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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 125
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 125 |
Hi folks,
I would be grateful for any info on the following,
1 Is the sampletank that is included in biab 2013 the same sampletank that can be downloaded free from IK multimedia?
2 How easy is it to use as a synth compared to the ones we are used to in biab, do you have to pick a patch manually for each instrument, rather than load it like the TTS or the Forte or vsc dxi in biab?
Thanks
Axey
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,772
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,772 |
In answer to your your questions:
1. Yes it is the same, but PGMusic also includes some of their own instruments which can be played by the SampleTank engine.
2. For the most part, you would use it for individual instruments, not for a whole style. It is not a General MIDI synth. If you use the same instruments for the same tracks, then you can set it up as your default. PGMusic has made it easier to select instruments, however, by providing .TGS files, which basically preload individual instruments and settings. But in general, you would use it more like you use a RealTrack in that you select the sound you want manually.
I hope that made sense.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 8TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 11TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting and construction)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 125
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 125 |
Thanks a lot John for the very quick reply.  Axey
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,441
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I will point out that if you get the OmniSynth expansion, SampleTank is a General MIDI synth. 
Best, Tom SmithWin10/64 • i7-8700K • 24 GB RAM BIAB 2025 • Reaper 7 • Izotope MPS AKG C1000S • IK iRig I/O Pro
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 707
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 707 |
There are enough instruments in ST Free to fill virtually all of the GM "slots", but it still doesn't function like Coyote or TTS-1 or other GM synths in the sense that you have to load the instruments manually. Some of us have been using ST in BAIB for several years (and Kontakt)- but Forte or TTS-1 have always been easier, because you just set the instrument in the BAIB window and off you go.
Brian
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
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Quote:
I will point out that if you get the OmniSynth expansion, SampleTank is a General MIDI synth.
Tom, can you expand on that a little? My understanding of it is yes the instruments are GM named so if you need the GM bass it's there but it still does not respond to program changes sent by Biab. That means it does not load the instruments automatically like a true GM synth does. Example, you play a song with a style that uses the GM acoustic piano you still have to put the GM acoustic piano in the channel slot inside ST. But, change to a style that uses a Rhodes patch and ST will not automatically change to a Rhodes. Am I wrong about that?
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: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,161
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SampleTank uses GM Standards for the basic note descriptions and some Controllers, but does not provide a GM Bank Zero which contains 128 instrument sounds arranged in 16 generalised sections such as "Reed" with 8 instruments in each section, such as Flute, Clarinet etc. The synth does not respond to Program, Bank or LSB settings in BIAB/RealBand. Channel settings in Sample Tank are recognised.
You can set up your own collections of sounds and save them in SampleTank for future use. The settings used in specific BIAB files are saved in the file for future use.
A number of quality synths such as SampleTank, Sonik Synth, Miroslav, Kontact etc work in simular ways. I find that a GM Synth providing the Bank Zero sounds which are responsive to instrument selection from within BIAB most suitable for auditioning styles and song Demos. Plugins like Forte or an external Sound Module such as the Ketron SD2 can be installed rather than rely on the basic Micosoft option.
Once starting on the development stage, a switch to advanced Synths is recommended.
Filkertom - I haven't looked at the OmniSynth expansion for SampleTank, but thanks - it is worth examaining. VSampler bit the bullet some years ago and provided a Bank Zero using the PapelMedia Bank
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,441
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,441 |
Here's the specs for OmniSynth 2 (a major update from OmniSynth 1, don't bother looking for it): Quote:
For someone looking for an affordable multi-sampled instrument collection with a full General MIDI set of sounds, OmniSynth 2 delivers that and more! The follow up to Sonic Reality’s OmniSynth 1, this new version features a sound collection that is 4 times the size of the original! With over 1.3 gigabytes of sounds incuding the efficient General MIDI sound set from OmniSynth 1 this newly updated collection is un-matched in value for the money. Complete with a spectrum of beautiful pianos, guitars, basses, strings, pads, leads and more, OmniSynth 2 is a staple piece for any songwriter, composer or producer of any style of music.
Size: 1.32 GB
Number of Sounds: 246 Sample based sounds (parent)
255 Preset sounds (child)
IK Multimedia has it on the Xpansion Tank page of their site. Current price is $29.95.
Bob, LynB, I honestly haven't done enough with ST2 to tell how well it's going to work with BIAB. I know that it's pretty straightforward in both Acid Pro and Reaper -- click on one of the 16 instrument slots, double-click on the instrument in their picker, boom, ya got noise. Not as elegant as Aria, but not too much hassle. I suspect it may end up being a better fit with RealBand.
Best, Tom SmithWin10/64 • i7-8700K • 24 GB RAM BIAB 2025 • Reaper 7 • Izotope MPS AKG C1000S • IK iRig I/O Pro
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
Yes, I understand all that guys I was looking for something new with the Omni Synth 2 and it looks like there isn't. Axey's question #2 is the focus of this thread.
Axey, there's two different things going on with Sampletank and Biab. The first is the regular use of ST. It's as described already, you have to pick each instrument manually inside ST plugin interface screen. You have 16 midi channels in the left pane and the instruments in the right. You can set up multiple default's inside ST to match the same midi channels and instruments being used in Biab. Therefore no, ST is not as simple as a true GM synth like the TTS-1 or the Forte Dxi. I use both of those too. The second way is exclusive to PG Music and Biab. It's the new Hi-Q instruments and it's very clever. First you do not have to have ST set as your default midi synth. You simply right click on any instrument like bass in the main Biab window and select Hi-Q instrument. That opens up a list and you pick the bass and that's it. ST is playing the bass and your default synth plays the other instruments. No need to open and go into the ST plugin window. But and this can be confusing, if you want to use the large pallet of IKM instruments then you do need to open the plugin window and set it all up.
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: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,772
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,772 |
And once you go into ST, find and instrument you want, you can save it as a preset, so the next time you want that instrument, just open the .TGS (preset) file you saved and the instrument will be loaded.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 8TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 11TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting and construction)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,827
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,827 |
Hey All, I've been wondering if too install it or not after reading here: KONTAKT vs SampleTank I'm using Kontakt at the moment. Bob...
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 15,944 |
It's not an either/or ... you can use both. No conflict, and you likely already have multiple soft synths installed... (Coyote, Forte, Kontact etc.) this is just another one.
Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
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Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
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We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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