|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7
Newbie
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7 |
Hi Folks,
I am new to BAIB, and am planning to purchase this for myself (after Christmas is over just in case someone bought it as a present), and am curious what would be the best MIDI option for me.
I have played the guitar for twenty five years or so, but alas, neurological problems have ended that possibility now. Soooo... I went looking to see what's out there to make music on the PC, and stumbled upon this software. I looks like it will allow me to continue to write music.
What I'm at a loss over is what MIDI source to get. Should I get a hardware device? Or would the Personal Orchestra 4 do the job. I just want to be able to use strings and some symphony instruments in my pieces (flute, piccolo, clarinet, and others).
I tend to do folk, pop, and some lighter rock.
Any suggestions on what would be best?
Thanks,
Charles
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
Operating System? 32 bit or 64?
The VSC Dxi syth is pretty good, for free, included, but does not do 64.
our
The options for recording with an external module like the Ketron Sd2 are limited. You have to do the whole song through. Not a problem if you are recording voice, but the render to .wav process is speeded up by Dxi synth no needing to play the file through for example on a good machine a 5 minute song might take about 30 seconds to render to .wav.
Also, I have several options for external synths (3), but I do not hardly use them in favour of RealTracks. That's a consideration. In my opinion, get the software. Tinker. Listen. Evaluate synths, and go from there. Unless you play the violin there are lots of good ones. If Perlman is your best friend and you have all his recordings no violin patch on any synth will please you. If you are like my Mom that cheesy M/S synth she heard on the 'all oldies all the times' just before someguy in a monotone reads the obits for hicksville, is like 'heaven on earth'. Wow.
John Conley
Musica est vita
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Hi Charles and welcome to the forum.
While it is nice to have a somewhat better MIDI synth solution than what comes along with BiaB and RC software, you don't have to go out and buy one immediately.
The software comes with two software synths that can get you started out. The older one, the "VSC DXi" synth unfortunately can only work with older 32-bit Operating Systems (XP and before) while there is the newer "Coyote Wavetable" aynth that will work with the newer Vista/Win7 64 bit systems.
These install as options when you run the BiaB Installer File.
My advice to you would be to start out like that, get to know the programs a bit and then you will be much better situated to make the decision on what kind of higher quality MIDI solution you might want to get.
That said, the Ketron SD-2 hardware synth sold on this site is a darn good sounding little box...
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7
Newbie
|
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7 |
Thanks John, I appreciate you taking the time to offer advice. I forgot to mention that I'm running an Icore 7 Laptop with 6GB RAM and 64bit Windows 7. I understand what you are saying about using the realtracks, but from what I understand, there are no realtracks for a string section. Hence, I will need to provide it from another source. While I cannot play the keyboard anymore, I can use it to record the correct sequence of notes, and go back and ajust duration and such within the measures using a neat little thing called video mouse (it allows you to control your mouse with your head)  . Mac, again thanks for reaponding. I've looked at the SD2 and liked some of the sounds it offers, but in my opinion, the flute is just a bit too airy. The one I heard in Personal Orchestra is beautiful. If you're trying to do a celtic type of sound, the SD2 wouldn't quite fit in IMHO. Now that I think about it, there seemed to be a celtic style just introduced. Did that have a flute in realtrack form? I listened to so many of the demos that I have lost track of what's there, LOL. Another question. While I played the twelve string for years (an ardent flatpicker here), the only reason I learned to do so is my first love is singing. I noticed that PG has the TC Helicon VoiceLive on the hardware page, but I assume it's the VoiceLive2 because the price is exactly the same as the VL2. That seems to be an incredible device for vocals and would be a good buy for what it offers. Having more control over my feet than hands, it would also be easier for me to manage. Does anyone have experience with this device? I know that there was some question about delay to the monitors that could cause issues while recording. Let me clarify that I have the opportunity now to aquire these things, and probably won't again in the future. This is why I want to figure out what is best for what I want to do, and get what fits my needs while the resources are available. Thanks, Charles
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,157
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,157 |
Charles, The "wizard" check box in Biab will allow you to use your qwerty keyboard to record notes in real time into Biab's melody channel. The wizard will play notes within the key and chord sequence of your chord layout in Biab. Note: if using a DXi synth, it is best to run in ASIO driver mode for the latency gap. Once you have "tapped" the qwerty notes in, you can open the piano roll and move them to their correct note value. The wizard allows the timing to be precise and then a simple drag in piano roll will have your melody spot-on. Once you have done this a couple of times, you will be knocking out melodies in no time. I use a hardware midi synth here, Yamaha Tyros. I prefer a hardware synth vs a software one here. Welcome to the forum and Biab software club  Trax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7
Newbie
|
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7 |
Thanks Trax! I did not know about that feature. I really appreciate the help!
Charles
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
Quote:
I've looked at the SD2 and liked some of the sounds it offers, but in my opinion, the flute is just a bit too airy. The one I heard in Personal Orchestra is beautiful. If you're trying to do a celtic type of sound, the SD2 wouldn't quite fit in IMHO.
Charles, if you're going to be this precise and picky you're crusin' for a brusin' when it comes to working with computer based music. You're going to need a whole rack full of very expensive stuff to be fully satisfied. Now, this is fine, pro musicians do that all the time, they've got good ears, they know what they want and are willing to do whatever it takes to get it. All I'm saying is be prepared to spend some serious cash. That Tyros just mentioned costs upwards of $4,000 if it's the new model. The Ketron costs $400. GPO is $3-400 or so but it won't have everything you want for sound, you will be looking for other synths to go along with it. It will add up fast.
I think but of course I'm not sure, you are not familiar with General Midi and how that factors into this. GM is a standard that allows a user to simply plug in a synth or use a software synth-softsynth-and simply hit play and listen to the tune. The problem is GM is very limited. GPO for example is not GM because all those killer sounds do not comform to the GM standard. Garritan uses it's own player as a plug in. That's another whole thing you have to learn. That means you have to set up and configure each instrument for each song you want to play before you hear anything. Biab only has one midi output port so you can only use one synth at a time but of course there's workarounds for that that the pros use. There's addon software you can buy that allows Biab to work with a whole rack of softsynths. Another whole geek level course in midi. That is inconvienent, time consuming and requires knowledge but you will get great sound that way.
The point here is GM is simple, fast and you can listen to a whole list of songs one after the other with no input from you once you have everything set up. The problem is there's only a handful of GM synths that sound good. When we talk about the VSC, the Coyote Wavetable, the Ketron, those are all GM synths. The VSC and Wavetable sound like crap imho but they're enough to get you started. What I'm talking about is way more complex than that.
If you're going to be that picky about your sound quality be prepared for a long and expensive process to get all the pieces together and also be prepared to spend a consderable amount of time learning it. Most of us came to realize all that is just not worth it for a hobby and we became willing to compromise. The Ketron, the Roland Sonic Cell or SD-50, Sampletank with the GM Omnisynth, a few others are good GM compromises for the money.
Just a little heads up.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
There are other flutes on Upper Banks of the SD2 that are not so airy sounding, as well.
Likely evaluating the sound of only the GM bank here, not realizing that.
However, being an avid owner/user of SD2 for quite some time now, I would have to say that its sounds are geared more towards more modern music genres than the standard modern classical or orchestral sound.
The "right" instrument sound from *any* MIDI synth or sampler, hardware or software, is a very subjective thing, as it turns out. NONE are correct, actually, as none can be, due to technical limitations within the MIDI standard.
Looking back on more than twenty years of working with MIDI devices of all kinds in the studio, there are two issues that I've noticed:
*Any MIDI synth solution can start to sound better to us over time and use. This is because of the marvelous filter tha exists between the ears, I think. It is also a factor to guard against somewhat, if you are involved in making product - We must remember that other ears are not likely to have familiarized with the sound of the chosen patch.
*NONE of them can sound like the actual instrument really sounds. I like to keep in mind that the use of MIDI can only create an *approximation* of the real instrument and that we, as MIDIOTS, must strive to create the *ILLUSION* of live players when using MIDI.
Those are my two basic ground rules and time and experience have shown me that attem;pts to break them can only yield frustration. So instead of trying to force these tools to do it all, or continuing the search for the nonexistant "perfect" sounding MIDI solution(s), which are not very likely to happen given the lack of parameters in the MIDI standard, my goal is to work with what the thing *CAN* do that is as close to being acceptable as possible.
If you absolutely must have your production sound like real live trained musicians are playing - you must still hire real live trained musicians.
That said, the advent of pgmusic RealTracks and RealDrums can go a long way towards helping you create illusions. When these tools were first introduced, during the first beta test of the Real instruments, many of us commented on how well the addition of even one RealInstrument somehow made the sound of the MIDI patches sound more believable. That's a plus.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
Amen to Mac's comments.
Plus in my experience, you play the piece with the 'too airy' flute to a non flute player, and to a non musician and you'll get good reactions.
But:
To the trombone player the trombone patches are bad.
To the oboe player the oboes suck.
To the piano player the thing is wrong, dead wrong.
To the graduate of a 4 year Honours Music program almost all the orchestral instruments are just garbage. (My wife speaking there.)
To the guitar player they want a whaa whaa pedal effect on a tube amp with different gauge strings and a drop x tuning with a slight stairwell reverb played like Santana on the recording of..well you get my drift.
At the end of the day, standard GM sounds, even from an 8000 dollar synth are, what they are.
John Conley
Musica est vita
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 618
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 618 |
Hi Trax,
I'm trying to use the qwerty. That's a very cool feature.
Does it only work with ASIO? I'm using MME.
Wayne,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- 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
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,598
Posts793,847
Members39,919
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean