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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 225
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I just installed BIAB 2013, and haven't yet tried it.
In the printed "New Features Guide", page 9, it is stated: (some words about SampleTank, followed by))....."These Hi-Q sounds make the MIDI tracks sound much better".
Of course the question there is "much better than what"?
I assume ST sounds better than the Microsoft Synth (made by Roland), the default General MIDI softsynth that comes with Windows.
However, if one has another General MIDI softsynth such as Cakewalk TTS-1, Roland Hyoercanvas (I think about the same as TTS-1), Coyote Forte (not referring to Coyote Wavetable), or even Roland VSC-55, would the "Hi-Q" Sampletank that comes with BIAB 2013 sound better than all, some, or none of those?
Thanks in advance.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Hi maiki,
I have all of the above except VSC-55 (I have Roland VSC), and SampleTank sounds significantly better than all of them. As I understand, SampleTank technology is based on actual instrumental audio recordings (samples) as opposed to a synthesiser such as TTS-1 that aims to reproduce instrumental sounds by electronic processes.
I was so impressed with SampleTank that I went ahead and purchased a number of the packages offered for the software by eSoundz. These packages were substantially reduced for December.
Regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Maiki, Sampletank is way better than those basic synths you mentioned even if you just use the new Hi-Q ST patches included with Biab 2013. However, IKMultimedia through eSoundz has a sale going on right now where you can buy Omnisynth 2 and other soundsets for $10 each. Omnisynth 2 is a full GM soundset plus a ton of other higher bank patches. It doesn't work in the easy "nobrainer" way that the basic GM synths you mentioned do but it's still fairly easy to figure out. Read this: http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=390854&an=0&page=1#Post390854Even if you don't understand this yet and think it may not work for you, I would spend the ten bucks and get Omnisynth 2 before the sale runs out, you can figure it out later. 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: May 2004
Posts: 225
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Hi Noel, Every single one of the softsynths I mentioned, including the default "Microsoft Synth" (by Roland) that comes with Windows, is sample-based, created from actual audio recordings as you describe Sampletank as being. TTS-1, as well as the others mentioned, is definitely based on samples, not just "electronic processes". Of course that doesn't negate the possibility that SampleTank might be better than those others. Have you done the following to test that, for example-- Play the same all-MIDI BIAB song twice in a row, once with TTS-1 as the MIDI synth, then again with Coyote Forte, then again with SampleTank, and compare how they sound? (The best way to do the test would be blind, where you didn't know which was which while listening, comparing selections 1,2, and 3, the same song performed on different synths, without knowing which is which. (That requires at least two people though--one to play the tracks, and the secnd just to listen without knowing which is which.) Quote:
Hi maiki,
I have all of the above except VSC-55 (I have Roland VSC), and SampleTank sounds significantly better than all of them. As I understand, SampleTank technology is based on actual instrumental audio recordings (samples) as opposed to a synthesiser such as TTS-1 that aims to reproduce instrumental sounds by electronic processes.
I was so impressed with SampleTank that I went ahead and purchased a number of the packages offered for the software by eSoundz. These packages were substantially reduced for December.
Regards,
Noel
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 883
Expert
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After all the talk about the ST Omnisynth 2 I went ahead & grabbed that & download the Free ST Player...and am impressed with the GM sounds. To ME, they are very "lively" in a way the other synths mentioned above are not....hard do describe the reason ATM. Plus they have some very cool additional sounds that make a nice addition to the sound collection... 
Last edited by jcspro40; 12/30/12 12:42 PM.
i5 3.20GHz, 32gb RAM, 1tb SSD OS, 12tb HDD, 4gb gForce vid card, 32" monitor, Audient id44, Win10 x64, BiaB/RB 2023, Reaper 6,IK Multimedia Total Studio 3.5 MAX, Waves 10
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Hi maiki, Why not pop over to IKMultimedia and have listen to some audio clips and judge for youself. Below are a couple of links that will help. ...link to Sampletank specifications...link to Sampletank audio clipsAll the best, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Yes Maiki all the synths mentions are sample based but like everything else in life size matters. Do you think a piano sample that is say 1MB is size will sound as good as one that 100MB in size? Some big name samplers have piano patches that by themselves are over a gig in size. The Wavetable synth that's part of your OS is tiny. Look it up in Explorer. One guitar sample in ST is bigger than that whole soundset. The Omnisynth 2 is a 1.3 GB download. Think it may sound a bit better?
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: Apr 2003
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Yup, the OmniSynth2 weighs in at 1.32gb with 996 files, but the OmniSynth GM section is only 285mb with 643 files, so the whole 1.32 gb is not for the GM set.
238mg is a good size GM set, adds almost 100mb over my go-to GM Soundfont one, Fluid Release III GM at 144.8mb. I have been playing around with ST / Omni combo today, comparing it to Fluid, and in almost every instance I like the Omni one better. Compared with the MS, VSC, TTS-1 and Coyote Forte, it is definitely well ahead of the pack.
The surprising thing is that the ST/Omni combo is less of a hit on my CPU than the Fluid/SFZ player or Fluid/Dimension combos.
Well worth the $10, an I wish I had another $40 or so to grab some more of those deals. I think the sounds are totally usable, and not as "old & dated" as a lot of other forums lead you to believe.
i5 3.20GHz, 32gb RAM, 1tb SSD OS, 12tb HDD, 4gb gForce vid card, 32" monitor, Audient id44, Win10 x64, BiaB/RB 2023, Reaper 6,IK Multimedia Total Studio 3.5 MAX, Waves 10
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,494
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Like Noel and others here, I have TTS-1, Coyote Forte (the $40 one), and a few you didn't mention. I've been playing with Omnisynth2 all day and drum roll...
Bottom-line the $10 (before midnight today) is a no brainer it is a very good GM set!
(I also picked up almost of the $10 packs just because…)
good luck and Happy New Year!
Larry
Last edited by Larry Kehl; 12/31/12 04:56 PM.
Win10Pro,i9,64GB,2TBSSD+20TBHDDs,1080TI,BIAB'24,Scarlett18i8,Montage7,Fusion 8HD,QS8,Integra7,XV5080,QSR,SC-8850,SPLAT,FL21&others,Komp.14,IK suite&others, just a guitar player-AXE FX III &FM9T, FishmanTP, MIDIGuitar2, GK2/3'sw/GI20
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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just to check it looks like at least for today (as of 0900 MST) the $10 sale is still for Omnisynth2 and most of the other Sampletank add-ons http://www.esoundz.com/details.php?ProductID=4736(standard disclaimer: I have nothing to do personally or financially with IK, or esoundz, etc.) Larry
Win10Pro,i9,64GB,2TBSSD+20TBHDDs,1080TI,BIAB'24,Scarlett18i8,Montage7,Fusion 8HD,QS8,Integra7,XV5080,QSR,SC-8850,SPLAT,FL21&others,Komp.14,IK suite&others, just a guitar player-AXE FX III &FM9T, FishmanTP, MIDIGuitar2, GK2/3'sw/GI20
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Just in case someone still really wanted to try out the Omnnisyth 2 Gm set.
I, and probably most folks here, just got email from eSoundz - they are extending their sale until the 7th - so all the $50 Sampletank "retanks" and libs. are still only $10 including the Omnisynth 2.
Same thing happen to me at Cakewalk - they had given us users a $20 coupon I wasn't paying attention to for holidays and they expanded it so I used it yesterday for a Z3ta+ pack
again just FYI
Win10Pro,i9,64GB,2TBSSD+20TBHDDs,1080TI,BIAB'24,Scarlett18i8,Montage7,Fusion 8HD,QS8,Integra7,XV5080,QSR,SC-8850,SPLAT,FL21&others,Komp.14,IK suite&others, just a guitar player-AXE FX III &FM9T, FishmanTP, MIDIGuitar2, GK2/3'sw/GI20
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New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
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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These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
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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
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- 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
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- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
- 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,
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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!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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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