Yes... ask questions here and call tech support at PG before you pull the plug and return it.

First... if you have no instruments playing except the drums... have you installed a default synth for BB to call on to use to play those instruments? It's been a while, but I do seem to recall having the same issue and it was after I installed a synth.... in my case TTS, but some folks use Coyote as well.... that I finally was able to get sound from the program.

Having the same drums sound.... in midi, there's essentially one kit. You will need to have your synth installed and also be sure you've chosen the path to the directory for the instruments and also for the drums. They are in two different directories. Your program doesn't automatically know where they are. You must tell it ...same thing applies to Band in a Box as it does to Real Band. Once it knows where to look, you will have all the options at your disposal.

Learning curve.... that depends on how deep you want to go. I find that using just the things I need didn't take long to figure out.

My suggestion... call PG and have them help you through the installation process. They are knowledgeable and I recall asking them for help and guidance in my original install for much of the same reasons. IN a few minutes they had me up and running.

Keep us posted and don't hesitate to ask questions here for clarification and guidance as well. Lots of people here can help.

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.