I set the volume in the VST, but the moment I press play, something sends a signal to the VST to instruct it to reduce its volume. This happens on many songs and I can never find out why. A check of all control events shows nothing that would change the VST volume. Does anybody else have this issue and do they know why the volume changes whenever play is pressed, no matter where this happens on the timeline?
If Bypass is selected then the volume doesn't change when Play pressed, indicating that this is definitely a signal coming from Real Band.
Send Most recent controller is unchecked, but didn't make any difference...
I can adjust the level while playing and it continues to maintain the new level. But always as soon as "Play" is pressed, it immediately drops to the lower setting
It did it in 2014 and now in 2015 also
Thanks Trevor
BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
Two thoughts come to mind. First, also click on "Disable special controllers". Second, take a look at the "Multi" level display in the Midi Event listing, I've sometimes found that CC commands on blank tracks can have an effect on this. You see this if you use the "Multi" function which shows all CC / SysEx and notes on all tracks.
If you bypass the VSTi then, I would suggest that you are playing another Synth. When playing via Kontact, I would suggest that there is a synth volume control somewhere which is reducing the CC7 values. I use a number of different synths which contain master volume control features. Generally I set these to maximum to retain full volume control within RB.
If you bypass the VSTi then, I would suggest that you are playing another Synth. When playing via Kontact, I would suggest that there is a synth volume control somewhere which is reducing the CC7 values. I use a number of different synths which contain master volume control features. Generally I set these to maximum to retain full volume control within RB.
I hope this is of some help.
Thanks for your feedback When I Bypass the VSTi I don't get any output, so I am definitely playing the correct Synth. There are also VU level meters on the Kontakt VSTi display, these levels change while playing when the slider changes. It's definitely Kontakt I'm hearing.
I thought I might have a different MIDI device sending on the same channel. If I change Kontakt to use say Ch 9 I get no output until I change Real Band to Ch 9 also, then I get output but the level changes immediately play is pressed.
BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
Two thoughts come to mind. First, also click on "Disable special controllers". Second, take a look at the "Multi" level display in the Midi Event listing, I've sometimes found that CC commands on blank tracks can have an effect on this. You see this if you use the "Multi" function which shows all CC / SysEx and notes on all tracks.
Thanks MS
Disable special Controllers and Unchecking Send Most recent patch didn't fix it
Re: "take a look at the "Multi" level display in the Midi Event listing," Where do I find that?
Thanks again
BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
Hey VT, the multi track viewer is in the Midi Event viewer. Located in the top row of RB, slightly off to the right, labeled like a blue page icon with an E on it. Go to the very first track listing to find "Multi". See if there are any SysEx listings in any track also look for other cc's. Common ones would be 7 and 11 for volume changes, 87 for nodes, 10 for pan, 91 for reverb, 93 for chorus as well as a few other less used.
Really excellent icing on the cake. Currently working primarily with UserTrack. One selected and active at a time. BUT your suggestion could certainly enter the picture.
I've seen this problem on my computer also using Kontakt. Have not solved it, but there is definitely some interaction between master volume and track volume. I'll be monitoring this thread if someone figures it out, and I'll post if I figure something out.
And it's not just Session Strings that does this. I think the issue is with the Kontakt player, regardless of the instrument loaded.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA
Some kind of omni setting in Kontakt itself possibly? Picking up the CC from any channel? Or possibly the CC is on same channel but a different track in RB.(?)
Just a couple ideas. However, disabling send last controller usually works.
I wonder if the Kontaxt VST has the initial setting buffered or in memory somehow .. it's weird that it happens as soon as you hit play. I suppose the Kontakt could be reading the track volume and resetting itself. (in that case it's a 'feature!)
<confused>
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
Hey VT, the multi track viewer is in the Midi Event viewer. Located in the top row of RB, slightly off to the right, labeled like a blue page icon with an E on it. Go to the very first track listing to find "Multi". See if there are any SysEx listings in any track also look for other cc's. Common ones would be 7 and 11 for volume changes, 87 for nodes, 10 for pan, 91 for reverb, 93 for chorus as well as a few other less used.
Oh, OK. Yes now I know what you meant. In the Multi Track Viewer there are a few Control 123 events with a 2nd byte value of 0. This is an All Notes Off event, and even removing them didn't change the problem. The instant Play is pressed the slider on the Kontakt VSTi reduces, regardless of the song position pointer. I can even go to the very end of the song, press play and the slider drops.
Will keep trying.
BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
I've seen this problem on my computer also using Kontakt. Have not solved it, but there is definitely some interaction between master volume and track volume. I'll be monitoring this thread if someone figures it out, and I'll post if I figure something out.
And it's not just Session Strings that does this. I think the issue is with the Kontakt player, regardless of the instrument loaded.
Thanks John for the feedback. I'm starting to think it's related to Kontakt VST also. I've reported to PGM Support, together with sending a sample file to reproduces the problem. This will be very disappointing if it's in Kontakt. I've noticed the problem several times, and never been able to pin point. But it's always when I use the Kontakt VSTi inside BiaB or Real Band
Regards
Trevor
BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
Regardless of the MIDI out check-box settings, Real Band and BiaB definitely send a CC 7 (and probably a CC10 - Pan) whenever play is pressed.
The Kontakt VST can have different attenuation settings applied when it receives the CC7. I found that the setting was in the range -infinity to -12dB, meaning the maximum volume level I could achieve was -12dB.
I changed this to -infinity to 0dB.
I could have also unchecked the "Accept standard controllers for Volume and Pan" checkbox but I would then have no program control over volume, something most of us would require.
Screen capture below shows the process.
Hope this helps someone else too.
Trev
BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
This is very interesting because I've seen similar behavior too. Just some thoughts, no solution yet.
1. Are you playing a downloaded midi file or is this a Biab generated song?
2. Is it only with Kontakt or have you tried playing the same song file using other synths?
3. Are you generating or regenerating some tracks using Biab styles?. When Biab generates a song it will put in CC7's for dynamics and presumably those will change every time a track is regenerated.
4. Is this only with midi tracks or does it happen with RT's or other audio tracks?
5. Does Session strings create string sections and is that what you're using, sections as opposed to single violin parts? Could it be possible that the different parts of a string section will have different volume settings that could be automatically varied by Kontakt for realism? This would be similar to how Biab will slightly vary each regeneration of a song.
I don't know these answers, just throwing stuff out there.
1. Are you playing a downloaded midi file or is this a Biab generated song? I haven't tried with downloaded songs, but BIAB songs and my own recorded parts experience this.
2. Is it only with Kontakt or have you tried playing the same song file using other synths? Don't seem to have this issue with other synths. I am thinking, though, that Trevor's solution is the solution. If your volume scale is limited to half the volume, it's just not going to work right.
3. Are you generating or regenerating some tracks using Biab styles?. When Biab generates a song it will put in CC7's for dynamics and presumably those will change every time a track is regenerated.
4. Is this only with midi tracks or does it happen with RT's or other audio tracks? Kontakt is a MIDI soft synth, so audio or RT's won't play in this scenario.
5. Does Session strings create string sections and is that what you're using, sections as opposed to single violin parts? Could it be possible that the different parts of a string section will have different volume settings that could be automatically varied by Kontakt for realism? This would be similar to how Biab will slightly vary each regeneration of a song. Session strings can do both. I don't think that's the issue, though.
Trevor can answer with his experience, as well.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA
Answers to my situation interspersed with your questions below:
Originally Posted By: jazzmammal
This is very interesting because I've seen similar behavior too. Just some thoughts, no solution yet.
1. Are you playing a downloaded midi file or is this a Biab generated song?
A: Neither. I am using my own MIDI tracks. It is a backing string cello arrangement that I recorded myself.
2. Is it only with Kontakt or have you tried playing the same song file using other synths?
A: I can play the track to any number of synths, including an external Ketron, but the volume problem was only with Konkakt.
3. Are you generating or regenerating some tracks using Biab styles?. When Biab generates a song it will put in CC7's for dynamics and presumably those will change every time a track is regenerated.
A: No, I'm not generating/regenerating. It is my own user-recorded track
4. Is this only with midi tracks or does it happen with RT's or other audio tracks?
A: Only with MIDI tracks, and only with Konkakt.
5. Does Session strings create string sections and is that what you're using, sections as opposed to single violin parts? Could it be possible that the different parts of a string section will have different volume settings that could be automatically varied by Kontakt for realism? This would be similar to how Biab will slightly vary each regeneration of a song.
A: I use Session String to play individual instruments rather than Ensembles. I generally create/record multiple string harmonies though - 3rd's, 10th's, 5th intervals etc, the same way as the string section in an orchestra would play (Violins, Violas, Cellos etc). Pre-arranged Strings Sections can often sound 'synthy'. A sample of how I do string arrangements is in Autumn Pulse, a song I composed earlier this year.
I don't know these answers, just throwing stuff out there.
Bob
I believe that the problem is actually solved. It's directly related to the internal attenuation settings of the Konkakt player, and the images I posted previously show where it happens and how to resolve.
Thanks anyway Bob for your input.
Regards
Trevor
BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
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!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
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!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
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
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
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!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
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!
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 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
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean