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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 25
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 25 |
Anyone using an External midi synth or can recommend one. Am tired of dealing with "unable to install VSC" problem.
Thanks
Larry
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,613
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,613 |
If you are using Windows 7 64-bit, the VSC is not supposed to work.
I use a Roland Fantom. That's pretty old now, but Roland makes a SD-50 and a Sonic Cell, both of which have almost all the Fantom sounds. Both have received good reviews here. Also, many use the Ketron SD2.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 733
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 733 |
I have just bought an SD-50 and it is great for my purpose - to use the standard BIAB styles (or those offered by third parties) to accompany me while I play along on my keyboard for my own amusement.
I went this route because I never seemed to be able to completely solve all the issues with using a soft synth. I am not a geek and got fed up trying to resolve computer issues rather than playing music. Also I have decided that RTs don't have a lot to offer me. The styles are a little boring and they brought other issues involving computer power and disc space. The SD-50 midi sounds give me everything I need.
With my SD-50 I just connect up and start playing. It is powered from the USB cable and acts as a mixer so you can use the line in connection from your computer to mix with the RTs.
There is perhaps a need for a "BIAB Lite" for people like me.
Tony Wright
Last edited by Tony Wright; 10/20/10 10:58 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,648
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,648 |
Got an idea of price range?
A few hundred will get the Ketron SD2
Closer to 1000 for Juno-G
Closer to a few thousand for a Fantom
Lots of choices, just need a budget!
Keep an eye open for used synths too, as lots of people are selling equipment in this economy.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259 |
I don't regret getting a Ketron SD2 in the least. Go to their website and listen to some of their sample sounds. Also Mac has done some SD2 sounds that are most excellent. Find them via a forum search on this site.
stan
Cornet Curmudgeon
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 114
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 114 |
I'm using a Yamaha DGX-505 keyboard, the XGlite sound bank is awesome. Mine is a full keyboard but you can pick up a basic model with XGlite pretty cheap. For my taste the Yamaha's Portable Grand Piano sound is incomprable
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,509
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,509 |
I don't have a Ketron, but I've heard lots of nice things about them.
From the external modules that I currently own, the Edirol SD90 is perhaps the most versatile. Most of the sounds are very good, some are excellent and some are OK.
Notes ♫
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 196
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 196 |
I've got the Ketron SD2 and a new Roland SD50 sitting right next to each other. I like them both, they cost me about the same, and sometimes I can't decide which I like better for a particular song. I bought the Roland mainly because its combination of features (midi, usb audio interface, etc.) is a real plus when I just want to work with a laptop, and -- based on on reviews -- I expected to be blown away by its sound. Well, I wasn't. Maybe I'm jaded now that I spend so much time with RealTracks, but to me the SD50 sounds good, but not light years ahead of previous generations of Roland midi gear -- and certainly not better than the Ketron. The Ketron is great for general midi, but really shines in some sounds in its upper banks that are just gorgeous. I do think my Ketron might be just a bit noisier electronically than the Roland SD50 -- I'm talking about something you'd probably never hear in a mix. With any encouragement, I could probably post a few BIAB-created files using both synths for a side by side comparison... unless somebody has already done this.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 95
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 95 |
Yes, Yes!!... Please post some comparisons. I too am looking to upgrade an SC-88 that I've used for a long time, but trying to be careful when I'm spending around $400 to feel like I'm getting the best option for the price.
Cz...
BIAB,Bandlab Cakewalk,Kontakt, Cantabile, SampleTank4,IK BX-3, VB3, iZotope Suite, IK TRacks, Melodyne Studio
Kurzweil PC4SE, AXIOM-61key & IKiRigPro-32key boards, Roland SD-50 MIDI, Behringer 404HD, Maschine MK3,TC Helicon Voiceworks
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,427
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,427 |
I use a Roland Fantom X6 which, with some add on cards, gives me thousands of sounds and I always find what I need. It was superseded by the Fantom G which has a bigger colour screen and a slight uplift in sound quality, (not a lot or I would have bought one!).
John
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
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- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
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