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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 693
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 693 |
I was wondering what had gone wrong. I knew that I had, at one time, been able to add audio effects to MIDI instruments, such as my Melody track. However, even though my melody was playing correctly through the software synth (I use VSTSynthFont), my VST plugin list for the Melody track was empty.
I finally found that assigning VSTSynthFont to the first VST slot for the Melody track allowed me to then add audio processing such as Reverb, Dynamics, and even Amplitude3 to the remaining slots. For instance, I was able to find an excellent Amplitude effect for the steel drums part.
Now, I'm not quite certain what routing is going on in the back-end of BIAB, such that SynthFont can be assigned as the overall synthesizer, but then reassigned to a single track; I probably knew at one time how back-end routing worked, but have long forgotten. It works, though, for which I am glad. The value of being able to add audio processing to MIDI instruments during live performance can hardly be overstated!
Joel
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,848
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,848 |
For MIDI tracks, the first plugin slot needs to be the VSTi instrument you use. Then you can install effects VSTs into slots 2, 3, and 4. If you are using the default VSTi, then you could assign effects to the default VSTi rack, but that will affect all tracks using the default. If you want to use effects with the default VSTi, but not affect other tracks, you need to load another instance of that VSTi into slot one of track you want the effect applied to.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 693
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 693 |
Thanks, John. On my desktop system, equipped with a Creative SB Elite, I disabled hardware synthesizer and enabled VST. I then assigned VSTSynthFont as the default software synth.
I could not assign effects until I assigned the VSTSynthFont in slot 1 for the track itself (as you pointed out). However, unlike my laptop configuration, the desktop system simply clicks upon starting a song, and no sound is produced (even RealTracks) at all. I had to reassign Coyote as the default software synth, and then VSTSynthFont seemed to work fine assigned to the Melody track, and all the effects worked as well.
Unfortunately, this means that I would have to manually update every song to this configuration, or I will get vastly inferior results from Coyote.
I also was getting concerned about system stability. This configuration wasn't working all that reliably. Being that I develop tracks on the laptop, and place them on the desktop for live use by those who know only how to load and start a song...
I finally gave up on trying to do this altogether. It was several hours of frustration. End result: no effects on MIDI (except on the laptop, for some reason).
Joel
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,848
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,848 |
What driver were you using on the desktop? That may be affecting the sound you get, and I've found there are some VST's that just refuse to work unless you are running ASIO.
Also, I know occasionally I have to reset my FastTrack Pro ASIO interface (usually by just choosing another driver, then reselecting the M-Audio ASIO driver), otherwise, I get weird sounds.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
All these issues is the reason you should not be running Biab live on a gig. Create your songs at home, get them the way you want them to sound and then render them to wavs. Those wavs or MP3's if you're worried about space can be played in a variety of players including a smartphone. Just plug in a mini adapter into the phone or tablet or whatever headphone jack and run it to your PA.
There are tons of setlist or jukebox apps for mobile devices even including ones that link a lyric or music chart to the song itself. Click on the song and the chart pops up with it.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 693
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 693 |
I apologize for the late reply...
Well, I wouldn't think that PG Music would want to advertise that BIAB is not "live ready." I have used the product for many years in a live situation (church setting) without problems...
The major issues was, starting with BIAB 2010 onward, the mess on the screen became so intolerable that I could no longer get anyone to use the program. This appears to be fixed in BIAB 2017, with the ability to customize toolbars, but not in the 2015 version I have!
Sigh...unfortunately, I do have to agree with you, though. I find that I am using BIAB live less and less, if for no other reason than that projection software generally allows for linking mp3/wav files, making it easier to have backing for projected lyrics available when needed.
So much for the "Conductor" mode...
Joel
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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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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!
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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)!
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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)
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- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
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