Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 47
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 47
What are the current recommendations for softsynths to use with BIAB under 64-bit Windows? I still have an Edirol SD-90, but realize that I won't be able to use it with Windows 10. Moreover, modern processors are fast enough that there's no need for an outboard hardware synth module.

I used Bandstand once upon a time, but that has also been discontinued.

I also realize that there is much less need for a separate synth with RealTracks; nevertheless, RealTracks doesn't cover everything.

So what is the current recommendation?

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,489
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,489
Why can't you use it with Win 10?? I'm using a MUCH OLDER SC-8850 (and a lot of other stuff with NO USB plugs at all XV-5080, Alesis QS8, QSR, Nanosynth, ...)

You MIGHT not be able to use it OVER USB (but with a little hacking you might be able to - you might want to do some "googling" on it) BUT it still works over 5-pin DIN MIDI.

That aside - if you only want a GM compliant plugin then it's fairly limited: TTS-1, Coyote Forte, the IMO the pricy ($125) Roland Sound Canvas VA, and some others that require a little effort to make "GM-like" (like IK SampleTank 2 with Omnisynth add-in, I'm probably forgetting a few but there really aren't that many that you install and use like a GM module VSTi)

If you don't mind assigning your instruments by picking the patches manually ANY VSTi softsynth: Kontakt, Rapture Pro or Dimension Pro, Sample Tank 3 (or 2) , Garritan, UVI, Xpand!2, or any SFZ, ...


Good Luck
Larry


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
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 26,886
Veteran
Online Happy
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 26,886
Andrew, I had an SD-80 for years. Same MIDI engine as the SD-90, without the audio. As I recall looking at the Roland drivers site some years back, it worked on Windows 7. I also think Roland said more recently that Windows 10 wasn't supported. However - that does not mean it won't work using Windows 7 driver compatibility. This is similar to users of firewire devices: you install Windows 7, get the drivers working, save them to another storage place, then update to Windows 10.



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; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 68
R
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
R
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 68
I swear by Mike Head's XG Lite Yamaha GM set for filling in the gaps between Realtracks, Realdrums and HQ sounds.

http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=435245&page=1

Last edited by ryclark; 11/19/17 02:34 AM.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,114
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,114
Hi ryclark

Thanks for you kind words above .
However you should be aware that I have a slight problem at the moment when using it for midi drums on the 4 substyle type styles, watch my thread below for updates.
As I say there, this wont effect you if you use real drums or any other synth for the drum track, and only on 4substyle styles .
Please though read / watch the thread.

http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=438283#Post438283

Thanks
Mike

Last edited by Mike Head; 11/19/17 04:58 AM.

BIAB2021 UltraPlus,AsusN55S1Tbssd, W10/64,Akai EIEpro
Yamaha CVP405,SquireStrat, CoolsoftVMidSynth
Novatation Impulse61 Ctr kbd, Cwalk blab Kontakt

http://mikesmusic.byethost16.com/
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,489
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,489
I forgot about Mike Head's XG Lite Yamaha GM

It is very good and FREE so another +1 on that one


Thanks Mike

Larry


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
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,174
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,174
The Coyote Forte DXi is really a very good GM synth. Once I bought it for BIAB I stopped trying to find anything else. Ya, it ain't free but once paid for it will run for years for you.


BIAB – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, 1TB WD Black NVMe SSD, 2TB WDC Blue SSD, 1TB WD Blue, 2 TB SK NVMe, 6 TB External, Motu Audio Express 6x6

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,233
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,233
For its price, Forte really does deliver a very acceptable solution.


BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,082
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,082
Originally Posted By: ryclark
I swear by Mike Head's XG Lite Yamaha GM set for filling in the gaps between Realtracks, Realdrums and HQ sounds.

http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=435245&page=1


What he said up there. Works great with Biab, just use the 203/206 patch and you are set.

Trax

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 127
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 127
I continue to use Bandstand without problems in Windows 10

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,382
K
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
K
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,382
I really like the Cakewalk TTS-1, but the Forte is nice too.

If you'd like to compare the sounds of a few different synths, this page has some great demos:

http://www.pgmusic.com/dare-to-compare.htm

Thanks
Kent
PG Music

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 154
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 154
I really like the WinLive Synth Driver, that you can find (for a very affordable price) form promusicsoftware.com, an Italian manufacturer of music software programs.

You can find it at:

http://www.promusicsoftware.com/detail0.php?prod=5553&cat=15001400

It's Black Friday, so it's on sale at 50% discount! Only our 14.50 it's a no brainer!

Please grab it ASAP, you won't be disappointed!

P.S. I'm in no means an affiliated to Pro Music Software :-)

All the best from Italy

Antonio


I muri sono creature... scontrose
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,693
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,693
That thing sounds pretty good Doctor!

I've noticed over the last few years that there's a lot of good musical stuff coming out of Italy. GSI/Crumar, Ketron, the Legend organ and more.

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.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 929
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 929
Antonio,
Caution! I just bought this Winlive softsynt, you recommended. When trying to download the setup-file my virus scanner (Avast) interrupts the download and alarmed me as it shall be infected with malware!
I will write to Pro Music to find out whats about it.

EDIT: I got a fast response from Pro Music! They reported the setup as safe to Avast and now it downloads and installs without problems.

Last edited by Brille; 11/23/17 10:38 PM.

Biab/RB latest build, German Language Pak, Win 10/64 Pro, 1 TB SSD, 32 GB RAM. Notation SW Finale, StaffPad, SmartsScore – Playing Double Bass, Guitar, Piano
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1
J
Newbie
Offline
Newbie
J
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1
Free Virtualmidisynth by Coolsoft! Absolutely amazing and freeware, you are allowed to donate though :-)
It acts as a virtual midi device (like the Microsoft Wavetable).
It uses Soundfonts, and there are some with really great quality, especially for free. You can even layer them. E.G. I really like the FluidR3 GM soundfont, but for piano I take a special free high quality Steinway soundfont which automatically replace the standard piano when loaded.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11
G
Newbie
Offline
Newbie
G
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11
Can someone help me with using Winlive Synth Driver with BIAB

Thanks.Glen

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 280
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 280
Originally Posted By: jazzmammal
That thing sounds pretty good Doctor!

It certainly does!

I'm getting it. It's a lot better than Coyote!


Pepe aka Lt. Kojak
Milano, Italy
https://soundcloud.com/theodore-kojak/tracks
Hy-Bro Test Sound Files
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 1
O
Newbie
Offline
Newbie
O
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 1
Hi...Just started playing around with Band In A Box. Can anyone recommend a good software synth? Mostly rock style music. Looking for realism (of course). The freebee that comes with BIAB (Roland VSC DXi) sounds "ok" but some things, like guitar, sound like the old midi music.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 26,886
Veteran
Online Happy
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 26,886
Welcome to the forum and BIAB, OrrenHsieh. Yours is a difficult question with many possible answers depending on your budget. Give us an idea about that.

I use a hardware MIDI synth, so I'll leave the recommendations to others who use software synths. You might also look on this forum for similar threads. There is a recent thread here about Halion Sonic 3, for example.


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; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,097
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,097
see Peter Gannon's 'sticky' post at the top about a 'no brainer@..Cakewalk is free and comes with a great softsynth. it's actually the edirol hypercanvas under another name and its by Roland. much of BIAB's midi is optimised for Roland

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2

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
Holiday Weekend Hours

Our Customer Service hours this weekend are as follows:

Friday, April 18: 8:00 - 4:00
Saturday, April 19: closed
Sunday, April 20: closed
Monday, April 21: Regular hours

Thank you!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 French Version is Here!

Bonjour à tous,

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 pour Windows est disponible en Français.
Le téléchargement se fait à partir du site PG Music

Pour ceux qui auraient déjà acheté la version 2025 de Band-in-a-Box (et qui donc ont une version anglaise), il est possible de "franciser" cette version avec les patchs suivants:

BIAB 2025 - francisation
RealBand 2025 - francisation

Voilà, enjoy!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 German Version is Here!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!

Die deutsche Version Band-in-a-Box® 2025 für Windows ist ab sofort verfügbar!

Alle die bereits die englische Version von Band-in-a-Box und RealBand 2024 installiert haben, finden hier die Installationsdateien für das Sprachenupdate:

https://nn.pgmusic.com/pgfiles/languagesupport/deutsch2025.exe
https://nn.pgmusic.com/pgfiles/languagesupport/deutsch2025RB.exe

Update Your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 to Build 1128 for Windows Today!

Already using Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 1128 now from our Support Page to enjoy the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.

Stay up to date—get the latest update now!

Update to RealBand® 2025 Build 5 Windows Today!

Already using RealBand® 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 5 now from our Support Page to ensure you have the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.

Get the latest update today!

PowerTracks Pro Audio 2025 for Windows is Here!

PowerTracks Pro Audio 2025 is here! This new version introduces many features, including VST3 support, the ability to load or import a .FLAC file, a reset option for track height in the Tracks window, a taller Timeline on the Notation window toolbar, new freeze buttons in the Tracks window, three toolbar modes (two rows, single row, and none), the improved Select Patch dialog with text-based search and numeric patch display, a new button in the DirectX/VST window to copy an effects group, and more!

First-time packages start at only $49. Already a PowerTracks Pro Audio user? Upgrade for as little as $29!

www.pgmusic.com/powertracks.htm

Video: Summary of the New Band-in-a-Box® App for iOS®

Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new Band-in-a-Box® app for iOS®! Designed for musicians, singer-songwriters, and educators, this powerful tool lets you create, play, and transfer songs effortlessly on your iPhone® or iPad®—anytime, anywhere.

Band-in-a-Box® for iOS® :Summary video.

Check out the forum post for more information.

Forum Statistics
Forums58
Topics83,911
Posts772,109
Members39,482
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
pabzum, fmid, MaxSorg, Arnon, DabbyPila
39,482 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 168
DC Ron 110
rsdean 99
WaoBand 81
Today's Birthdays
Albisa
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5