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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I recently purchased some great sample saxophone voices. I have figured out how to use them with RealBand. I can select and individual (Alto/Tenor/Bari/Soprano) in the MIDI option windows of BIAB, but cannot for the life of me figure out how to assign a track to use it. I am fine with Coyote, SFZ etc. as those are general MIDI and I can select the appropriate patch. Does anyone have any experience with such a .VST? I have tried using Kontakt Player, but the documentation is abysmal, and I cannot seem to load any of these as they are not "library" file formats that are recognized. They are pretty killer samples, especially with a wind controller... http://www.samplemodeling.com/en/products_saxes.php
Jan - 12 Core AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
32GB DDR4
Win 10 64-bit
Samsung m.2 SSD Boot drive,other SSD internal and USB drives.
MOTO 2
Ketron SD90
Aerophone AE-30, Yamaha WX-7
Yamaha RX-v381amp
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Following the provided link, Sax Brothers requires the V4.2 or V5 VST Kontakt player which is available in both standalone and plug-in versions. You can use either the free or full version of Kontakt. I'm guessing you used the standalone player to play your wind controller in real time. The VST version of the free version of Kontakt 5 is 64 bit ( ++ see Kontakt specs here ++ ) so you will need to use the PG Music beta version of jbridge to get Kontakt to work with BiaB which is a 32 bit program. The Sax Brothers page also indicates the instrument is cpu intensive so it is best to limit the number of instruments and possibly raise buffer settings. My guess is by the time midi passes from BiaB to jbridge to Kontakt to Sax Brothers your computer is going to be grunting at the load.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I always go to my DAW, Sonar, when I want to use a VSTi because it's designed to do that easily, and IMHO..... better.
Kontakt is one of the industry standards for synths so it would be a really good idea to learn how it works if you are planning on using synths. So many great third party sound sample libraries are available for it.... it's such a shame to pass it up because you can't find good documentation.
I don't think I had any documentation. Often, if there is any, the user manuals that come with software is horribly written. I bought it, and loaded it.... I actually have one of the earlier Komplete collections, and to learn the various synths in the collection, I simply loaded them like I did for the other VSTi's I was using and started experimenting.
Kontakt rocks.....
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
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Journeyman
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OP
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From the FAQ:
I cannot load the SWAM instrument into Kontakt!
SWAM instruments are not Kontakt instruments. They work as plugins in any host application like a sequencer, audio work station or a free VST host, in all common standards (VST, AU, AAX). SWAM is our own engine which does not require/cannot use Kontakt software.
This is from their FAQ. Apparently the latest versions of Saxbrothers is "standalone" and uses their own engine. They do not explain this well, and much of the data on their webpage seems to have not been updated to reflect the change.
Jan - 12 Core AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
32GB DDR4
Win 10 64-bit
Samsung m.2 SSD Boot drive,other SSD internal and USB drives.
MOTO 2
Ketron SD90
Aerophone AE-30, Yamaha WX-7
Yamaha RX-v381amp
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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PhillyJazz, exactly what version of Samplemodeling saxes do you have? If you have "The Saxes", they include bari, tenor, alto and soprano saxes then they are the SWAN version and do not require Kontakt.
If in fact you have the Sax Brothers, Bari, Tenor and Alto, then they require at least Kontakt 4.2 player, however you will get a lot more options when using the full Kontakt.
I ask because your initial message is a little confusing as it says you have all four saxes but the title says SaxBrothers, which has only three.
Dad, how will I know when I've become an adult.
When your day is ruined because they rearranged the grocery store.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Mario - Sorry, my bad.. I do have "The Saxes." I was unaware of the change in name (as I had been lusting after these .. and saving my pennies) for so long. I did not make any distinction between the bundles. I do have the SWAM version.
Thanks for the clarification. I am still in search of an answer as to how they might work in BIAB ...
Jan - 12 Core AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
32GB DDR4
Win 10 64-bit
Samsung m.2 SSD Boot drive,other SSD internal and USB drives.
MOTO 2
Ketron SD90
Aerophone AE-30, Yamaha WX-7
Yamaha RX-v381amp
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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BB should be able to load most VSTi synths like any other plug in.
Learn how it's done and give it a try. I'm not much help on this process since I do not use plug in's and VSTi's in BB or Real Band. All my synths are done in Sonar.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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This is cool stuff and can sound fantastic, but the key word, "can". This confused me for so many years. Why did so many of these expensive VSTi instruments sound so bad when I inserted these on a simple midi melody track I came to discover that, as it says on the web page: Availability of the physical controllers, most importantly an expression pedal or breath controller, and mastering real time use of the most important controllers are the key."Pay attention to the phrase. " mastering real time use of the most important controllersMIDI which has not taken these controllers into account sounds like a circus organ no matter how fancy and expensive the synth. But you guys already know that. 
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2003
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The Saxes are my go for saxophone sounds. You mentioned that they are samples, however they are not samples. This is physical modeling software. That is why it sounds so good and is so CPU intensive.
As Dan has said you must learn MIDI to get the most out of it, especially during input. Volume and vibrato are the big ones. Pitch bend is another but it can also be inputted easily, at least in Sonar.
Which brings me to how are you going to input? A wind controller is the best, I have an Akai EWI-USB that is just great with The Saxes. A keyboard with an expression pedal is also a good way to input and adding a breath controller will help tremendously.
I don't record or use plug-in in Biab or RB. Do you have a DAW? If not learn RB as any DAW is far superior to BiaB when recording. This is not a knock on BiaB, it just wasn't really designed to be recording software.
If you need help with The Saxes just contact me.
Dad, how will I know when I've become an adult.
When your day is ruined because they rearranged the grocery store.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Journeyman
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I have a WX-7, a WX-11 and an EWI USB. I have used the WX-7 for years, and it is my favorite, but the controller features have become finicky, so I got the WX-11 (not a fan of EWI - I play real saxes. I actually have a real Bari, tenor, soprano and two altos.) I have always been after an easy way to get a real acoustic sound to avoid lugging all that heavy brass around.
I have used BIAB for years, and used RB for projects where I layered multiple horns. What I am REALLY after is a means for live playing. I have a Surface Pro 3 with a USB MIDI in, and often use BIAB in lieu of dragging around Eb and Bb fakebooks. I CAN transpose, but I find I can blow more freely if I see the changes in the key of my horn.
I actually bought a copy of vArranger (quite expensive) which does a really nice job of handling .VST patches (though there is some load time switching among them.)
I guess I need to play around more with the parameters of the Saxes. I don't seem to be able to get all the expressive qualities I hear on the videos.
Thanks
Jan - 12 Core AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
32GB DDR4
Win 10 64-bit
Samsung m.2 SSD Boot drive,other SSD internal and USB drives.
MOTO 2
Ketron SD90
Aerophone AE-30, Yamaha WX-7
Yamaha RX-v381amp
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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BTW, I just tried them all in Sonar and they are working very well. I'll need to work with the parms, but I am getting the expressiveness down. At least I have an easy way to work with them, but would love something with a less cumbersome interface for live situations.
Thanks for all the suggestions!
Jan - 12 Core AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
32GB DDR4
Win 10 64-bit
Samsung m.2 SSD Boot drive,other SSD internal and USB drives.
MOTO 2
Ketron SD90
Aerophone AE-30, Yamaha WX-7
Yamaha RX-v381amp
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Posts: 623
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OK .. I finally got it... Part of it had to do with the "Thru" being relegated to an additional button on the Mixer/Plugins/Piano/Patches tab menu. Old habits, since I've been a BIAB user since the DOS 1.0 version.
Once I figured out to go to the "Plugins" tab, I was able to assign one of the saxes to the Thru channel. THEN I had to got to the Sax UI and force the channel to 1.. Then select the breath controller, and I'm in business.
Not really easy to change, though..Once I select a plugin, I have to exit BIAB and restart to select another...not sure why that is.
Thanks to all for your patience and assistance.
Jan - 12 Core AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
32GB DDR4
Win 10 64-bit
Samsung m.2 SSD Boot drive,other SSD internal and USB drives.
MOTO 2
Ketron SD90
Aerophone AE-30, Yamaha WX-7
Yamaha RX-v381amp
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
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Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
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Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
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-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
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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!
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