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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Mar 2008
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Posts: 791
RAX 2.1.2 (demo version) can be downloaded from:
http://www.versiontracker.com/php/dlpage...2FRax_v1254.dmg

Get some free VSTi’s:
http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/freeware/mac/

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Here are some basic steps. Note that these instructions may vary if you are using different versions of Band-in-a-Box and RAX.
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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

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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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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.


Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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J
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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

Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 791
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
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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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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.


Fred Grittner
2020 iMac, Sequoia 15.5, Logic Pro
https://fredgrittner.bandcamp.com
Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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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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Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe

This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.

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You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!

Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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 10 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.

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Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!

Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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.

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