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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 392
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 392 |
Folks, I realize that we all hear differently and have different tastes in what we hear but I am just curious about what you think the "highest quality" synths would be given my installed choices...and noting that I don't intend to buy an external sound device any time soon.
1. Coyote Forte Dxi
2. Coyote WaveTable Dxi
3. Roland VSC Dxi
4. Roland VSC DXi in GM2 mode.
I'm running 13 so I have SampleTank available but I haven't installed it. But I guess that should be the 4th choice.
THANKS!
Jim
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,357
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Posts: 20,357 |
Hi Jim,
My usual softsynth is VSC/DXi in GM2 mode. I use that one because it's general midi which means it works for all tracks.
When I want better sounds on a track, I use Sampletank or Dimension Pro on that track.
Regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
I also still use the good old Virtual Sound Canvas quite a bit for everyday working with BiaB on my older laptop that still runs XP 32bit, anyway. I just find that it is good enough for everyday work, practice, etc. and is always there with the laptop as vs use of a hardware synth, maybe not the most high fidelity of synths these days, but having the full GM bank available and the fact that the VSC and Band in a Box "get along" with each other quite nicely, the ability to just load a song and hear it play without the need for fiddling with setting patches or assigning them before hitting Play.
As for the GM2, I set mine to that a long time ago and loaded the proper Patchmap file for GM2 mode and it is great. When set to GM2 mode you don't lose the "original" GM bank with the VSC, so all songs that use the GM bank will sound exactly the same. The value of the GM2 bank, however, is that you get access to many more Patches in addition.
Of course, if you are running later OS or 64 bit OS, then the venerable old VSC won't likely install and work there. So the Coyote is provided with BiaB and is what's there, still being GM compat anyway, making the "automatic" loading of Patches equally available for everyday work as described.
Having a GM synth as the default for Band in a Box also makes for the ability to Audition demo songs, other people's songfiles, etc. with the ability to basically hear what they heard from their GM synth. I like to hear those "basics" before attempting to change patches, synths, mix levels, etc.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,789
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,789 |
1. Coyote Forte Dxi My goto synth for BIAB. 
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,449
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What jazzmandan said. I like being able to load SampleTank, Aria, and a bunch of my other VSTs, but for plain ol' GM Coyote Forte DXi does the job easily, quickly, and with good sound and great stability.
Best, Tom SmithWin10/64 • i7-8700K • 24 GB RAM BIAB 2026 • Reaper 7.57 • Izotope MPS AKG C1000S • IK iRig I/O Pro
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,805
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,805 |
For $39, you can get a copy of Cakewalk Music Creator 6, which is a fine DAW; however, you also get the TTS-1 DXi softsynth, which isn't quite as good as the VSC (in my opinion), but I like it better than the Coyote (I have both). Just be sure to install the 32-bit version, otherwise you'll find the 64-bit version does not work with BIAB or RealBand.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 392
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 392 |
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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.
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
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Happy New Year!
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Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
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