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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Are there any good sounding free VST plugins for a grand piano, and bass for playing jazz? Or should I just be using the CoyoteWT thing that came with BIAB?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Newer versions of BIAB ship with Sampletank DXi and Sforzando Vst included. Both have better sounds than Coyote. There are some very good free Sforzando libraries available online. I particularly like Timbres of Heaven.
BIAB 2025:RB 2025, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
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How do you install new VST plugin sounds? I can't find any video or documentation. I have used the built in sounds for sforzando and they are better than the Coyote but it's quite a limited selection.
BIAB for Windows Version 2019 (643)
Windows 10 (1909)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Essentially you create a folder, place the VSTs inside the folder, then have your music programs scan the VST folder so the program "knows" the VST exists. VSTs are in a transition period as version 2 VSTs are beginning their end-of-life cycle and version 3 VSTs are starting to become mature products so I have two VST folders with one named VST2 and the second named VST3. Another issue is some VSTs are 32 bit while others are 64 bit. Band-in-a-Box and RealBand are 32 bit programs so they work with 32 bit VSTs or you need to purchase jBridge (it's about $10 US when you buy through PG Music) so the programs can use 64 bit VSTs. So, in total you'll need four VST folders, two for 32/64 bit and two for VST2/VST3. +++ VST Planet +++, +++ KVR Audio +++ and +++ VST 4 Free +++ are three locations that offer free VSTs.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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So, in total you'll need four VST folders, two for 32/64 bit and two for VST2/VST3. For some, especially those with a small SSD bootdrive, it might be wise to install those folders elsewhere on a different drive. I have all plugins in a separate 'Plugins' folder, subdivided in 32 and 64 bit, (and BIAB elsewhere too). However the VST2/VST3 folders are better kept at the default 'Common Files' location in Programs Files and Program Files (x86), as the windows bookkeeping seeems only happy with that. One sForzando Q: Where should one put the SoundFond files? Is there a default location, where f.i. the PG HQ piano's etc are located? F
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Apr 2007
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
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Are there any good sounding free VST plugins for a grand piano, and bass for playing jazz? Or should I just be using the CoyoteWT thing that came with BIAB? Hi. An excellent free set of 32bit VSTi's are made by DSK Music with Piano' Sax' Strings' Bass' and more available. Worth a try to see if it fits your needs. http://www.dskmusic.com/Regards Brian
Brian Cadoret
BIAB 2025 Pro build 1125e with BIAB2023 UltraPAK . Samplitude Pro X4 Suite. Mixcraft 10.5 Pro Studio
Focusrite 2i2 Scarlett
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3470 CPU @ 3.20GHz 3.20 GHz
Installed RAM 8.00 GB
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I have a Yamaha Midi Synth, (XG Lite?) that works and sounds amazing with Biab. It is also GM compatible and works across all tracks in Biab. No need to load a VST etc on each track.
The sounds are much better then Coyote, IMO. There is also a Cakewalk GM Synth called TTs-1 that also works and sounds great with Biab. It also works with all of the tracks as well.
I believe I once posted a link for the download of the Yamaha Synth here on the forum. Maybe you can locate it and see if the d/l is still available? It is free and sounds amazing.
Trax
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Expert
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Being curious i loaded the VST (Yamaha SGP2) ... sounds OK, but i cannot get a GUI like Coyote or Halion Sonic SE has to see what's loaded, as you stated, is there an alternative XGlite? i found the SYXG50, S-YXG50.dll , sounds the same, and as a slight GUI included showing channels .... F
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2015
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Hi Fiddler
As I said in the top link
Quote
“Note: This VST has no GUIs so you'll need to operate the patch controls via virtual MIDI ports within your DAW.
No problem in BIAB as there is a built in PAT for a DGX 203-205 in the midi setting synth /sound card setting. THIS IS FOR THE XGLITE SET so that’s good enough to give you access to the upper banks by name."
Better still download my XGlite Pat from the second link.
All the voices including the higher banks can the be selected from the BIAB mixer pull down when you insert a midi voice, and it wont offer you the dgx panel voices that you don’t have in this vst
You can also make it you default vst in midi settings,
Mike
BIAB2021 UltraPlus,AsusN55S1Tbssd, W10/64,Akai EIEpro Yamaha CVP405,SquireStrat, CoolsoftVMidSynth Novatation Impulse61 Ctr kbd, Cwalk blab Kontakt http://mikesmusic.byethost16.com/
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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One sForzando Q: Where should one put the SoundFond files? Is there a default location, where f.i. the PG HQ piano's etc are located? F
??.
win 10 64 bit 16gb,i7 chip, ssd 500gb, m-audio air, ,Roland BK-7M, 1000,shure sm7b,sonar,acid,mixcraft, variety of plugins.Sample tank 3,Kontakt. TC Helicon Voicelive 3 2 . https://beatmaster1.bandcamp.com/releases
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Thanks Mike. With the Biab .pat file, you can access all of the patches and there are some amazing sounds in it.
Especially, the Yamaha Electric/Acoustic Piano patches. It has the famous DX7 patch that others gave tried to emulate for 20+ years now.
Trax
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2015
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Hi
Yes as you say Trax
Some nice voices, one I find useful is the piano and strings from the XG dark set lsb 040 , patch 000
This can be useful for saving you a midi track in BIAB as they are bit short in supply.
Played with care as the rise time of the strings is slower than the piano fast attack you only notice the strings on longer more legato notes, and have a longer decay time than the piano layer,
Another is the KSP piano as its name implies the piano Keyboard is Stereo Panned across the sound stage .
Just make sure you have your stereo channels the right way or you will get a reversed piano with the high notes appearing to come from the left as you play the keyboard lol
Pleased some more of you are now finding thia useful.
Enjoy
Mike
Last edited by Mike Head; 08/13/18 11:02 AM.
BIAB2021 UltraPlus,AsusN55S1Tbssd, W10/64,Akai EIEpro Yamaha CVP405,SquireStrat, CoolsoftVMidSynth Novatation Impulse61 Ctr kbd, Cwalk blab Kontakt http://mikesmusic.byethost16.com/
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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OP
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Thanks for all the replies. Will be looking into all these items!
EDIT: So I just downloaded Sforzando, only like 11mb download. When I open it, I just see one instrument called TableWarp2 Am I doing something wrong? Where are all the sounds that you speak of in Sforzando?
Last edited by mc3997; 08/13/18 12:15 PM.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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sForzando is a 1 instrument synth.
Try the XGLite Mike linked instead; it acts more like a GM synth, which is what BiaB is based on and expecting.
sForzando requires multiple instances of the same synth (far as I know) so it is more complicated. A GM synth is much easier for most users.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2007
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Expert
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Expert
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Hi Fiddler
As I said in the top link
Quote
“Note: This VST has no GUIs so you'll need to operate the patch controls via virtual MIDI ports within your DAW.
No problem in BIAB as there is a built in PAT for a DGX 203-205 in the midi setting synth /sound card setting. THIS IS FOR THE XGLITE SET so that’s good enough to give you access to the upper banks by name."
Better still download my XGlite Pat from the second link.
All the voices including the higher banks can the be selected from the BIAB mixer pull down when you insert a midi voice, and it wont offer you the dgx panel voices that you don’t have in this vst
You can also make it you default vst in midi settings,
Mike
Done, and your XGlite sounds definitely better than the SYXG50.dll i posted ... thanks, F
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Nov 2011
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OP
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Hi, I downloaded the xglite zip file, it's only 11mb, correct? I think I know what i'm supposed to do with that based on your instructions, but what about the .pat file? Are there any instructions on what to do with it? Do I need it?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,114
Expert
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Expert
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Hi MC
Yes that is the correct file size.
The pat file will allow you to access the higher bank voices.
These are in addition to the basic xg midi voices in bank 000.like the extra pianos and things mentioned earlier.
You have to install it in Biab
If you don’t want to download there is already one in BIAB that you can use, the Yamaha dgx 303/305 just select from the midi set up screen by selecting it in the synthesizer / sound card in your midi settings screen.
Which will give you access to the high bank voices, but as it is for a full dgx keyboard it will offer you voices that you don’t have in this vst as well,
If you don’t feel you need the higher bank sounds (although they are good) you do not need a pat file at all. Then you will get the vst xg lite midi set only.
late edit extra info for BIAB 2018
BIAB PAT FILES
These are in c:\ bb data \ util \ synth kits.
New imports from third party sources should be copied into here.
To select one go via mixer midi higher bank from patch file
The current PAT is shown in the top border line
To select another select the open PAT box this will take you to the synth kits.that you have in the above folder chose from there.
Hope this helps
Mike
Last edited by Mike Head; 08/15/18 12:50 AM.
BIAB2021 UltraPlus,AsusN55S1Tbssd, W10/64,Akai EIEpro Yamaha CVP405,SquireStrat, CoolsoftVMidSynth Novatation Impulse61 Ctr kbd, Cwalk blab Kontakt http://mikesmusic.byethost16.com/
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Hi MC
Yes that is the correct file size.
The pat file will allow you to access the higher bank voices.
These are in addition to the basic xg midi voices in bank 000.like the extra pianos and things mentioned earlier.
So you're saying these higher bank voices are contained in the 11mb file, but in order to access those, I need the pat file. I know how to install the vst, but how to install the pat?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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A .PAT file is just a text file, so just download it and if needed copy it to where BIAB keeps many other .PAT files. There is no install; it works by selecting it within BIAB.
I’m not at a computer to tell you the exact location. Anyone?
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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