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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
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Lindsayward, welcome to the forum.
Version 2006 was before RealDrums (Dec. 2006) and RealTracks (Dec. 2007?). Rharv is right, you'll be amazed at the difference. It's far more than a few differences in features.
However, you asked specifically about the interface. This has not changed as substantially (maybe the mixer is the major addition, and VST handling) so you will immediately feel right at home. You'll just have a ton of great stuff added from which to choose.
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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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Yeah, that's like saying a 1929 Ford Model T has 4 wheels, brake and gas pedals and a steering wheel so that means the 2012 model is similar right? Uhh, no.
I wouldn't have a clue where to begin to list the differences. Let's see, Real Tracks/Drums, multiple VST's, Freeze Tracks, the Mixer, vastly better time stretch/pitch shift of audio, Drag and Drop to a DAW, the Conductor, the mind boggles.
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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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 61
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Quote:
its here!
http://www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.htm
It is! And it's even got madd2 chords at long last! Whoo hoo! 
I'm in! Downloading it now... 
Last edited by pinglis; 08/04/12 03:08 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 15
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Thanks for the welcome - hopefully I'm not so "suspect" now  I'm waiting for all those GBs to download, so I haven't got my hands on the RealTracks yet. It seems like those are the main differences. I switched to the Coyote VSTi for MIDI playback but couldn't really tell the difference. Not sure if I'm doing something wrong, but it sounds the same as 2006 or the stock MIDI option. ... PRO part downloaded, MEGA to come ... OK, now playing my first sample song with RealTracks - VERY nice! This is going to make my play-along practice a more enjoyable and "real" experience. I'm smiling
BIAB 2012.5 (upgraded from 2006), Windows 7 64-bit.
Guitarist and Worship Leader from Townsville, Australia
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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You said Coyote VSTi. If the word Forte is not in there then there is no difference from your basic Windows midi sound. All the Coyote does is allow you to do fast rendering and play along with less latency. The actual sound quality is still your basic el cheapo Windows Wavetable. You now have Supertracks. You must save up and buy a good midi synth. Listen to the demo's Peter posted using Garritan. A good synth meand good midi sound.
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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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Thanks for the reply. I'm glad I couldn't hear the difference if there wasn't one I have used Garritan (orchestral version) for Finale and it's great indeed. I've also got Kontakt 3, but it seems like overkill for a nicer sound to practise with. What is the "Forte" thing you mention?
BIAB 2012.5 (upgraded from 2006), Windows 7 64-bit.
Guitarist and Worship Leader from Townsville, Australia
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Coyote Forte is a General MIDI soft synth that will work on 64-bit systems. It is available through PG Music.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 392
Journeyman
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Journeyman
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I use Coyote Forte on my Win7 laptop and have to say that the sounds...especially the RT sounds are "really good." WAY good enough for woodshed practice and a serious contender for use on gigs.
I haven't done the 12.5 upgrade but I assume the new midi tracks will sould really good too.
Having said all that...I've been looking into the Garritan Jazz & big Band product and the sounds are just awesome!
For "a buck and a half" or so, it is RAPIDLY moving up on my list of must have stuff.
Best,
Jim
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,869
Expert
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Expert
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Yes I also use Forte but am considering Gsrritan. Is it worth the upgrade? The demo on the GPO site is outstanding, but this does not necessarilt mean that BIAB would sound good. I also wonder what the set up is like is it simple?
Win 11 64, Asus Rog Strix z390 mobo, 64 gig RAM, 8700k
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 392
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Journeyman
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Quote:
Yes I also use Forte but am considering Gsrritan. Is it worth the upgrade? The demo on the GPO site is outstanding, but this does not necessarilt mean that BIAB would sound good. I also wonder what the set up is like is it simple?
I too would be greatly interested in a discussion of Garritan...in the context of its functionality in BIAB...thereby making such a discussion appropriate to this forum.
I would be especially interested in how "idiot proof" the installation of Garritan is within BIAB is. (a requirement in my case) (-:
I am also interested in how correct...or incorrect...my assumptions about Garritan are which are....it is a software "sample player" which I assume are digital samples and therefore more like RealTracks than "tweaked midi" (no disrespect re: tweaked midi which can be made to sound very good).
THANKS!!!!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Quote:
I use Coyote Forte on my Win7 laptop and have to say that the sounds...especially the RT sounds are "really good." WAY good enough for woodshed practice and a serious contender for use on gigs.
Jim, not sure if you know what you wrote here. The midi synth you use has nothing to do with how the Real Tracks sound. Bob's Mantra: "Midi is not audio, audio is not midi.....Ommmmmmm."
Your last question about Garritan also needs explanation. The Forte DXi is a GM synth, Garritan is not. The difference is convenience and ease of use. The big deal about GM is all you do is pick the synth and all the instruments load and are ready for use. When you pick your song in Biab, it just plays. A non GM synth is completely different. The samples are usually too large to load and they're not organized to the GM standard anyway. That means you have to manually select each instrument first, then hit play. When you pick another song you have to do that again.
Some people when they realize that difference decide that the better sounds of a non GM synth isn't worth the bother of having to set up each song manually just for casual listening or playing around. If there's a song you really want to sound the best, you're going to put it on a CD to send out to friends or whatever then you do it with the better synth and make a real production out of it. All of this is simply your choice as to how you want to work.
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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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 392
Journeyman
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Journeyman
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Jazzmammal wrote..."Jim, not sure if you know what you wrote here. "
HA!! I knew what I wrote...but obviously didn't write what I know.
Thanks Jazzmamman!
Sometimes...too often...I seem to be able to type faster than I think!! I knew that RT is audio and midi is midi. Just a brain cramp. Thanks for pointing that out.
Re: Garritan and GM in general I was NOT aware that Garritan is not GM-based and for the exact reasons you so kindly explained, you just saved me $150.00!! Garritan would be overkill for my uses...especially with the seemingly constant improvement in the BIAB sounds.
THANKS!
Now, I'll go into the closet and shake until my embarrassment wears off!!
(-:
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2005
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Quote:
Now, I'll go into the closet and shake until my embarrassment wears off!!
Sounds like a song to me...
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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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Thanks for the responses. I'm downloading the Coyote Forte demo now.
Are there other GM synths worth comparing for this? I know there are lots out there; I'm asking if anyone has any recommendations - are any better than Coyote Forte?
BIAB 2012.5 (upgraded from 2006), Windows 7 64-bit.
Guitarist and Worship Leader from Townsville, Australia
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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This is a good question that gets asked periodically, but it will be buried here. May I suggest you start a new thread?
I can't advise because I'm still using a hardware synth from Roland.
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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