I found these comments really helpful in telling me what's what. That is the kind of perspective and knowledge I didn't have. It's all beginning to come into focus. And I am honing in on what I want with the program. Thanks so much.
If I can help you in any way feel free to ask. I will do my best I can to answer any questions that you may have.
Tips on how to fall asleep in a living room chair: 1- Be old 2- Sit in a chair
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
I have been using VirtualMidiSynth for years now in BIAB. Here is how I do it and it works 100% of the time for me in both 32bit and 64bit. I also use VirtualMidySynth for my midi sound output in TablEdit. In fact, it will drive both BIAB and TablEdit at the same time.
1. Download VMS and install it. 2. In BIAB go to your midi drive setup and chose VMS. Make sure that you don't check the Use VSTi/DXi Synth box 3. I had to set my latency to around 200 MS
VMS is not a VSTI device at all. VirtualMIDISynth is a software MIDI synthesizer implemented as a Windows multimedia user driver, accessible as a standard MIDI Out device. You can set it up to use 4 audio output devices. I have BIAB using #1 and TablEdit using #2. That way they do not conflict at all.
I think what confuses most people is that they think it is a VSTI device. It is not.
BIAB2026 Windows 10 Pro (Never Windows 11!) WA6NCB
I have been using VirtualMidiSynth for years now in BIAB. Here is how I do it and it works 100% of the time for me in both 32bit and 64bit. I also use VirtualMidySynth for my midi sound output in TablEdit. In fact, it will drive both BIAB and TablEdit at the same time.
1. Download VMS and install it. 2. In BIAB go to your midi drive setup and chose VMS. Make sure that you don't check the Use VSTi/DXi Synth box 3. I had to set my latency to around 200 MS
VMS is not a VSTI device at all. VirtualMIDISynth is a software MIDI synthesizer implemented as a Windows multimedia user driver, accessible as a standard MIDI Out device. You can set it up to use 4 audio output devices. I have BIAB using #1 and TablEdit using #2. That way they do not conflict at all.
I think what confuses most people is that they think it is a VSTI device. It is not.
Thank you for pointing this out. I've been using VMS for many years, but was unaware of this configuration option. I just set VMS to allow the max (4 devices).
A big mug of Christmas cheer to you!
To repeat what I mentioned in a different thread on this subject, I use the Arachno soundfont (download link on the VMS download page). I also use the JJazzLab soundfont available on the JJazzLab download page.
I just set JJazzLab to use the VMS #2 device. Never thought of running BiaB and JJazzLab at the same time, but I can now. Since JJazzLab does not use an audio driver, there will be no conflict with BiaB using my ASIO driver.
QUESTION: How did you arrive at 200 mS of latency?
Last edited by TheMaartian; 12/20/2107:49 PM.
ThinkPad i9 32GB RAM 7TB SSD; Win11 Pro; RME Fireface UCX II; BiaB 2026 Ultra Studio Pro 8; Tonalic Studio 1; Reaper v7; Bitwig Studio 6; Melodyne Studio 5 Gig Performer 5; NI S61 MK3; Focal Shape 65; Beyerdynamic DT 880 & 770
To get the most out of them you have to add some continuous controller (CC) data. In other words you have to emulate the sound you are after via CCs, pitch bends, and the mod wheel. For example take a MIDI track sax. To make it more realistic you must add pitch bends, vibrato, volume, etc and play it like a sax, i.e. no polyphony, stay within the sax's range, etc. You will either need a MIDI controller of some kind or add them via manual input. A MIDI controller keyboard with sliders and knobs is the best option IMHO.
Is there a guide somewhere of how best to do this?
I presume one can "overdub" MIDI CCs onto the Melody and Soloist tracks, though I have yet to try that.
AFAICS, the "all tracks are equal" doesn't yet have them equal enough to do that on other tracks.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
I arrived at the figure of 200ms by watching the onscreen metronome in BIAB as it counted 1,2 1,2,3,4 and listening to the midi drum count-in. It was obviously off so I adjusted the latency so they matched. I guess you could also by clicking on the Latency Adjust... in BIAB under MIDI/Audio Driver Setup.
That figure of 200ms applied to my particular setup. Don't be surprised if yours is either different or does not even need to be changed at all.
Also, BIAB has a habit of periodically letting me know that VMS is a software synth and the latency should be set to Zero. I just ignore that and I wish it would mind it's own business about how I set things up.
BIAB2026 Windows 10 Pro (Never Windows 11!) WA6NCB
Note that some are universal like volume, pan, etc. But all the others are left up to the software program you are using. They can be assigned to a variety of different controls in your synthesizer/sampler/effects units. Common mappings include adding vibrato, or adjusting filter cutoff.
I can not answer your other questions as I do all of my MIDI editing in my DAW, Studio One Pro 5. My workflow is to sketch out a chord progression and style(s) in BiaB then immediately drag and drop them into Studio One.
I hope this helps.
Tips on how to fall asleep in a living room chair: 1- Be old 2- Sit in a chair
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
I can not answer your other questions as I do all of my MIDI editing in my DAW .... I hope this helps.
With hindsight, it was perhaps a bit dumb of me to presume you did it in BiaB. DAWs are already set up to handle it and are probably the best place for it.
Yes it helps. Thanks.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
I can not answer your other questions as I do all of my MIDI editing in my DAW .... I hope this helps.
With hindsight, it was perhaps a bit dumb of me to presume you did it in BiaB. DAWs are already set up to handle it and are probably the best place for it.
Yes it helps. Thanks.
No you were not a bit dumb. You had no idea what my workflow was. Others can help with those questions because they do a lot more intensive work in BiaB than I do.
Tips on how to fall asleep in a living room chair: 1- Be old 2- Sit in a chair
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Roland Sound Canvas VA VST2 64 what I usually use for midi listening on BIAB 2022 64bits. little cpu consumption, multitimbric, sound customization, 63 drum kits, 1600 sounds, 16 racks for instruments and 64 notes of polyphony. lifetime license and 5 activations. If you are looking for something like Coyote Forte Dxi, this is better it costs about the same. Install and I forgot to look for someone else. No complaints.
Greetings
To the one who gets up early, nobody makes him breakfast.
I arrived at the figure of 200ms by watching the onscreen metronome in BIAB as it counted 1,2 1,2,3,4 and listening to the midi drum count-in. It was obviously off so I adjusted the latency so they matched. I guess you could also by clicking on the Latency Adjust... in BIAB under MIDI/Audio Driver Setup.
That figure of 200ms applied to my particular setup. Don't be surprised if yours is either different or does not even need to be changed at all.
Also, BIAB has a habit of periodically letting me know that VMS is a software synth and the latency should be set to Zero. I just ignore that and I wish it would mind it's own business about how I set things up.
Thank you for the explanation.
ThinkPad i9 32GB RAM 7TB SSD; Win11 Pro; RME Fireface UCX II; BiaB 2026 Ultra Studio Pro 8; Tonalic Studio 1; Reaper v7; Bitwig Studio 6; Melodyne Studio 5 Gig Performer 5; NI S61 MK3; Focal Shape 65; Beyerdynamic DT 880 & 770
I agree with MarioD and others who say MIDI will still sound like MIDI without some data massaging and controller information added to emulate the dynamics and articulations of the instruments. So I use TTS1 for my default MIDI source just to get decent, quick previewing for a lot of instruments, but wouldn't use it for a final product at least for most instruments. Most of my music (jazz/bossa nova influenced) uses a specific set of instruments - acoustic piano, nylon guitar, vibes especially - and I've invested in some dedicated VST plugins for those. I play most piano stuff myself, but have found that the MIDI generated from many of the acoustic guitar real tracks sounds very good going thru my Ample Sound classical guitar VST. I also find the piano RealTrack audio often sounds too compressed and choppy. (In general I don't find RealTracks of polyphonic instruments with a lot of sustain render all that well.) But sending that MIDI to my Pianoteq 7 plugin sounds great and gives more control. I've just started going down this path, and find that the RealTrack MIDI sounds much better and less mechanical than a MIDI-only track coming from a MIDI style. Quality of transcription may influence this.
Your experience may vary, especially depending upon what musical styles you are working with.
Chuck Wiggins
BIAB 2023 Win UltraPak, Cakewalk, Windows 10 Pro Custom AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 8-Core, Focusrite Scarlett 4x4 interface
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
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