID file is played on different machines. Problem two is some way is needed for multiple instrument sounds to play on every machine when a .MID file is played on different machines.
The MIDI standard created an instrument list that assigns a number to each instrument. That list is called General MIDI or GM. PG Music uses this list and it is available +++ HERE +++. That is why you see numbers beside the name of MIDI instrument.
There are more instrument name assignment lists. Yamaha has the XG list, Roland has the GS llist and MIDI.org has the GM level 2, or GM2, list. There are more lists. You can compare the different lists +++ HERE +++. But, be aware that the overwhelming majority of midi files available on the internet use the GM list.
So, that is why a piano sounds like a piano when you play a .MID file on your phone, in PowerTracks Pro or on many consumer electronic keyboards.
Now for the second problem. How do we separate piano data from bass data, from drum data and so on? The MIDI standard identifies the data for each instrument with a channel number of 1 to 16. PowerTracks Pro matches the channels to a track.
You can see what I'm saying in the RealBand screen shot I've included.
Last edited by Jim Fogle; 10/26/2405:27 PM. Reason: RealBand screen shot used because I don't have PowerTracks Pro Audio
brilliant explanation. kudos. this should be a FAQ sticky imho.
Craig.
there are lots of tutorials on the net re midi includeing you tube. in addition there are lots of 'midi tricks' that can be used. to name one...for example how to create a drum solo without the laborious task of manual entry.
ive done this yesterday as one example of thousands of midi tracks ive done in rb. in this case an orchestral midi track. 1..genned a midi track in rb. 2..inserted a free instrument plugin vsti on the track. 3..selected a orchestral instrument from the loads available eg violin or whatever. and away i go.
the beauty of midi is on any pc clunky or power monster its fast.
theres lots of tricks re creating midi tracks.
to save me more typing... see my various tips in pg tips forum includeing some free instrument plugins and links to more plugins. software instruments is a vast topic with lots of free and paid suppliers. also check out synthfont and synthmaster and sforzando included with many pg packages.
happiness.
om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 10/26/2403:59 AM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
yes Right click a track and select Port .. you have 16 physical to choose from & 32 for soft synth (MIDI). Audio track port counts depend on connected audio devices available.
Last edited by rharv; 10/28/2410:02 PM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
Hi, rharv I wanted to get back to you. I know about the midi ports and the audio ports. I was wanting to use two midi ports simultaneously to layer some sounds as I played live. Other than that, I use Pt. pretty much for everything I do. It has been stable with my new pc, not using much CPU. I've done some live sessions, recording multiple tracks and PT. did a good job. I find myself always going back to Pt. because it has been the easiest daw for me. I actually put out a CD back in 2005, using pt and the on board soundcard. Recorded a lot jam session when I was using two delta 1010lts, that worked great with win xp. I've now been using a Roland studio capture for several years. I found another on reverb for a good price. Two of those could be used to get 32 channels. I haven't had any issues with the one and have hear people having success using two at a time. I don't think I would have any issues with pt running two machines. By the way, I'm using windows 11 with internet off when recording. I have cakewalk and I use the tts instrument for midi sounds not too bad, but I may go back to my hardware synths, triton 76le and a 61le. I'm a guitarist but I like the sounds of those keyboards. I can play guitar, bass, and drum parts, but I have to grab the transpose button when it comes to keyboard. I can play pretty much anything in Db C#, but other than that, I have gotten lazy.
MIDI splitters are easy to find ... one controller splits to multiple sound sources .. Inside PT, I guess you could copy the track and send each track to different ports.
/it bummed me out when they stopped supporting the old PCI and the Deltas had to go //same thing happened with my RAP-10 card WAY back in the day. I kept an old W95 machine alive for a few years longer than necessary just to have access to it
Last edited by rharv; 10/30/2402:53 PM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
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.
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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
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Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 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 21 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.
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