Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,163
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,163
Is there a way to add instruments into the "Band-In-A-Box" default in ST 2.5 ? If so, how would I add some Brass instruments so they show up in that area of ST when I use it in "select Hi-q Midi Patch?"

Thank you,

Trax

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,499
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,499
1. Don’t forget that the NEWER Hi-Q sounds are NOT Sampletank 2 sounds; they are Sforzando (synthfont) sounds

2. Assuming you actually MEAN the older Sampletank 2 Hi-Q sounds then:

Open BIAB,

Set your Default Synth to Sampletank2 and I HIGHLY recommend that you use the VSTi (go find .dll - it will be called "SampleTank2.x.dll" wherever you told it to install the VSTi version) - DO NOT USE the DXi version one (the DXi has issues)

IN EACH channel (part) within ST2 select whatever sound you like for bass (default part/channel 2) , piano (default part/channel 3) , …guitar (default part/channel 7) …etc.

After you have it set the way you want it you will see in that same window (the “ VST/DX Synths Plugins” window) a “Save Group” button – save it.

I recommend you save this “group” (config) with a name you will remember and let it save to the default location (that why you don’t have to remember WHERE it is) .

You od the “save group” (which creates a .tgs file) in case you ever change the default synth (from say ST2 to TTS-1) then when you want to re-use ST2 and its set of sounds just LOAD that group

Larry


Win10Pro,i9,64GB,2TBSSD+20TBHDDs,1080TI,BIAB'24,Scarlett18i8,Montage7,Fusion 8HD,QS8,Integra7,XV5080,QSR,SC-8850,SPLAT,FL21&others,Komp.14,IK suite&others, just a guitar player-AXE FX III &FM9T, FishmanTP, MIDIGuitar2, GK2/3'sw/GI20
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,163
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,163
Thanks, I have ST 2.x working fine. What I'd like to do is "add" some instruments (brass/Strings/Choir etc) to the ST 2.x when it opens. Is that possible to do in ST 2.x by itself?[i][/i]

Thanks for your reply and advice, I appreciate it.

Trax

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 91
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 91
Originally Posted By: Muzic Trax
Thanks, I have ST 2.x working fine. What I'd like to do is "add" some instruments (brass/Strings/Choir etc) to the ST 2.x when it opens. Is that possible to do in ST 2.x by itself?[i][/i]

Thanks for your reply and advice, I appreciate it.

Trax


In the Sampletank 2.5 window you will see a button labelled "Prefs", it's at the bottom of the set of buttons alongside the big "2" on the right-hand side.

Click that button and you will be able to browse for the location of all the instruments you have installed. They should be in a sub-folder called "Instruments". (I moved mine a long time ago to another drive and I can't remember now where they originally installed). Hopefully the PG Music instruments will also be in that folder, if not you will need to move them there.

Turn the "Relist On Startup" option to ON and next time it starts Sampletank 2.5 should rebuild the list to show all the instruments in the folder you have pointed it to.

Once the list has been rebuilt you can then turn the "Relist" option off.

I hope this helps.

Addit
Sorry, I should have read your original question more carefully. This will only make the additional instruments available in the Sampletank window. I don't think there is any way to add additional instruments to the PG Music HiQ instruments window.

Last edited by RichardWilliams; 10/20/17 06:18 PM.

Richard Williams
Sydney
Australia
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
That's correct, we cannot add instruments to the PG HiQ list, they control that.

This again goes to the issue of using a high quality softsynth that is not GM. GM is simple and it's great from a convenience pov but if you want total control of the instruments using a non GM synth (which is all of the big names you hear, ST, Kontakt, Halion etc) you have no choice but to keep adding them manually part by part.

Nobody but Biab users and a few others cares about GM because it's too restrictive. Using Sfz you can create your own GM soundbank and use that if you like but as far as a simple plug and play solution regarding GM, sorry we're on our own unless you want to spend some money on hardware like the Roland SD50 or a Ketron module. Those have good sounding GM soundbanks.

Bob


Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,163
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,163
I used to use a Tyros keyboard before we had RealTracks and I enjoyed it's instruments that were as good as the RT's, but in midi format.

I have never messed with soundfonts or vst's etc, so I am sort of lost there. I am looking for another keyboard to use with Biab once again, but PG Team *should* have added more then just the basic Hi-Q Instruments, IMO. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate what we have and what they have done for us in order to get Biab sounding more professional. I just wished we had a few more H-Q ones. I requested it in the Wishlist, so we'll see smile

Trax

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Good samples are proprietary like everything else. This is a good Wishlist reuest but it raises the question, what's the source of the samples? I'm pretty sure the HiQ sounds are based on freebies and they have already given us the best available. Anything else would have to be paid for and that's assuming another company would even agree sell it in the first place.

Bringing top players into a studio for sample recording is expensive because the raw recordings are just the beginning. They have to be put into the correct format, keymapped and tons of other things. And of course, if PG starts paying for good samples that raises the cost for everybody.

This in turn raises the question that has come up many times, why doesn't PG create their own softsynth using their own samples? I can only guess and it's probably because that's not their business model and they don't want to reinvent the wheel. Without simply buying the tech from someone else they would have to create a new synth from scratch without stepping on someone else's patents.

The only reason the HiQ patches exist was IKM gives away the basic Sampletank program. Now it's the free SFZ player. Both are free and PG has made them work with Biab which is great but you still need great samples to start with.

Bob


Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!

All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!

It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.

What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?

XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!

Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!

The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.

The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.

The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.

Note: 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.

The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos

With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.

Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.

Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.

Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.

2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.

Holiday Weekend Hours

As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:

April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours

Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!

— Team PG

Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!

If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.

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.

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!

Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,204
Posts801,931
Members40,068
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
Newest Members
brekkea, isledge, Gtrplr66, Mando Kat, GlennMans
40,067 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 117
zedd 110
DC Ron 100
rsdean 90
Noel96 80
Today's Birthdays
mike5256
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5