Hi All, Been trying to get my head around this issue and need help. Myself and an old Buddy have been using midi tracks for a lot of years. We both ran XP with the virtual canvas and audio was good. I upgraded my PC to a win 7 one and bought BIAB now I render all my stuff into MP3 on a tablet with hard copy's of the words and chords so I'm ok. My Buddy uses vanbasko with all the words in the midi files so he has no hard copy of words/chords when he gigs. Sadly his old PC died the new one is win 7. The old virtual canvas does not work on win 7 so the audio which is coming out of van basko is not the canvas sounds and pretty bad. He wants to still use van basko and see the words karaoke style so he wants to change back from Win7 to XP so the canvas will work. I don't think he should go back to XP but is there a way that he could get win 7 to generate the good audio like the canvas from the midi while still using van basko. Now I've managed to confuse myself, hope this makes sense. Regards. Bryan.
If you are using the Coyote WT DXi that comes with BIAB, then the sounds you get are just the stock MIDI sounds that come with Windows (Coyote WT just wraps the Microsoft Wavetable sounds as a DXi so at least you have something). You should look into a better GM sound module. PGMusic also sells the Coyote Forte, which has much better sounds than the Coyote WT. If you have an old Cakewalk Sonar or Music Maker license, you can get the Cakewalk TTS-1 DXi synth installed (but you can't buy it since Cakewalk went out of business). You could also use Synthfont VST with a good soundfont, and some folks use the Steinberg Halion Sonic in GM mode for pretty good Sounds. Those solutions would bring you closer to what you had with the Sound Canvas. Of course you can spend a lot more money to get more realistic sounds, as well.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA
It's time for him to come into the modern world..... sound canvas is old. There are much better sounds out now. Samples are one example.
I still run XP but I do not use the default sound players..... I use synths with samples when I use midi.
Write the words and chords on paper or use a word processor. He could also search for a new player that will scroll the words karaoke style. When they mothball one thing, someone generally sees the opportunity and fills it with a new, hopefully better version of a program to do the same thing.
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.
I upgraded my PC to a win 7 one and bought BIAB now I render all my stuff into MP3 on a tablet with hard copy's of the words and chords so I'm ok.
What are you using for your midi sounds? Also you say you upgraded to Win 7. Going to Win 7 isn't an upgrade, Win 10 has been out for 3 years now, that's the upgrade. Microsoft is stopping support for Win 7 in about 14 months.
[Mac] OS X 10.8.5 or later/OS X 10.9/OS X 10.10 - Steinberg Cubase 8 Series (64bit Edition) - Steinberg Cubase 7 Series (64bit Edition) - MOTU Digital Performer 9 *Only AU Plug−in
EDIT: Coyote Forte DXi sounds better and it's less than half the price.
I use play along chords and lyrics with a high quality WAV rendering of my song.
There are several ways to do this.
1. You can use a CGD+Mp3 maker and player (such as the one from Power karaoke)
2. Use a program called Youtube movie maker that will make an MP4 file that contains the song and the scrolling chords and lyrics. You just need any program that can play a normal video file to use it. My whole Youtube channel is based on this. Here is the link https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL73jwH9WpDNR0DXMzBK4FMaZgzrXo15Bk
Sometimes, I'm hesitant to ask a question, more often than not I get to feel like I just got thumped on the nose. Most of my issues are solvable, it seems, if I could afford to throw money at them. Well this is South Africa and the money is rather weak and unfortunately and old guy just cannot set aside the budget for the real upgrades especially for luxuries. My PC came with Win 7 besides not having the budget to get all the updates, it works, it's not broken so no point in fixing it. Same as my 9 year old Toyota I'd love to have the latest model but I'll just have to stick with this one. I'm quite happy with the MP3 files my BIAB is rendering from the few midi files I have, with the standard Coyote. Just goes to show how the old ears are way past their sell by date. Most of the rest of my songs I just use those great styles and make up the backing that way before rendering to MP3. Point is I'm coping. I would like to help my Buddy to find a way that he could continue to use his free karaoke software to sing along with and get a better sounding audio from his midi files by adding a virtual synth to the win7. I'll keep trying, thanks for the replies. Take Care. Bryan.
Unfortunately, as TTS-1 is a DXi synth, it can't be loaded as a default Windows synth that you can just select as a MIDI port.
That being said, there are some options to try:
1. You certainly could use the Coolfont Virtual MIDISynth with a good GM Soundfont, and it's going to sound better that the standard Windows GM synth. It installs as a virtual hardware synth (so you select it as your default Windows synth in whatever application allows you to select it. Load whatever soundfont you want (I have several I can share) and it should do what you want, or...
2. If you really want to use TTS-1, it seems to me that Pipeline posted a link to a free utility that wraps a DXi synth as a VSTi (I can't remember the name of it right now). You could then (in theory) run that VSTi as a standalone synth using the free SAVIHost. Then by installing something like LoopBE as a virtual MIDI port, you can set your MIDI application to send to the LoopBE port and set the SAVHosted TTS-1 to receive from that LoopBE port. I imagine it would take just a few minutes to test. In theory, it should work. In fact, if I can find that "wrapper", I'll try to give it a try this evening after work.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA
There is the freeware FFX-4 Direct-X Plug-in rack from VB-Audio software. It was published in 2008 but is still available for download from the developer's website. +++ VB-Audio FFX-4 +++
Here was I would suggest: 1. If he still has the MIDI files to dump them all into his computer, grt some good virtual instruments and create the backing tracks 2. Go online and find all the lyrics to every songs that he has as a midi file.
3.
Computer: Macbook Pro, 16 inch 2021 DAWs: Pro Tools, Logic, and Maschine plays drums, percussion, bass, steel pan, keyboard, music producer/engineer
Well, I tried the FFX-4 Direct-X Plug-in rack and unfortunately it didn't work. It didn't even see my TTS-1 DX plugin (but it did see both Coyote WT and Forte DXi, so I tried them instead). Unless I did something wrong, nothing seemed to get transmitted from PowerTracks (which I used to test it) over to the wrapped DXi via my LoopBE virtual MIDI port. Alas...
If I find another wrapper, I will try again, as it seems like in theory it should work (albeit probably with a little latency).
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA
Is it possible your version of TTS-1 is 64 bit? The Cakewalk Command Center (CCC) automatically selects the same bit rate download as the computer operating system. You have to go into settings > options and place a checkmark for Verbose install to be asked if you want a 32 or 64 bit download.
I'm pretty sure it's 32-bit, since TTS-1 works fine in PowerTracks, Realband, and BIAB (they only recognize 32-bit DXi's and jbridge doesn't work with DXi's, only Vsti's).
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA
Sounds like too much for me to get in to. If I recall correctly the old Roland VSC3 software (for 32 bit machines only) used to act as a hardware sound card and therefore take place as the default Windows midi synth. I was hoping there was a simple way to get the TTS-1 to do that. But, it's not all that important to me. Thanks for your efforts.
Sforzando with the Timbres of Heaven sounds work with my Win 7 machine and BIAB. Both free... I also wonder if forum member Mike Head's free XG download with Yamaha sounds would work for the OP?
You can run XP in Windows 7. I bought windows 7 for that reason as i have old programms which will not run in windows 7. Google for XP in windows7 for details and see if it works for your buddy.
Old school trick - Another option to get windows to sound different is to replace the gm.dls file in your Windows\system32\drivers folder. That's where windows itself gets the sounds. Editor/Translators like Vienna and ChickenSystems usually allow getting a font or other sound file to the DLS format.
Back in the day there weren't as many options as we have now.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed 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 transcribe 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, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac 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)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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)
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