Hi guys, I have never been proficient at all on Real Band so i need help on how to load different vst's on each track. I need to use about 10 tracks but I'm bot sure how to do this without interfere with other tracks, which is what is happening sometimes. Obviously I'm not doing it right.
Thanks Noel, I have done that and track sounds fine, but the when I do that to the next track, and change the tract number on that vst still sounds like the one before,not sure why. Is frustrating. Anyway, thanks for the help. I'll keep on trying I'm working on a Halloween tune and not getting anywhere because of it.
Apologies. I quickly grabbed a graphic without double-checking.
While the graphic in my first post will get you to the right choices in RB, it's more related to an audio track rather than a MIDI track. What shows with the right-click popup menu depends on the track type that has been selected.
The image below relates to a MIDI track and shows the options more accurately.
Saw your screen shot and I noticed a couple of Cakewalk VST's. Do they work on BB or are they just on your list?
2b
2b,
In the past, I have used a couple of them and they did work in earlier versions of RB (I cannot recall which effects they were). Because I no longer use Cakewalk/Sonar, though, I removed everything from my system and so cannot check to see if they work effectively with RB 2018. The list relates to old plugins from Sonar Home Studio 7.
Hi Noel, in this case I'm trying to use Kontakt 5 in most of them. First I use the first instance lets say for the bass and applied the appropriate patch, then went down to the rest of the tracks and kontakt recognizes what channel I'm using as long as is in order. If I try to use an individual instance of kontakt on each channel still shows the original instance and everything sounds like a bass. I'm lost here. BTW, thanks for the thorough graphics and instructions.
1) When I'm using Kontakt in RealBand, I turn off the "route all MIDI to default DXi/VSTi"; otherwise, you will not hear your MIDI input in the Kontakt instrument. If you have tracks that want to use the default (TTS-1 or Coyote or whatever), then just explicity use it on those tracks. Takes a couple of seconds to set up.
2) Make sure all your MIDI data on the track is on the channel you want it to be. I've found problems just using the right click and setting the track to, say channel 2. Instead, highlight the entire track and select the MIDI command from the menu to rechannel everything to channel 2 (by setting Old Low Channel to 1 and Old High Channel to 2, and then New Low Channel to 2 and New High Channel to 2 - this will rechannel everything to channel 2 - adjust accordingly for the channel you want). Then right click on the track and set it to Channel 2. That way, if you record anything new, it will all be on channel 2.
3) In theory, you should be able to select one instance of Kontakt for each of the tracks as long as you assign each of the Kontakt instruments in your rack to the channel each track is set to. So if the track had bass on channel 1 and piano on channel 2, then load the bass you want and the piano you want in the Kontakt rack and set the bass to channel 1 and the piano to channel 2 in Kontakt). If you have problems with that, then use step 4 below instead.
4) Load a new instance of Kontakt into each of the tracks. Not by just selecting Kontakt from your list of VSTi's, but instead doing the following: right click on a track and move to "Port" and then select either "Load DXi/VSTi Synth into Unused Slot" or "Load DXi/VSTi Synth into Specific Slot". These commands will load separate instances of Kontakt on each track. Then go to your first track, launch the Kontakt interface and select the bass sound you want (using the example above) and match the channel in Kontakt. Then go to your other track and do the same thing. You will now see only one instrument loaded in each instance of Kontakt (instead of a rack of multiple instruments).
All that being said, loading separate instances of Kontakt will incur a heavier load on your machine. Too many and it gets bogged down. I will often use separate instances, but then render the track to an audio track, then disable the instance by clicking the little check box next to Kontakt on the VSTi screen. That frees up resources for the other tracks.
Also, the above works the same in both RealBand and PowerTracks.
Hope this helps. I know it works on my machine; I hope it works for you.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA
Thank John for the extensive explanation, obviously there were stuff in there that I have no idea of. Yes you're right, many instances of the same or even different vsts would definitely do a number on the program. True with mane DAWS.
Let me know if you get bogged down. Once you've done it a couple of times, you'll find it just becomes part of your routine workflow and you'll wonder why you didn't know this all along.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
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.
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
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
Playable RealTracks Set 5
RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean