This is a great deal for those of you who want much better sounds for cheap and this is why PG decided to include ST free with Biab. Having that installed allows a user to buy whatever expansions they want. This isn't like the $700 Kontakt synth plus their $300 expansions but still good, clean sounding sample sets that are way better than old GM synths like Coyote Forte, the TTS-1 or Hypercanvass and the like.
Hi, I'm a new BB user (1 week), read this thread, and went over and bought a couple of ST expansion packs (could hardly lose, for $10 each). Thank you so much for starting this thread, I never would have known otherwise.
Now my question - I've done a ton of reading and trying and watching and asking, and have learned a lot about BB and ST and ST sounds. My question has to do with how to load my new expansion packs on to my machine so BB can use them.
It turns out SampleTank 2.5 itself is installed on my C drive, which doesn't have much space. BB is installed on my D drive, where I have lots of space for where I hope to put the roughly 4GB (zipped!) of ST expansion files.
I can see the default BB/ST instrument sounds in c:\..x86\IK Multimedia\ST25\ Instruments\BB\ (Bass,Drums,...\Synth,World)\*.stip.
The instructions (clearly out of date) for the eSoundz ST expansion packs say to (1) drag the pack folder to copy it into (2) c:\..\ST2\STInstruments\*, and then relist the sounds in the ST app or sequencer (can you even see these sounds in BB)?
1. I don't want to unzip 4GB of zip files on to my C drive under any circumstances.
2. What is the win7x64 BB 2014 equivalent folder for the out-of-date "ST2\STInstruments" folder on my modern machine? I'm guessing it is "ST25\Instruments" as I found above?
3. I saw a video for the ST2.5 app GUI on how to load new instruments by using the ST Prefs.. menu/dialog to set the disk location to find instruments. It's not clear if this path is (1) just to load new sounds, or (b) if ALL (both old and new) sounds must be located below that folder.
I'm hoping that I can point the Prefs... path to a location of my choice on my D drive, and that ST2.5 will then index all the sounds there, and add them to it's internal list of instrument locations, so that I can access both the default BB/ST original sounds, plus my new ones.
Q. Do you think that's possible?
Q. How do I make the OmniSynth 2 sounds act like a different GM synth? Do I need to load the sounds, then manually bind (my choice) of sound to each one of the 127 GM midi sounds, then leave those bindings alone from then on? If I do that, and change the BB default synth to SampleTank, then my new OmniSynth sounds should be used whenever BB needs to use a GM MIDI patch, right?
Q. And if I use all the OmniSynth sounds in the 127 slots, there's no way for me to use one of the non-OmniSynth sounds (say an acoustic guitar) in a melody or solo MIDI track in a BB song, right?
I know that's a LOT of questions for one post, but I would really appreciate it if some expert could take a shot at them, and/or explain (why) there is a better way to do things, and what I should be doing as a newbie.
Thank you for your help. There's a HUGE amount of info to learn and to process with BB/ST/expansion packs, MIDIs, and importing MIDIs to melody/solo tracks, and binding them to better MIDI instruments than the default Windows sounds.
You do not need to install the ST sounds on the C drive. As a matter of fact you don't even need to install SampleTank on the C drive
I have all IK Multimedia SW (Sampletank2, Sampletank 3, SampelTron, etc.) and ALL IK sound/sample libraries for all IK SW, including all eSoundz expansions installed on my D drive (in a directory called music, which is ALSO where I have BIAB, RB, PTPA, Sonar, Jamstix, EZdrummer, XLN stuff, Native Instruments stuff, Reaper, …. essentially everything DAW, VSTi, or VST related installed.
Beware, if you install in non-standard places advice/directions and instrctions given later by others (e.g., eSoundz, IK Multimedia, forum members here,...) WILL NOT know that and will offer help based on standard locations. It is up to you to translate as needed.
As far as Sampletank and it's "prefs" path -it must find ALL sound & sample libs, including the HQ sounds BIAB installs, under that ONE folder "parent" folder (whatever that folder is). In my case, as seen by pic the folder is D:\Music\IK Multimedia instrument libraries\ …
As to how to use the GM Omnisynth add-on see this thread - Noel always has best pics and instructions
Win10Pro,i9,64GB,2TBSSD+20TBHDDs,1080TI,BIAB'24,Scarlett18i8,Montage7,Fusion 8HD,QS8,Integra7,XV5080,QSR,SC-8850,SPLAT,FL21&others,Komp.14,IK suite&others, just a guitar player-AXE FX III &FM9T, FishmanTP, MIDIGuitar2, GK2/3'sw/GI20
Hi Larry, thank you for your reply. Now I know that the ST Prefs path requires ALL sounds below it.
I did understand that if that was the case, maybe my best route would be to somehow uninstall / reinstall ST on the D drive, and then put my new sounds on the D drive.
But if I did that, I couldn't see how BB would be able to find ST in its new location. Would I end up having to reinstall the whole BB too, just so it could find an existing copy of ST?
And as for reinstalling ST, I note that (1) I never had an existing copy of ST when I installed BB, and (2) the timestamps on my C drive (ST) and D drive (BB box, etc) are identical (2014-11-14), meaning that I think BB actually installed SampleTank for me, except that BB installed it on my C drive.
Does my logic make sense? Is that how BB normally installs ST, on the C drive? (I know I would not knowingly install on the C drive, for sure.)
----------
While I'm waiting for your reply, I already (1) read the other forum thread you cited, and agree that it makes perfect sense, and (2) was thinking maybe I could find a non-BB installer for ST 2.5.
If I can find one, then I can (1) copy the BB-installed ST instruments to a safe place, (2) uninstall the C:...BB-installed\ST, (3) install my ST installer on the D drive, (4) and then repopulate the "default" ST Instruments folder with (a) my saved BB-shipped HQ instruments, and (b) all my eSoundz instruments. Then tell ST to relist the instruments, and then I should be ready to go.
As that other thread suggested, I should be able to get my BB projects set up the way I want using the default GM synth, and then at the very end just switch out the default GM synth on the melody/solo MIDI tracks with specific higher quality ST instruments, before generating MP3 files.
I will report back here if I find an ST 2.5 installer somewhere.
Ok, I found an installer for ST 2.55b on the IK Multimedia site in my user area, and proceeded with the uninstall on C: / reinstall on D: procedure described above.
When I ran the ST2.55b installer, I had to manually specify about 6 particular folder paths for VST plugins, RTAS plugins, etc. I just changed C: to D: in each case, and that seemed to work fine.
I had to copy over my saved BB-installed instruments into the new D:\..\ST2.5\Instruments\BB folder. (I had to create the Instruments\BB folders under the ST2.5 folder.) BB printed out a very nice error message telling me exactly where to move the folder -- I was impressed!
On the first boot of BB after all this, the ST plugin asked me to specify my Instrument path, and it picked up the BB-shipped instruments.
So I think I'm good to go on the D: drive.
---------
The only issue I have now is what is displayed in my melody track in my BB song. I had previously assigned a BB-provided "HQ 001 01 Piano, Acoustic, Grand SampleTank.gs" to the Melody track.
But I wanted to use a simple GM assignment, so I did (#106 Banjo). The banjo plays fine in the melody track, but now the melody track text says: ""HQ 001 01 Piano, Acoustic, Grand SampleTank.tgs Instrument: 106" (which is the banjo).
Is there any way to make the "HQ 001 01 Piano..." text go away?
Just bought 10 of them. Hope I have not been foolish, now Bridge lets me use SampleTank 3 etc. Can you use SampleTank 2 files in 3? Is it worth using 64bit stuff? Not convinced yet.
Windows 10 Home 20H2 Build 19042.487 BIAB 2021 (Build 818) Intel(R) Core(TM), i3-4160, CPU @3.60 GHz RAM 16 GB, 64 Bit X64-based processor Zoom UAC-2 (USB 3 interface-built in midi) VoiceLive 3 Extreme, Sputnik Valve Condenser Mic
The maybe depends on now much memory you have and if you already use the large 64 bit softsynths a lot. 64 bit lets you access all your ram while 32 bit limits you to a little less than 4 gigs so even if you have 24 gigs installed all you can use is 4. If you're running those huge sample libraries in the big name synths like Kontakt or Halion just one piano patch can be 2 or 3 gigs by itself so if you use a bunch of instruments that are all large samples you can see that 32 bit won't cut it but if you use hardware synths or much smaller softsynths that don't use the big sample libraries like ST 2 then 32 bit is good.
Yes, you can transfer all previous SampleTank patches into SampleTank 3 including the BIAB ones. There is a provision in the Main Window > Instruments to import Legacy Instruments. Also, in the Multi Window there is provision to transfer all previously created Multis.
Yes, you can transfer all previous SampleTank patches into SampleTank 3 including the BIAB ones. There is a provision in the Main Window > Instruments to import Legacy Instruments. Also, in the Multi Window there is provision to transfer all previously created Multis.
I already have Acoustic Guitar Collection 2, Vocal Collection and Omnisynth 2 Xpansion Tank modules all of which are very useful.
However, I also have the Sampletank 3/iRig Keys Pro bundle on it's way to me and I'm wondering whether the 33Gb of samples included along with the existing Xpansion modules above will suffice or whether it would be worth picking up any of the other 10$ offer modules?
Can anyone advise?
Thanks
EDIT: The offer seems to be over as they are now priced at $29 so please ignore my question.
Last edited by receder; 12/06/1403:02 AM.
BIAB 2022 UltraPAK, CbB, Studio One 5 Pro, Fender USA Tele, Harley Benton Fusion & others.
Thanks. Very pleased. Now I've installed BIAB 2015 with new realtracks and run out of hard disk. Going to have to move SampleTank to my USB drive or have a rethink. Might have to move the real tracks. Anyway, all good!
Windows 10 Home 20H2 Build 19042.487 BIAB 2021 (Build 818) Intel(R) Core(TM), i3-4160, CPU @3.60 GHz RAM 16 GB, 64 Bit X64-based processor Zoom UAC-2 (USB 3 interface-built in midi) VoiceLive 3 Extreme, Sputnik Valve Condenser Mic
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
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These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
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This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
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You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
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This Free Bonus PAK includes:
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Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
Playable RealTracks Set 4
RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 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 and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
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Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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!
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.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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!
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.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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