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Joined: Dec 2008
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Posts: 238 |
I've been using BIAB, Realband... 2009.5, and I like the many midi sounds I get out with the included VST DXi for instruments like piano, trumpets, etc... but, when it comes to Electric Jazz Guitar (or even Acoustic/Nylon) guitars they don't sound anything close to a real guitar... Does anyone have any suggestion of some software-bases solutions (Not too expensive please)?
Thansks.
2008 Gibson ES-339 Custom & 2010 Les Paul Traditional. Fender SCXD Amp
BIAB/RB 2015 UltraPAK + Ketron SD2
Windows 7/64 Intel i5 3550 PC, Tascam USB144MKII
Behringer X1204 Mixer
Bose Companion 3 and/or L1 II w/T1 + SM58 MIC
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Joined: Apr 2008
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Hi! The ForteDXi is a quite cheap plug-in that enhanced my midi guitar sounds. You can try it for free. Head over to http://www.pgmusic.com/fortedxi.htm- Jepster
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Something you can do to improve the sound of the guitar is to use the stylemaker feature. Find a style that you think sounds good and then listen to each guitar part. When you here something that does not sound right delete it, once you have all of the patterns you want to keep. save it under a new style name. That way the original style will remain. Then you will have a new style with guitar parts that sound better. Most people believe that the forte dxi is a big improvement from the vsc that is given free with biab. Sometimes though you can make a big difference just by editing the style. Often what hurts the guitar sound is just the unrealistic way in which it plays. This can be improved by editing the style. Also if you have a style that has a guitar sound you like you can create a hybrid style using the guitar from that style. I hope this helps. The sd2 that pg sales is a HUGEEEEE improvement from the vsc and forte. It is just how much money you have to spend. Listen To My MusicRead My Blog
My TunesPsalm 57:7 My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.
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Joined: May 2000
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Umm, from the signature, it looks like you play guitar.
Why not just record your own parts, or use realtracks?
One way to help the midi sounds is to run them thru a guitar processing effect; it helps add to the illusion, espcially electric guitar sounds.
As PGFantastic alluded to, the way the midi track is played has a lot to do with it too. If the track is recorded by a piano player pounding out chords, it will not sound like a guitar just by changing the sound. Think about the mechanics of how a guitar creates sound - the strings are strummed in either direction, so it helps if the midi track is laid out that way... there is a lot to consider besides just the tones used. A finger squeek here and there also adds to the illusion..
Getting into soundfonts will give you a lot of free choices to experiment with.
I created a nylon gtr soundfont a while back that a few people really liked, and I have found others that I liked more.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,058
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Expert
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,058 |
Music lab has a VST "Real Guitar" that sounds better than most and can be used as a vst from a KB to a midi track then back out in a final mix.They also have something new coming out. It's a Les Paul vst, I have not heard it yet but if it's as good as the real guitar, it should sound very good.
Wyndham
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rharv, yes I do play the guitar... what I am trying to do is learn a few solos that came with Jazz Guitar Solos (which came in EverythingPAK)... and then eventually record them while I play the guitar part... they're loooong pieces -- around 200 Bars of solo. So in order to learn, I render the pieces I like into mp3 and listen to them while I'm out and about (driving etc...) until I feel really comfortable with the melodies. The midi version of the melody/guitar part is "OK" but a bit annoying trying to listen to over and over. Hence why I am looking for a way to make it a bit more palatable -- until I eventaully do my own recording. The TABs are helpful (as I am not too good with reading regular notes just yet LOL), but the pieces are not all very easy to learn...
Thanks for some of the great suggestions too. I am going to look into them. Also I read some good reviews here about the ketron DS2... although I am not sure I want to spend so much just yet...
Wyndham, that Les Paul thingy sounds intereting too... I like Gibsons. As you can see I play the ES-339 myself and am thinking of a Les Paul someday too ;-)
On a different note, I just purchased a Behringer mixer (1202FX) and a Canon Camcorder (FS20).... I am eventually going to make some videos of my playing, using BIAB or RB playing along with me.... I will input the sound coming from my PC (BIAB) into the mixer along with my guitar amp's "line-out" and take the whole mixed sound into the camera's MIC input... while I play live and video tape. Curious to see how how it would all sound... LOL!
2008 Gibson ES-339 Custom & 2010 Les Paul Traditional. Fender SCXD Amp
BIAB/RB 2015 UltraPAK + Ketron SD2
Windows 7/64 Intel i5 3550 PC, Tascam USB144MKII
Behringer X1204 Mixer
Bose Companion 3 and/or L1 II w/T1 + SM58 MIC
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Agreed with Wyndham: If you can afford Real Guitar, it truly is great. But there are a few really nice freebies out there, like Spicy Guitar and Flamingo. And, like PGF and rHarv said, processing the raw guitar sound and playing with the MIDI file itself can help a lot. I have also found a few really good soundfonts, but bluntly the best of those are commercial, from Sonivox, and they've put most of them into much-easier-to-use plugin instruments nowadays.
Best, Tom SmithWin10/64 • i7-8700K • 24 GB RAM BIAB 2025 • Reaper 7 • Izotope MPS AKG C1000S • IK iRig I/O Pro
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Here's an example of the difference between the MIDI version, and me playing the guitar melody. Midi Version: http://www.Tchairdjian.com/mp3/GS051.mp3 Me playing: http://www.Tchairdjian.com/mp3/TheEndGame.WMAI've been reading your suggestions... and I am a bit confused with these options. i.e. what is Soundfonts, and how can I process a "raw guitar sound". I checked Sonivox's Website too but I have no idea where these pieces would fit? Do Ihave to change the whole GM? or just the guitar parts? And the real guitar software looks like a whole software piece rather than a patch... I am confused.
2008 Gibson ES-339 Custom & 2010 Les Paul Traditional. Fender SCXD Amp
BIAB/RB 2015 UltraPAK + Ketron SD2
Windows 7/64 Intel i5 3550 PC, Tascam USB144MKII
Behringer X1204 Mixer
Bose Companion 3 and/or L1 II w/T1 + SM58 MIC
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Joined: Dec 2003
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I’ll try to answer some of your questions, but first IMHO YOU should be playing the guitar parts and not some software package. Trying to emulate all of a guitarist’s nuances into midi is almost impossible. Although I’ve heard some very convincing midi guitar parts the time it takes to create them is extremely long compared to the time it takes for a guitarist it just play them. Plus you have the chops! Soundfonts (SF2) are samples made for either a Creative Lab sound card or a soundfont player. SFZ is a free SF2 player you can download and there are a ton of free SF2s out there also. Some of these free ones are very good. Just remember that SF2’s are at the lower end of the sample scale. That is there are very few samples to each sound when compared to higher end and more costly players such as Kontakt and Sonivox thus, although I mentioned some a very good, they may not be as realistic sounding as you want. SFZ, real guitar and Sonivox are VSTi’s. These are plugins that you can use with Realband. You will need a midi controller (keyboard, guitar etc) or you can input individual notes via the piano roll. The VST is the sound source, i.e. whatever sound you pick is what you will hear. To process a raw guitar sound I render the midi file to a wav file then run the wav file through an amp modeler (there are some free ones out there) and/or some effects. This can help add some realism to a guitar part. Note that this is how I add effects to my real guitar playing many times. Record the guitar then play with the effects in my sequencer. Also note that there are many really good free effects out there. This site will have most of what you want. IMHO I would record my own guitar parts. Purchasing an amp modeler such as V-Amp, Line 6 POD or a small Vox modeling amp may be another option. Also remember that google is our friend. You can find the pros and cons on everything there. I hope this helps.
I got banned from Weight Watchers for dropping a bag of M&Ms on the floor.
It was the best game of Hungry Hippos I've ever seen!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Joined: Mar 2006
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Joined: Mar 2006
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Hi, I too struggled with this issue. I bought every sampled guitar library, even hired a session guy to play guitar.....that got expensive. One day a buddy of mine suggested I check out the following guitar library> http://www.pettinhouse.com/html/directguitar.htmlI watched the demos, after I picked my jaw off the floor, I purchased both the jazz and rock guitar library, I haven't looked back since. I can't recommend it enough, there is NO library or samples out there that can touch it, and the price is very low-$130!!! VERY easy to use, tons of articulations and variations...... Bottom line, the realism of this library is scary! Ed
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I found a great website with EXTENSIVE information on this subject... things finally make sense now... For anyone interested, here is the URL: http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm Not only it has detailed information on how to set up Home Studios (from begineers to Professional), but also has a great educational section on audio plug-ins, effects, VST, Synths, MIDI, Cables, etc etc... I wish I had seen this first.
2008 Gibson ES-339 Custom & 2010 Les Paul Traditional. Fender SCXD Amp
BIAB/RB 2015 UltraPAK + Ketron SD2
Windows 7/64 Intel i5 3550 PC, Tascam USB144MKII
Behringer X1204 Mixer
Bose Companion 3 and/or L1 II w/T1 + SM58 MIC
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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.
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New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!
Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 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 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
- Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
- Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
- Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
- Playable RealTracks Set 4
- RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
- SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
- 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
- Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
- Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
- RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
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!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
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Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows 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!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 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.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
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!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
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!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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 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
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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