With Halion Sonic 2, probably 64bit too, loaded from "C:\Program Files\Steinberg\VSTPlugins\HALion Sonic", you can set it to GM here, and it seems to load default in these settings when you start BIAB. (picture below no 1). I'll give a try if i like it. Curious if version 3 works too ....
For the past couple of years i preferred Hypersonic 2 over Coyote and other GM VSTs, as it is easy to install and loads quite fast and sounds OK. Some years ago i bought Sampletank's Omnisynth, but that's a real drag to install and keep rolling, though it sounds OK too.
BTW I have Halion 5; the 64bit dll i think, stored in "C:\Program Files\Steinberg\VSTPlugins\HALion 5", loaded OK and it works, but i could not find how to set it to GM. BTW you cannot load the interface page properly though since BIAB doesn't allow it due space needed for it's own plugin pages' settings, maybe a redesign needed? See picture 2 below. -F
Quite better LoL, but it's more guite expensive too IMO. Halion Sonic SE comes free with cubase versions above 6 i think, but i don't know if it's embedded in the cheaper versions. Hypersonic 2 is one i'd prefer over most "cheap" other GM synths, for sound and ease of use mainly, alas only avail in 32bit, and you'll have to find a used license. F
I don't know about SampleTank 3, as i have ST 2.5: the sounds from 2.5 are OK, also bought the Omnisynth expansion for GM, but i abandoned ST 2.5 since it's a drag to keep working properly; every time you have to reset and address the sounds again. Others might have a different opinion though ... F
I don't have Halion Sonic 3 (but I do have Sonic 2 and the full Halion 4 - waiting for a sale to go to Halion 6); to my ears, Halion in general sounds better than what I find in Sampletank, but that's truly subjective. Steinberg products also require a dongle (their own proprietary dongle, so even if you have an iLok, it won't work with it).
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 8TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 11TB SATA
Start your 30-day HALion 6 trial today. It’s free.
It’s your chance to find out what HALion 6 has to offer. Start off with your free 30-day trial period for HALion 6 today and get the full feature set for a tryout. The HALion 6 trial also includes the HALion Sonic 3 trial.
HALion 6 is compatible with all VST 3, VST 2, AU and AAX host applications and does not require an USB-eLicenser.
If you are using HALion 5, please consider that by installing the HALion 6 trial version, your existing plugin will be replaced. At the end of the trial period you will either have to reinstall HALion 5 or purchase a permanent HALion 6 license.
In looking more closely, I believe they have a soft eLicenser where you can license it to a particular computer (although I don't know if all products support the eLicenser). However, I believe if you do that and your hard drive crashes, you have to pay to re-authorize the software. The advantage of the dongle, however, is that you can install the software on multiple computers, but you can only run it on one at a time (based on inserting the dongle).
I've not had any problems using the dongle or switching back and forth between my three computers, but it's just a pain. Granted, if the dongle dies, it costs to get back your licenses then too.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 8TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 11TB SATA
Demos & trials come with a soft elicenser, and all data including elicenser hardware numbers itself are registered, and you can release all licenses to another dongle if needed. No, a dead dongle will be acknowledged by steinberg, all will be transferred; their help desk can tell you more. For pro users they will even give you temporary licenses in case of exchange problems, that if you have your stuff registered with your "my steinberg" account. F
Yep, all my stuff is registered (Halion 4 and Cubase Artist). That being said, I've never had a problem with the dongle. it's just a pain sometimes if I launch a DAW that scans VST's but forget to put in the Dongle, even if I'm not going to use the Steinberg VST's, as the scan process hangs until I insert the dongle.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 8TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 11TB SATA
In the first post in the thread you talk about HALion Sonic 3 and BIAB 2017 and now you mention BIAB 2015 in the above post.
Does this mean it runs in 2017 but not 2015? Also, did you try the HALion Sonic 3 SE (free version) to see if that worked before you got the full version?
From what I can see, Sonic 3 is a 64 bit plugin and Steinberg's site doesn't seem to make reference to a 32 bit version (which BIAB needs to use). I may have missed something though so I could be incorrect. If it turns out that I'm right, you will need to get JBridge ($10 for the version that works with BIAB from PG Music) to interface with the VST plugin.
Noel96, The first post I mentioned BiaB2017 and Halion sonic3, if Bias2017 works fine without Jbridge I'll update my BiaB2015. I tested on my Biab2015, it doesn't work. I do have Jbridge but it does not work properly
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.
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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
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SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
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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)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
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Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
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!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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