I am not sure about the use for different models of Tyros, but it is useful if you want to use those sounds and make it so you can just pick them from a dialog. I will say I had some ups and downs with my use of patch maps in BIAB but seemed to have more success in Real Band.
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Patches are the sounds generated by different instruments. When a file is General MIDI compatible that means the file uses instrument patch names specified in the MIDI 1.0 specification. +++ HERE +++ is a list of the 128 General MIDI instrument patch names.
Note for example that instrument patch number 2 is "bright piano". What does a bright piano sound like? Nobody knows because the midi standard does not describe the instrument sound, the standard just provides the instrument name. So every time a midi file specifies midi instrument number 2 you will hear a piano playing the midi data. But whoever created the number 2 instrument patch gets to decide how their "bright piano" sounds.
Not everyone wants to limit themselves to 128 instrument patches; especially when patches 97 to 128 are either synth effects, ethnic instruments, percussion or sound effects that rarely get used. So there are other well accepted standards like Roland's GS, Yamaha's XG and General MIDI 2 in addition to the General MIDI 1.0 standard. Each of these standards include more then 128 instrument patch names.
The keyboards you mention have more than a thousand instrument patches built-in and ready for playback. So how do you get the correct instrument patch name to display? You create a patch map that "teaches" the software program (Band-in-a-Box in this instance) all the instrument names the keyboard can playback.
Normally the manual for each keyboard model will specify the Control 0 (MSB Bank) number, Control 32 (LSB Bank) number and the patch number for each instrument patch name. All that information is stored in a patch (PAT) file. The Patch file contents is displayed whenever you choose "Select MIDI Instrument (Patch)" > "Select Higher Bank Patch (from .PAT File)" and then select a PAT file.
PG Music includes many PAT files with Band-in-a-Box including one for the Tyros keyboard. New to PG Music PAT files are available +++ HERE +++.
If you don't find a PAT file for a specific keyboard you can edit, modify and rename an existing file, find a PAT file on the internet or create a new PAT file. +++ HERE +++ is a tutorial PG Music made for creating a patch map in Band-in-a-Box for Windows and +++ HERE +++ is the tutorial for Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh.
A patch map is definitely useful to find or make, if you want to hear the upper bank patches of your MIDI synth. I've written several, and modified several more. It requires either manually entering the information from the user manual, or if you are lucky, finding a .INS patch map from Cakewalk SONAR and converting it (PG Music has a utility to do that).
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I've just tried this, following Jim's advice. I selected a .pat file that already existed. But all I get is grand piano, ie, Piano 1. The patch shows up in the Mixer as being loaded. Do I have to have the synth on and active in order for these sounds to be heard?
A PAT file is a list of instrument names along with other data that tells a program like Band-in-a-Box what midi data to transmit once a user selects a patch, otherwise known as an instrument name. Once a patch is selected the patch midi data is transmitted from the computer to the keyboard or sound module through a midi or USB cable. Then the keyboard or sound module will be able to play audio based on the Band-in-a-Box midi data.
Your keyboard manual should describe the settings you need to make so the keyboard can receive midi data.
Jim, I know how it works. Thanks for answering my question, though. I just wasn't sure if BiaB had internal instrument sounds set up for these patches or not. I guess "not." I would prefer to use a software synth rather than a keyboard, however.
Wait, what? A patch map is used only with an external hardware MIDI synth. For example, I have a Roland Integra-7. For BIAB to select the ‘good’ sounds the Roland is capable of, I have to load the patch map and then select my MIDI sound using the higher banks.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Not true Matt. For example I've attached a screen shot of the PG Music Patch Map webpage with the entry for Roland's VSC soft synth highlighted.
A patch map can be created for any soft synth or sound module that has documented higher patch banks.
Cooltouch, Band-in-a-Box does not have a built-in soft synth. You can select a soft synth in preferences (Ctrl+E MIDI Driver). However for some tasks Band-in-a-Box uses the computer's operating system midi patches. Both Windows and Macintosh have built-in midi patches that are GM compatible so a patch map is not needed when they are used.
Notice there are many keyboards listed in the drop down list along with soft synths. Again if you select a keyboard from the list it would need to be connected to hear any midi playback.
I knew, that I would learn something asking this question. :-) Thanks Jim and all for shedding more light, also through additional questions, into this topic.
Cheers Stefan
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I hope you noticed the screen shot I used in my first response is shows instrument patch names of a Tyros keyboard.
PG Music includes the Tyros Patch Map and MANY other patch maps with the Band-in-a-Box program. If you select Tyros in the midi settings, have the Tyros midi settings set up for external input and have the Tyros keyboard midi port connected to the computer all the midi instrument audio should originate from the Tyros.
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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.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
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Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
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