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Originally Posted By: Teunis
so back to VI.ONE. It took a little while for me to get it installed and registered (had I followed the instructions it would have been seconds). There are an unbelievable amount of different Sounds available. Some are really good. I decided to change a MIDI song that I did years ago using TTS1 to use Kontakt and the VI.ONE libraries. Some bits were better others maybe not so but I still need to do more playing.
Tony, I appreciate you taking the time to let us know your initial reaction. I will try to follow the instructions wink.

I also have more time on my hands than usual!

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Originally Posted By: Tiger
[quote=Larry Kehl]re:Mixcraft

The problem was solved by setting the Kontakt player to "Omni", rather than a particular channel. I am not sure where in Mixcraft it specifies the channel/port it is sending info to the Kontakt player. It apparently isn't using the Port A/Channel 1 that seems to be the Kontakt default. (The input channel for MIDI devices is right there on the track, and I have that set to All.)

At some point, I will have to figure out how Mixcraft uses channels/ports to talk to the Player, but for right now I have put that aside in favour of actually working on music. Let me know if you know anything about that setting.


Anyone Interested,

I am writing this note for myself, as well as for anyone else interested. I now understand why Kontakt sometimes didn't play BIAB midi files exported into my DAW.

When BIAB exports a MIDI file from a project (a multitrack .MID file), each track is set to a different channel. For example, Piano on channel 3, Bass on channel 2, etc.

This is specified for each note; Each note in each track of the Midi file has a channel specified in properties. I should have realized this, but I kept looking for a setting in the DAW. Now I know I have to look at the properties of the notes for each track of the midi file, and see what Channel they are on. Once I do that, I set the correct channel in Kontakt and everything works fine.

This is why the Omni setting in Kontakt worked, because it was looking on all channels.

Thanks to everyone who gave input on this problem.

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Welcome to MIDI!

Pros: Very flexible!
Cons: Very Flexible!


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Originally Posted By: Jim Fogle
Hi Glenn,

Welcome to the forum and to Band-in-a-Box. There are two midi sounds you may want to consider. First is the TTS-1 virtual sound module from Cakewalk by BandLab and second is the Timbres Of Heaven virtual instruments. Both have the advantages of sounding good and are available for free.

+++ Timbres Of Heaven +++ is a gm compatible Soundfont. The Soundfont is a large (about 256 MB) set of instrument patches that can be loaded and played in any Soundfont sound module including Sforzando and Synthfont.
Jim, thank you for the welcome and the information. I decided to start by looking at Timbres of Heaven. I downloaded it, and I tried dragging it into Szforando, which seems to be included with BIAB. It says to drag a file in and I did that, but this is a huge file, and it seems to want me to reset it for each instrument...

Anyway, you can see I am confused. Can someone help me understand how to load a Soundfont like Timbres of Heaven into BIAB once, or once per song, and then just pick the instruments. I tried fooling with the default synth, but that didn't seem to do what I want either. I just want to set up this Soundfont inside BIAB so I can easily try out and set the various instruments.

Thanks for any help with this.

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Glen, maybe one of this will help:

https://hiphopmakers.com/best-free-soundfont-players-vst-plugin

On the rare occasion I use a soundfont I use the free TX16Wx. Note that I only use it in my DAW but it should work in BiaB. But other players may better meet your needs.


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Possible solution: BIAB includes Real Band. Make your track. Arranged how you want it. Save it as a midi.

Open the midi in Real Band. Set up RB so it uses a quality sound font. One of the best out there is Timbres Of Heaven. Freely distributed through our midi forum. Created by one of our engineer members.

Open the CHORDS window. BINGO!


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Harpmeister, thanks for the idea. I have literally only looked once at Real Band...I didn't "get it" and so forgot about it. But that was many years ago. I am going to have to take a look at it, as you described above.

Thanks again,

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Hi, I have the same problem as Glenn, I've been researching how to have better midi sound in biab for some time.
I have the free version of the kontakt and I hesitate to buy the full version because I see that it does not come with too many instruments, would I have to buy or search for banks of instruments later? I use biab for jazz standards.

I also appreciate the sampletank, it seems easier and brings more instruments from the factory.

I am very confused now and I have downloaded sounds of heaven but I don't know how it installs and how I can choose it in biab.

Any help in this regard will be welcome

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Originally Posted By: Tolailama
Hi, I have the same problem as Glenn, I've been researching how to have better midi sound in biab for some time.
I have the free version of the kontakt and I hesitate to buy the full version because I see that it does not come with too many instruments, would I have to buy or search for banks of instruments later? I use biab for jazz standards.

I also appreciate the sampletank, it seems easier and brings more instruments from the factory.


Kontakt does come with a full library. I choose Kontakt as there are many third party presets either to purchase or for free. Sampletank is also a good MIDI sound source. I think that you would be happy with either program.

[quote=Tolailama
I am very confused now and I have downloaded sounds of heaven but I don't know how it installs and how I can choose it in biab.

Any help in this regard will be welcome [/quote]

Timbres Of Heaven is a soundfont (SF2) and you will need a soundfont player. There are a number of them, some free and some not free. I use the free TX16Wx sampler when I occasionally use SF2s. https://www.tx16wx.com/

Here is a list of some other SF2 players:
http://www.synthfont.com/Downloads.html

I do not use any of the above in BiaB. I use them in a DAW. You can have more control and tracks in a DAW. If you are using a PC then you have RealBand and that is an excellent place to start. Many here use it as their only DAW.

I hope this helps and good luck.


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Thanks Mario, I have used the vstsynthfont64 that comes in biab and I have managed to load the sounds of heaven, in addition to the library that is included. This improves the above and is an important first step for me.

Now I'm going to keep looking and testing sf2 and testing for a while.

It is easy to use vstsynthfont64 and does not require complicated settings. Kontakt player is too complicated for me, I don't know how to make the midi instruments play by default, I'm sure I'll try again later and ask experts like you in this forum, thank you very much.

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Originally Posted By: Tolailama
Thanks Mario, I have used the vstsynthfont64 that comes in biab and I have managed to load the sounds of heaven, in addition to the library that is included. This improves the above and is an important first step for me.

Now I'm going to keep looking and testing sf2 and testing for a while.

It is easy to use vstsynthfont64 and does not require complicated settings. Kontakt player is too complicated for me, I don't know how to make the midi instruments play by default, I'm sure I'll try again later and ask experts like you in this forum, thank you very much.


There are a number of SF2s available so be sure to check them out. Also there are SF2 editors out there so you can create your own SF2 presets:

https://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Audio/Other-AUDIO-Tools/Viena.shtml

Also any non GM VSTi like Kontakt and Sampletank will not set your sounds by default. You have to assign a patch (sound) to each BiaB track. It sounds like that and the SF2 editor should wait until you have a firm understanding of implementing things like them, but I might be wrong.

Good luck and have fun.


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thanks Mario, that information is important

I'm looking through the garritan jazz & bigband 3 library and I was wondering the same, if that library is gm and it would assign me the default instruments or would I have to assign them on each midi track just like in kontakt or sampletank

Could someone using this product tell me about that? I couldn't find this answer in the garritan web ....I would be very grateful

Last edited by Tolailama; 06/08/20 02:47 PM.
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Originally Posted By: Tolailama
thanks Mario, that information is important

I'm looking through the garritan jazz & bigband 3 library and I was wondering the same, if that library is gm and it would assign me the default instruments or would I have to assign them on each midi track just like in kontakt or sampletank

Could someone using this product tell me about that? I couldn't find this answer in the garritan web ....I would be very grateful


I have that library and yes you have to assign each a sound to each track, i.e it is not GM. It isn't that difficult. Lets say you have a sax playing under the BiaB string label. You would just load Jazz and Big Band (J&BB) into the VSTi slot for the string labeled track, in J&BB pick a sax sound, and then make sure that J&BB is set to MIDI channel 7, the string labeled channel. I don't do this in BiaB as I prefer to work in my DAW but others do this in BiaB and they can give you more detailed help on doing it.


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What would be really great is to be able to point tracks to a midi channel in BIAB and have this extended to plugins. That way one could use Kontakt or similar as designed rather than having to implement the same VST multiple times. This is the way most good applications work. Even stuff such as AmpleSound guitars do not need the full application loaded. They share parts thus saving a lot of memory and makes things more efficient.

My thoughts

Tony


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What Tony and Mario said...

I send BIAB to loopbe midi out and have Kontakt running as a standalone with loopbe as midi input. Works fine for all the different channels. I totally dismiss GM or patch, volume or panning. In the preferences, I uncheck all the “send midi” options in “overrides” as well as in Midi options.

As far as JABB3 goes: drums are not totally GM, especially the brushes aren’t. And the sounds are no longer convincing to my ear... outdated software, samples. There is much better material out there. Doesn’t respond to GM bank or patch changes either.

I recently bought the V3sound Sonority XXL. I contacted the company cause the Brush drums are not completely GM. They made me a custom version with “correct” brush layout for the same price as a regular one and the sounds, though not comparable to more expensive Kontakt libraries, are surprisingly good. Far better than any actual keyboard below 1000$, including the PSR keyboards. It is GM and responds to all GM commands.


Biab, Kontakt, Sampletank and lots of nice libraries, from Fluffy audio to Abbey Road drums.
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This is an excellent thread, and I've picked up quite a few tips here including experimenting with Kontakt and some of their free libraries and instruments, which I set up fairly easily yesterday, and does some nice things. At the risk of making this thread too sprawling, here are some tidbits on what I've tried to far that which has worked for me. Note that I'm working primarily in BIAB at this point, and not exporting into DAW's and all that fancy stuff (yet). I'll start with SoundFonts.

SoundFonts - These can produce pretty decent sounds and many are available for free but the technology is old and decent players are in limited supply.

#A few sources that I've used for SoundFonts which I've liked:

*Don Allen's Soundfonts (Timbres of Heaven)
http://midkar.com/soundfonts/index.html

*Essential Keys - Free SoundFonts - John Nebauer is the site owner
https://sites.google.com/site/soundfonts4u/
- The Yamaha C5 Salamander is pretty impressive

*Another source
http://soundfonts.darkesword.com/

*GoldMidiSF2 - Some free ones, payment required for some of the better/bigger packages.
https://www.goldmidisf2.com/megapro-studio-soundfonts/
- The mega packages and Pro versions sound pretty impressive but are not free
- Some decent packages of free SoundFonts
- They offer a very large collection of a few GB of SoundFonts which you can request but they require a donation for it
- Site is in Italian but my browser let me read it in English (YMMV)


#SoundFont Players

There seems to be a lack of decent VST-based SoundFont players, at least ones that are current and supported. The ones that I've found most useful and which work in BIAB 2020 (and I have only tried a few) are:

*Sforzando (Included with BIAB)
*VSTSynthFont64
*Phenome

In each case there are limitations and gotchas:

*Sforzando (Included with BIAB)
- Requires conversion to Aria format to use
- Aria conversion is very easy - just drag and drop your SF2 or SFZ
- Conversion has worked very well for the many soundfonts that I've tried, but managing multiple sets with large collections becomes quite tedious and complex.

*VSTSynthFont64
- Worked with most SoundFonts that I tried
- Interface is a bit bland and not easy to navigate
- Saving your customized SoundFont settings with BIAB projects is a bit cumbersome

*Phenome v1.7
- Requires JBridge since it is only available as a 32 bit VST
- Only works reliable (for me) if I use the option to split the GUI out using the JBridge advanced settings
- Has a fantastic feature set and numerous controls that are not present in the two above.
- Figuring out how to select a SoundFont, working with long names is tricky, and saving your settings such as the Reverb, attack, etc.) and with your project is tricky - still working that out.
- When it works, it can produce quite impressive results.

If you want more info about how I've set up and got some of these working in BIAB, I'll be glad to provide more info. Again, keep in mind that I'm on the novice end in BIAB, so if you're really serious about getting the most out of your setup, I would go with the tips and advice already provided on the more sophisticated setups. That will serve you better if you goal is to create high quality projects.


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DZjang, I am a beginner but I agree with you; there are incredible kontakt sounds! But they are terribly expensive too! I do not know how many factory instruments has included kontakt 6 has and the quality.

EdZ314,oau !this Megapro studio sounds its really cool !!I think it would be perfect for biab,at least for a time.. and at an affordable price..
I'm thinking of buying it ... do you have that Library?? what is your opinion??

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When it comes to expensive Kontakt instruments I can understand why the cost. By the time samples are made and set correctly then put into Kontakt and scripts written. Most good Kontakt libraries have many articulations that need to be set correctly. That all takes incredible resources.

However, if you have a need it can be fun to create your own instruments.

For example, I needed a flute for a part and didn’t have a suitable one. I downloaded a free sample of a nice flute and spread it across the key range I wanted. Added a flexible start point for the sample to get breath or not based on velocity. Added vibrato based on note length also a note release taken from the end of the sample. It sounds good for my use. Total cost zero dollars. Time to set it up about 15 minutes not including finding the sample (but I know where to find some now).

Years ago I set up my Telecaster in Dimension Pro mainly as an exercise in learn SFZ. I was ok but I would like it better. I pulled the samples (not complete) into Kontakt. Then as a scripting exercise setup a simulated round robin (that way it sounds like many more samples, pressing the same note multiple times results in different samples being played). Set up some effects. Is it any good. Well for some stuff I like it more than bought guitars (AmpleSound or Kontakt) I own. But it does not have all the articulations of the pro made stuff.

There are ways to get what you want if you are prepared to put the effort in. A real good example of that is Pipeline who sees a need then creates something to fill the need. From my perspective Pipeline gets more joy out of the fixes made than actually using them. It is satisfying to fill a need.

My opinion Tony.


Last edited by Teunis; 06/09/20 11:46 AM.

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The Kontakt 6 library is quite good, the MegaPro not so, I think. I had a collection of soundfonts from that company and it is largely the same stuff as you find in Ed Z’s post.

There is the Vi.One from Vir2 instruments, that is quite capable. Good sounds and fx, not too expensive.

Recently I downloaded the bandlab/cakewalk free DAW. If you use a virtual midi cable like loopbe, as BIAB output and loopbe as the cakewalk input, you have access to the sounds inside cakewalk. They are pretty good. Not Kontakt 6, maybe, but decent.

In Kontakt 6 you have all the good bread and butter sounds, it doesn’t respond to GM patch changes, though. And the drum kits. There is a brush kit but you have to go inside kontakt and move some samples around to get it to work properly.

I reviewed some soundfonts...


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For drums if you are using Cakewalk you might try creating a drum map to map GM to the Kontakt drum kit. That should do the conversion for you. You can have a drum come in on one note and go out on another. That way once it’s set up it is an easy matter to point to it. See a Mike Enjo videos
https://youtu.be/usnsji1iMTM

https://youtu.be/sIquUl-7NfE

Tony


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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.

Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!

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)

Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!

All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!

It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.

What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?

XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!

Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!

The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.

The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.

The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.

Note: 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.

The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!

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