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; 10/26/2406:27 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; 10/26/2404:59 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; 10/28/2411:02 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; 10/30/2403:53 PM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
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!
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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.
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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
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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!
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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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