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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 8
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 8 |
What is the best external sound module for acoustic guitar and electric bass. Have checked into the Ketron and Roland SD-50 but can't find much information on these devices. Do they just play the midi created from BIAB or does a separate contrller have to be used. Thanks
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Hi bgober, and welcome to the forum! I really like my Ketron SD2 with Band in a Box. You don't have to do anything more than turn the Ketron on and have it connected to computer and selected properly in BiaB to play back the "normal" GM sounds and using it with the Upper Banks is quite easy to do as well, for there is a Patch Map made for the SD2 posted over on the Support Pages here. As to whether the sounds of *ANY* MIDI synth are "best" or not can be quite subjective. As MIDI sounds go, the samples included with the Ketron SD2 are, in my book, a cut above the norm. The Ketron SD2 is also very user friendly and rather easy to use, is small in size but large in sound. The following demo is several years old now, posted on the Ketron USA website, I put it together using the SD2 driven by PGMusic's Powertracks Pro Audio program, which is fundamentally the same in operation as the newer Realband program, only difference really being that Powertracks does not include the Band in a Box Autoaccompaniment engine. So this is just a strict MIDI sequence. http://www.ketronusa.com/sounds.asp?mod=SD2First selection at top of page. After all this, I still heartily encourage anyone shopping for a MIDI synth to take their time and try to AUDITION the possible selections that interest them, for everybody has their own idea or two about what sounds great in the way of MIDI instrument imitations. It is indeed a subjective thing. --Mac
Last edited by Mac; 03/02/13 08:24 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109 |
awesome sequence Mac! I'm very impressed...
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,792
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,792 |
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,259 |
When I heard Mac's SD2 demos a few years ago, I immediately got one and haven't been disappointed. I've tried Aria and other soft synths (from Sonar X1). None compare with the SD2 that I've tried and it's very easy to use the SD2 with Sonar. The only button on it that I use is the power switch. Very simple to use. FWIW
Stan
Cornet Curmudgeon
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,163
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Joined: Jan 2003
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If you want authentic sounding guitars and basses in a midi synth, then be sure to check out Yamaha's "Mega Voices" on their latest keyboards. You should be able to find a video or two of them on YouTube as well.
There is also a software program they use to convert a standard midi guitar file into one that utilizes their mega voices. The software adds the slides, pick sounds, mutes etc that a real guitar has in midi format.
Trax
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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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XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
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Note: 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.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Holiday Weekend Hours
As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:
April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours
Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
— Team PG
Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!
If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
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