|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
PowerTracks Pro Audio
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 29
Enthusiast
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 29 |
Hello, Could anyone tell me how to integrate my Roland GR55 with Powertracks Pro Audio 2015 please. I'd also be obliged for information on the best orchestral VST to use.
Best regards.
Ken
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PowerTracks Pro Audio
|
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,494
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,494 |
First welcome! As far as "integration" the answer sort of depends on how much PC DAW experience you have? The fact you are asking makes me think you don't have much (MIDI or computer audio experience)? What exactly do you want to know: is it just how to connect to PC and use it PowerTracks, or how to use MIDI, or how to record audio out of GR55 - all of the above?? I don't have a GR55 (I have MUCH older GR-50 plus tons of other "stuff") but doing a quick look at GR55 manual with respect to DAW use (i.e., PowerTracks) you can input MIDI to Powertracks (BUT NOT vice versa) via USB as well as audio over same USB to PT. So to keep it simple, and especially if you have no other external MIDI or even audio gear (at least for now), I'd suggest using the USB connection to PC for both GR55 MIDI (to trigger PC software VSTi/DXi's, record your MIDI note playing, or both) and to bring in audio from FROM G55 to PC. But up to you to read the GR55 manual to learn what has to be done to get GR55 to first work with your PC. The GR55 USB may be "plug and play" or it may need you to install a Roland USB driver (old military axiom, paraphrased: RTFM). A very fast look at Roland site, GR55 seems to have (ASIO and USB) drivers for GR55 - so I suggest you use them and make sure it's the one for your OS. As far as "best" orch VSTi - that's open ended - It's akin to the question: "What's the best guitar?" Define your use for an orchestra VSTi's (a full scored classical symphony, some chamber music, movie sound track, a few violins for a pop song backing track?) and your budget - you'll get more help for folks here. But to START (and this is all subjective and just MY opinion): Cheapest over-all for a FULL/ complete orch is PROBABLY (not necessarily) Miroslav Philharmonik, WHEN ON SALE (usually a few times a year) can be had for ~$79. ( I have it, I use it, I mix it with OTHER LIBS) http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/philharmonik/Next up in price, and some would say sound, is probably Garritan Personal Orchestra 4 (~$129 for sale right here at PG music!) (not to be confused with Garritan POCKET orchestra (not nearly as good) that comes with Cakewalk's Dimension Pro) (again I HAVE it, I USE it, I MIX it with other libs - both GPO4 and Dim Pro with lots of add-ons) (you can hear some sounds here - http://www.garritan.com/products/personal-orchestra-4/ ) I JUST stumbled onto this sale while looking these up for you, but seems like Kirk Hunter's Diamond Orchestra is on sale right now for $150 (usually $300) - BUT IT REQUIRES YOU to HAVE the full Kontakt (at least version 4), not the free player. So if you don’t own Kontakt that's going to be another $400 . (since I JUST found out it's on sale I WILL NOW HAVE TO GO BUY IT  ) http://www.kirkhunterstudios.com/audiodemos_diamond.htmlThen there is Kontakt 5 (full version $399) it has some good/basic orch sounds and depending on your needs - it may be sufficient? Maybe you need more Kontakt add-ins (like the KH Diamond above - but that can get expensive - those libs add up fast) . (again I have it, I use it, etc. ) Moving up $$ scale there is East-West stuff like Quantum Leap or Vienna Symphonic Lib. (these both require a dongle - dongle "copy protection" can be a PITA) (I now refuse to use anything that requires a dongle or PACE style protection) And on, on. Do some Googling homework right here, also look over at KVR and Cakewalk forums - lots of Orch. sample libs with wide price ranges (almost free, cheap, moderate, up to needing first born as collateral) and more opinions on goodness/badness than there are actual posters of those opinions  Good luck Larry
Last edited by Larry Kehl; 03/27/15 12:51 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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PowerTracks Pro Audio
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 29
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 29 |
Thanks Larry, your information is really useful. I've just acquired the GR55 along with a Brian Moore iGuitar to drive it. I'm doing a lot of Orchestral work and have just bought Garritan PO from PG. My BIAB and PT were way out of date and I've just upgraded and am a bit like a fish out of water... Looking for a video tutorial now to see how to register Garritan with Powertracks, BIAB, Real Band and PT.
Any info on the aforesaid would be very welcome.
Best regards.
Ken
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PowerTracks Pro Audio
|
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,494
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,494 |
To get started - some suggestions (this is how I would approach it others might have different/better ideas) 1. Don't try an learn how to record either audio or MIDI in BIAB (for now), stay with PowerTracks or RealBand (which IS PowerTracks with a lot of BIAB integration built-in). Learning to record MIDI and ESPECIALLY audio will go faster and be more intuitive in PT, or RB, (assuming you ever used a tape deck or similar device) then in BIAB. You can learn "how to" in BIAB LATTER. 2. I think you'll be happy with Garritan's Personal Orch. I like it, but it has a few quirks (e.g., it uses mod wheel to control volume) so do some searches here on that subject (ARIA, GPO and GPO 4, mod wheel). I can't find it right now but there is/was whole thread on "how to" work with Garrtian (ARAI player) - maybe someone else will see this and remember that topic/thread But this tutorial should get you going using GPO in RB/PT and BIAB http://www.pgmusic.com/tutorial_garritan.htmanother thread worth "filing away" with respect to Garritan http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=232803&Searchpage=7&Main=33348&Words=garritan+mod+wheel+ARIA&Search=true#Post2328033. To learn the in's and out's of using the GR55 with a PC I would use the K.I.S.S. principle and not try to use every function of the GR55 at same time I'm trying to learn RealBand, BIAB, PT, and GPO so… a. Really take the time to LEARN the GR55 separate (sans) from PC. b. For AUDIO, and especially AUDIO generation by the PC of incoming MIDI data , do some homework and understand MME, WDM and ASIO (when you want to hear in real-time, or near real-time the input MIDI notes (from GR55) triggering your Garritan or other VSTi and it seems to take a very noticeable amount of time to for sound to be heard, or no sound is heard, you'll be glad you know this info) c. Learn to use RB or PT to play back existing BIAB songs that have MIDI, or simply MIDI only songs, to learn how to USE VSTi's and generate AUDIO. Which means learn PT/RB and BIAB http://www.pgmusic.com/videos.bbwin.htmd. If you have simple microphone learn how to record AUDIO (like singing) along with a MIDI song playing in PT or RB. Then once you got the ins and outs of HOW to record audio, and also use VSTi/DXi plug-ins to generate sound from MIDI data, THEN try it with the AUDIO from the GR-55. e. This probably should be step d but …. Recording MIDI data from GR55 SHOULD be fairly straight forward - once you know the GR-55, and how to set its outgoing MIDI channels and data, and how to use PT/RB to record MIDI data (on that one you need to read the HELP files and see some FAQs and tutorials. http://www.pgmusic.com/techfaq36.htm
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PowerTracks Pro Audio
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 29
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 29 |
Thanks Larry, got my head down trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong with Garritan. I might add that I've been using BIAB for a lot of years, although I've only recently upgraded to 2015 and 2015 is a whole lot different from the versions I have been using... I have got a handle on the GR55 and I'm moving forward with it...
Best regards.
Ken.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: 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.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 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.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!
We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!
Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:
Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, 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, and more!
Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums58
Topics84,623
Posts781,888
Members39,704
| |
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