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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Dec 2013
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Hi all

I have trawled through lots of posts about which software synth to use etc but none really seemed to address what I am wondering about. So forgive me if there is any duplication here, I did try to RTFM first!

Using Windows BIAB 2018. Windows 10, 64 bit.

I am putting together backing/practice tracks for blues/Americana/Country covers band. Using the built in GM sounds gets things going but sound awful. So I am looking for a good quality sound module for

Drums. Just standard Blues/Rock/Country kits, nothing techno!!
Bass. Nice vintage Fender electric and smooth acoustic uprights. No synth bass!
Keys. Nice trad upright bluesy piano and electric keys like Rhodes, Hammonds etc. Nothing techno!

Not fussed about guitars (I play those :)) or millions of daft sound FX.

I think you get the picture smile

I am not too worried about price, just want it to
1. Sound good/authentic
2. Work reliably
3. Not be too much of a bear to implement in BIAB/RealBand

Any suggestions will be very gratefully received!
Thanks in advance
Mark


If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all...
BIAB 2019 Mac on a MacBook Pro. All paks & Styles.
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I often use the free Studio Instruments that come with the free Cakewalk by BandLab. I don't use them in Cakewalk, BandLab, BIAB or RB. I use them in Reaper because that's what I am used to and productive using.
SI Drums, SI Strings, SI Bass and SI Electric Piano (which doesn't have a plain old piano) For SI Bass you may need to move your bass midi file up an octave but it's no big deal once you get the hang of that.
For piano I often use the free Keyzone Classic by Bitsonic.
For a slightly more complicated structure but way more choices I often go to SampleTank 3.
If you are not worried about price at all check out the Native Instrument offerings.


Does the noise in your head bother me ?
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Ketron sd 1000.. ive used/owned a load of rolands and this is way better.

The videos etc, on you tube do not do this wee beauty justice.


http://www.ketronmusic.co.uk/products/ketron/micro_modules/sd1000.html


win 10 64 bit 16gb,i7 chip, ssd 500gb, m-audio air, ,Roland BK-7M, 1000,shure sm7b,sonar,acid,mixcraft, variety of plugins.Sample tank 3,Kontakt. TC Helicon Voicelive 3 2 .
https://beatmaster1.bandcamp.com/releases

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I am lucky in that I have a number of good synths having built up a fair collection through owning Sonar and having purchased several keyboards etc. If I do go down the midi path I would normally use Dimension Pro (it may no longer be available) for guitars and bass or odd instruments. For strings I go to Studio Instruments. I use Addictive Drums or Session Drummer (Cakewalk) (Studio Instruments are similar). For piano I have Addictive Keys also several others.

I would often seek a sound I like and use an SFZ file pulling that into Dimension Pro you can pull SFZ files into Sforzando which you already have with BIAB. If not Sforzando is a free download from https://www.plogue.com/products/sforzando.html There are many SFZ files about with well recorded guitars, strings etc.

Tobias mentioned the Studio Instruments that come with Cakewalk they are ok and well recorded instruments.

I rarely use midi these days nearly all I use are RealTracks adding only bits for fills or intros etc.

My two bobs worth Tony

Last edited by Teunis; 10/02/18 11:30 PM.

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I will second Tobias. If you can afford it, Native Instruments has some of the best sampled instruments around. If you go to to their website they have a lot of demo songs for each of their instruments, so take a listen and decide for yourself.

Will

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Native Instruments just released Kontakt v6 and a host of other instruments.

I have found that I got a lot of bang for the buck by buying the Komplete Ultimate (originally got it on sale at significant savings) and have upgraded from v8 through v9 through v10 through v11 and am looking now at v12 that just came out). Not exactly cheap, but a pretty good deal when on sale. And I've found if you have purchased anything else from them, you will start getting the sales offers.


John

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In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!

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Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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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We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!

We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!

If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!

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Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 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.

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support

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Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins

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