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 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB 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 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB 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 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB 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
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
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These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
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You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
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Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
Playable RealTracks Set 4
RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
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FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
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In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
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New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
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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.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 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 20 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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