Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
RealBand
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 49
B
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
B
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 49
Anyone using this? I want to run my MIDI tracks from my laptop. Is it possible to use just the USB to run my tracks? Or, do I need to get some kind of adapter like we used to have to like a 401 thingy? Sorry, it's been so long I forgot what I used to plug into the back of my desktop.

I just want to plug in a USB cable and hit play...

Thanks,
Bob
South Florida

Last edited by Boca Bob; 08/30/15 10:49 PM.
RealBand
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,827
S
Expert
Offline
Expert
S
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,827
It's USB it should just work, it should come up in your midi devices.

RealBand
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,840
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,840
Depends on what you are trying to do. If you are using the external MIDI synth to fee an external amplifier to hear the sound, then you should be able to select it as your MIDI device (or at least the MIDI interface to which it is connected - for example, I have my external device connected to my XMIDI 2, which is what I select as my MIDI output device).

However, if you are then wanting to feed that output back into your computer (to record it, perhaps), then you will need to have a audio line-in capability, either incorporated into your laptop (but most of today's laptops lack line-in), or into an external audio interface that connect via USB, for example, to your laptop.

I have the MIDI of my Ketron SD-2 connected the XMIDI2 USB connection, so select it as my output. I then have the SD-2 audio connected to the audio-in on my FastTrack Pro audio device, which is connected via USB back to the computer.


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)
RealBand
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 49
B
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
B
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 49
All I want to do is connect it to my laptop via the USB cable and play MIDI files from my laptop. I don't want to hook up any MIDI cables at all. Also, I'm not recording anything into my laptop.

I downloaded the manual, but it was vague. It only talked about inserting a thumb or flash drive into the MIDI port on the Sound Canvas and playing MIDI files by selecting them on the Sound Canvas. I didn't want to do that. I wanted to play Real Band or Power Tracks on my laptop, and use the Sound Canvas as a GM sound module - no thumb drive involved. Just a USB cable from my laptop to the module :-)

RealBand
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,827
S
Expert
Offline
Expert
S
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,827
Plug the USB into to your laptop.
Open Realband > Midi Device > Output > set to Roland SD-50

http://www.pgmusic.com/rolandsd50.win.features.htm

RealBand
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,840
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,840
Just looked at the user manual. Didn't realize that the SD-50 worked as both a MIDI module and an audio interface. That means it will serve as your sound card and MIDI module.

The user manual says, in order to use the SD-50 with your software, you’ll need to select the SD-50 as the audio and MIDI input/output device. For details on how to do this, refer to the documentation for your software.

You also must have already installed the drivers for your O/S.

It also says in order to hear anything, you have to either connect your speakers to the Roland or your headphones (page 38 of the user's manual - see above).

Supposedly, your computer will provide enough power via the USB connector, but not always.

The user manual also indicates drivers up through Windows 7, so I don't know if there are drivers for Windows 8 (but it's possible the Windows 7 driver will work).

Bottom line: install the drivers (the user manual tells you how), in BIAB or RB, set the SD-50 as your audio output and input device, set your SD-50 as your MIDI output device, and make sure you have either speakers or headphones hooked up to the SD-50.


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)
RealBand
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 49
B
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
B
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 49
Thanks everyone for your advice. I fully understand how to do all of the above. I checked the RolandUS website and they appear to have drivers for both 8.1 AND 10.

Looking good!

Thanks again,
Bob
South Florida

RealBand
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,542
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,542
PGMusic is selling the product .. I'm going to go ahead and suggest it'll work just fine with their products. I like Roland and have used a lot of their synths/interfaces, never a problem.
http://www.pgmusic.com/rolandsd50.win.packages.htm

You can buy it here and get the latest UltraPluspak along with it for $750 ..

Wherever you buy it from, come back and get the Patch List for it here to make it even more intuitive -

http://www.pgmusic.com/support_miscellaneous.htm

That way the extra MIDI patches (sounds) show in your list of available patches.




I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
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.

PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!

PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.

The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.

The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.

Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!

Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.

Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!

Order now!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!

Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!

We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.

Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!

Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.

If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!

Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!

We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.

Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.

Happy New Year!

Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.

Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!

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

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,061
Posts799,608
Members40,025
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
Newest Members
Ramon C., WernerF, B Positive Music, Kagiso Blue, McBody
40,024 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 145
DC Ron 105
rsdean 97
WaoBand 76
DrDan 75
Today's Birthdays
Al-David, Notareol
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5