Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#107984 03/08/11 03:23 PM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 21
M
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
M
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 21
I recently purchased a Roland Sonic Cell sound module to use with BIAB. This module is not shown in the list however I found a pat. file relating to this module. I can not find a Dk. file to load the patches. Can you help me.
Mild Turkey

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
The .pat file is for the patches.


John
ESI Gigaport HD+
Lenovo Turion II /4 Gig Ram/ Win7x64 be
15.6" Monitor
"The only Band is a Real Band"
www.wintertexaninfo.com/BANDS/JohnnyD.php
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,126
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,126
Did you install Sonic Cell to the system?
VSTi or DXi ?


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
rharv #107987 03/09/11 04:06 PM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 21
M
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
M
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 21
Thanks for your advice. I now understand how this works and I can access the Pat. file OK. In the Roland Sonic Cell there are 32 preset drum rythm sets apart from the GM and I would like to use them but there is no DK. file. Do you have any clues on how I can sort this out.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,126
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,126
The manual should give you the bank number change needed (if necessary) but I bet they just need reception of the right program change number on channel 10.

Around page 223 in manual it shows you the ctrl change numbers you would need to enter.. for all of your various banks (at the top of each listed bank).

http://www.pgmusic.com/techfaq23.htm#41

Last edited by rharv; 03/09/11 05:10 PM.

I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
rharv #107989 03/09/11 05:21 PM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,693
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,693
Biab defaults to sending a "GM on" message at startup. That means it automatically puts your SC into GM mode. Those drums you don't like are the GM ones and they can't be edited and you can't access the other non GM drum kits when the unit is in GM mode. Tell Biab to not send the "GM on" message and manually put your SC into Performance mode. This should solve your problem with Biab however, if you use a lot of midi files, be aware most midi files are in GM or SMF format so again, they will put your SC into GM mode and you'll have the same problem with the drums. With midi's you have to edit the midi file itself to remove the "GM on" message and make sure your SC is in Performance mode, not GM mode.
Another possible problem is with GM drum mapping. That is, different parts of the kit are mapped to certain keys according to the GM standard like Bb3 for a kick, Ab4 for the ride cymbal, etc. If you do access a non GM kit in your SC but play a GM midi drum track it may or may not sound right. I don't know if Roland uses the GM mapping for all their kits. Most synth makers don't so you could hear anything like a kick part playing as a triangle bell or whatever. I do know that for all the non GM kits in the SC, you can change that mapping and save as a new kit to get around that problem. It's up to you to decide if it's better to change the midi part itself or change the kit mapping because in Biab you can go into the drum kit window and change the mapping notes there to match your SC kit if you want to do it that way.

As you can see, as soon as you get away from using GM as your default, things get tricky.

Bob


Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,126
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,126
Quote:

I don't know if Roland uses the GM mapping for all their kits.




In my experience anything in the last ten years or so pretty much does, when you get into 'kits'. If it's in the rythm patch group, it will be laid out nicely.

The couple recent Rolands I have, and others I've seen all use the basic GM layout for the kit, however where GM spec says it is a triangle on a given note those 'extra' sounds may vary. However the basic kit is pretty reliable. Bass, snare, toms, cymbals.. sidestick etc

All of that is in the manual too. Shows the keyboard layout and every sample for any note on a given kit. Roland manuals are large, but there is often great info in there.

Last edited by rharv; 03/09/11 06:13 PM.

I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
rharv #107991 03/10/11 01:27 PM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,082
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,082
I believe Biab loads the Dk. file based on what you have selected as your "soundcard" device in the midi driver set up area. See if there is one based on a Roland or even SC there.

Trax

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 21
M
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
M
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 21
I have been using my Sonic cell module with BIAB for some time without problem since receiving the above tips. I have recently bought a new desk top computer to process and edit my music. It is a Toshiba with Windows 7, 64 bit operating system which is the same as my lap top that I have used for perfrmance with Sonic Cell. When playing songs that have both midi and audio parts the song distorts, slows down and misses complete bars. I have tried reinstalling the drivers several times but I can not find a solution. Has anyone had similar problems and do they know of fix? Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,693
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,693
It's been a year since your first post, you didn't mention what your old operating system was. Always good to do that, for now I'm assuming it was XP. You need to go to the Roland site and find the downloads for the Sonic Cell then find the Vista 64 bit drivers. Yeah I know you have Win 7 but the Vista drivers will work unless they've posted newer ones but I doubt they have, the SC has been discontinued.

Bob


Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 21
M
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
M
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 21
Thanks for the advice. I have 2 laptops, both Windows 7 and Sonic Cell works without problem on both. I tried your suggestion but the new computer will not allow the Vista version to instal. I have notice the problem is also with midi only songs but not to the same degree as audio/midi songs.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 21
M
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
M
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 21
I have sorted this problem and thought I would publish the fix so othere might benfits if they have the same issues. I simply increased the buffer size in Sonic Cell to maximum in the sound settings in the computer. All working good. Back to editing and enjoying the music.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 21
M
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
M
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 21
I thought I had this problem sorted but I am still getting glitches in notes and latency in some bars. Can anyone tell me if the Roland sccc1 in the sound module menu relates to the Roland Sonic Cell with 1 card.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Quote:

I thought I had this problem sorted but I am still getting glitches in notes and latency in some bars. Can anyone tell me if the Roland sccc1 in the sound module menu relates to the Roland Sonic Cell with 1 card.




The dropdown to select specified synths only has the Patch Names in proper order aligned with the MIDI Patch Bank and Number that correspond, so that you can easily select all the Patches within a partifular synth.


That file has nothing whatsoever to do with connection or latency.

A hardware MIDI synth should have basically ZERO latency to it.

If the latency is continuous, ie always there, check the BB MIDI Output window Latency block and make sure it is set to zero when using a hardware synth.

If the problem is that the synth plays okay but every once in a while it stutters or otherwise gets behind the music, that is not a latency problem per se, it is something to do with your MIDI connect to the computer, either a Driver problem or possibly an Interrupt problem of some sort. Check the mfr's website for newer driver release and if found, try downloading and installing.

IF the MIDI device is USB connected, it is important to always plug the device into the same USB connect on the computer as used when the drivers were installed. Plugging into another will sometimes load either generic USB driver, which can be bad. Also make sure the USB device is plugged in, turned on and recognized by the OS *BEFORE* starting the BiaB program as the program only "looks" for the device at startup.


--Mac

Mac #107998 04/04/12 06:56 AM
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 88
W
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
W
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 88
I'm confused as to the purpose of the usb cable connection? Is this only used for VSTI, DXI or for synth plugins in BIAB?

I use a usb M-Audio 1 midi connection, with a usb flash drive, and the usb cable connected to a hub on my laptop, running Windows XP Home edition. I did check the registry and midi, midi 1 and midi 2 shows assigned, I would guess, as the appropriate drivers for those devices? (they aren't identified there as named and only show as driver/dll or sys)

One of my midi playback devices is the SC, and the another one is a Roland PMA-5 using a
Roland UM1 midi connection cable. They both show as *only* USB devices (Roland UM1 & M-Audio 1) and not as the SC or the PMA-5. I am unable to see the SC or the PMA-5 as selectable devices, but the SC does show in Sonar, as a selectable *instrument definition.* The PMA-5 also can show as an instrument def choice too, when that driver is loaded.

I believe at one point the SC did appear as a selectable "named" device, but not now? Am I missing something that is inhibiting it to show as such in BIAB or in any other program, for that matter? Keep in mind, the SC does playback/work from BIAB and the usb cable does *seem* to reflect or sound that it is connected, especially when it is
disconnected or UN-plugged?

Wrkinit (or not)

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 67
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 67
Quote:

I'm confused as to the purpose of the usb cable connection? Is this only used for VSTI, DXI or for synth plugins in BIAB?




I don't know the sonic cell but with my xv-2020, the usb cable is necessary to manage and edit the sounds. It can be used as a standart midi port too.
It has nothing to do with softsynths.


Free tools for Biab:
Biab Scales and BIArpeggio to practice scales/arpeggio
Biab Explorer: the other song picker
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,126
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,126
oops

Last edited by rharv; 04/05/12 03:16 AM.

I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 88
W
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
W
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 88
The problem I was initially having with the SC was due to my hard drive going bad.
It's amusing how computer technology is so volatile that it can sometimes you lead
down the path of the unknown...case in point, programs will work to a degree, where
everything appears to be ok, but really isn't? In my case, the issue was my laptop
wouldn't *fully* recognize the usb cable connection and wouldn't display the SC as
a selectable device. The only way it actually worked was thru the midi
connection, that is, until my laptop HD finally crashed. Go figure?

Wrkinit (at times)

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 88
W
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
W
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 88
Well after restoring my system by replacing the HD, I noticed that the SC is still not recognized as a selectable device. Fortunately, this issue is only on 1 of my laptops and the unfortunate thing is that the problem laptop is only capable of 256mg of memory and has a slower processor using service pack 2 (service pack 3 slows the entire system down). It's really old. (Compaq Amanda), but it has a built in CD/DVD burner, a 3.5" floppy drive, 1 usb port and they don't make them like this anymore, thus the problem (dedicated just for music and was under $100.00). My other laptop which is an old IBM ThinkPad, has the same built in devices, but the memory is larger and uses a faster Pentium processor, service pack 3 and the SC works as designed, on this one....

The only thing I can think of why one laptop sees the SC and why the other one doesn't is that, the IBM is faster and runs on Windows XP Pro with service pack 3, verses the XP Home Edition with service pack 2, that's on the slower Compaq. I could be wrong, but it's still baffling??? Has anyone else experienced this or is it just me, again?

Wrkinit (sometimes)

Last edited by Wrkit; 04/29/12 09:24 AM.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 67
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 67
Are you sure that your usb port works well ?


Free tools for Biab:
Biab Scales and BIArpeggio to practice scales/arpeggio
Biab Explorer: the other song picker
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
Holiday Weekend Hours

Our Customer Service hours this weekend are as follows:

Friday, April 18: 8:00 - 4:00
Saturday, April 19: closed
Sunday, April 20: closed
Monday, April 21: Regular hours

Thank you!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 French Version is Here!

Bonjour à tous,

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 pour Windows est disponible en Français.
Le téléchargement se fait à partir du site PG Music

Pour ceux qui auraient déjà acheté la version 2025 de Band-in-a-Box (et qui donc ont une version anglaise), il est possible de "franciser" cette version avec les patchs suivants:

BIAB 2025 - francisation
RealBand 2025 - francisation

Voilà, enjoy!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 German Version is Here!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!

Die deutsche Version Band-in-a-Box® 2025 für Windows ist ab sofort verfügbar!

Alle die bereits die englische Version von Band-in-a-Box und RealBand 2024 installiert haben, finden hier die Installationsdateien für das Sprachenupdate:

https://nn.pgmusic.com/pgfiles/languagesupport/deutsch2025.exe
https://nn.pgmusic.com/pgfiles/languagesupport/deutsch2025RB.exe

Update Your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 to Build 1128 for Windows Today!

Already using Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 1128 now from our Support Page to enjoy the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.

Stay up to date—get the latest update now!

Update to RealBand® 2025 Build 5 Windows Today!

Already using RealBand® 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 5 now from our Support Page to ensure you have the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.

Get the latest update today!

PowerTracks Pro Audio 2025 for Windows is Here!

PowerTracks Pro Audio 2025 is here! This new version introduces many features, including VST3 support, the ability to load or import a .FLAC file, a reset option for track height in the Tracks window, a taller Timeline on the Notation window toolbar, new freeze buttons in the Tracks window, three toolbar modes (two rows, single row, and none), the improved Select Patch dialog with text-based search and numeric patch display, a new button in the DirectX/VST window to copy an effects group, and more!

First-time packages start at only $49. Already a PowerTracks Pro Audio user? Upgrade for as little as $29!

www.pgmusic.com/powertracks.htm

Video: Summary of the New Band-in-a-Box® App for iOS®

Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new Band-in-a-Box® app for iOS®! Designed for musicians, singer-songwriters, and educators, this powerful tool lets you create, play, and transfer songs effortlessly on your iPhone® or iPad®—anytime, anywhere.

Band-in-a-Box® for iOS® :Summary video.

Check out the forum post for more information.

Forum Statistics
Forums58
Topics83,893
Posts771,869
Members39,480
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
winniemalone, Jersey Benson, /Brian evangeline, Steirerburli, Robert D Murphy
39,479 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 161
DC Ron 105
rsdean 96
WaoBand 85
Today's Birthdays
mike5256
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5