This will work with the BB Chord Output Track also, I have the last version below in RealBand, you can put your key switches in another track set to Kontakt as well for pattern changes, open string between changes etc..
Hang in there guys, last year at this time the product went on a 50% sale. It could happen again.
But I did not wait. So I am trying to figure this VST out. It is a bit unusual for me. The best explanation for my confusion appears to be a comment I read, "..this type of VST is aimed at Keyboardists/MIDI Controller Users".
It appears it will NOT follow a midi chord chart exported from BIAB (like the Toontracks EZK does so nice). You have to actually play the chords and record as you play. Not necessarily a show stopper for me since I have a midi control keyboard and a moderate level of skill. It does insert as a VST into Reaper, but I have yet to figure out any way to record (midi or audio) from what is played.
Dan, I'm confused here are you saying it won't follow a MIDI chord track or that it won't follow a BIAB chord sheet. The ability of it to follow chords inputted into BIAB is my primary reason for looking at it. If it can't do that, then my interest drops off the page. Do appreciate you jumping in early for a first preview of the software.
Have you got the midi note range 60-84 if not just transpose by 12st til it's in range, set Kontakt Midi In to Omni or the same channel. Put your red key switches in to change patterns, add D# for open string before chord change if you want it more realistic.
EDIT: In the Playback tab set the latch mode to stop, you also have shots, holds and Endings switches you can add.
Major set back, the application simply disappeared on my machine. I have contacted support and opened a ticket!! V2 may not be ready for showtime.
In the limited time it was available on my machine it appeared to work well but I was not able to record any midi into my DAW. Simply a button somewhere which I could not find. Then it disappeared.
thanks Pipeline for the verification that it should work as intended. But right now I am anything but thankful....
Major set back, the application simply disappeared on my machine ? from folder or app as in Kontakt ? or it disappeared out of Kontakt, in standalone or VST and in what DAW ?. I have contacted support and opened a ticket!! V2 may not be ready for showtime.
In the limited time it was available on my machine it appeared to work well but I was not able to record any midi into my DAW. Simply a button somewhere which I could not find. Then it disappeared.
thanks Pipeline for the verification that it should work as intended. But right now I am anything but thankful....
Oh-oh....OK I'm on hold and on the fence. Let's us know how it all resolves.
Jeff
Jeff, I am up and running again. My support tickets remain open (they claim it may take several days to respond). In the meantime I was able to download the Kontakt v5.6 player and install it over the prior install. When I did this the Session Guitarist v2 reappeared.
That is the good news,
Bad news is this will likely take me a bit longer than I thought to figure out. Kontakt in Reaper is not a simple plug and play. So you may not want to wait for my go/nogo. Pipeline says he has it running in RB (which I don't use). I can tell you in standalone mode, just playing from my keyboard, it sounds great and is as cool as I thought it would be. But obviously I need it to integrate into my workflow with Reaper and BIAB in order to use it to make music. That will take me some time to verify.
Hey...anyone else having problems with the latest Kontakt upgrade? I installed it on my Win 7 machine and it stopped working completely. Had to roll back to a previous version.
A completely separate issue...is anyone else seeing the color coding of the onscreen keyboard disappearing? I used to have color coded keys for key switches and various segmenting of the keyboard but now they are all white.
OK, thanks for the update Dan. I'd be using it in the full Kontakt 5.6.1 and RB so I might be able to avoid some of the issues. But, I'll wait till I get more info from you. As it stands, it seems that only version 1 is on sale so no hurry to get version 2.
Hey...anyone else having problems with the latest Kontakt upgrade? I installed it on my Win 7 machine and it stopped working completely. Had to roll back to a previous version.
A completely separate issue...is anyone else seeing the color coding of the onscreen keyboard disappearing? I used to have color coded keys for key switches and various segmenting of the keyboard but now they are all white.
That is the biggest complaint over on Kontakt. The color coded keys were replaced with a small colored dot just above the key. I will not upgrade until that is returned to the colored key days.
Back in my day the only time we started panic buying was when the bartender shouted "last call"!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Mario, I see you over in the Kontakt forum commenting on the colors. Good to recognize friends in different forums.
Jeff I am making progress, but it is slow. I am confident it will eventually work. Huge learning curve to set up Kontakt for me. I am watching videos and reading what I can.
1) I can now play via my keyboard controller, but while I was able to record last night, today I can't record what I play?? Not sure what changed.
2) Still not able to insert a BIAB midi chord file and hear anything in reaper. I can see the midi notes on the track in the right areas (c3 - c4), I can even use my mouse to click on the same midi track and I hear it, but the BIAB midi notes are mute??
I guess I need Pipeline to "make a video" just for ME. Or let him log onto my machine via Teamviewer and push the right buttons for me. But that would be imposing????
So are you saying that it will NOT play anything midi that BB exports?
If it's midi, and the DAW supports both midi (in all of it's variations) and the DAW can run plugins and VST's without any reservations, that should work perfectly. Just like any other synth.
Maybe I'm not grasping the full ramifications of this discussion.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
So are you saying that it will NOT play anything midi that BB exports?
You under stand that correct.
Originally Posted By: Guitarhacker
If it's midi, and the DAW supports both midi (in all of it's variations) and the DAW can run plugins and VST's without any reservations, that should work perfectly. Just like any other synth.
I agree with you 100%
Originally Posted By: Guitarhacker
Maybe I'm not grasping the full ramifications of this discussion.
It is also a mystery to me.
Good to know that what I am saying is being understood
But wait... I just discovered the BIAB midi track which I output will not play in anything (windows player or with any other VST). It has all the notes but NO Sound. So back to the drawing board.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
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!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
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®.
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!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
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!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.