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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I have BIAB 2014 and have a question about getting realistic sound output on my songs. I am using Coyote and wonder if there is any better way to get realistic instrument sounds. What equipment do I need to add to my setup? I'm using a laptop w/Win 10
Music is what feelings sound like.
Windows 11, Behringer UMC204HD Audio Interface, BIAB/RB 2022 Ultra Pak Plus
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Asus Q500A i7 Win 10 64 bit 8GB ram 750 HD 15.5" touch screen, BIAB 2017, Casio PX 5s, Xw P1, Center Point Stereo SS V3 and EWI 4000s.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Ray answered about RealTracks, but they won't let you hear your melody, since the RT phrases are pre-recorded. To play specific notes and phrases, you need to use MIDI. I'm presuming that you mean the Coyote WT that comes with BIAB/RealBand. However, all the Coyote WT does is "wrap" the default MIDI sounds that come with Windows. It's a way to get you up and running with a DXi synth without having a DXi synth. As such, it isn't going to sound very good. For $40, you can get the Coyote Forte GM2 DXi synth, which will give you better sounds, but not great sounds. For about the same amount, you can get a copy of CakeWalk Music Creator 7, which will include the TTS-1 General MIDI GM2 DXi synth. It's similar to the Coyote Forte in sound quality, but also different. It really depends upon the sounds you are looking for. And then you can spend even more money from there. Check out the products from IK-Multimedia or Native Instruments to step up another level. You can also use hardware synths (either a keyboard or dedicated synth unit), but you can't "render" those to audio - you have to "record" the whole song to get an audio file. While they can sound great, you have to account for more time to capture your creation (a 4 minute song takes 4 minutes to render; likewise, rendering individual tracks take that time to render). With a DXi or VSTi synth, rendering to audio takes a few seconds. Another free option you can pursue is to use Soundfonts. There are some free/low cost soundfont players and a ton of free sound fonts available on the web. However, soundfont technology is pretty much dying away; but you can still get some pretty decent sounds. Fantasize Soundfont Player costs $29. Synthfont costs 15 euro. You can google for others.
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)
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Real tracks are basically non-editable.
A nice sound module like a Ketron SD2 will do wonders. I admit I haven't heard a lot of MIDI modules, but this one has the best General MIDI sound set I've heard. It makes the coyote sound like a kazoo in comparison.
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
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Agree with the Ketron (but I'm biased, since I have one).
The sounds really are great.
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)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Agree with the Ketron (but I'm biased, since I have one).
The sounds really are great.
I'm with Notes and John. The Ketron is impressive for both its size and price.
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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Agree with the Ketron (but I'm biased, since I have one).
The sounds really are great.
I'm with Notes and John. The Ketron is impressive for both its size and price. I'm with them. My friend JonD has the Ketron and it is the best sounding GM sound source that I have ever heard.
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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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Ketron/Solton. If you haven't experienced this sound, you have no idea what you've been missing. Allan
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I should clarify.
The Ketron is awesome for MIDI sounds.
I agree with Ray though about the RealTracks.
Horses for courses
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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Have to add my two cents. Software synth-wise, I have a hand-full, including most of what comes with SONAR version 5 and X1 (TTS-1, ZT3A+, Dimension Pro, Pentagon, Studio Instruments, Session Drummer, Rapture and True Piano) Granted, none of those are high-dollar high-end soft synths. I also have Coyote, Sample Tank, and Garritan. I'll use Coyote with BB only as a quick and dirty draft. With Notion, I'll used either the Notion instruments, Garritan or Dimension Pro, and my hardware synths. With SONAR, I use a variety of those SONAR associated synths, and always use one of both of my Yamaha hardware synths (classic Motif keyboard and rack-mount Motif ES). I use the rack Motif ES for my synth-enabled guitars. Even though my Yamaha synths are long in the tooth, for both live and studio, they are hard to beat for realism and extremely low propagation delay compared to soft synths. With programmable velocity and after-touch, and, the Yamaha breath transducer, you can get some realistic flute and sax such as reed/breath chirps. There is a large degree of control and customization available in these hardware synths that don't require another VST plug-in. Now, if I looked at the newest Yamaha Series, I definitely would be writing a large check...but they are astounding. The software synths definitely have come up in quality, but I don't have any software glitches in either of my hardware synths or bus competition to deal with. And, unlike some of the software synths (usually mid to high-end), I don't have to connect to the internet just to re-validate a license.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Agree with the Ketron (but I'm biased, since I have one).
The sounds really are great.
I have a dozen synths and synth modules by Yamaha, Edirol, Roland, Korg, and Ketron. The collection includes an SD90 with some fantastic, realistic sounds and an XV-5050 with thousands of great synth sounds. I also have a few software synths (I prefer hardware but I explored softsynths). Of all of these, Ketron has the best General MIDI bank. I export from BiaB and work in a DAW. I can assign different tracks to different sound modules, and I almost always include many SD2 tracks, sometimes more than any other synth. I can even change the sound of an instrument. My SD90 has dozens of guitars, Tele rear or front pickup, 335, LP, Strat, and others with more generic names. Plus sometimes that piano might sound better as a Rhodes, the guitar as a Clav, the brass as synvox, and so on. I always 'explode' the drum track so I can put the kick on a channel with no FX, assign different modules to different drums, and again, there are usually at least a couple of SD2 drums in there. I mix Real Tracks with MIDI tracks, and use the RTs when they are just right for the song I'm doing. But if they aren't just right, I'll prefer a MIDI track because I can edit it, doing thousands of things that aren't available with RTs. BiaB and a DAW are my toys, and I like to pay with my toys. MIDI gives me thousands of ways to play with the music that RTs don't. We have a few tools in our musical took kit. Sometimes the RT is right for the job, and sometimes MIDI is right for the job. Using the right tool for the job ends up with the best results for your 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
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2006
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I'm very new to the BIAB 2016. Am I correct in my assumption that with the proper script file, I can use the voices from my Tyros 5 in place of the Coyote MIDI voices built into BIAB? As you likely know, the Tyros 5 voices are quite stellar. Thanks.
- Lee
Gear: Tyros 5, MOX8, SoundCraft EFX12 mixer, two Bose L1 Compacts, Yamaha HS-8 monitors, BIAB 2016 UltraPlusPAK, Cubase 8, Steinberg UR-44 interface.
"If everyone played a musical instrument, we wouldn't need police officers or armies." Lee B.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Yes, but no script is really needed. Grab the patch file from here: http://www.pgmusic.com/support_miscellaneous.htmIn the top section of the above page there are links with information on how to use them for BiaB, RB, and PT. Your only challenges will be Getting the MIDI from BiaB to the synth (MIDI Out port) and Getting the sound from the Tyros (mixed in with any other needed sound sources) to your monitors. The Patch file I mentioned is only needed so all your Tyros factory patches can be easily accessed. If you only need the GM sounds, it will not be needed. You will need a way to get MIDI to the Tyros (USB ?) and then the sound from the Tyros to your ears in either scenario.
Last edited by rharv; 05/14/16 07:18 AM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Gear: Tyros 5, MOX8, SoundCraft EFX12 mixer, two Bose L1 Compacts, Yamaha HS-8 monitors, BIAB 2016 UltraPlusPAK, Cubase 8, Steinberg UR-44 interface.
"If everyone played a musical instrument, we wouldn't need police officers or armies." Lee B.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Journeyman
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Ray answered about RealTracks, but they won't let you hear your melody, since the RT phrases are pre-recorded. To play specific notes and phrases, you need to use MIDI. I'm presuming that you mean the Coyote WT that comes with BIAB/RealBand. However, all the Coyote WT does is "wrap" the default MIDI sounds that come with Windows. It's a way to get you up and running with a DXi synth without having a DXi synth. As such, it isn't going to sound very good. For $40, you can get the Coyote Forte GM2 DXi synth, which will give you better sounds, but not great sounds. For about the same amount, you can get a copy of CakeWalk Music Creator 7, which will include the TTS-1 General MIDI GM2 DXi synth. It's similar to the Coyote Forte in sound quality, but also different. It really depends upon the sounds you are looking for. And then you can spend even more money from there. Check out the products from IK-Multimedia or Native Instruments to step up another level. You can also use hardware synths (either a keyboard or dedicated synth unit), but you can't "render" those to audio - you have to "record" the whole song to get an audio file. While they can sound great, you have to account for more time to capture your creation (a 4 minute song takes 4 minutes to render; likewise, rendering individual tracks take that time to render). With a DXi or VSTi synth, rendering to audio takes a few seconds. Another free option you can pursue is to use Soundfonts. There are some free/low cost soundfont players and a ton of free sound fonts available on the web. However, soundfont technology is pretty much dying away; but you can still get some pretty decent sounds. Fantasize Soundfont Player costs $29. Synthfont costs 15 euro. You can google for others. John thank you for outlining this subject in a way I can understand. I just happen to be evaluating how to utilize soft synths, and which to consider.
Last edited by dga; 05/14/16 07:32 AM.
"When you help somebody else you are really helping yourself"
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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google + free vst instruments
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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google + free vst instruments Also google/bing Kontakt Player. This is a stripped down version of Kontakt. It comes with some sounds and many third party patches will work with it. Native Instruments also has other free players that you might want to look into. IKMultiMedia also has a free SampleTank 3.
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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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I know that different tools are for different people, and what is best for me isn't necessarily best for everybody. I'm not really wild about soft synths, VST or otherwise. Why? - External hardware synths have a longer shelf life. I still use my 1980s TX81z and MT32 - I got them when Win3.1 was on the PC and Mac used OS6 on Macs with Motorola CPUs. With all the OS changes and orphaned software synths, my old ones still work. Some of the sounds are still great, and I can mix them with the newer sounds of my more recent synths
- External synths have minimal drain on the computer's CPU making it more stable (fewer glitches/crashes). The soft synth requires the CPU to 'do the math' for every note played and ever expressive device use.
- Since external synths don't tax the CPU I can put a dozen of more synths into the mix. I can use the great Dr.Solo sound of my MT32 on one track, the woody acoustic bass of my i3 on another, the great mute guitar of my SD2 on another, the Tele rear pickup sound of my SD90 on another, the FM Rhodes of my TX81z on another and so on, choosing the best patch from my array for each part on the song. Since the sounds are in ROM and/or created by the sound module and not the computer, I could probably use 256 synths with no performance problems on my computer.
- External synths all have about the same latency, 5 or 6ms. That means I can mix a dozen or more synths, and they are synchronized. I've seen soft synths with almost a half second latency, try adjusting that track with one that has a quarter of a second latency.
I started with a DDD5 drum, added the TX and MT shortly after when my keyboard broke, and added newer synths when needed. If I used soft synths I would have had to replace them when OS upgrades happened, and then again when the next upgrade happened, and again and again, making them not only longer lasting but in the long run less expensive than soft synths. 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
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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All quite reasonable points, Notes.
But I especially have to concur with the first one. Ain't that the truth!
How many times have we upgraded hardware and operating systems only to then find we have to leave perfectly working software behind.
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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It's a problem with computers.
I have a 1925 alto sax that works perfectly. I have synth modules that I bought in the 1980s that work perfectly. I have a guitar that was made in 1970 that works perfectly.
But software that worked in the first versions of OSX won't work anymore, and software that worked fine on Win7 won't work on 8.1, much less 10.
There are probably dozens of software synths that will not work on the newest OS from either Microsoft or Apple.
I make my living by playing music live. Why would I want to learn to depend on a soft synth sound for up to 500 songs only to find one day that the synth will no longer work on the new computer OS?
The sparkle of some of the FM synthesized melodic percussion sounds have really never been duplicated by the modern ROM based synths. So my TX81z and DS8 have an important place in my songs, Rhodes, Vibes, and a few others are stellar.
Dr Solo in my MT-32 is a great voice, and newer editions of it that don't use L-A synthesis just don't cut it.
My VL70m synths recreate solo sax, trumpet and many other instruments with the nuances that no other synth not using Physical Modeling synthesis can do, and currently, nobody makes a PM synth.
If I were using software synths, all of these sounds would be gone for me now, and I would miss them dearly - plus, I just wouldn't be able to make music that sounds as good anymore.
That's not to say more modern synths are no good, they excel in different sounds.
And that's the beauty of hardware synths. I can mix the old sounds with the new and get the best of both.
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
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
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Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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, and much more!
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There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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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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