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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3
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OP
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3 |
Guys,
I've installed Windows 7 64 bit and now I've learned the hard way that the Roland Dxi synth will no longer work. I really want to avoid reinstalling Win 7 just for the 32 bit version.
I've downloaded and I'm evaluating the ForteDxi demo, but I'm so far very underwhelmed.. - the instruments that matter to me most for jazz music do not sound good with this synth - string bass, acoustic piano, plus the ride cymbal drowns out everything else.
Am I missing something? The Microsoft wavetable synth sounds better than this.
Any configuration steps I could have missed? I'm on BB 2007.5
Thanks.
Last edited by CraigK; 06/10/10 02:30 PM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2007
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Expert
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Expert
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Do you have the right DXi selected? Not the Coyote WT but the Forte DXi plugin.
Also, there are several drum kits with Forte. Brushes is a bit quieter.
R
Last edited by Rachael; 06/10/10 03:03 PM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 100
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 100 |
as an alternative I'm quite a fan of the TTS-1 found in the MC5 Package http://www.pgmusic.com/musiccreator.htmThe TTS-1 also has its own mixer in the interface with it's own reverb chorus and ADSR which can make it a very powerful tool. Rob PG Music.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2007
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Well, I have to agree in that some instruments, specially wind ones are not that great except maybe tenor sax, trumpets are not that good, but then again they're not in most software synths. But since you mention TTS-1 from Cakewalk; their sounds are not that bad. however I find the piano one a lot better in the Coyote one, so it's hard to please everyone, that's why I mostly use the Ketron SD2. Also remember that along with the TTS-1 they included the drums sampler which I most say is not that bad if you want to use it with the midi drums patch thru it. Then we have Real Drums which most of the time are more that adequate for most styles, specially Jazz. However, I wouldn't say that it sounds terrible though, that's what I used before the Ketron and Real Tracks. I though I put my two cents on this one.
Later
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Journeyman
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Doesn't Win7 have a 32bit mode for older programs? Maybe it is version specific, but I think there is a 32bit subfolder under the program files folder. Might be worth checking out. Don't know if that will fix the VSC problem.
Good luck.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2008
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PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
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People have been trying to get the VSC working in a 64-bit system since these systems appeared on the market, and it's just not going to happen, unfortunately. Won't even install.
I'd recommend just going for the TTS-1. For $39, you just can't beat it, in my opinion.
Kent
PG Music
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Posts: 131
Apprentice
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Apprentice
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I had the same experience with Forte and Win 7 - downloaded the free version expecting to finally get some decent sounds, and couldn't believe how cheezy it sounded... kept thinking I was doing something wrong and tried every option I could think of, and still ended up going back to the much better sounding Microsoft WT...
ANd yeah, the ride cymbal is ridiculously loud...was there no QA done on this thing?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Enthusiast
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If you can pick up an old SC88 Pro (or SC88VL (hardware), the sounds are excellent. I'm using one with W7 64 bit and couldn't be happier. Unfortunately they are no longer made
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Quote:
Guys,
I've installed Windows 7 64 bit and now I've learned the hard way that the Roland Dxi synth will no longer work. I really want to avoid reinstalling Win 7 just for the 32 bit version.
I've downloaded and I'm evaluating the ForteDxi demo, but I'm so far very underwhelmed.. - the instruments that matter to me most for jazz music do not sound good with this synth - string bass, acoustic piano, plus the ride cymbal drowns out everything else.
Am I missing something? The Microsoft wavetable synth sounds better than this.
Any configuration steps I could have missed? I'm on BB 2007.5
Thanks.
It's funny you would say this especially the acoustic jazz stuff. When the Forte was introduced a few years ago is created a minor sensation around here. There's a lot of jazzers here and most of us think it's pretty decent for the money especially the acoustic bass and piano. The piano is the Warren Trachman Steinway and it's not bad and I'm a pianist. It's by far the best bang for the buck. Naturally a lot of this depends on your personal taste and what kind of stuff you're working with. A lot of folks like the Roland TTS-1 but to me it's only slightly better than the old VSC DXi and the Forte blows both those away imho but it does have a lot of controls to play with.
I was just messing around with some midi's today and I was thinking about you while I was doing it just using the Forte and they still sound pretty good. I'm talking about straight ahead stuff like Tunisia, Green Dolphin, A Train, Chameleon, stuff like that and it for sure blows the Wavetable into the weeds. I'm wondering if it's a Win 7 thing, I'm still using XP. In another thread someone was talking about some hidden audio controls in Win 7, maybe that's it.
A lot of it depends on who's midi file you're using. I've downloaded hundreds but only kept a few, most are pure crap. If you're using a pro quality midi file it will sound pretty decent with the Forte unless you're comparing it to a $3,000 Kurzweil or Triton. Yes occasionally the ride cymbal is too loud depending on the mix but again, if you're dealing with downloaded files, somebody could have easily changed the velocities on the drum track because it sounded good on their Roland or whatever piece of equipment they made the midi file with. If it bothers you it only takes a few seconds to open up the piano roll on the drum track and highlight the cymbal, Eb I think it is and turn it down. Something else btw, every synth has it's own mix for drums. I have a bunch of different hardware and software synths and I always have to balance the drum kit between the different ones. One, the kick is too loud, the next one you can't hear the kick at all, etc. The big problem is always the kick, snare and ride cymbal. Getting those to mix right is a constant pia. The piano roll is your friend here.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 31
Enthusiast
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Don't know much about Windows 7 but couldn't you just explode the drum parts in Real Band an adjust the volume of any of the components? You could probably then export as a midi file or wav. Extra work, I know but, just a thought. I find that if I want to use any of these files live, the parts have to be tweaked a bit anyway. 
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,869
Expert
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Expert
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I am running Forte in Win 64 /7 environment here no issues -- I think!!!!
At least its loaded and sounds like it to me.
As for a GM synth sounding genuine when it comes to brass or woodwind - no chance; even top end stuff like VSL struggle and have severe limitations.
You could not get an authentic sound just by triggering (the same) notes (over and over) - you need also to control the shape breadth conviction attack and artistry of each note to get what the lips do..
Win 11 64, Asus Rog Strix z390 mobo, 64 gig RAM, 8700k
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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you might change your mind a bit about that. I was playing my keyboard through the Ketron SD2 as a flute, and my wife, who was getting her flute out of the case wanted to break it in half. LOL. It has come a long ways in a few short years, I mean some midi modules.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Notice the OP has only made 1 post and has disappeared? If he ever comes back, I think I know what happened with his ride cymbal being too loud. I just played a midi in RB and heard that but the drum track is named brush kit but Forte is playing the standard kit. Brushes are usually set at a higher velocity or volume than a ride cymbal would be. That has nothing to do with the Forte, it's another typical downloaded midi file using a program change that is probably a brush kit on whatever synth was used to create the file but it comes out as the standard kit on the Forte. I went into the event list for that file and there's sysex in there and that's where the problem is. All that has to be done is go into the event list, delete all that and put in the correct program change for the brush kit. This happens all the time with downloaded midi files.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Good call, Bob.
Makes sense.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I'm still here, just couldn't fix the problem, which is Forte sounds awful on my machine. The Sound Canvas DXi I had installed when on XP blows Forte away. I'm back using my Aebersold CD's.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I still like the VSC better. I started with a real Sound Canvas box then later switched to the VSC. It just suits my needs since I don't use any instruments for melody or solos.
Also my hearing isn't what it used to be.
I really wish someone would update the VSC for 64bit or I'll never get out of WinXP.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Quote:
I'm still here, just couldn't fix the problem, which is Forte sounds awful on my machine. The Sound Canvas DXi I had installed when on XP blows Forte away. I'm back using my Aebersold CD's.
Fair enough, Craig. Time to open the wallet then. If you have any other problems or questions let us know.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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OP
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I'm actually thinking of installing Windows7 32 bit just to use the Sound Canvas Dxi again. It's either that or spring for the TTS-1.
Know what's interesting, is on PGMusic's own site, they have a dare to compare section with demos of different synth options. I think you need to look no farther than there to hear that the Sound Canvas DXi sounds better than the Forte. Now I know it's not my machine, the Forte sounds the same in that section as on my machine.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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TTS is better to me than either the Forte Wavetable or the VSC. It is worth everybit of the $40 I would go buy the Cakewalk MC5 at the store and get the boxed version so you can have the other synths as well.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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Hi CraigK,
I agree, I don't think it's a computer thing either. This is not to promote my few songs I have up on soundclick.com, but the 3 old ones are with a sound canvas module recorded analog and the new song, Craylike is VSC. I'm satisfied.
I also tried the forte, didn't sound as good to me and didn't blend with my live recording. Different ears and different music I guess.
Still hope for a VSC upgrade one day. I still like it. I think also I just know the sounds so well. I just flip around and know what sound I want.
Wayne,
Last edited by redguitars; 06/25/10 09:55 AM.
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