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When Cakewalk was discontinued we lost acess to the TTS1, and I know that in the past PG used it as their default GM synth for producing midi styles. Last I heard was from Simon (I think) that they were considering a new default synth. Mind you, they might still be using the TTS1 like those of us who had already downloaded it.
So, for newbies is there a recommended synth that will play BIAB midi styles as PG hear them?
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Great question. Thanks for asking this, Bob.
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.
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I recently spoke with Simon of PG Music about a related question. Simon said Band-in-a-Box for Windows is pre-configured to use CoyoteWT while Band-in-a-Box for Mac is pre-configured to use DLSMusicDevice which is part of the MacOS.
The TTS-1 has never been the default synth for Band-in-a-Box and RealBand. Those that have TTS-1 can continue to use it but it is no longer supported or available for download. However, there is a post where Peter Gannon recommends TTS-1. I asked Andrew to remove that thread to avoid confusion.
As you likely know, users can substitute the hardware or software based GM compatible synth of their choice in the MIDI Driver section of Preferences.
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Thanks for the info, Jim. I do not think Bob was saying TTS-1 was ever supplied to any users as a default; it was that post by Peter Gannon recommending it and stating that he used it for development. Good idea to remove or modify that post.
I would like to know what is being recommended that could improve BIAB GM sounds, and load easily.
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.
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+++ Don Allen's Timbres of Heaven +++ is a mostly GM compatible Soundfont (there are no sound effects, just instrument patches). I believe PG Music previously provided Synthfont 64 with a GM compatible patch. It can also use the Timbres of Heaven Soundfont above. RustySpoon# and some other users really like the free HALion Sonic player and the patches that come with it.
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I've always thought that Coyote was the default synth that came with BB but you could also opt for TTS since they are both multi-timbral synths capable of 16 channels.
Yes, you can use other synths but most of the synths I'm aware of are single channel synths which can make them wholly unsuitable for easy use for GM.
I have TTS on my machines, but it's possible that my newest one is using Coyote and not TTS.
BTW: TTS is a great little synth capable of doing some pretty amazing things.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Coyote Forte was given as a BiaB better synth, but that died when BiaB went 64 bit.
Are you still using 32 bit?
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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...
I believe PG Music previously provided Synthfont 64 with a GM compatible patch. ... I do too, but danged if I can find it. SynthFont webpage even mentions it being free with BiaB (SynthFont3 64).
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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You'll find it in here: \bb\Data\libx64
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2025 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
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Thanks. I was looking for an installer, which explains not finding it. 
Last edited by rharv; 02/02/25 11:36 AM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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When Cakewalk was discontinued we lost acess to the TTS1, and I know that in the past PG used it as their default GM synth for producing midi styles. Last I heard was from Simon (I think) that they were considering a new default synth. Mind you, they might still be using the TTS1 like those of us who had already downloaded it.
So, for newbies is there a recommended synth that will play BIAB midi styles as PG hear them? Most if not all of our recent MIDI styles use sounds from Sforzando or Synthmaster. Otherwise I think these days we're using VSTSynthFont64 or Coyote. However, there is a post where Peter Gannon recommends TTS-1. I asked Andrew to remove that thread to avoid confusion. That forum thread was removed from the stickies and locked shortly after the news of TTS-1's death. I believe PG Music previously provided Synthfont 64 with a GM compatible patch. We still do - the plugin is located in x:\bb\Data\libx64\VSTSynthFont64.dll and uses the included GMGSx.sf2 soundfont in the same folder.
I work here
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