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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 368
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 368 |
I presently use a Roland SD-50, so I can both have Real Sounds and MIDI Sound of a nice quality and need only one single USB cable from my laptop to the SD-50.
I picked up a used unit, so if you are lucky (too) it should not costs you very much.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 34
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 34 |
Hey, if you're a kid so am I. I was born in 1945 too! After thinking about all this stuff for a week or so now, I'm going with some RT's. I may get some soon. The activity director @ a care facility asked me to put on a program for the residents on St. Patrick's day. So I've been adding some more Irish stuff to BB. I also play fiddle live to the BB tracks, witch is a lot of fun. Thanks to you all for your advice.
russ66
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 733
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 733 |
I presently use a Roland SD-50, so I can both have Real Sounds and MIDI Sound of a nice quality and need only one single USB cable from my laptop to the SD-50.
I picked up a used unit, so if you are lucky (too) it should not costs you very much.
Yes, my SD-50 works well as an audio interface as well as a midi synth so you only need a single usb connection to your computer for both midi and RealTracks from BIAB. However if you want convenient live mix control of the two sources then you need a separate audio out from the computer to a mixer. Tony
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,125
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,125 |
The activity director @ a care facility asked me to put on a program for the residents on St. Patrick's day. So I've been adding some more Irish stuff to BB.
russ66 There's some good Celtic and Irish Bodhran Real Tracks available. Have a search for 'Celtic' or 'Bodhran' on this page
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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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 368
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 368 |
Tony,
I use the mixer window in BB to control the levels of both MIDI and Real instruments! Works OK for me.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 273
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 273 |
Since I'm always on the lookout to improve sounds, this thread caught me eye. Unfortunately, I know next to nothing wrt hardware synths (and barely more than nothing wrt to software synths  ). So, at risk of hijacking this thread, I have a few basic questions about hardware synths (sound modules): How exactly does a hardware sound module get hooked up to a PC? I'm presently using an external sound card with my Kawai VPC1. The external sound card is connected to my laptop (where BIAB resides) via a USB cable. Then two audio cables run from the external sound card to my mixer. From there I have a choice of using my headphones or studio monitors for output. With that sort of set-up, where in the chain does the hardware sound module go? Ideally, I'm interested in two scenarios: a) First I'd like BIAB's backing tracks to use the sound module's patches, while I play along with my VPC (using separate VST software). And b) It would be great if I could also occasionally use one of the sound module's patches for the VPC1's output? Are either/both of these possible? If so, how would the sound module have to connected to my current set-up? Thanks!
Kawai VPC1 MIDI Controller; Asus A53E Laptop running Windows 7 - 64 bit; BIAB 2017 UltraPlusPak (upgraded from 2014 EverythingPak), running from Laptop's Hard Drive.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 674
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 674 |
a hardware sound module would work exactly the same as a keyboard which has sounds (not your keyboard which is a controller only, no sounds).
in response to: a) you're describing a couple of different things here, actually. BIAB's backing tracks are either REAL TRACKS or MIDI TRACKS. REAL TRACKS will not trigger a sound module for sounds, and you don't need it to, they're really just recorded loops that BIAB interprets to your chord and timing specifications.
MIDI tracks from BIAB can trigger sounds in either a softsynth (default is coyote which comes with BIAB) or a hardware synth (i.e. sound module) via MIDI output from your computer to the sound module. you'd need to connect your sound module up to the computer using a USB cable or MIDI cables to your soundcard.
b) you CAN connect a sound module up to your Kawai controller either directly or through the computer. if you go thru the computer, you have to deal with getting your latency manageable or you won't be able to play because the delay will be too bad. going direct from the MIDI ports of the Kawai to the sound module will have no delay.
so using a sound module in scenario a), you'd connect both the Kawai and the soundmodule to the comptuer then run audio cables from the sound module to the mixer as well as the outputs you have from your soundcard to the mixer and "mix" them for the desired output.
in scenario b) if you hooked it up that way, you'd have to make sure you have a good computer and especially a good soundcard set up with low latency ASIO drivers with low buffer settings, but it can be done.
you didn't mention what soundcard you have, only that it's external USB connected, so I don't know to tell you if it's capable of low latency set up or not. using a laptop MIGHT be able to get low latency, but laptops are more inherently high DPC latency so it might not work without stuttering, popping and clicking.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 273
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 273 |
My external sound card is a Steinberg UR22.
I'm aware that a sound module will only affect MIDI and not Real Tracks - should've mentioned that in my post.
Thanks!
Kawai VPC1 MIDI Controller; Asus A53E Laptop running Windows 7 - 64 bit; BIAB 2017 UltraPlusPak (upgraded from 2014 EverythingPak), running from Laptop's Hard Drive.
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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.
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Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
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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.
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- 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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- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
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