|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 59
Enthusiast
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 59 |
I'm a relatively new BIAB/Real Band user. I make backing tracks for my acoustic guitar/vical gigs. So far it's been great. I'm looking for a modest price sampler for more realistic sound quality (for tunes where real band tracks are not appropriate). Mainly I use drums, acoustic bass, and piano for backing.
I downloaded the sample of the Forte DXi, which for only $40 has a great sounding bass. Piano and drums are better than my current DXi, but could be a lot better. Any suggestions for a synth/sampler to try?
Brian
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,391
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,391 |
Does the Ketron sample?
I know it has great sounds..
I still really like my Juno-G which is a synth/sampler..
A little more than a ketron in price though.
Give the Ketron a listen, it may be a great choice for you when you get into the price comparisons of samplers versus synths.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,672
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,672 |
I use Roalnds TTS, Sound Center and Studio Drums, all free in the Cakewalk MC5 package, which other than the instruments i do not use, but for $39 it was a steal, add Forte to that and you have a lot of choices.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB 2025, Realband, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 9 32c , Melodyne 5 editor, Presonus Audiobox 1818VSL, Presonus control app.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
SD2 does not sample.
The least expensive and possibly one of the most powerful samplers available just may be lurking in any Creative soundcard from Live! forward, but the cost of entry is a lot of studying up on the use of the thing so many people don't even know nor care about it.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926 |
Quote:
SD2 does not sample.
The least expensive and possibly one of the most powerful samplers available just may be lurking in any Creative soundcard from Live! forward, but the cost of entry is a lot of studying up on the use of the thing so many people don't even know nor care about it.
--Mac
Please, say more.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Okay, but I won't say all that much more, simply because its been a few years since I used the Creative cards seriously.
Check out an old program for the Live! series cards called, "Vienna".
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
Quote:
Quote:
SD2 does not sample.
The least expensive and possibly one of the most powerful samplers available just may be lurking in any Creative soundcard from Live! forward, but the cost of entry is a lot of studying up on the use of the thing so many people don't even know nor care about it.
--Mac
Please, say more.
What Mac is referring to is that the Creative Live and some later cards (not the USB cards) have a great sample playback capability in the form of SoundFonts. They can also be used to sample - that is, use their input stages, etc. to record samples. With a .wav editor, and the Vienna SoundFont creator software, you can construct a lovely sample set. Or you can use any number of the free and payware sampler softwares.
But the soundfonts can be loaded into the Creative card's internal memory, not taxing the computer's memory whatsoever. The only problem is that depending on the card, the fonts can take a long time to load - and they load initially on bootup of the computer if you don't unload them at your last use.
It's one of the reasons I bailed on using the internal memory of the card and started using sfz to play back soundfont sample sets.
I'm sure Mac will weigh in and correct if this isn't what he was referring to.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,198
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,198 |
Scott,
Couple of things. First, the cards use the main computer memory, not the memory on the card, there is none anymore. There used to be on the old AWEs, but not on the later Audigy series of cards.
Secondly, trying to get any of this to work on anything newer than XP will be a disaster. I'm not even sure you can find the SoundFont editor for Vista.
Brian, unless you are looking for custom samples, or plan on purchasing a lot of sample libraries, the Ketron SD2 is a cost effective solution. While it does not have a sample capability, it has enough of the most used sounds to cover almost anything you want to do. If you're looking for that old oak log being beaten with a huge stick, you'll need a sampler (and a lot of patience, and understanding of HOW to make a sample) for that, but if you're looking for multiple piano, bass, drums and other high quality instruments, check out the SD2.
Do an internet search for SD2 demos to hear what it can do.
Gary
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926 |
All very enlightening. I hadn't thought of Soundfonts as samples, although they clearly are.
I may reconnect the old Audigy. I have Vienna, and I have half a dozen disks of really nice 'Fonts.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18
Enthusiast
|
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18 |
I have not found any better sounds than the banks I have made. I call them soundfont10.sf2. I have not been able to add effects to sf2 until after I record the track in audiio then I can add any effects I want. This might be the reason that some other vsti are preferred because they can use mide effects. But if you put some delay or effects affter the track is an audio track I have not been able to find better sounds. You can use these fonts with a creative card or a wrapper called synth font which is a vsti plug in that you can load into real band or biab. These are the best of the best. I have been using sound fonts for 8 years now. I bought forte I never use forte because the soundfont10 is better according to my ear. Remember what is the best is very opinionated what one person hears might not be the same as what somebody else hears. http://www.4shared.com/file/108879762/6e113bec/soundfont10.htmlhttp://www.4shared.com/file/108881640/f40fed4b/VSTSynthFont.htmlLet me know How you like them?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815 |
I tried out your soundfont10 set -- it would really take a long time to do a good comparison. I tried a classical midi file. You sounds are fine. However I do think the SGM-V2.01.sf2 basic file (at http://www.geocities.jp/shansoundfont/ ) is pretty hard to beat as a freebie. Shan sends you to another web site, where I couldn't find that download: here's another link: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=V5YNBFROKevin
Last edited by Kemmrich; 06/28/09 03:36 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,439
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,439 |
G'day Dusty, mate, I think you need a third alternative on your poll: "not sure", or maybe "partly". Please read what follows as a reflection of my personal requirements and taste and not as a serious criticism of your patch selections. I am well aware that personal taste is an important consideration and I have no wish to offend you. I have a test piece I use that shows up the instrumentation I mostly use and it was OK until the 'bone started - then it was: " WHAT?". With that synth patch replacing the 'bone this soundfont has limited usefulness for me. Sorry mate, but brass is my primary requirement (I play a 'bone and am a little fussy about it as a result). - Whatever that 057 patch is supposed to be, it ain't a 'bone.
- The trumpet at patch 056 has poor attack but the sustain after the attack isn't too bad with a nice (if very slightly heavy) vibrato. I'd prefer it if it were a little "brighter" though. The trumpet at patch 030 sounds a little closer but I miss the vibrato. Being at patch 030 causes the sf to be not GM which can create problems if one is unaware of it.
- The tuba is quite OK.
- The muted trumpet (patch 059) sounds like most synthesized muted trumpets... Usable but not quite right. The one at patch 031 sounds the same - why have 2 that sound the same when the 2nd contributes to a departure from the GM set?
- The Horn patch sounds like there is more than one horn (maybe 3 or 4?) and they don't all start at the same time...
- The Brass Section sounds like all brass section patches - not right on it's own but seems to work within the orchestration
- The other patches that reflect my particular instrumentation needs are mostly pretty good: Acoustic Piano, flute, bass guitar (patches 32 to 35), drum kit and vocals. The vocal patch is a little different to what I'm used to but seems to work pretty well in the mix.
--=-- My credo: If it's worth doing, it's worth overdoing - just ask my missus, she'll tell ya  --=--You're only paranoid if you're wrong!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,772
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,772 |
Creative Vienna Soundfont editor seems to work fine on my Vista (32) computer. I've got the SoundBlaster X-Fi Gamer soundcard. Vienna doesn't come with the driver set; you have to download it separately and install it as a separate application. But it seems to work fine here.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 8TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 11TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting and construction)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,198
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,198 |
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RealBand
|
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,616
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,616 |
The Fluid Soundfonts has a very nice upright bass. For those wanting a Steinway grand, Pianosounds has a free soundfont. For nylon guitar (bossa), check out HammerSound. Easy to find using Google. In my opinion, these run circles around the VSC sounds.
R
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- 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)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- 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 PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Video: New User Interface (GUI)
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!
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac 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 Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac 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.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,358
Posts791,229
Members39,860
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean