For example, after finishing a simple song in BIAB, can I get the Yamaha to play it, using the built-in voices? And then, perhaps I can export the backing track, using the Yamaha voices?
In other words, I won't need to use any sample libraries in my computer?
You should be able to use your Yamaha as an external synth to get its sounds, but you won't be able to drive its accompaniment system. You will need a patch map to access the sounds properly (someone will probably have already prepared one, or you can even convert an exiting one from Sonar to use).
I use my Casio arranger keyboard as an external synth to get to all of its sounds and it works fine, so it should be similar to your Yamaha. I also use a Ketron SD-2 sound module (which has no keyboard, but for sounds, the concept is the same). The question, of course, is whether your keyboard connects via MIDI cables or USB cables. If USB, you can plug directly into your computer, and you should be able to select it as your MIDI output device. If MIDI cables, then you'll need a MIDI to USB adapter to connect it to your computer, and then you would select that adapter as the MIDI output device. I use an EMu XMIDI 2x2 for my keyboard(s) and it works great.
If you want to record those sounds, however, you'll have to reroute the audio sound from your keyboard back into your computer's sound card.
What I do is to send the keyboard audio to my mixer, which feeds into my M-Audio Fast Track Pro, which is connected to my computer.
Below is a picture of my routing configuration, which works well for me. I don't have a lot of high end equipment, but I have a lot of fun with what I do have. Both keyboards are able to create MIDI-In, be used as MIDI-Out, and with the mixer in the mix (so to speak), I can record guitar and vocals, as well.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 8TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 11TB SATA
Actually John you can drive the arranger section by using Biab's chord export function. Someone posted all about that a couple of years ago but it may be older than the 2 year forum memory.
I just did quick search and discovered the forum goes back 5 years and couldn't find it. Maybe it was older than that but there is a chord export function in Biab and the thread was all about how it worked with an arranger keyboard.
Actually John you can drive the arranger section by using Biab's chord export function. Someone posted all about that a couple of years ago but it may be older than the 2 year forum memory.
I just did quick search and discovered the forum goes back 5 years and couldn't find it. Maybe it was older than that but there is a chord export function in Biab and the thread was all about how it worked with an arranger keyboard.
Bob
The following links demonstrate using BIAB's chord export function to a Yamaha keyboard and provides instructions.
The first shows and demonstrates BIAB providing chords to play the Yamaha sounds and styles.
The second video recaps this and delves further into the Yamaha showing how to use the Yamaha vocal harmony and piano accompaniment features.
I have a Korg Pa1XPro and back when I first heard about this I wanted to experiment with it and never did.
So many things to do, so little time.
Bob
The method shown works the same as exporting chords to a TC Helicon Voicelive. I had a Yamaha PSR-950 for a time and it worked flawlessly once it was set up.
Does it mean the BIAB will provide chords to play the Yamaha sounds and styles?
What I initially asked was the other way around. I tried to ask whether the Yamaha will play the BIAB styles, using the Yamaha voices. This way, you will not need the sample libraries in computer to trigger BIAB.
From what everyone have posted, I think the answer to your question is that it will work both ways. BIAB can send out chords to your Yamaha to use the built in Yamaha styles, or you can use it as your hardware synth to play BIAB styles.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 8TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 11TB SATA
Yes, you can use your Yamaha either way. Per the video Biab's chord export can drive the arranger section and use the keyboards own styles or the Yamaha can be a hardware synth to provide the sounds for Biab's midi style tracks.
Remember, this is for midi tracks it's not replacing the Real Tracks. RT's are audio.
Here is a PGMusic tutorial on using a midi keyboard, controller or synthesizer to input chords into BIAB rather than the traditional method of using the computer keyboard.
This method plays the sounds generated by BIAB rather than the midi instrument.
So yes, it works in both directions and one can use either Biab sounds or external sound module sounds or a mixture of RealTracks and Midi as diagramed by Jford.
I used to use a Yamaha Tyros with Biab. I used the Tyros sounds for the Biab midi parts when auditioning a style or making a song.
What worked best for me was to save my Biab song as a Type 0 midi file. then I would upload the midi file into the Tyros and use it's onboard mixer to adjust the instruments, effects and volume for each channel.
Once I had the song the way I wanted it, I would record the song into my digital recorder.
Your 2000 onboard sounds should sound great with Biab.
Hi So i can use export chords in Band In A Box to drive chords in the Genos and then record them into my sequencer as a shell for multitracking to quicken up song building.
This would be nice as i hate the chord looper in the Genos.
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We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
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