The sound fonts are OK (SFZ) but I found them to me just slightly better than a good midi piano. Note: I have stopped using SFZ because I have a few samples that are so much better and realistic sounding.
The better sounding ones, the ones with multiple layers are the ones that are going to cost you some money. BUT.... if you're a keyboard player, investing in good quality piano samples should be a given.
I like the inexpensive sampled pianos in the old Cakewalk Sound Center and also some of the Native Instruments stuff. Ivory Piano, wehich I don't have but have heard, also rocks. When you can put some headphones on and listen, and really wonder if that was a real piano or is it sampled..... now that's a good piano. SFZ isn't even close to that.
If you don't need something played exactly, as in, can it jam to the tune or does it require specific notes..... Real Tracks pianos in Real Band and BB can do that and they sound really good. But if you need a specific set of notes played..... you'll need a good midi synth with samples.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 08/15/1809:30 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
You can select the .pat file Dgx 303 or Dgx 305 in Biab and it will ALSO allow you to access the upper banks in the XGLite GM synth. Click on the Midi button displayed with the midi plug "icon" (2nd row and 2nd from last in the main Biab screen) and click midi/audio driver set up there.
A box will open and under synthesizer/soundcard you scroll down and can select either the DGX or XG Generic in that box. Once you have selected them, Biab should ask if you want to install the .DK (drumkit) set up for the XGLite synth you are using.
****Note**** You select this installation AFTER you have installed the XGLite Synth.
Once those are installed, you can THEN access and select the higher banked patches in Biab. If you want to save your settings, don't forget to save song with patches etc . . .
Biab is an amazing tool to compose music with. Once you have learned the few basic (chord settings,bar settings, harmony function etc) entry options, you will understand and HEAR the difference during a style/song playback.
The rests, pushes, harmony select in bar settings give you EXACT control of whatever track(s) you are trying to accomplish in Biab. They are very powerful tools and learning curve, but once you get the jist of how to enter/operate them in Biab, you will be making backing tracks/songs in NO time.
Yes indeed you can use the dgx file supplied in Biab as I said in my post. But as it is for a full Yamaha DGX keyboard it will offer you a few voices that you don’t have in the vst that I posted .like some of the internal dgx voices that are sent from the DGX panel buttons.. This is why I made a dedicated XGlite pat for you, However the vst is fairly tolerant and if it does not recognize the msb / lsb it will fall through to lsb 000 and give you the basic xg / gm voice for the patch. So you should get a basic voice from the same family say piano for patch 000 001. choir for patch 000 53 etc. So you may not notice. Have fun Mike
The rests, pushes, harmony select in bar settings give you EXACT control of whatever track(s) you are trying to accomplish in Biab. They are very powerful tools and learning curve, but once you get the jist of how to enter/operate them in Biab, you will be making backing tracks/songs in NO time.
Trax
I disagree, at least with the "real tracks," we have found that the jazz piano players are way to busy. There's no way to make them just splash the chords evenly. I've seen other posts on this forum that said the same thing. From what I was told, the only way to get control is by using MIDI and the stylemaker to edit what the piano player does during the measure. But I'm having a hard enough time just trying to get the MIDI working. It's a shame everything moved to software synths and got so complicated to the point it can't be used unless you're a guru.
For many versions of BB I was able to use the Roland Cake TTS-1 but for some reason BB refuses to recognize it. It says it's not a valid 32 bit plugIn. It always worked. I will try it in realband and see if I can get it to work. Any ideas? about how to get it back working. I hate Cyote my soundcard sounds better than it.
TTS-1 works fine here. How are you loading it? TTS-1 is a DXi, not a VSTi synth, so it gets registered as a DXi in the registry and just appears as a plugin in BIAB and RealBand. You do not go out and try to load the .DLL file like you do with other VST/VSTi's.
Also, if you (for example) recently re-installed Windows and applications and only installed the 64-bit version of TTS-1, that's not going to work either. You have to install one of the 32-bit versions of the Cakewalk DAW's to get the 32-bit version of TTS-1.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 8TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 11TB SATA
Does BandLab even issue the 64 bit version of Sonar. I only installed the 64bit version so I need to reinstall Sonar again with the 32 bit version? I have all the files I think. Thanks
Also, if you (for example) recently re-installed Windows and applications and only installed the 64-bit version of TTS-1, that's not going to work either. You have to install one of the 32-bit versions of the Cakewalk DAW's to get the 32-bit version of TTS-1.
what John said.
You need to install a 32-bit version of CAKEWALK/SONAR/MUSIC CREATOR applications to get the 32-bit TTS-1 - that is not a BIAB issue. And be aware that the new free Cakewalk by Bandlab is ONLY 64-bit and will ONLY install 64-bit TTS-1 an overwrites the the 32-bit DXi file that was in the shared folder.
see this old thread (applies to ANY 32-bit install of Sonar or Music Creator)
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
otherwise you're chasing the Yamaha site in Japaneses only not to find it.
that 7zip file in the above link contains two files the .dll and an HTML it's just a GM VSTi .dll so use it like any other. The html is a readme, and at this point just a historicla noce to know, but if you aren't a geek, don't read it! it will confuse you and make you think you need other files - YOU DO NOT - all you need is the .dll
(I have a Monatge7 so I spend a lot of time on various Yama sites - and even in English they are a lot of clicks to get nowhere)
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
For many versions of BB I was able to use the Roland Cake TTS-1 but for some reason BB refuses to recognize it. It says it's not a valid 32 bit plugIn. It always worked. I will try it in realband and see if I can get it to work. Any ideas? about how to get it back working. I hate Cyote my soundcard sounds better than it.
Or get this one? Sounds quite good IMO: Halion Sonic SE3 FREE PS there's an update too, but i think you'll have to register for download. As it's 64 bit you'll need jBridge for BIAB; on my system Halion 3 SE (paid version, more sounds) loads automatically as jBridge 32bit conversion. Once addressed in BIAB as default synth, it's IMO still one of the best sounding GM2 VSTs; note that in Halion's options you'll have to set it to GM-mode at Program Changes. See picture. It remembers the setting made here OK for BIAB. PS XGlite comes close, but Halion SE has some sounds done quite better, and has a proper interface showing available sounds by name on the GUI.
Tested quite a few GM VSTs in the past, Coyote Full, Edirol, Cakewalk, also paid for Sampletank Omnisynth2, then turned back to Hypersonic (Steinberg) for ease of use and sounds. All paid versions. The one above IMO is the best choice for BIAB, and its free to boot.
PS: As i bought Halion 6 i still have a license for a full, thus not the cheaper educational version, of Halion 5 for sale. Also with a Halion SE version and GM2 on board; PM me if interested, and you'll need a Steinberg Dongle to run it. THIS ONE is still 32bit and 64bit. - F
To whom are you talking? the installer has the sounds included, usually installs them in C:\Users\--LOGIN NAME--\AppData\Roaming\Steinberg\Content as VSTsound files. Do any thing ?? is it showing the GUI? You need jBridge to get it to create a 32bit dll for BIAB to work with. Or try to find a (free) Halion Sonic 2 SE. I'm not sure if there ever was one. Should look like picture in the post above.
You can't use jbridge with the TTS-1 because jbridge is just for VST/VSTi's, not DX/DXi's.
Halion Sonic SE3 has a 64bit VST dll somewhere, on my system here: C:\Program Files\Steinberg\VSTPlugins\HALion Sonic .. on my system jBridge converts is automatically, but you could manually convert it to a .32.dll. Convert it and look that one up in BIABs default synth settings.
Originally Posted By: beatmaster
fiddler I opened it on the stand alone and I have the Gui just no sounds to pick or see..?. Do I have to direct it to the sounds or,../.?.
Look in the library (searching option) settings, you'll have to find the .VSTsound files then manually, totally i guess around 2GB, but the installation should work automatically really. Tricks how to get to them thus to load automatically by addressing the files via shortcuts at the appropriate location in C:/Users etc.
I posted this on a Steinberg forum regarding missing Halion file finding errors:
Quote:
Install your VSTsound files in one folder, f.i in a VSTsound folder on anohter drive. The installers usually put them here: C:\Users\-USER NAME-\AppData\Roaming\Steinberg\Content Do a search too, there might be other places .... Move them all from there to the new location .... Make shortcuts inside that new location after the move. Move all the newlymade shortcuts back to C:\Users\-USER NAME-\AppData\Roaming\Steinberg\Content. Your errors should be gone ....
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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SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
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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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