It would be great to use the sounds in the software sampler products I use regularly in my DAWs, i.e. Halion Sonic and SampleTank. I've fiddled around with BIAB's VST Synth setup but I haven't succeeded. Has anyone got this working? Thanks.
I'm guessing you want the program's default VST soft synth to be either Halion Sonic or IK Multimedia's SampleTank 2, 3 or 4; is that correct?
If my assumption is correct then the answer is yes, it is possible. However, you should realize that is not how the programs are intended to be used so the results are inconsistent at best.
The issue is Halion Sonic and SampleTank do not follow the general midi (GM) or general midi 2 patch specifications. Those specifications assign instrument or sound effect names to either 128 (GM) or 256 (GM2) patches. The specifications also state midi channel 10 is reserved for drum and percussion patches as well as assigning what note equals which patch. These assignments allow standard midi file players to load and use the correct instrument patches during playback. The specifications are what determine a guitar is a guitar, bass is a bass, piano is a piano and so on. Band-in-a-Box expands on that idea by assigning midi channels to instrument tracks. You can see and alter the midi channel assignments by pressing Ctrl + E and then selecting the "Channels" button. The MIDI Settings window you see below will open. If you press the GM Patches button on the MIDI Settings window the list of 128 GM patch names will be displayed as seen in the second screen shot.
Sonic and Sampletank allow you you load multiple patches. The expectation is first you load the VST into the program and then load the instrument patch(es) into the VST. SampleTank 2(don't know about 3 and 4 and I think Sonic but I'm not sure) lets you create a list of patches that the VST will automatically fetch and load when the VST is loaded. Someone has to create a list of patch names for the program to load.
Fiddler got me motivated to try Halion Sonic as a default synth and it works great in biab 18. I have to agree with him that the sounds are far better than any other default synth I have tried.
No problem with general midi either as there is a an option to select GM in Halion options.
Keeps that setting too.
As regards Sampletank I am on version 2.5 there and have the Omnisynth 2 sounds, which are pretty good as a default synth, but does require loading a patch map every time, you open biab.
But at the moment its Halion all the way as a default synth.
There are a few recent threads about Halion and how to download the .dll file and get it working on here.
Windows 10 (64bit) M-Audio Fast Track Pro, Band in a Box 2025, Cubase 14, Cakewalk and far too many VST plugins that I probably don't need or will ever use
Note there is no sounds with the above, but the .dll file for Halion from the above opens fine in biab for me.
As Steinberg doesn't really give you much of a choice as to where to install it, I actually found the.dll in the cakewalk plugin folder rather than the Steinberg plugin folder.
I do have jbrdge as well on my computer, so not sure if that has any bearing on Halion working ok.
I am on biab 18 but I think Fiddler2007 has it on 19 as well.
Windows 10 (64bit) M-Audio Fast Track Pro, Band in a Box 2025, Cubase 14, Cakewalk and far too many VST plugins that I probably don't need or will ever use
Halion needs to find the *.vstsound file that it uses, usually installed here: C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Roaming\Steinberg\Content\HALion (SONIC SE?)\VST Sound. Get the latest version, reinstall it, the older had some problems maybe.
I finally got around to trying out Halion today, using BIAB 2019 (622), Win 10, here are some details.
Initially, I installed CUbase LE, and Halion is included with it. The plugin showed up in the following directory: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Steinberg\Shared Components\HALion Sonic SE\HALion Sonic SE.dll
For the default Synth in BIAB, I pointed it to that location, but it wouldn't recognize it as a valid plugin in the 64-bit BIAB 2019. Yet it was working in Cubase. So I tried downloading the free version in the link, it's HALion Sonic SE 3.2.15
It updated the .dll file at that location, and it was then recognized as a valid plugin. Tested it with a number of MIDI files, and it's working great. I noticed a better sound especially on the pianos. Also found that it works solidly with Reaper.
I didn't know about the "GM mode" either, thanks for the heads up on that one!
Jerry 2019 BiaB Megapack (634), RB 2019 (Build 4) Reaper 5.983 x64, Audient id14 USB interface, Voicemeeter Potato 3.0.0.8, Nektar LX49+, Roland E20 i7-6700K Skylake desktop, 64bit Win10 Pro(1903), 32GB ram, 512GB system SSD + 2TB data SSD
I've got it working. But for a piece that has, say, bass, piano and guitar, I have to load the Halion Sonic sound separately for each, i.e. each track/channel seems to need a separate instantiation of Halion Sonic. Isn't there a way of loading one instantiation of HS and loading bass, piano and guitar into channels 1,2 and 3, i.e. as I would in a DAW?
If you put Halion Sonic in GM mode and set it as your default synth, it will respond on all the tracks; however, you will then only get the GM designated sound patches. That's the tradeoff between selecting higher quality sound patches in Halion Sonic (in which case you would have to load separate instances on each track, as you are currently doing).
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA
AMD (TM) 5950 4.9 GHz 16Core Processor 64 bit 32 bits of ram windows 10 pro 64 bit os. sound card Antelope ZenQ guitars Ibanez 2202a 1968 les Paul Custom and Cavin ae 185 Guitar boss Gt-100,GT1000 pedal Yamaha HS8 studio monitors
We quickly interrupt your regularly scheduled thread to bring new folks the following message
For those, mainly new folks, reading this thread but that do not have HALion Sonic SE or have it but haven't figured out out to get GM sounds to use in it, read the following recent thread on that topic. I would suggest you get the "combo" before Steinberg figures out they are really, in essence, giving away a free GM player WITH a GM sound set and yes Halion Sonic SE, when set to GM mode, is GM compliant (maybe not fully GM2 or GS)
If you you mean has anyone got SampleTank 2.5 and Halion Sonic (or HALION full or Halion SE) to work in GM mode in BIAB? Short answer is yes I have but, as mentioned above, with ST 2.5 you need to load up a config file each time. An you have to manually select drums on Channel 10 in ST even when using Omnisynth2 in ST 2.5. While you can load Omnisynth 2 ST 3 and ST 4 as a sound set - it will not work as a GM set. ST 3 and ST 4 DO NOT HAVE ANY GM modes or sound sets, other than Omnisynth 2, so no way (yet) to use then as GM "players" or module. You can use ST 3 and ST 4 in BIAB but you have to manually set each sound on each part for each channel.
If you you mean within the VSTi version of BIAB, has anyone got SampleTank 2.5 and Halion Sonic (or HALION full or Halion SE) to work in GM mode? I have no idea I don't use it but from a previous thread I'm fairly certain you have no control over what it uses, its a fixed GM set and it sounds like the BIAB CoyoteWT (aka MS GS wavetable) set.
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 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.
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.
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.
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)
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Has anyone got this working? Thanks.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean