When I load an all midi style into real band, it will play every instrument within Coyote. Now when I change default player to Aria it seems that I have to choose/load everything from scratch into the Aria Player slots. Is there a command to import the coyote settings (channel and instrument program) loaded directly to Aria ?
No. You can set up multi's in Aria with common BIAB combinations (Acoustic Bass, E Piano, Guitar etc.) in the appropriate channel slots. Then when you load a song, you can choose the appropriate multi with the instruments you want. Does that make sense? I don't think you can make the Aria player a GM type VST that is controllable as you want. I am not an expert though, so somebody may know more than I about that.
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No. You can set up multi's in Aria with common BIAB combinations (Acoustic Bass, E Piano, Guitar etc.) in the appropriate channel slots. Then when you load a song, you can choose the appropriate multi with the instruments you want. Does that make sense? I don't think you can make the Aria player a GM type VST that is controllable as you want. I am not an expert though, so somebody may know more than I about that.
Hi Joe Thanks for the help. I can understand what you mean ..
No. You can set up multi's in Aria with common BIAB combinations (Acoustic Bass, E Piano, Guitar etc.) in the appropriate channel slots. Then when you load a song, you can choose the appropriate multi with the instruments you want. Does that make sense? I don't think you can make the Aria player a GM type VST that is controllable as you want. I am not an expert though, so somebody may know more than I about that.
Hi Joe Thanks for the help. I can understand what you mean ..
General MIDI (GM) is at the bottom of the sounds good spectrum and Coyote is very near the bottom IMHO. GM is a somewhat universal as each GM number is assigned to a specific sound, i.e 1=piano, 19=rock organ, etc. See here:
I say somewhat universal as each GM sound set may have a different piano, or trumpet, or rock organ, etc.
A step up from Coyote are some soundfonts (SF2). If you need or want to keep in GM then check out some free soundfont players and soundfonts. Some soundfonts are free some are not. The Cakewalks TTS-1 is also a better sounding GM.
BUT the best MIDI sounds are not in GM mode. They included SFZ as well as Aria, and the more expensive sounds like Kontakt, SampleTank, East West Play, etc. Why? Because GM must contain 128 instruments and 7 drum kits, thus they are constrained by the total sample size (KBs). For instance I have one piano sound that is larger in sample size than an entire GM, but it sounds a whole lot better than the GM #1 piano.
So if you want better MIDI sounds you have to get a non GM sound set. But you will have to assign what sound you want for each MIDI channel. Depending on what sounds (presets) you have with Aria you may find that you have a number of trumpets for example. That is the beauty of non GM in that you can have multiple options for sounds from more that one sound source.
What you need to do is to assign say a piano to the BiaB MIDI track by selecting Aria, placing a piano in Aria, then matching the BiaB channel and the Aria channel. In non GM sounds nothing is preset, you have to set everything up but the resulting sound(s) is much better.
I do all of my setting up in my DAW and not BiaB but others here can help you with that.
Good luck and I hope this helps.
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64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Why? Because GM must contain 128 instruments and 7 drum kits, thus they are constrained by the total sample size (KBs).
This is not really true. I have GM sample sets ranging in size from a few meg to a few gig. The GM spec does not restrict the sample size; the synth/hardware does.
'Finding' a good GM sample set is a whole 'nother problem, but the spec isn't the issue. There could be more awesome GM sound sets if there were a market for it.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
Why? Because GM must contain 128 instruments and 7 drum kits, thus they are constrained by the total sample size (KBs).
This is not really true. I have GM sample sets ranging in size from a few meg to a few gig. The GM spec does not restrict the sample size; the synth/hardware does.
'Finding' a good GM sample set is a whole 'nother problem, but the spec isn't the issue. There could be more awesome GM sound sets if there were a market for it.
By being constrained by total sample size I meant to indicate that a GM sound set with excellent sounds like those from Kontak, Sampltank, East West Play, etc, would be an extremely huge file and would take sometime to load. I'd bet many of us don't have the HD space or the ram to use such a huge file. I have 16 Gigs of ram and I don't think that would be enough.
I agree that there is a very limited market for GM. Anyone serious about using better MIDI sounds moves away from GM very quickly.
I apologize for any inconvenience that I may have caused.
I got myself a seniors' GPS. Not only does it tell me how to get to my destination , it tells me why I wanted to go there.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Using Aria is a good idea, just have to set it up for each tune if the instrumentation changes. As Mario has said, GM sounds are just not very good. OK for a quick listen to get the idea of a style maybe, but only just that. Really not good if you want to do something professional. IK Multimedia was having a great sale on their Total Studio Max 2, which includes Sample Tank 4 and a huge library of great samples, as well as Amplitube 5, T-Racks 5, more than I can remember. Quite easy to learn to use as well. Their licensing and authentication system can be confusing and there are a multitude of downloads to do when you purchase, but in the end it is worth it.
My wife asked if I had seen the dog bowl. I told her I didn't even know he could.
Where do you find Synthfont64 you say is provided for BiaB 64?
Page 11 of the 2021 Band-in-a-Box user manual.
The first mention I can find is on page 13 of the 2019 Band-in-a-Box user manual. That would make sense as I believe 2019 is when 64 bit BiaB was introduced.
The file itself is located at x:\bb\Data\libx64\VSTSynthfont64.dll where "X" = your BiaB drive.
Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!
We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!
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Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
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
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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!
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
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!
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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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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