Welcome to the forum and to BIAB.

BIAB can use both MIDI and audio. It's important to know the difference, and which sound is on each track in the mixer for your song. BIAB audio is called RealTracks (and RealDrums), and it is recordings of actual musicians. When you select a Style, it will tell you each sound and whether it is a RealTrack or MIDI.

If audio (using the WAS setting) doesn't break up or crackle, then it's working for you. Audio in general either works or doesn't'; there isn't a 'better' out there except for cleaner digital equipment or bigger/better speakers. If you are hearing problems with playing back audio, then tell us more. There are a lot of things to try. For example, with my sound module, the WAS driver doesn't work as well as ASIO.

About MIDI: the Microsoft GS Wavetable does indeed often sound like a toy. It is provided with soundcards so you'll be able to hear something, but it is not a good sound. I'm going to assume the trumpet and sax you don't like are MIDI. The most important thing to know about MIDI is that MIDI is a set of instructions; it has no sound of its own. The quality is entirely dependent upon the sound module you use. This can be hardware or software, and the price ranges from free to thousands. In your case, you have a DXi checked, so you are using a software MIDI synth. MIDI is also less likely to be able to convey the nuances a real musician plays.

I use a hardware MIDI synth, so I will let others advise you who are more familiar with software, particularly the VSTsynthfont64 you have selected.

You've asked good questions and it's great you provided information. I realize this can be complicated. Take one thing at a time and we'll help.


BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.