|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 273
Apprentice
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 273 |
I have a digital piano (Yamaha DGX640) and I have BIAB software on my laptop. Other than enabling BIAB-generated sounds to play thru the Yamaha keyboard's speakers, are there any other reasons for connecting the two via MIDI? Wouldn't it be just as good to play BIAB songs thru the laptop (with external speakers) and to just play along on the Keyboard independently?
I'm not trying to be difficult or a troll, but I'm not sure I see any other reason to connect the two (laptop and keyboard) except for playing BIAB sounds thru the keyboard. Perhaps I'm missing other reasons to connect the two?
Thanks!
Kawai VPC1 MIDI Controller; Asus A53E Laptop running Windows 7 - 64 bit; BIAB 2017 UltraPlusPak (upgraded from 2014 EverythingPak), running from Laptop's Hard Drive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 392
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 392 |
Quote:
I have a digital piano (Yamaha DGX640) and I have BIAB software on my laptop. Other than enabling BIAB-generated sounds to play thru the Yamaha keyboard's speakers, are there any other reasons for connecting the two via MIDI? Wouldn't it be just as good to play BIAB songs thru the laptop (with external speakers) and to just play along on the Keyboard independently?
I'm not trying to be difficult or a troll, but I'm not sure I see any other reason to connect the two (laptop and keyboard) except for playing BIAB sounds thru the keyboard. Perhaps I'm missing other reasons to connect the two?
Thanks!
This will have to do until others...who actually know what they are talking about...chime in.
You ask for a reason "except for playing BIAB sounds thru the keyboard" but I think that's a big reason. I would imagine that the output of BIAB music through your digital keyboard would be significantly superior to the same sounds playing through you laptop sound card...even plugged into quality external speakers.
Lots of folks pay serious money for an external "midi box" which...unless I am mistaken yet again...is the purpose that your keyboard serves and probably at least as good if not better than all but the most expensive external midi hardware interfaces.
Best,
Jim
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,715
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,715 |
If you can play MIDI sounds on BiaB from your laptop, there is no reason you HAVE to connect your keyboard. There is a parallel argument about whether one needs MIDI at all if you're using RealTracks...
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
StudioCat DAW dual screen
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
The MIDI synth in your yamaha keyboard has some really good sounds in it. Not only that, use of the hardware MIDI synth inside the keyboard allows near zero latency at all times, something unobtainable when using software MIDI synths. This is likely of importance only if you are recording your keyboard playing in realtime. The luscious sounds inside that keyboard are reason enough, though, you have them and might as well make use of them. Connecting the MIDI to the computer and selecting the proper Input and Output to send what BB plays as MIDI to that keyboard's internal synth is a different world of sound from using internal software synthesizers for MIDI.
Looking at the Yamaha DGX640's .pdf manual, available on the yamaha instruments website, I see that all you need is a single USB cable to attach this keyboard to the computer. You must install the USB drivers that are provided on the CD that shipped with the keyboard. If that's lost, it likely can be downloaded from the yamaha support site.
There are about 500 different MIDI voices in your piano, and 11 MIDI percussion banks. You will likely want to have a Patchmap to drop into the BB folder and select inside BB so that you can access all those by name using the + button to the right of the standard GM patches already listed in the dropdown. Check the PGMusic Support Pages, under Patchmaps to see if someone has already written and posted one to download. If you don't see one for your 640, don't despair, there's a wizard inside BB that can convert a Cakewalk .ins file to a bb patchmap with a single mouse button push. Websearch engine should bring up a cakewalk .ins file for this popular instrument.
Other than that, there's no hard pat reason to have to hook it up to the computer if all your needs are just to be able to play piano along with Band in a Box.
Have Fun,
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 273
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 273 |
Quote:
.....There are about 500 different MIDI voices in your piano, and 11 MIDI percussion banks. You will likely want to have a Patchmap to drop into the BB folder and select inside BB so that you can access all those by name using the + button to the right of the standard GM patches already listed in the dropdown. Check the PGMusic Support Pages, under Patchmaps to see if someone has already written and posted one to download. If you don't see one for your 640, don't despair, there's a wizard inside BB that can convert a Cakewalk .ins file to a bb patchmap with a single mouse button push. Websearch engine should bring up a cakewalk .ins file for this popular instrument.
Other than that, there's no hard pat reason to have to hook it up to the computer if all your needs are just to be able to play piano along with Band in a Box.
Have Fun,
--Mac
Thanks to everyone for your responses. I already have the laptop connected to the keyboard via USB cable and the USB-MIDI driver has been installed. Not sure whether MIDI is set-up correctly in BIAB to have it play thru the keyboard though. Does anyone know the exact settings to use for that? (Sorry for the newbie question....)
Also, I just checked the Support files here and didn't find a patchmap for my keyboard. Googling for a cakewalk.ins file came up empty as well. So how critical is it to have/use a specific patchmap for your keyboard? (This is all very new to me....)
Thanks again!
Last edited by newbert; 01/20/13 08:25 PM.
Kawai VPC1 MIDI Controller; Asus A53E Laptop running Windows 7 - 64 bit; BIAB 2017 UltraPlusPak (upgraded from 2014 EverythingPak), running from Laptop's Hard Drive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
To start out, you could just use the first 128 voices, which correspond to the GM bank most likely.
To see if that's the case, go to Options->MIDI/Audio inside BB.
In the window that opens will be two smaller windows.
LH side is where you should see the INPUT from your keyboard. Click that to highlight it.
RH side is where you should see the OUTPUT from bb to keyboard, click that to highlight as well.
UNcheck the 'Use DXi" button, say Okay to close that window, then load a BB song that uses MIDI in the style and hit Play, see if the MIDI is now being played by the keyboard.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
Perhaps Luddites prefer it. The basis is the same on most keyboards to an extent. I have made it redundant, I use RealTracks.
John Conley
Musica est vita
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 273
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 273 |
Quote:
To start out, you could just use the first 128 voices, which correspond to the GM bank most likely.
To see if that's the case, go to Options->MIDI/Audio inside BB.
In the window that opens will be two smaller windows.
LH side is where you should see the INPUT from your keyboard. Click that to highlight it.
RH side is where you should see the OUTPUT from bb to keyboard, click that to highlight as well.
UNcheck the 'Use DXi" button, say Okay to close that window, then load a BB song that uses MIDI in the style and hit Play, see if the MIDI is now being played by the keyboard.
--Mac
Thanks for the tips on setting up the MIDI, Mac. Works great.
Kawai VPC1 MIDI Controller; Asus A53E Laptop running Windows 7 - 64 bit; BIAB 2017 UltraPlusPak (upgraded from 2014 EverythingPak), running from Laptop's Hard Drive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 273
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 273 |
Quote:
Perhaps Luddites prefer it. The basis is the same on most keyboards to an extent. I have made it redundant, I use RealTracks.
....Which begs a (probably basic) question..... Is it only MIDI sounds that transfer to the keyboard thru the MIDI connection? If so, I assume that the only way to play along with Realtracks, and use headphones to hear both the Realtracks and my playing on the keyboard, would be to use a mixer?
Thanks.
Kawai VPC1 MIDI Controller; Asus A53E Laptop running Windows 7 - 64 bit; BIAB 2017 UltraPlusPak (upgraded from 2014 EverythingPak), running from Laptop's Hard Drive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,217
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,217 |
.
The so-called 'first 128' sounds are not the best sounds in your Yamaha. The 'first 128' are a set of standard instruments that make up a protocol called General Midi, or GM. The good thing about them is that they are standard, not that they are outstanding.
The patchmaps will enable you to tell BiaB to call sounds outside of the 'first 128.' These include the ones called 'Cool' and 'Live' on your keyboard. Once you get the patchmap working the difference will be like night and day.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Quote:
....Which begs a (probably basic) question..... Is it only MIDI sounds that transfer to the keyboard thru the MIDI connection? If so, I assume that the only way to play along with Realtracks, and use headphones to hear both the Realtracks and my playing on the keyboard, would be to use a mixer?
Thanks.
A mixer can be handy, but in this case is not needed. The proper adaptor cable from the Phones/Output jack that terminates at the other end with the proper connection to fit your computer's sound device stereo Line Input jack can be used to have both any output from the piano and any output from Band in a Box, such as Realtracks and Realdrums, all come out via the computer's speaker or headphone system. If using a Laptop, may be problematic as many laptops leave out the needed Line Input, though. Investing in an aftermarket Sound Device for recording music can solve that problem nicely, picking the right one to suit your needs can also yield the mixer and microphone preamp inputs right there on the aftermarket USB sound device's panel as well.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 273
Apprentice
|
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 273 |
Quote:
.
The so-called 'first 128' sounds are not the best sounds in your Yamaha. The 'first 128' are a set of standard instruments that make up a protocol called General Midi, or GM. The good thing about them is that they are standard, not that they are outstanding.
The patchmaps will enable you to tell BiaB to call sounds outside of the 'first 128.' These include the ones called 'Cool' and 'Live' on your keyboard. Once you get the patchmap working the difference will be like night and day.
Hey Flatfoot, I believe that you stated in another thread that you own a DGX640. Do you have a link to a patchmap for it? I'm coming up empty so far.....
Thanks!
Kawai VPC1 MIDI Controller; Asus A53E Laptop running Windows 7 - 64 bit; BIAB 2017 UltraPlusPak (upgraded from 2014 EverythingPak), running from Laptop's Hard Drive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,434
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,434 |
Newbert, I've done a search on the internet too and cannot find a pre-built patchmap for the DGX-640's 535 voices. If FlatFoot doesn't have one available, follow these instructions and you can make one yourself pretty easily: http://www.pgmusic.com/tutorial_bbwpatchmap.htmHere is a link to a instrument definition (patchmap) for a Yamaha GDX-630...not sure how close that would be, but perhaps you could modify it or use it as a template: http://www.jososoft.dk/yamaha/ins_files.htm .
Win11, Intel i7 7700K 4.2Ghz, 32Gb RAM, 2x1Tb HD, 500Gb NVMe, BIAB/RB 2025, MOTU 828MK3 audio, MOTU Midi Express, Yamaha Montage 7, DX7II, TX802, Motif XS Rack, Roland Fantom XR Rack, Oberheim Matrix 1000, VoiceLive3 Extreme, Kontakt 6, SampleTank 4.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,385
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,385 |
Quote:
Perhaps Luddites prefer it. The basis is the same on most keyboards to an extent. I have made it redundant, I use RealTracks.
I have to jump in here. If you call the top recording studios in LA, New York and Nashville Luddites, perhaps you are correct. MIDI is 30 years old, and according to Alan Parsons and quoted by Craig Anderton in EM Magazine, MIDI has become embedded in the DNA of every pop music production since then.
I like the RealTracks and have some fun using them. When they work, they are great. But there are still quite a few editing functions in MIDI that can be used to customize or improve a song that are impossible with the RealTracks. And if you have good MIDI synthesizers, the sound is almost as good as the RTs (yes even the GM bank of a high quality synth).
So I'm using a combination now. RTs for the tracks that don't need editing and MIDI tracks for those that do. I dump all my BiaB projects to DAW software where I can combine the best of both, change whatever I want, and add anything that BiaB doesn't provide. If my artistic judgement and skills are used well, the final product should be something that I couldn't have done without BiaB, but is better than what BiaB alone can provide.
MIDI is a tool, and like any tool, it has it's place in your tool box. Furthermore, it is a very versatile and still relevant tool and will probably be embedded in the DNA of virtually every pop song for years to come.
Just because I have a new tool, and enjoy the new tool, still using the old tool where it is appropriate does not make one a Luddite.
OK, I'm off my soapbox now.
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,505
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,505 |
To add to Notes point, midi is as good as the effort , and synth quality you insert with it. There are time that RTs rock the song, and times i can't find a single one to fit in with the tracks i have. While working in an original song i might be able to use a set of RTs or a mixed bunch either way, and nail it. But when working on a cover tune, if I want to get the original feeling of the song, like signature licks, or grooves, midi is the tool set of choice. I might add one or two RTs to give the song a newer flavor, but midi is still the pony you want to ride.
Right now i use sampletank, Rolands TTS, and Jamstix to fire up the midi a bit. I hope to add a hardware synth at some point, but who knows maybe Kontact or something like that. The very fact PG came out with super midi tracks let's us know Midi is not dead, it is still very valuable. The ability to edit will always make midi a cool thing.
One very good example is with backing ohhs and ahhs in a midi track. open one up and play it and you go hhhmmm that really sucks most of the time out of the box, but open that track in the piano roll, and work for a while with the notes lengths, and see how it can slowly smooth out and actually blend into the song. use a better set of voice patches, and next thing you know it sound like a full set of background singers backing you up.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB 2025, Realband, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 9 32c , Melodyne 5 editor, Presonus Audiobox 1818VSL, Presonus control app.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,693
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,693 |
The argument about whether or not Real Tracks are sufficient by themselves or whether or not midi is "dead" all boils down to the individual user. This is a worldwide forum and there are people who use this software who are coming from all kinds of different perspectives. The range goes from someone with minimal musical knowledge and ability to to true pro level players. Then there's the computer pro angle. Some limited musicians are pro computer types while some top pro players know squat about computers and digital audio recording.
All this makes trying to answer a broad question about midi very difficult because in a forum like this we can't tell who the poster really is, where they are in terms of musical ability and equally important, computer ability.
For myself, I'm basically a mid level pro player and now after about 10 years of working with digital audio maybe a mid level computer guy. When the Real Tracks came out a few years ago I was absolutely thrilled with them. They sound great and yes, many times they're all I use for routine things like jamming and practicing. I want to work on soloing over Green Dolphin Street for example, I have it all set up using all RT's and it sounds great but it doesn't sound like any of the many commercial versions of that tune. RT's are generic backing tracks in various styles. That's good enough for quick jamming but I also have a couple of very good Biab midi style files too that have some very good arranging elements in them that cannot be duplicated with the RT's. Only midi can do that but then I have to set them up to play using better midi synths than just the basic GM Forte Dxi or my Roland TTS-1. It takes some time to set those up while the RT's simply play with one mouse click.
Since I'm a good player and do these tunes live with jazz groups anyway I'm not so concerned with getting the arrangement perfect at home for jamming along with so most of the time the RT's are good enough. I can tell that the really nice elements of any particular song are missing but I don't care, I get to play along with those when I'm doing a gig with other good players anyway.
But this is just for me. Other people who don't do a lot of gigs maybe do want to have complete arrangements of their tunes and for that the RT's are not good enough because you can't edit them to give you melody lines, certain song specific licks and other things. For those you need midi tracks and like Notes said lots of times the best overall sound is a combination of both.
As as far as midi in the overall music industry is concerned just look at video demos of other DAW software. Midi is huge, not just "a" part of music, no it's the biggest part of much of current song creation from pop music to movie soundtracks. Midi is far from dead, if anything it's getting bigger. I have been watching videos from Winter NAMM 2013 and the Midi Association had a booth there and the guy is talking about how Midi 2.0 is in fact being developed right now due to demand from software and music producers. There have been insider rumors about this for years but this is the first time I've seen them at a NAMM show so that tells me progress is actually being made.
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 |
Tools.
The wise user of tools does not throw away his hammers because of the introduction of the Nail Gun.
Keep your tools, all of your tools, in good working order and keep learning how to use them, for there are certain tasks that each will excel in doing and it therefore falls on each craftsperson to strive to not only understand how each tool works, but to understand the process of tool selection when confronted with a project.
The advent of a new tool does not necessarily indicate the demise of the older tool.
Those who take that stance should ask themselves why they have chosen to limit their possibilities.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,674
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,674 |
As a keyboard player, MIDI captures what I play. RealTracks doesn't do that, because it's the rendition of what someone else has already played. So, I need MIDI. Sure, I could mic and record my piano, but then I would have to deal with the other noise generated, since my piano sits in my living room, that's not optimal. So MIDI is necessary for capturing what I play, whether it be the main melody part, or just additional accompaniment, and the only way to achieve different types of sounds.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA BB2025/UMC404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/MixBus/Notion/Finale/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 280
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 280 |
MIDI or Real Tracks: it's NOT the hammer, it's HOW you use it... 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,385
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,385 |
Definitely how you use them.
When most people dis MIDI or GenMIDI it is not the fault of MIDI or GenMIDI, but the fault of the person who hasn't acquired the skills to use it and/or the synth to render it properly.
If a person hasn't learned to play drums, piano, or guitar well, it isn't the drums, piano, or guitar's fault. Like any other musical instrument, MIDI requires learning and practice to become proficient. And like any other musical instrument it requires a well built instrument to get a good sound from (your laptop's built in soft-synth will not do).
So many workmen blame the proverbial hammer.
Like everything else about PG Music, the RTs have gotten quite a bit better than they were when they started out. And I do find uses for them -- but I haven't found that they replaced the MIDI tracks at all, they have just added more choices for me.
Like the MIDI tracks, if a RT works for my particular song without editing, I just use it. However if either one doesn't quite fit, I can edit the MIDI tracks in many ways that are impossible for me to do in the RT domain. Therefore, both are useful.
I don't watch TV at all (no cable, no antenna, no digital converter) but I do watch a rented DVD from time to time. Often I like to watch the extra features on the disk (I call them BVDs because they are shorts) -- especially if they concern the music and aren't just the "Isn't everybody wonderful" reels.
I have seen a number of high-budget, major studio movies that had the sound track done entirely with MIDI synthesizers. I don't consider that obsolete. Others have used symphony orchestras. Thankfully they aren't obsolete either.
I still enjoy a symphony concert and will be attending two different concerts by the Russian National Orchestra later this month. Sometimes these world-famous touring orchestras bring MIDI synths along with them to play the parts of the instruments that are difficult or impossible to take on the road (like pipe organ, celeste, etc.).
My wind synthesizer didn't replace my saxophone, it just added to the sax-like tones I can produce. The Fender Rhodes did not replace the acoustic piano, it just added to the tones the pianist had access to. Audio loops did not replace MIDI, it just added one more thing we can use to make music.
Not that every tool should be used by everyone. I don't play trumpet, I tried but didn't want to invest the time and effort to develop the lip. I don't play oboe, I know the fingering but don't like the double reed embouchure. My brother-in-law, an excellent trumpet player doesn't use the computer for his professional music career, but he does occasionally play with other people's backing tracks.
My tool box included the computer (with audio and MIDI), wind synthesizer, sax, flute, guitar, keyboard synthesizer, bass, drums and voice. When I get more comfortable with all of these, or when something new comes along that catches my ears, I'll add something else. But I won't discard any of the others.
YMMV
Insights and incites by 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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!
Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 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 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
- 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
- Playable RealTracks Set 4
- RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
- SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
- 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 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,
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
- Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
- RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows 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 Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows 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.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
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
Join the conversation on our forum.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums58
Topics84,405
Posts778,782
Members39,649
| |
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