|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 464
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 464 |
I would like to find a reference to learn about the different ways to make sounds with midi. For example, I know BB comes with General Midi, Coyote and Sample Tank 2. Those can play midi parts that we program or that BB generates.
On the other hand, I see programs that seem playable only with a keyboard. I read posts about sound fonts and Sforzando, and I realize I have no clue about these.
Is there a reference to learn more about this?
Thanks.
2b
i5-3210 laptop. Win 10 Home. 2.5ghz, 64 bit. 6gb RAM. Focusrite Scarlet 2i2.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,455
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,455 |
For starters most any VSTi (synth) can be triggered by either a keyboard or a computer. They are just 2 different ways of getting the MIDI signal to the synth. The trickier side is understanding MIDI is just messages (no sound). So on one synth patch 4 could be a bass guitar sample, on another it could be a string section .. often it depends on how you assign each MIDI channel to a sound inside the synth, manually. The big feature of GM (General MIDI) synths is that GM specifies a set of sounds for each patch number (the synth sound). So patch 1 is always Piano, though it could be played on any MIDI channel that sends a message to use that sound. In GM it is also unique that drums are always on MIDI channel 10, though you can assign any drums sound to that channel. If you dig in you can often assign other sounds too, but it is meant for drums in the GM spec. https://www.midi.org/specifications-old/item/gm-level-1-sound-set Soundfonts are different. They are a set of samples made up by someone somewhere. Again it is a recognized format, but is not regulated to be GM. A font player like sForzando can play any font, but in the case of the sForzando the number of patches (sounds) you can play at once is limited since it is not really mutitimbral (able to play multiple patches at once). You can do it with workarounds, but it's not meant for it. There are GM compliant soundfonts out there that have all the GM patches, but the synth being used needs to be able to handle multiple MIDI channels at once in order to make it work. For instance I have Chaos 12 meg GM soundfont installed in a VSTi that handles the multiple sounds and MIDI channels just fine, but not all of font players do. The universal patch nature of GM is what makes it easy to use and a fit for BiaB, etc. Thay also have tutorials and such - https://www.midi.org/categories-new/midi-tutorials?start=45
Last edited by rharv; 11/24/18 04:35 AM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,725
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,725 |
Midi is actually pretty simple once you understand it. But yep... it seems colossal when you are starting with it.
Essentially, you have a synth that plays either patches or samples. Patches are oscillators that are tuned to sound like a specific instrument and samples are actually audio notes recorded and triggered by the midi data.... or notes played.
The lower quality synths use patches and sound ok but not really great or convincing generally. General Midi falls into this category as well as Coyote and TTS....and a few others too. But a lot of the end result quality is based on the skill of the composer.
Better quality synths use samples and samples vary in quality from the SFZ (Sforzando) fonts on the low end to libraries that cost thousands of dollars. I personally consider SFZ to be an intermediate step between the patches and dedicated samples. Reason being is that the SFZ synth is free or inexpensive and there are tons of fonts to be found online for free. I believe you generally get what you pay for and this is very true in regards to samples. Was it recorded in some guy's bedroom with a cheap condenser mic as single layer sample, or in Carnegie Hall by an experienced engineer in multi-layer samples with $3000 mics and a nice budget?
All the synths are capable ( to my knowledge ) of working in a DAW and playing live. iN other words you hear as you play. Some will work as a stand alone outside of a DAW host as well.
As far as there being a reference.... probably yes. DO a search with your favorite search engine and be sure to look it up on YouTube. Everything is on YouTube.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,173
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,173 |
There are some excellent books about how VSTi works for example on Kindle https://www.amazon.com.au/How-Make-Noise-Analog-Synthesis-ebook/dp/B005SGCD6A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1543096082&sr=8-1&keywords=How+to+make+a+noiseThere are three books in the series How to make a Noise: Analog Synthesis. How to Make a Noise: Frequency Modulation Synthesis. How to Make a Noise: Sample Based Synthesis. All by Simon Cann. They cost about $3 each and about 130 pages in each. By the time you get through these books you’ll have a good working knowledge of how the various forms of synthesis are created and applied. This will in turn give you a good knowledge on VTSi stuff. MIDI is a different story They are worth a read IMHO Tony
HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home,
Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612
BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 464
Journeyman
|
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 464 |
Thanks to all of you. This helps.
2b
i5-3210 laptop. Win 10 Home. 2.5ghz, 64 bit. 6gb RAM. Focusrite Scarlet 2i2.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 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
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®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,736
Posts795,467
Members39,942
| |
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