How do I audition the sound of an instrument or plugin on a track when using an external MIDI Keyboard?
I have verified that I am getting MIDI into BIAB from my keyboard because I can see the MIDI when viewing the Guitar window. Also I can record the MIDI onto a MELODY track.
So BIAB *sees* my MIDI keyboard MIDI data. But I just cannot find a way of hearing the sound of the note on the current instrument assigned to any track - whether built in, HQ or a plugin - when I play a note on my keyboard.
Clearly the MIDI is getting into BIAB onto the MELODY track - but i really want to be able to hear the sound the instrument or plugin synth etc when I play notes on the keyboard.
How do i do this ?
MacOS Sequoia, M4 Pro Mac Mini , 64GB RAM 512GB SSD , BIAB, Cubase, Ableton, Logic Pro, SCALER 3, GigLad, AnyTune, Synthesizer V Pro,Vienna Ensemble Pro, Audiofuse, Fractal FM3, KOMPLETE 15, StreamDeck, iReal Pro White beard, beer belly, bald patch
That's a tough one to try to address without more information about your setup. You might try clicking "Options", then "Select Midi Driver or Apple DLS Synth", then clicking the "Midi Drivers Help" button. If that doesn't help, come back and give us some more information about your setup (how is your midi keyboard attached to your computer, how is your sound output, etc.)
Bruce
Macbook Pro 2018 2.6 GHz 6-core Intel Core i7, 16 GB RAM OS Monterey BIAB for Mac 2022
My main controller is a Complete Control 49 mk II but it doesnt matter. I also have two KORG micro key Air controllers. All are connected to a common USB hub and into my iMac.
But more to the point - ALL of these keyboards can send audio into Ableton and of course I get to audition th sound of any instrument assigned to a track, built in or otherwise.
In addition - BIAB is seeing the MIDI coming in - since it appears as flashing notes when i open the GUITAR window.
But none of the notes make any sound.
I can even record the notes into a MELODY midi track. And they play back the right instrument on playback.
But WHILE playing the notes INTO BIAB there is no sound.
I want to be able to specify a plugin instrument of the melody track - change presets etc if necessary and then audition this via my keyboard - and then be able to hear the notes being recorded into the MELODY track as I play them.
Last edited by nonchai; 06/27/1802:41 AM.
MacOS Sequoia, M4 Pro Mac Mini , 64GB RAM 512GB SSD , BIAB, Cubase, Ableton, Logic Pro, SCALER 3, GigLad, AnyTune, Synthesizer V Pro,Vienna Ensemble Pro, Audiofuse, Fractal FM3, KOMPLETE 15, StreamDeck, iReal Pro White beard, beer belly, bald patch
So by using the THRU track I can hear my incoming MIDI being played on the DLSMusicDevice piano for the thru track. - and by selecting the midi channel number I can redirect the MIDI to one of the BIAB tracks.
But this only seems to work for the built in DLSMusicDevice instruments.
Currently I have a pure MIDI style loaded - apart from the drums. And I can redirect incoming midi to the bass by setting the THRU to ch 2.
But I have a plugin on my MELODY channel ( SynthMaster One ) and when I try to redirect the THRU channel to the midi channel assigned to MELODY it doesnt play the plugin synth.
However - as i said - it records midi fine and plays it back on synth master.
Also - this seems a pretty naff way of directing incoming MIDI to an instrument on a tracks.
Surely - like in typical sequencers - simply by selecting the track - "ARMING" it.... one should be able to play whatever MIDI instrument is set up for a BIAB track, whether bass, guitar or melody.
what am i missing?
MacOS Sequoia, M4 Pro Mac Mini , 64GB RAM 512GB SSD , BIAB, Cubase, Ableton, Logic Pro, SCALER 3, GigLad, AnyTune, Synthesizer V Pro,Vienna Ensemble Pro, Audiofuse, Fractal FM3, KOMPLETE 15, StreamDeck, iReal Pro White beard, beer belly, bald patch
It's important to remember that Band-in-a-Box isn't a DAW, so if you expect it to behave like one, you're going to be disappointed.
The only track that can be played with your keyboard is the Thru track. If you put a plugin on your Melody track, you will not hear that plugin when you play on the keyboard. You can use the keyboard to record notes onto the Melody track, and you'll hear the plugin on playback, but what you hear during recording is what's on the Thru track.
Have you tried assigning Synthmaster to the Thru track? That's the only way to do what you've described.
Of course BIAB isn't a DAW - but now that we have a decent piano-roll MIDI editor and have - for a long time had the ability to record MIDI melodies etc onto the MELODY track - this clearly gives composers and such a means for improvising and entering music into BIAB and then editing it.
It is such an obvious feature - and clearly missing currently - to be simply able to hear what one is recording into a BIAB melody part that such a response from you betrays a slightly arrogant attitude towards your users.
MacOS Sequoia, M4 Pro Mac Mini , 64GB RAM 512GB SSD , BIAB, Cubase, Ableton, Logic Pro, SCALER 3, GigLad, AnyTune, Synthesizer V Pro,Vienna Ensemble Pro, Audiofuse, Fractal FM3, KOMPLETE 15, StreamDeck, iReal Pro White beard, beer belly, bald patch
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
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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!
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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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