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In all my years of home recording and learning about midi, etc, I still have what I can only attribute to a mental block regarding certain signal flow issues. I know there are some Midi / Audio interfaces that are basically a fancy patch bay albeit some with fx and pre amps etc. These units basically direct signal flow from a guitar or mic and or midi keyboard into the computer sound card or VSC or Coyote.
I have seen write ups for midi / audio interfaces such as some focusrite models that sound as though they are complete recording systems in and of themselves and would work thru Real band or similar recording software such as cubase etc, even if my computer had no sound source of its own.
There are cards like the 2496 that have both midi and audio that plug into your computer so all of your sounds coming out of the computer speakers are coming from that card.
My confusion is this; Is there a stand alone sound source that will do both midi and audio so that I would not even need a computer except to operate the software program like cubase, or powertracks etc. Something with drivers that will allow me to switch between the computer sounds system if so desired or take it out of the loop entirely. I can do it with midi ie; the ketron,or similar, I can use a digital recorder arranger like the Boss or roland or even some of the new workstation keyboards.
What I am looking for is a sound module that will accept signal from Real Band etc both midi and audio and play it through speakers or phones, without coloring the sound. The realtec isn't all that bad but i'd like to upgrade somewhat and get better midi etc. All in one unit that also acts as an interface / mixer.
Whew./
Any input is appreciated.
Rob
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First, the AP2496 card does not have any MIDI sound capabilities of its own. Most soundcards do not have that anymore. The MIDI on most sound devices is just a MIDI connection port designed for the hookup of MIDI controller instruments and MIDI synths.
If I follow what you are after, the M-Audio USB Fast Track Pro sounds like what you may be after.
--Mac
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I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Quote:
If I follow what you are after, the M-Audio USB Fast Track Pro sounds like what you may be after.
Please note that if you're using any operating system other that Window 7 64-bit, the Fast Track's ASIO drivers won't work with Band-in-a-Box. You'll be able to use ASIO with RealBand, but will be stuck using MME with BIAB. For some people, that's not an issue, but others find that to be a deal-breaker.
Cheers
Kent
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Quote:
Please note that if you're using any operating system other that Window 7 64-bit, the Fast Track's ASIO drivers won't work with Band-in-a-Box. You'll be able to use ASIO with RealBand, but will be stuck using MME with BIAB. For some people, that's not an issue, but others find that to be a deal-breaker.
Cheers
Kent
PG Music
Boy that is sure the information you want to know before a purchase. I don't think I knew that there was an issue. I would assume there is a "compatibility" thread somewhere with this info so we can direct newbees.
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Isn't that right. I have one of these and never gave it any thought once the Windows 7 64-bit drivers came out, since it worked fine. This is important info, though, since there were other recent threads requesting info about Fast Track and BIAB.
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.
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Hi guys, There was a thread a while back regarding ASIO compatibility using different interfaces, but everyone in the thread who was using the Fast Track also happened to be using Win7, so had no problems. I've mentioned the compatibility issue a few times, but the Fast Track comes up a lot a lot... Luckily, Windows 7 is getting more widely adopted, so this issue has been coming up less and less. Here's a link to that thread, if anybody's interested: http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=319047&an=&page=&vc=1Kent PG Music
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This is very confusing and extremely difficult to nail down because of all the tradeoffs. First, none of the modern interfaces have any on board sound except for the Sonic Cell. I have a SC and it works great. It's a full Roland hardware synth including a nice GM sondbank that retails for about $700. I bought mine used for $400. Things change so fast I probably shouldn't say none, maybe there's others now. Most are like you indicated, input/output devices. My $500 EMU 1820M has midi in/out, two XLR mic inputs and eight RCA ins/outs. This is for multitrack live recording. My SC is a good interface, the ASIO works fine but it's only got one combo XLR and 1/4" input with a line in and two 1/4" stereo outs. Not good for multitracking like my 1820M. The 1820M has no built in synths or other sound but it has a very complex and sophisticated PatchMix digital mixer. Not a physical mixer. I don't believe any of them come with a physical mixer but I think Tascam and/or Mackie have a fairly expensive physical mixer that will interface with their regular interface. I see the SC is now discontinued so I don't know if anything is available to replace it. You said this: Quote:
I have seen write ups for midi / audio interfaces such as some focusrite models that sound as though they are complete recording systems in and of themselves and would work thru Real band or similar recording software such as cubase etc, even if my computer had no sound source of its own.
This is confusing. If you installed a softsynth like the VSC or Forte DXi, then your conputer has an internal sound source, right? Every computer has a built in sound chip on the mobo so they all have a built in "sound source".
I mentioned tradeoffs. The biggest one is do you like being able to do direct rendering or not? Direct rendering requires software VSTI or DXi synths, it won't work with external hardware synths. If you're using hardware then you have to route the audio output from a synth like my SC, back into your interface, the 1820M in my case, route it internally to Real Band or other DAW and record your finished song in real time as it plays back. A five minute song takes five minutes while a direct render may only take 20-30 seconds.
The way you worded your conclusion sounds like you need a good multi in/out interface similar to my EMU. With that you can use either your internal softsynths or external hardware. Something like my SC with a full synth plus multiple ins/outs that also acts as an interface may not exist.
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.
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Quote:
This is very confusing and extremely difficult to nail down because of all the tradeoffs.
You said that right.
Quote:
sounds like you need a good multi in/out interface similar to my EMU. With that you can use either your internal softsynths or external hardware. Something like my SC with a full synth plus multiple ins/outs that also acts as an interface may not exist.
But you don't seem confused at all, this is my understanding also.
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I was going to say there was no device with a built in synth that also is an audio and midi interface but rharv shot that down. It's not that confusing except win 7 64 has thrown a mankey wrench into things.
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I get really lost in these discussions only because until VERY recently I never used anything other than the Cakewalk soft synth that came with Sonar, and very little of that. I played parts in through a controller and played them back through my synthesizers. Granted I could get a lot of studio space back by not doing it that way but there's just something about the sounds in those old Ensoniq synths that I can't let go of. The warmth of those strings, the bite of the pianos....
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Wow!!
To sum it up, it sounds like the market is wide open for an external device that can do it all with quality results. I've found lots of options with trade offs, but no magic super device as of yet.
Although I still have to check out the link posted by Rharv.
Thanks for the input guys, I thought I must be really out to lunch not being able to find the magic button, maybe it only exists in my wishful thinking.
Rob
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Robert - there's really not a big demand for this because soft synths rule the roost in the recording world these days. The computers are way more powerful than necessary to make this a reality. I'm guessing Roland doesn't sell a whole bunch of those devices. Another much more expensive option, but is truly a one box solution is to buy one of the workstation keyboards that has the whole audio interface built in, a PC built in with access to all of the soft synths you need, etc. I haven't recorded the sound of a hardware synthesizer to disk in over 6 or 7 years. No need. I have way better sounds at my fingertips in soft synths for nearly zero financial outlay than my hardware synth; an Ensoniq VFX SD. Most DAW software works with these very very nicely; with some elbow grease. Less grease than hauling them all over the place and maintaining them. Seriously. ASIO is what makes this a reality. ASIO can be problematic, but most interfaces and recording software crossed the bridge to functioning ASIO many many moons ago. This isn't to say there aren't issues now and then, but truly working ASIO became part of my stable of tools in the mid 2000's, and I would never, ever want to go back. No way, no how. Once your brain makes the jump that you don't have to have a dedicated hardware synth, to get synth sounds, you will drink the Kool-Aid and join. It's o.k. to do so. In fact, it's getting to the point that what you seek is available with an iPad and some very clever interfaces for the iPad. I know Alesis just dropped an announcement a week or so ago. http://www.alesis.com/iodockSee that - no hardware synth and definitely some GM midi synth is available for the iPad is already out there. I haven't looked, I'm just sure that this happened probably long ago. But General Midi is not what you hear with today's songs. You are hearing immense sample playback synths/samplers, dedicated software synths that mimic old-school electromechanical keyboards and synthesizers etc. Guitar amps are very often amp simulation, in the box. So, while Roland is making it, I doubt there will be many copycats simply because of the dominance of soft synths and the available computing horsepower in today's multi-thread processors. I realize that I am in the minority here in PG world, but that is simply because most that post here SEEM to still be using MME, because PG products still are dodgy with ASIO. This is not the case in the rest of DAW software world. This doesn't mean I don't like hardware synths and keyboards. I really do - I lust for a Nord Stage like you wouldn't believe, or a Roland V-Combo to a lesser extent - but I can't afford it with 4 kids, the mortgage, a minivan with 181,000+ miles on it, etc. However I can crank away some very authentic B3 and Rhodes and Minimoog sounds way better than most dedicated hardware synths and it cost me exactly zero dollars. The VB3 emulation I won in a songwriting contest, the rhodes in a different contest, and the Minimoog sounds have come from the freebie MinimogueVA softsynth. It simply rocks. Drums, fuhgetaboutit in a hardware box. All the kids are using EZDrummer or Jamstix, etc. on their computers. Many times you don't even know they are programmed drums. Have a listen to Dimitar Nalbantov's stuff for some great progressive rock drum programming on Youtube. Here's a tasty one just to get the feel for what EZDrummer can do in the hands of a talented home-recordist and ridiculously good instrumental rock guitar player. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCbxeO32Nj4&NR=1 Because the computing power of an iPhone or iPad or certainly many laptops currently provide a flexible solution to your 'magic button' you just will not likely see companies clamoring for an all-in-one standalone box. -Scott
Last edited by rockstar_not; 08/31/11 08:51 PM.
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makes sense. I guess I need to educate myself more with softsynths, samples etc. My old yamaha harware piano still sounds like a real piano compared to some of the software, but I must admit to having listend to ony a few, and not willing to lay out big bucks at this stage in life.
Thanks for the detailed info Scott
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At lot of this Toucher is based on what you plan to do with this stuff. If you want to treat this like you're in a real studio like Scott and others do then you record and work with each track individually using many different synths or hardware for it. you might spend several hours on one track. Each step along the way could involve a different synth, custom patches, different plugin's for effects etc. You can spend half a day just auditioning patches from say 4 or 5 different soft synths then plug a few of your keyboards or sound modules and try those sounds too. Then spend another half day just messing around with effects both plugins and hardware. Just for one track. Then when you've finished the basic redording of all your tracks you may spend many hours or days massaging everything to finally arrive at a final mix using a completely different set of plugins or outboard hardware just for mixing. That's what they do in a real studio and if you want to get close to that level of sound quality then that's what you have to do as well. This is what I meant by saying 'could be confusing'.
A lot of others on this forum like to keep it simple. They may use one basic GM synth like the VSC or Forte DXi and that's it. Do the song in Biab using one synth, maybe move it over to RB to add a couple of things and burn it to a CD or wav file and done. You could do one song in an hour.
What you intend to do will determine if you need a $500 interface like my 1820M or will a basic Rockfish PCi card for $30 work, and synths, plugins, mixers and all that stuff. On the one hand it's pretty basic and simple but on the other it can get incredibly complex.
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.
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There's also a middle ground - where you use a choice few soft synths to carry the load. That's my routine. I don't have time to fiddle forever - I have a trusty stable of about 6 or 7 softsynths that I use for specific sounds and tasks. I know them well. I'm not doing film scores where I have countless tracks. I'm pretty much a folk/rock/R&B focused composer, and for that, I don't need GM's 128 voices. I play my own guitar and bass and keyboard tracks.
I don't do brass parts. To my ear, to get a non-casio sound for brass requires way more finesse in programming the midi than what I'm willing to invest in to get a realistic sounding part. No harmonicas or reed instruments either. Either the real deal or nothing. I've heard some Ketron stuff that sounds pretty darned good, but I can't take the time to finagle the controllers to get it that close.
So I stick with keys, guitars, drums and outright bonafide synth sounds. I do have to bone up on programming strings - I'm on the hook to do some short film underlayment bed tracks that need strings. A Kontakt sample library is likely in my near future for that stuff.
BTW - I'm not in a real studio. I'm in my basement with all it's warts.
-Scott
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And for the KISS process, very soon it will likely be the iPad thing with the Alesis type interface that is the simplest thing to go with.
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Toucher, The Roland Sonic Cell looks like an awesome piece of gear. It will make Biab sound like a whole new band and program. You won't be limited to just the Real Tracks for making music with that sounds authentic. Some of the best styles in Biab are midi and they need a good sound source to do them justice. The soft synth route doesn't cut it for my taste.  Check with your local music dealers and see if they might have one in stock to demo. Try before I buy has always been my motto when looking for new gear. I think the Sonic Cell also touts a vocal harmony feature, if I remember correctly? Trax
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Trax,
What soft synths have you tried? Unfortunately, here on pg world mostt folks seem to think that means forte dxi. Fact is, a good portion of tv show and movie soundtracks these days are using soft samplers with samples from vienna or east west. The beauty of the soft synthis that one is not limited to the computing power in a hardware synth. While the roland vsc is a softsynth it is meagre in capability compared.to whaybisnon the market today.
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Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 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 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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