I note in the 2021 BB there is not any easy way to change the default synth like there used to be. I always used Cubase Halion Sonic SE as my default synth but now it defaults to Coyote. The Halion Sonic SE has an auto GM midi which is by far better as general sound module.
Would someone be kind enough to help me out here. I don't see any way to choose default synth.
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
Ya, This is a bit of a mess. Your instructions were very helpful. Thanks.
So I tried to install my old version of VSTSynthfont64 which was freeware in my BIAB 2020. But something appears to have automatically installed the newest version which is not free. So I lost another midi synth due to BIAB upgrades. Last year we all lost Coyote Forte and now we lost the free version of VSTSynthfont64. Is the Decard old TTS-1 really the best free GM Softsynth out there? Yiieps - V
Thanks but now I find myself down the rabbit hole. But 30 minues of install and it seems to be on board. But BIAB is not corrporating. The whole VST plugin operations have changed and I have no trust in them at all. Multiple error messages as I try to install the Halion. Synths appearing and disappearing. Some know in my "excluded VSTs which no way to remove them from there.
Tried to reinstall the old version of VSTSynthfont and BIAB crashed.
It is no wonder that folks get fed up with these issues. An annual update which breaks things which had been working in the past. Wow, I am really upset!!!
Wow !!, Think That's why I am holding back on the upgrade , just do not want to have all the hassle coming up to Christmas and losing my set up !! . soz to hear Halion never worked for you !
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
You have got to enjoy working on the bleeding edge with all these issues which have to be addressed. There was a time in my life when I thrived on this, but that time has come and gone. I am long past dideling with GM SoftSynths. I find my patience has grown thin. Ya, I am sure I can figure it out. If I explain it all with pictures folks here in the forum will help and then I am sure PGM can fix it, but I have little time for that.
Thanks all. I discovered that. Just a change around. I tried loading the Halion Sonic SE 3. Not a chance. Band In A Box 2021 just will not load it. Keeps going back to default synth. Coyote.
I even updated Halion and I own Cubase 11. Just cannot figure why Sonic se 3 won't load.
Thanks all. I discovered that. Just a change around. I tried loading the Halion Sonic SE 3. Not a chance. Band In A Box 2021 just will not load it. Keeps going back to default synth. Coyote.
I even updated Halion and I own Cubase 11. Just cannot figure why Sonic se 3 won't load.
It is no wonder that folks get fed up with these issues. An annual update which breaks things which had been working in the past. Wow, I am really upset!!!
I wish they would freeze the program at some level, rename it BIAB Legacy and then only apply critical updates to it when absolutely required.
Then make sure all annual updates of RealTracks, Super MIDI, etc., will work perfectly with the legacy version.
I would pay the exact same upgrade price every year for the RealTracks, Super MIDI, Style sets, etc. I have been upgrading since 2012 and cannot recall a single one of the annual "49 New Features" that would have justified the upgrade. BUT, the RealTracks and stuff are MUSIC MAGIC and I have upgraded every year for those. And I would continue to do so if I had a Legacy BIAB without new bugs...er...features!
I have 128 gigs of Corsair Vengeance ram. An X570 Auros Ultra. An AMD Ryzen 9 3590X 16 Core Processor, 3493 Mhz, 16 Cores. 2 large High definition Monitors.
Thanks Mario, I had tried exactly that. Downloaded and installed this free version which I had been using for the past year and I could not get it installed as the default. I think the VST connection in BIAB needs to be fixed.
But the bigger question is where did my older free version go which was running in 2020 just recently? I would never have upgraded to the V3 knowing it was no longer free and I did know that. So is this loaded in BIAB 2021? And when I went to run it, it said my 30 day trial was expired - send money! That's strange.
but unless I'm crossing the streams here (and it wouldn't even be the fifth time today I was wrong) Synthfont 1.752 is an EXECUTABLE, it is a standalone executable, it is not a VSTi plugin. It is not a .dll and doesn't install a .dll, it installs in the C:\Program Files (x86)\SynthFont as an .exe
You need a VSTi version, so you can load into BIAB as a plugin you want VSTsynthfont installer however the only version on the page now is 3.421 and it is NOT FREE [some of us might have older versions the FREE VSTi (PM is your friend)]
The most CURRENT VSTi (.dll) (last version I bothered to download when it was free) for 32-bit VSTSynthFont is 1.096, and for some reason, I do have a slightly newer version of a free 64-bit VSTSynthFont version 2.095
Note, YOU COULD use a Loopmidi, or Loopbe, or similar to send MIDI OUT form BIAB to the standalone version Synthfont but....
or the best solution is to splurge for current Synthfont 2 and VSTsynthfont 3.421 - they are that much improved it's worth 15 Euros so about $18 and change to get both.
Good Luck
(and now Mario explains where I'm wrong - LOL)
Larry
Last edited by Larry Kehl; 12/11/2004:59 PM.
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
Hold on a sec. I thought that if you bought previous version of BIAB that included VSTsynthfont it would be yours to keep, regardless of future upgrades to BIAB? Perhaps PG team would tell us if it is so and and if it is, how to get this license fixed? VSTsyntfont is the most flexible VST that exists for SF2 / GM / Program changes, for the price.
---- I did have issue with a combination of WAS and Halion Sonic 3 (full). But was able to load it as a default synth after switching to ASIO drivers in BIAB.
Good catch, the program I have used in BIAB 2020 is VSTSynthfont NOT Synthfont. Older versions were freeware the new V3 is ~$20. The freeware version did all I needed it to do. But somehow this all changed with BIAB 2021.
Quote:
VSTSynthFont (3.421) - VST instrument Beginning with the release of version 3, VSTSynthFont is not freeware. You can try it for 15 days and then purchase a license for a mere 15€. This license also covers SynthFont2, so you get 2 for 1! Go here to purchase a license by donating to help us continue developing this tool.
NOTE; The VSTSynthFont/VSTSynthFont64 file is not required by SynthFont, SynthFont2 or Viena. VSTSynthFont is NOT JUST a plugin version of SynthFont but a completely different piece of software.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 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!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 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.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 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!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 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.
zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!
Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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 amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac 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 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed 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 transcribe 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, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
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