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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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While the hardware synth may be capable of microtuning, the MIDI output from BIAB styles won't be. The style is just going to send the MIDI note out expecting to be played by a GM compatible synth. Not sure what you were trying to achieve with BIAB then.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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OP
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Making BIAB work with microtuning is definitely a workaround. Sometimes it's really difficult getting microtonal chords to conform to labels of chords that are derived from 12 tone music (major, minor, diminished, and augmented). But I manage to make it work somehow.
I enjoy creating music in familiar styles but in alternate tunings. I guess I'm a little strange that way.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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MountainSide,
When I’m looking to get a patch map for the TX81Z, am I basically looking for presets in the TX81Z that will substitute for GM patches (for example, a TX81Z bass patch substituting for a similar sounding GM patch, a TX81Z piano patch substituting for a similar sounding GM patch, etc.), so that when I change styles, I will always have an ensemble that sounds somewhat similar to what I would hear if it was done with GM patches You still don't have enough voices and you mentioned using a VST for drums. Not at the same time as you're using the Yamaha because that requires two midi ports and Biab only has one. Now there is a work around for this using a software midi patch bay but that adds another layer of complexity. The big thing is still the voices. You said earlier 3 should be enough for piano. Say what? Piano players have two hands ya know? Biab styles routinely use 5 or 6 notes for piano. To the sounds. Since we don't know your taste maybe the sounds are good enough to give you an idea but still...You said maybe this can substitute for the GM patches. No it won't. This is a DX11 we're talking about. It's an FM synth known for ringing bell type electric pianos which was a great contrast to the Rhodes sound and gritty, sweeping electronic synth basses. Those basses are highly valued even today and you may really like that sound but it has zero acoustic sounds. The basses are similar to what you'd hear with a mini moog for example. That's what made it so cool at the time because that bass sound is huge on many records and movie soundtracks of the 80's. But if you want any kind of acoustic bass or an electric Fender Jazz or something like that forget it. I'm not knocking the Yamaha, it's a killer classic synth if you're into those sounds but the key word is synth. Yes, it has a strings patch but they're very electronic synth sounding. Not close to even bad GM strings but it does vibes very well because that's what FM does. Ringing bell like tones. All that aside I still think you'll be disappointed just because of the 8 voices alone. Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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I have a TX81z that I use with my wind MIDI controller, but I didn't know it was microtunable (and have no reason to use that for what I play).
I think it's strongest voices are the tuned percussion, vibes, rhodes and so on. Some of the other voices are nice, but others aren't particularly suited for FM synthesis in my opinion. YMMV.
You would be able to use it with BiaB, but I don't know how well it will work for you.
You would need a USB to MIDI interface, the least expensive models will do, and a MIDI cable. You would probably have to create your own patch map for it, as I doubt that any two TX81z have the same patch arrangement. There is no GM mode.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Rats, you're right there VideoTrack. It's the upper right hand corner under FILE.
Jeff
Win11, Intel i7 7700K 4.2Ghz, 32Gb RAM, 2x1Tb HD, 500Gb NVMe, BIAB/RB 2026, MOTU 828MK3 audio, MOTU Midi Express, Yamaha Montage 7, DX7II, TX802, Motif XS Rack, Roland Fantom XR Rack, Oberheim Matrix 1000, VoiceLive3 Extreme, Kontakt 6, SampleTank 4.3
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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OP
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Is it very difficult to create patch maps? Any experts around here you suggest I might talk to?
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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If it would help, here's is the user manual and the patch map for the 81Z: User manual here: http://thesnowfields.com/manuals/Yamaha%20TX81Z.pdfOriginal patch maps: http://www.synthzone.com/midi/yamaha/tx81z/TX81Z.insAnd some additional patches here: http://patcharena.com/synths/yamaha-tx81z/Micro tuning resource (half way down) https://mgregory22.me/tx81z/index.htmlAnother thought might be to consider Kontakt's FM8 VSTi. At $149 and over 900 patches, it might be an alternative and may get around some of the limitations mentioned here by other suers. Jeff
Win11, Intel i7 7700K 4.2Ghz, 32Gb RAM, 2x1Tb HD, 500Gb NVMe, BIAB/RB 2026, MOTU 828MK3 audio, MOTU Midi Express, Yamaha Montage 7, DX7II, TX802, Motif XS Rack, Roland Fantom XR Rack, Oberheim Matrix 1000, VoiceLive3 Extreme, Kontakt 6, SampleTank 4.3
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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.......................
Another thought might be to consider Kontakt's FM8 VSTi. At $149 and over 900 patches, it might be an alternative and may get around some of the limitations mentioned here by other suers.
Jeff This is an excellent idea and a much better choice. FM8 can read all of the DX7 and TX81Z patches. It converts the sysex to FM8. Plus on the Internet are free and legal patches for all DX7 variations and TX81Z. I FM8 and all of the DX-TX patches! {edit} I also think what you want to do would be better accomplished in a DAW. Drag and drop your BiaB MIDI tracks into a DAW and do your finishing work there. Personally I would pick a 64 bit DAW if your system is 64 bit. YMMV
Last edited by MarioD; 06/20/19 03:58 AM.
My boss calls me "the computer".
Nothing to do with intelligence. I go to sleep if left unattended for 15 minutes.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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OP
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Many thanks to all for your suggestions.
I actually have FM8.
It is microtunable, but I would still have the problem of trying out different styles with the presets not changing. I would like to go through lots of style changes before I find one I would like, and I don't want to constantly be reloading the VST and preset for every track.
I have been doing some research on the Solton Ketron SD2 that was mentioned earlier, and my understanding from another forum is that it is microtunable. However, I am still exploring how it is implemented, and the manual does not seem to be much help.
Keep the suggestions coming. Both negative and positive, I really appreciate all of the comments.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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OP
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After talking with a person in tech support and after much deliberation, I have decided to get the TX81Z. There are some things that are working in my favor:
1. Most of the listings on eBay for the TX81z are selling for a good amount more - if things don't work out I won't lose much money trying to resell it.
2. I found out that Manymidi.com has over 2000 GM type patches for the TX91Z that appear to be improvements of the stock presets that I could purchase for just $50.
3. The person in tech support told me that the result of what I wanted to do would be difficult to determine until I had the unit, and so it seems I might as well give it a go at $100.
We'll see what happens. Wish me luck.
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