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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 791
PG Music Staff
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OP
PG Music Staff
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 791 |
RAX 2.1.2 (demo version) can be downloaded from: http://www.versiontracker.com/php/dlpage...2FRax_v1254.dmgGet some free VSTi’s: http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/freeware/mac/------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Here are some basic steps. Note that these instructions may vary if you are using different versions of Band-in-a-Box and RAX. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Open Band-in-a-Box 2. Click on MIDI | ** Select MIDI Driver or Apple DLS Synth… 3. Select ‘MasOS X CoreMIDI’ and click [OK] 4. Set the Bass output to ‘Rax 1’ and click [<-- Set all ports to this] 5. Click [ok] --------------------------- Now you can set up RAX --------------------------- 1. Open RAX. 2. In the ‘Instruments’ section at the bottom, click on ‘add instrument’ 3. You can go to ‘Apple’ and choose ‘DLSMusicDevice’ or a different section to add a VSTi(any installed VSTi’s should be listed under the name of the company that makes them) 4. For each instrument, set the channel number on the far right below ‘MIDI’ (the channel to receive MIDI from – set it to ‘Any’ if you want it to receive from more than one channel) 5. If you need to change which channels Band-in-a-Box outputs on, click on MIDI | MIDI Settings…
Blake
PG Music Inc.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 404
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 404 |
Just wanted to add that with the above procedure it's necessary to open RAX *before* BiaB. Otherwise BiaB wouldn't see the 'Rax 1' port. Generally I'd suggest using IAC as virtual MIDI port to avoid any launch order dependency.
PS. I believe that RAX supports only AU (Audio Unit) plugins, not VST.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5 |
Hi, The previous discussion: How do you set up a Software Synth for Biab in Mac OS Leopard? Has moved here. If you want to get some of the background for this, check out the URL posted here - How do you set up a Software Synth for Biab in Mac OS Leopard? Basically there's one answer. Until PG Music develops a way, there is a program called RAX. But have you ever read all the demands people are making on the PG Music crew? Ouch! So I'm not going to ask for it. Blake sent instructions in his previous post in the OP - Thanks Blake! I followed the instructions, and noticed only one thing missing. If you're starting from scratch, you have to start RAX first. Like Fred B said. Although the manual - such as it is - is full of talk about AU, I believe, for the short time I had it 'half working' it was reading a VST file. I knew I was connecting Biab to RAX, and was hearing a heavily distorted UVI Workstation (software synth). So, I was on the right track. I started making sure the channels agreed in all 3 programs, but Rax crashed. It had to be force quit, but left the rest of the computer running. I saved the changes in Rax, and, shut down my computer, and opened from the file with those changes, and it crashed immediately. I decided to go back to a blank Rax interface, and build again, but it crashed. Every time I saved changes, and it crashed, they were unusable. It has been a long long time since I encountered a program that crashed as much as RAX, and, unfortunately, they're the only game in town to do what I want to do. Now this one is really strange - I trashed every file that had anything to do with Rax, emptied my trash, restarted, downloaded Rax again from the developer's website. I installed it, and restarted my computer, and, Voila there was a whole new interface. I think it just went online in the last couple days. Now, it didn't seem to want to work the same way the old one did, and there may be things in the demo mode that aren't possible in licensed mode, but I couldn't browse for UVI Workstation, and have the samples show up in the main interface of RAX. I spent nearly all day working on this, and sent crash reports to the developers when it seemed appropriate. If they have anything to add, I'll let you know about it. In the meantime, I'm going to dismantle the hard drive, figure where Biab is stored, and solder a wire there, and run it to RAX, and another to my soft synth. I think that will work, don't you? My hands are a little shaky when soldering, maybe one of you would like to try first? Thanks - JB
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 791
PG Music Staff
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OP
PG Music Staff
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 791 |
I assume you mean 'soldering' metaphorically.
"all 3 programs" - which is the third program? If it is a software synth, it may be possible to load this in another slot in RAX. Then you would just have 2 programs running.
Blake
PG Music Inc.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,199
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,199 |
RAX was purchased by Audiofile Engineering in 2007, which makes an excellent editing program called Wave Editor. Version 2 of RAX is on the VersionTracker link that Blake provided. If you go to the AE website support page you can download a release candidate beta for version 3. The have revamped the interface, so that is probably why things looked different and why some features are not supported yet.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5 |
Quote:
I assume you mean 'soldering' metaphorically.
Well, it's not technically a metaphor. I just wanted to give you a ridiculous picture of someone soldering wires between the sectors on the hard drive so the programs could communicate with each other. Because they certainly are not communicating now. But no big deal really. Band in a Box would be a much faster way for me to hear the sounds in MachFive, UVIWorkstation, etc., than playing them myself as I don't play keyboards well. I have a Midi guitar, but actually use it rarely.
Quote:
"all 3 programs" - which is the third program? If it is a software synth, it may be possible to load this in another slot in RAX. Then you would just have 2 programs running.
Three meaning, Biab to Rax to UVIWorkstation. The only way I know of getting Biab to access better sounds than AppleDLS. During my many failed attempts I tried to see if Rax could see the libraries directly, but it couldn't as they were grayed out. The few seconds I got it working the UVIWorkstation program was selected in Rax, then from there I could browse the file.
Because I sent them a bug report I received an email from Rax - Audiofile Engineering, (In summary) they said,
"... there are known issues regarding Rax 3 Release Candidate 6 and Band-in-a-Box.
We'll be working with PG Music to resolve these issues prior to Rax 3's release.
Furthermore, we'll only be working on resolving issues open in Rax 3. Rax 2 is end-of-life software, and we will not issue any bug fix updates."
"... I've already exchanged NFRs with PG Music, and the next step is to work with them to resolve this issue."
So, I think, for the time being, if I want to hear better quality sounds I won't be using Rax and any softsynths. Fortunately, Biab already sounds much better since the Biab 2009 release, and anything I really care about working on I can import into Digital Performer, and access the softsynths from there.
So, thanks for all the help. I guess for now it's a dead issue until Rax creates a working version 3.
Thanks - JB
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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.
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Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
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- 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)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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- 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 PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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