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I have an SD-20 Studio canvas. Is that considered a superior midi unit compared to the built in Coyote Softsynth or the impenetrable Sampletank which I've given up on? Just wondering...
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It is better than the Coyote that uses the built in Windows sounds. (Coyote WT).
About on par with Coyote Forte in my opinion.
The SD20 wasn't one of the better Sound Canvas units.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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I have an SD-90, I don't know if they share the same sounds or not, but my SD-90 is one of my favorite sound modules.
I also find different sound modules have different 'strong' sounds. The acoustic bass on my Korg i3 is the best I have, while the clean guitars on the SD-90 are my favorites. The Yamaha VL70m gets the best sax sounds, and the Ketron SD2 has the best all around General MIDI set.
The nice thing about hardware synths is they all have about the same latency (5ms - or for all practical purposes, none) and they don't tax the CPU of the computer. So you can pick the best sound for the song you are working on from many different synths (if your sequencer or DAW can take more than one).
Another good thing is that they don't get orphaned when the computer OS upgrades. The TX81z I bought in the 1980s still works today and has a couple of sounds that are still better than newer synths (FM synthesis doesn't do everything, but what it does well, it does better than a "ROMpler").
I've mixed over a half dozen synths on one mix before.
Every hardware synth I have with a GM set sounds better than the MS, VSC, Coyote, or any other GM soft synth I've ever heard.
But I guess that's my personal taste showing. There are others who disagree, and they are probably right for the way they make music - and there is more than one right way to make music.
Insights and incites by Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
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The only hardware synth with GM capabilities that I have is an old Kawai GMega: http://www.synthark.org/Kawai/GMega.htmlThere is one on EBay that is listing at $78: http://www.ebay.com/itm/KAWAI-GMega-Synthesizer-Sound-Module-General-MIDI-Used-/131687395666?hash=item1ea92e3152I'm hanging on to mine just in case the TTS-1 from Cakewalk ever gets lost in an OS upgrade. It has been off line now for a few years but if I remember correctly it was one of the best sounding GM synths at that time.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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I got this exact unit in a box in the closet. Check out that MSRP at the time or release.  I added this to an early version of BIAB.
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However, the associated MIDI with the RT piano is NO Supertrack. Remember when I made the comment about how complex midi is? Think about this question for a couple seconds then read my answer. How do you think the midi file was created from a Real Track? Done? Ok. The RT is recorded in a studio on a regular acoustic instrument, in this case a grand or upright piano. This is a standard piano, NOT a midi controller. The midi file was created by a couple of folks right here on this forum who listen to the performance and MANUALLY TRANSCRIBE BY EAR the notes into a DAW. There are NO controllers including velocity, sustain, volume or anything else. These transcriptions are ONLY there to create a Real Chart so a user can read the notation and see what the performer played. That's it and is a classic example of not all midi files are what you think they are. There are tons of absolutely brilliant commercial midi's that you have to pay for. You can listen to demos, read all about how they were created and figure out if they're right for you or not. The key here is PAY FOR. You can do that or... Turn yourself into Notes Norton and spend 20 years making yourself a world class expert in this stuff. The problem with all of us here including me is we're cheap. We're also nerds to one extent or another and want to do it ourselves. We see all these websites with hundreds, thousands of free midi files and go ha, great here we go I'm gonna have some fun. We go into this thinking I'm smarter than the average bear, I can figure it out. Not so fast Grasshopper. Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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The RT is recorded in a studio on a regular acoustic instrument, in this case a grand or upright piano. This is a standard piano, NOT a midi controller. The midi file was created by a couple of folks right here on this forum who listen to the performance and MANUALLY TRANSCRIBE BY EAR the notes into a DAW. There are NO controllers including velocity, sustain, volume or anything else. These transcriptions are ONLY there to create a Real Chart so a user can read the notation and see what the performer played. That's it and is a classic example of not all midi files are what you think they are.
Bob
I get all that. And for a Horn or Guitar or Cello that makes perfect sense. State of the technology and all. But for a piano??? Could they not just as easily had the artist sitting or a midi piano keyboard? Would that not have crated exactly the same performance RT's and simultaneously created the corresponding midi - with all the controller data nuances captured simultaneously? If the answer to this question is - Dan, you still don't get it. Than you are correct, I don't get it.
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The RT is recorded in a studio on a regular acoustic instrument, in this case a grand or upright piano. This is a standard piano, NOT a midi controller.
Bob
I think the acoustic grand used is a Yamaha Disklavier (it does have MIDI but may not be used that way). It's referred to in this post.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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The RT is recorded in a studio on a regular acoustic instrument, in this case a grand or upright piano. This is a standard piano, NOT a midi controller.
Bob
I think the acoustic grand used is a Yamaha Disklavier (it does have MIDI but may not be used that way). It's referred to in this post. I might be way off base here (because what Peter and his people do is actually some kind of MAGIC, I think), but I would guess that the early piano RTs did not capture the MIDI performance - since they were concentrating on the audio part - but since they figured out how to do BOTH - create audio RTs and capture the MIDI to create the MIDI Supertracks of the same performance - that that is what they have been doing.... At least I hope that is the case and they continue to do that - I LOVE the MIDI Supertracks (I love the RTs, too).
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Thanks Floyd
Yes, I imagined that they also captured the MIDI from the piano. Even though they have used the recorded Audio for the RT's, the MIDI would be ideal for the Notation. Saves double-handling.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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Thanks Floyd
Yes, I imagined that they also captured the MIDI from the piano. Even though they have used the recorded Audio for the RT's, the MIDI would be ideal for the Notation. Saves double-handling. VT, would (or could) the outputted midi have all the control nuances to capture the artists playing? Like the foot pedals? Or would it just be good for notation?
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Good find. I remember this. That is why I felt the piano RT's would have the full midi data - not just notation but full playing controls.
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If the answer to this question is - Dan, you still don't get it. Than you are correct, I don't get it. You don't get it. What's the stated purpose of the Real Tracks? It's to capture the performance of a live human playing what again? A REAL PIANO, not some stupid controller. I have a room full of those already. You don't get the full ambient sound out of a controller because all the guy is doing is triggering a stupid synth. I feel like screaming here. Why don't people get that?? We're triggering synths right now and people complain the track has no life which is why the RT's are so popular. There's no synths involved yet you're asking for a midi file of the RT so you can go and trigger a synth with it. After you do that you'll be asking how do I make this sound more real because right now it's lifeless. This turns into a circular discussion real fast. RT's are Real, synths are not but I want to change the RT so I can use a synth but I want it to sound Real but that's what the RT is for but, but... I said earlier this stuff is complicated. It's difficult to explain it without writing a book but here's some highlights: 1. Biab is a GM program. 2. GM has very limited controller functionality. 3. If you use a really good synth that last thing the developer of that synth wants to do is cripple it by using GM controllers so they develop their own proprietary system of controlling it. This is why most of the major synths both software and hardware don't even include a GM soundset. Pro's could care less about GM anything. This is also why the really big well known ones have a package deal. You buy their software PLUS their specific controller to use with it. 4. If you load in a beautiful midi file that was done using a $3,000 software synth with another $3,000 controller and yes expensive ones like that exist in major studios, Biab will ignore all the good stuff and all you get are the basic midi notes and a few basic controllers because it doesn't know from someone else's controller scheme. 5. Unless you're planning on buying all that stuff and taking a four year course in digital audio production, all you're going to be working with are GM midi files or tracks using Biab which is a GM program. Yes, you can set up a killer VST synth like Kontakt or something in Biab so you can play the much better non GM patches but even though you're getting a great basic sound you're still missing all the controllers that Kontakt is capable of using because Biab can't use them. Plus if you do that Biab is no longer a simple load the song and hit Play thing. No, you have to go into each track of the song and manually set up the instrument patch you want to use which gets old fast. This is the reason PGM invented the Real Tracks. It's understandable when people listen to a great instrument RT they think, hey if I had a midi file of that RT all I need to do is change a few notes and I can make that RT fit exactly what I'm trying to do. Except you're not using the RT, at that point it's just another GM midi file we've all been using and basically hating for years. I understand your frustration but you need to so some serious reading about midi and how it works. There's lots of YT vids out there, check some out. Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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OK Bob - don't get upset. I am reading and learning. I am not frustrated, I'm just a little naïve and a bit ignorant on the depth and detail of the topic. I appreciate your insight.
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The MIDI Supertracks piano tracks played using even a half-decent piano vst are STUNNING. As good - and often better than - the RT of the same name. (and the RTs are great)
You should try one out.
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Let me be clear.
BIAB MIDI Supertracks are working great for my new foray into using more MIDI. I wish there were more of them.
The couple of RT'S I have used to EXTRACT the associated MIDI have not worked out. The transcriptions do not always match the chord charts and the real issue for me is the timing does not match what is heard in the RT.
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The transcriptions do not always match the chord charts and the real issue for me is the timing does not match what is heard in the RT. Right and they never will either. The reason is a chart taken from midi notation cannot capture all the fine nuance of the performer's playing plus of course maybe the person doing the transcription missed something. Think of this in the reverse. You give the score of the 9th Symphony to two world class orchestras. You might think they both would play it exactly the same because after all here's the original score, everything is precisely written out with all the expression marks, timing marks, crescendo, decrescendo all of it. Yet there are very famous recordings of that piece done by the most famous orchestras in the world with big name conductors and they're all different. Why? Because those orchestras and conductors are all human beings not computers reading the score. Back to the RT's. AFAIK the best consumer level software available cannot capture the fine nuances of a pianist playing an acoustic piano even if it's a Disclavier. The performance is being converted to the midi language and no way will it match perfectly. The finest schooled musicians in the world can notate that RT performance to the best of their abilities, give it to another great player and that player is going to interpret it their way. Will they hit all the notes exactly as written, yes. But the overall feel is different in many subtle ways. You might not be able to describe it but you sure can hear it. Now some of the Supertracks are really good. The problem comes when you go to edit one. As soon as you start changing something you lose some of the original feel because you're not the player, you're sitting at a computer looking at a piece of software trying to make your changes fit and you think something is missing because it is. I'm starting to ramble again because this is such a deep subject. The point is you can realistically only go so far with a midi version of a Real Track. The better player you are, the better you know how this all works the better your results will be. Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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You don't get it. What's the stated purpose of the Real Tracks? It's to capture the performance of a live human playing what again? A REAL PIANO, not some stupid controller. I see where Bob's coming from, but I don't totally agree with all that has been said. I have a great fully weighted piano with MIDI output - a Roland RD-1000. I connect it to Synthogy Ivory VST (an 80 GB sampled set). The keyboard produces a massive amount of information. Synthogy Ivory reproduces every nuance of a Grand Piano, including Sustain Resonance, Sympathetic Resonance, even Pedal Noise. I also own a Yamaha C5 Concert Grand. The 'C series' is the specially produced Conservatorium model, the Rolls-Royce of their Grand Piano range - Good, and definitely not cheap. If you asked me which is the better instrument to play, it would usually be my RD-1000 coupled up to Synthogy Ivory. Both of these are much, much cheaper than my beautiful grand. The sound output is sensational. The nuances unbelievably real. I'm not dismissing RealTracks for a second, or saying one is better than the other. The point I am making is that exceptional results can be obtained from MIDI in some circumstances. I've proven it. However, use MIDI generated from playing a keyboard to produce a trumpet, flute, trombone or similar instrument and you probably won't get the same success story. I don't like to think of my Roland RD-1000 as "some stupid controller" and I don't like to think of playing Synthogy Ivory with my Piano as "triggering a stupid synth". Let's all take a step back here and look at how we can broaden our experiences eh? After all, we're all on the same team. We're "talking MIDI here", so we can all offer some real-world experiences to the conversation. This is one of mine, and it needs mentioning. No one has to agree. YMMV Trevor
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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VT, would (or could) the outputted midi have all the control nuances to capture the artists playing? Like the foot pedals? Or would it just be good for notation?
Yes, if the MIDI data was recorded from the performance, it should include Note On, Note Off, Note velocity, sustain pedal, all other controllers, Sostenuto, Soft Pedal, Polyphonic Key Pressure, Pitch bend changes and much more. If the MIDI data was transcribed by hand though, then expect all notes to probably have the same velocity, and few if any other events to be included. That's not a limitation with MIDI, mind you. That's just a limitation in the manual transcription method. HTH some. Trev
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
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Thanks guys. Great comments - on topic. I do believed I get it - at least pretty much for a guitar player!
The RT-Pianos could have been delivered as both Audio and SuperMidi - but they weren't. Simple as that. Well, at least the great majority weren't.
So riddle me this. Given that the RT-midi was manually transcribed for notation, then how did velocity get coded? I suspect some degree of midi-recording for piano was done, some of the time, for some of the RTs.
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With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
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.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
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.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 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 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-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
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 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®!
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