Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#380812 12/07/16 08:31 PM
RealBand
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 85
L
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
L
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 85
Hi - I just installed 2017 and it downloaded sforzando. Anyone have a clue as to how to use it with RealBand?

the stand-alone program doesn't appear to work with midi files, and midi and wav is all we have. It mentions SF2 files.

when i try to use it in RB as a VSTi plugin like CoyoteWT or SampleTank, I get that "Not a valid VST plugin" message.

RealBand
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,728
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,728
When you add it to your VSTi plugins list, make sure to select the correct plugin... It might be a couple different places, depending on what your VST Plugins folder happens to be, but one place it should definitely be is:
C:\Program Files (x86)\VstPlugins\sforzando VST_x86.dll


Andrew
PG Music Inc.
RealBand
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 85
L
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
L
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 85
thanks, Andrew. It's not there but I've been loading it from Program Files\Plogue\sforzando\VST and the dll I'm loading is the 32-bit one for x86.

I tried to use jbridge, too, but it doesn't help. It discovered it and it put a '.32' in the file name but it still won't load, neither will the 64-bit file after running it through jbridge

I've always had this problem with RB when trying to load dll files like MDA Piano, etc. I always get that same error message. I'm stuck with just CoyoteWT.

Any other ideas?

RealBand
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 85
L
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
L
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 85
with the support update of RB - this now works. I can load sforzando. The piano sounds great! Looking forward to test the other virtual instruments.

RealBand
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,801
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,801
SFZ can be a bit tricky. I stopped using it some time back.

At the time, you had to have a midi track, link it's output to the SFZ synth and then load a sound font set into SFZ for it to play something.

You also had to DL the fonts, and unpack them. To make matters worse, there were 2 different kinds of fonts and each had their own peculiarities that made working with SFZ a royal PITA.

Then there were the poorly written and programmed fonts that wouldn't work even when you did everything right. I bought Kontakt and never looked back.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
RealBand
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,539
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,539
Herb,
The sForzando included in 2017 may make you rethink this.
I agree, previously you had to load a sfz synth then deal with soundfont selections, etc.
However the new version just loads sForzando with some really nice sounds ready to go.
Plus, because you can change the soundfonts if you want, it also allows for some pretty cool integrated options. To me the next logical step is using it as a RealDrum synth utilizing the samples available at the end of many RD recordings.
YMMV


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
rharv #381110 12/08/16 03:59 PM
RealBand
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,801
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,801
Originally Posted By: rharv
Herb,
The sForzando included in 2017 may make you rethink this.
I agree, previously you had to load a sfz synth then deal with soundfont selections, etc.
However the new version just loads sForzando with some really nice sounds ready to go.
Plus, because you can change the soundfonts if you want, it also allows for some pretty cool integrated options. To me the next logical step is using it as a RealDrum synth utilizing the samples available at the end of many RD recordings.
YMMV


Nahhh I don't think so. I stopped using midi on most of my stuff. When I need midi, I use sample library players like Kontakt or Cakewalk Sound center.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
RealBand
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 203
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 203
I would like some instructions on how to useSFZ. Biab working,RB can't find it in the drop down list vst.Ed

sax80 #381436 12/09/16 07:20 PM
RealBand
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,498
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,498
you have to add it via RB's Plug-ins pull down

click on

"VSTi - VSTi/DXI synths" button

then in the first instrument slot open it and run on down to where it says

"Add VSTi Plugin" and you should find it

(see Andrews post above) in

C:\Program Files (x86)\VstPlugins\sforzando VST_x86.dll


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
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!

If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!

Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.

PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!

PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.

The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.

The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.

Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!

Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.

Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!

Order now!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!

Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!

We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.

Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!

Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.

If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!

Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!

We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.

Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.

Happy New Year!

Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.

Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!

Season's Greetings!

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!

The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.

Team PG

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,048
Posts799,353
Members40,017
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
Newest Members
kimmolsn25, addsomebottom, m3talmud, Chunie, Karandeep
40,017 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 148
DC Ron 104
rsdean 104
DrDan 74
WaoBand 70
Today's Birthdays
dipalma18, Joey45, Karantois
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5