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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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I happened to see that there was an update for Sforzando when I clicked on the "check for updates" button in the VST's UIF. So... I installed the newest version... and lost all my BIAB HQ instrument preset settings.  Sforzando still shows in BIAB's instrument list, but will not open when selected from the list, and none of the BIAB HQ instrument presets work. I suspect the latest version is 64 bit only, but can't say for certain. The upside is that the newest version of Sforzando includes a VST 3 version, but the downside is that the latest VST 2 version is not recognized by BIAB. The fix is to either re-install Sforzando from the installer that came with BIAB, or to use a tool like Pacifist or Suspicious Package to extract the VST 2 version from an older install pkg, and replace it in your VST plugin folder. Hopefully this helps somebody ! Pacifist - https://www.charlessoft.com Suspicious Package - https://www.mothersruin.com/software/SuspiciousPackage/- Jay
MacPro 5,1/12 core@3.46GHz -- OS X 10.15.7 -- ATI 7970 -- 32 Gig RAM -- Crucial 500GB OS SSD -- Samsung EVO 1TB Audio/Sample SSD -- BIAB 2024 -- Logic Pro X -- Cubase Elements 14 -- Too many plugins
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Makes sense, I suppose. If I knew what Sforzando was, how it affects a BIAB user or anything else about it, I guess it would make more sense.
I agree, that BIAB being 32 bit means it doesn't work with a growing list of other apps.
BIAB 2025 Audiophile Mac
24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer11, LogicPro, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScorePro64/Notion6 /Overture5
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Thank you for the heads up JayO.
I looked in my Application's folder and there it is , " Sforzando " although it is an application not a plugin .
Where did it come from because I can't recall installing it let alone purchasing it and how is it used ?
Can it be used in any other music application such as Digital Performer or will it work only in Mac Band in a Box ?
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Mike, Sforzando is an instrument player similar to Kontakt or SampleTank. The difference is Sforzando is free. The player plays SFZ instruments. The SFZ format is an open standard that defines the behavior of a musical instrument from a set of sound recordings. The player will automatically converts SF2 soundfonts, DLS audio files or Acidized wave files into the SFZ format. PG Music selected the Sforzando player to play PG Music's Hi-Q Instruments used with MidiSuperTracks. So anytime you select and load a MidiSuperTrack into a project the Sforzando player and pre-selected SFZ instrument are automatically loaded. PG Music used a free SampleTank player prior to Sforzando but quit using it after the SampleTank developer quit supporting the free player. PG Music converted all Hi-Q Instruments available in SampleTank's *.tgs format to the SFZ format. So, it is possible fora user to have Hi-Q Instruments available in both the *.tgs and *.SFZ formats. The developer, Plogue, also developed Cakewalk's instrument player, Dimension Pro. +++ HERE +++ is the homepage for Sforzando.
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Thanks Jim, perfectly summed up !
Sorry, I shouldn't have assumed that folks would know how Sforzando was integrated into BIAB, as it really is pretty seamless when selecting HQ instruments.
It's not really obvious, but you are actually selecting Sforzando as an external VST instrument, when you load the BIAB HQ sounds (which sound pretty damn good BTW).
Thanks for the link to the Sforzando homepage too, I do see it listed there as OSX64 bit only now, didn't see that before I installed the new version.
I can verify though that the newest 64 bit only VST3 and AU versions can peacefully coexist with the older 32/64 bit VST 2 version.
So... if you are so inclined... and want to get the newest VST3 and AU versions, you can move the VST2 out of your plugins folder temporarily, run the installer and then replace the new VST2 with the older version which you moved.
I also use Cubase 10, and I was curious about the VST3 version, but other than that there is really no reason to update Sforzando if it's working fine for you.
- Jay
MacPro 5,1/12 core@3.46GHz -- OS X 10.15.7 -- ATI 7970 -- 32 Gig RAM -- Crucial 500GB OS SSD -- Samsung EVO 1TB Audio/Sample SSD -- BIAB 2024 -- Logic Pro X -- Cubase Elements 14 -- Too many plugins
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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sFz... Really? Oh dear... So someone actually made a 64 bit sFz player that's incompatible with 32 bit applications? That's funny enough to qualify for the Darwin Awards. Cakewalk was supposed to maintain the code but that page disappeared many years ago. I haven't used an sFz library in 20–30 years or so but would always use either the Aria or UVI players. Current sFz Players Hmmm... I see that the 64 bit UVI player no longer supports sFz. I wonder if Aria still does—yes, it does. Aria Player manual The free Aria Player can be downloaded here: https://store.makemusic.com/Downloads/Default.aspx?p=1As for VST, PG Music recommends JBridge for the Mac. It works. Everything's going to change soon enough.
BIAB 2025 Audiophile Mac
24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer11, LogicPro, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScorePro64/Notion6 /Overture5
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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The same developers that created the Aria engine created Sforzando. I believe the order of creation was Sforzando, Dimension Pro and Rapture (for Cakewalk) and Aria. There is a good chance Cakewalk did not retain intellectual rights for the SFZ code when the developer left. No enhancements were made in the last few years. Neither of the players made the transition (yet) from Cakewalk to Cakewalk by BandLab. The UVI instrument player, Falcon, supports SFZ. +++ Falcon Specs +++
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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The UVI instrument player, Falcon, supports SFZ Yes, it was in the link I had posted. I just can't imagine paying $349 (or $279 on sale or whatever my upgrade price from MachFive 3 is...) just to host sFz when free players abound. Falcon's a wonderful sampler and synth engine if that's what you need. It doesn't have as many libraries as MV3 but you get a $100 coupon for UVI libraries so it kind of works out. Speaking of MachFive 3, it's another 64 bit sampler that plays sfz (not listed but it does). It's a bit steep at $459. Worse, it hasn't been updated since 2015 — or rather, it was and became Falcon. UVI and MOTU broke off their business arrangement except that MV3 owners like I do have a courtesy upgrade path.
BIAB 2025 Audiophile Mac
24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer11, LogicPro, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScorePro64/Notion6 /Overture5
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Well... Sforzando = $0 ! Hence PG's thinking.  Can't blame them there.  I like Sforzando, and I actually use the BIAB sounds in Cubase and Logic too. - Jay
MacPro 5,1/12 core@3.46GHz -- OS X 10.15.7 -- ATI 7970 -- 32 Gig RAM -- Crucial 500GB OS SSD -- Samsung EVO 1TB Audio/Sample SSD -- BIAB 2024 -- Logic Pro X -- Cubase Elements 14 -- Too many plugins
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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Well... Sforzando = $0 !
... As are most others at that link. So, next year when everything's supposed to be 64 bit, the latest Sforzando should give you no problem. In the mean time, there are 64 bit players players that can handle both 32 bit and 64 bit now. Aria is one of them.
BIAB 2025 Audiophile Mac
24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer11, LogicPro, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScorePro64/Notion6 /Overture5
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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!
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Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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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Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
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Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
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