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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I have a tune with a chord in it that is not quite right. So I went into Chord Builder to try a few alternatives.
Example - I set up C5b in Chord Builder, unchecked the "enter chord when ticked" cos I just want to HEAR it, and pressed "Play". Nothing!! It says I will hear it in the voicing of whatever I have in the "Piano" track, which as it happens is Orchestral Strings midi but I only get silence.
Am I missing a step?
cheers
ian
Last edited by sixchannel; 12/18/13 03:38 PM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Hi Ian,
Try clicking on the "Play" button at the bottom of the window. For what it's worth, I always have the "enter chord when ticked" checked.
Regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Chord Builder uses default MIDI synth to sound the notes.
Go to Options-> MIDI/Audio setup... window and make sure that the Microsoft Synth is highlighted on RH pane regardless of the "Use DXi" setting.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Ho Noel - yes, I hit Play after I set up the chord. Hi Mac - this is what I see. That is how it has always been set.  cheers ian
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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UPDATE - have now loaded several existing BIAB songs I have done, and opened a new one to check this - no matter whether its a midi based OR an RT based one I am working on, the Chord Builder does NOT play the chord, even if I specially choose a style that has midi Piano as a default, as that supposedly is the playback mechanism.
Nothing heard. HOWEVER, if I use Chord Builder to change the chord on the screen and press "generate and play" the chord I have subbed does play fine.
My thought is that it cant be the midi output driver if it works in one sense and not the other.
Have I discovered a bug?
AND - reading between the lines, does Chord Builder NOT WORK at all if the Style chosen is ALL RT as there will be no midi piano in the style to play the chord??
Ian
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I am not at my BIAB computer right now but I seem to recall having this issue and I believe that unchecking the Use VST/DXi Synth checkbox will make it work (with the Microsoft Synth still selected)...
Last edited by Ed J.; 12/18/13 12:57 PM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Hi Ed
tried that - Silence !
cheers
ian
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Doh! What happens if you load one of your midi songs and try to play (generate) it with the "Use VST/DXi Synth" checkbox unchecked? Does the Microsoft Synth make sound? The reason I'm asking this is because the Windows sound mixer might possibly have the midi volume level muted but when you are using the VST/DXi Synth you wouldn't know it.
Ed
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Ed has a good idea.
DoubleClick your little speaker icon to bring up the pLayback mixer and turn all faders up to see if that's the problem.
Might be one labeled "SW Synth" in there, if so, that's the one. Also make sure the Mute is not checked there.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Hi Ed and Mac
If I load a midi only tune and uncheck the Vsti box, I get nothing at all. Re-checking the box and all plays Ok again.
Mac - I know its a dumb question (sorry) but where do I go looking for this "Speaker" icon?
And why would the chord play if I use Chord Builder to load in the chord and NOT when I ask it to play it beforehand. Surely it uses the same route. And, OK, I won't call you Shirley again!!
cheers
ian
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Spkr icon locate4d in the taskbar by the clock.
This is part of your windows system, not bb.
Hearing the chord inside the chord builder and Playing the chord that the Chord Builder places on the Chordsheet are two different things.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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One way....probably the hard way...is to go into Control Panel and click on Hardware & Sound. (Win7...it may be called something different in XP or 8.
On some puters...mine...there is a speaker icon on whatever that bar is called across the bottom of the monitor screen.
(-:
Edit: HA! MAC beat me. But if you don't see the speaker icon go into Control Panel.
(-:
Last edited by av84fun; 12/18/13 02:13 PM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Apprentice
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Hi Ian,
Try what Mac and av84fun said. If I understand the processing correctly, the chord builder does not use the VST/DXi but playing the chord that the Chord Builder places on the Chordsheet does use the VST/DXi. So the fact that you get no sound with VST/DXi unchecked means that currently selected driver is not working or the volume is turned down on it. I noticed from your screen shot that you also have a Creative SW Synth installed...you might want to select that one to see what happens...
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Spkr icon locate4d in the taskbar by the clock.
This is part of your windows system, not bb.
Hearing the chord inside the chord builder and Playing the chord that the Chord Builder places on the Chordsheet are two different things.
--Mac OK. SORTED!!! You know in all these years I have never knowingly used that icon - perhaps cos I've not got a midi keyboard. The Chord Builder plays just fine now. Happy Bunny Many thanks guys!
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