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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,786
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OP
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,786 |
Does any Mac user know of any similar program like SimpleSynth?
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!
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BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,082
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,082 |
Although this may not be what you are looking for this is one programme I enjoy using: DM1 2.2 23-Jun-2016 Advanced drum machine. https://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/47903/dm1
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,786
Veteran
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OP
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,786 |
Thanks for the suggestion, but you were right - not quite what I'm looking for.
To elaborate, I'm looking for an application that allows me to hear the midi tracks of BBox via soundfonts rather than that dreadful built-in crap we got on the Mac. SimpleSynth does precisely that, but with some serious limitations in how it interprets the midi signals, such as not recognising reverb. So that's why I'm looking for alternatives.
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!
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BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,082
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,082 |
I seem to recall in my OS 9 days using sound fonts plus " midi " keyboard sound generators.
These days i use a combination of CoreMIDI with a MIDI Interface and External Synthesizers as well as Apple's built in DLS Synth.
The problem i found with using midi keyboards " sound " generators and also external synths is that when i swap files with other Band in a Box users the audio tracks, midi tracks and synth tracks do not sound the same at their end.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,786
Veteran
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OP
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,786 |
The problem i found with using midi keyboards " sound " generators and also external synths is that when i swap files with other Band in a Box users the audio tracks, midi tracks and synth tracks do not sound the same at their end. Right on. I'm also discovering soundfonts with better sounds than my own external keyboard (which I really only use for basic input at times), and I really find that whole "export-to-midi-then-output-soundfont-to-audio-in-another-program-and-merge-all-in-daw" procedure just as...well, just as cumbersome to do as it was writing that very phrase just now  I guess what I'm really hoping is BBox on Mac will get it together and allow me to use my soundfonts straight from the app!!
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!
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BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 45
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 45 |
I’ve been using DLS-MIDI-Synth, which works alright, but it doesn’t respect the GM drums-on-channel-10 standard, so I have to manually set the drum patch virtually every time I open it. Also, the patch selector UI is a hot mess.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,786
Veteran
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|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,786 |
I’ve been using DLS-MIDI-Synth, which works alright, but it doesn’t respect the GM drums-on-channel-10 standard, so I have to manually set the drum patch virtually every time I open it. Also, the patch selector UI is a hot mess. Never heard of it so shall at least give it a look, thank you.
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!
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BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,463
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,463 |
https://www.plogue.com/products/sforzando/or SFZ+ (?) You may need a GM soundfont set for some freebie synths, but that should be findable also.
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 Macintosh
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,786
Veteran
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OP
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,786 |
Oh, I've got loads of soundfonts already, just looking for the most convenient interface app to use them. And I also have this sforzando thing somewhere, but I found its GUI very confusing and off putting so I haven't really used it in any significant way. At least SimpleSynth lived up to its name in that respect, it's certainly "simple" Hunt season still open on this one, appreciating any&all ideas this far so keep'em coming 
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!
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BBox 2022 Audiophile, Mac Pro Intel, OSX 10.6.8, 800x600 (TV VGA)
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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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Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
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Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
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We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. 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, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
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Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
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- 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)
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- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
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- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
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Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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