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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 52
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OP
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 52 |
Hello everyone! I'm not specifically asking this for myself (Though it would be interesting for future reference!) But I thought it would make for an interesting topic.
On my free time I work a lot with Cakewalk Sonar and MIDI in general. One of my friends swears by using a Nintendo Wii Remote plus a Bluetooth USB dongle to do all of his continuous controllers. He says it feels natural for him to wave his remote around since it's got a gyroscope and accelerometer. (Who wouldn't want to wave a Wii remote like a conductor's baton?) Apparently that's only available for Mac, so that's unfortunately not an option.
What are some of your favourite MIDI controllers that you've used?
Thanks,
Mathew
PG Music Inc.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Jul 2000
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Hello. I've used quite a few devices that could be classified as MIDI controllers. The first was the Frontier Design Tranzport. I even did some early work on key combinations with BIAB. Next was a Tascam FW-1884, which is both a controller and soundcard. When Windows 8 droppped FireWire support, I moved to the Behringer X-Touch that I now have.
The X-Touch uses the Mackie Control Unit protocol. I've used that unit on other systems. I have posted a Wishlist request hoping BIAB would support this standard Mackie protocol. If it did, using the mixer in BIAB would be a far better experience, including automation.
MIDI can also be controlled by software running on a tablet. I suspect this is why the old Tranzport, despite being popular, was never replaced. I use V-Control Pro running on my iPad to remote control SONAR. My iPhone even works, though with simpler controls. Once again, this system supports the Mackie CU protocol, so it could work nicely with BIAB if you could add this support.
And then, there are simple devices including keyboards and foot switches that can be set up to issue MIDI commands such as transport control or patch changes.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Jan 2002
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It was a sad day for me when my Ensoniq VFX-SD finally bit the dust. I used that for midi input from 1989-2010; a 20+ year run with one axe.
What I liked about it as a controller/input device:
Keybed feel - live with an axe for 20 years and it's like hand-in-glove.
Key-aftertouch (I didn't realize how much I used it until getting a replacement controller that didn't have key-aftertouch)
Pitch Bend and Mod wheels of the proper size and resistance (again probably something that is 20 year familiar just hard to not like)
I never mapped the sequencer transport controls on it to my DAW transport controls - not even sure if that would have worked.
I currently use a little Akai Keystation 25 for some basic transport controls. One of these days I'll go wireless in some fashion so I don't have to use 4-bar count-ins and hop from the DAW to my 'booth'.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 52
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 52 |
Hello. I've used quite a few devices that could be classified as MIDI controllers. The first was the Frontier Design Tranzport. I even did some early work on key combinations with BIAB. Next was a Tascam FW-1884, which is both a controller and soundcard. When Windows 8 droppped FireWire support, I moved to the Behringer X-Touch that I now have. Remind me not to upgrade to Windows 8. I have a ProjectMix I/O at home that will probably stop working if I do. I had a hard enough time getting it to work in Windows 7  It was a sad day for me when my Ensoniq VFX-SD finally bit the dust. I used that for midi input from 1989-2010; a 20+ year run with one axe. Aw man that's sad. Have you thought about repairing it or selling it for parts? Old synths go all the time on auction websites. I've got some old ROMplers at home that I bought off eBay that work great. Well most. I have a couple out at an electronic shop to get repaired since the capacitors in them went, causing 60Hz hum and what not. Once they're repaired they sound great! The only thing to do is fix their LCD screen now. (The back-lights go on them, and unfortunately they can be pretty costly to fix. My knowledge in electronics is bare minimum, so I wouldn't trust my soldering skills. I'll stick to hacking and wiring 1/4" ports on the back of my Nintendo Entertainment System )
Thanks,
Mathew
PG Music Inc.
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Joined: Aug 2011
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I had a Casio DG-20 I used as a midi guitar controller from the 1980's through about 2010. Casio DG guitars briefly became very popular as they were used as props in a HBO cable television show. I was offered more than $400 for it so I marked it GONE! Presently I use a Korg nanoKrontroller II surface controller for transport and fader control in Music Creator 6. I have a wishlist request in both ++ the Band-in-a-Box wishlist section ++ and in ++ the RealBand wishlist section ++ that anyone can endorse by clicking on the link and replying with a +1.
Last edited by Jim Fogle; 10/07/16 10:30 AM. Reason: Added wishlist links
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: May 2000
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RB can sync to most external MIDI controls messages including SPP etc. (and SMPTE variations).
Wish they'd make this a user friendly feature across the board for all the PGMusic products to support all MIDI transport controllers..
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 52
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 52 |
I had a Casio DG-20 I used as a midi guitar controller from the 1980's through about 2010.
Casio DG guitars briefly became very popular as they were used as props in a HBO cable television show. I was offered more than $400 for it so I marked it GONE!
Presently I use a Korg nanoKrontroller II surface controller for transport and fader control in Music Creator 6. That Casio looks rad. I don't even play guitar and I want one!
Thanks,
Mathew
PG Music Inc.
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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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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.
Watch the video.
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Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
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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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
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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