For the past week or so, whenever I launch BIAB2020 Mac, I get that alert. So, I can't hear any files. I can use the DAW Plugin, though I can't sample any styles. I would love it if someone can suggest a solution (I also emailed PGMusic support). Thanks so much in advance.
For the past week or so, whenever I launch BIAB2020 Mac, I get that alert. So, I can't hear any files. I can use the DAW Plugin, though I can't sample any styles. I would love it if someone can suggest a solution (I also emailed PGMusic support). Thanks so much in advance.
We need a lot more info. Start with your BIAB version and MacOS build.
BIAB is looking for the Apple DLS Music Device. Normally, this is the General MIDI Synth. Perhaps the following links will point you in the right direction:
We added this warning message to Band-in-a-Box in a recent build, because we noticed that recently the Apple synth (DLS Music Device) which Band-in-a-Box requires, is missing or cannot be accessed by Band-in-a-Box on some Macs. This problem has only appeared recently and is infrequent.
The solution that we have found at this point, is to create a new user account on the Mac - this fixes the problem. Let us know what you find.
I tried creating a new user account. Though I did not get the warning anymore, I can't hear any sounds on BIAB. Both of the folders that are listed in the linked article are empty.
Can you go to Options > MIDI Input/Output Ports, and on Bass choose "MIDI Plugins", then click <-- Set All Ports To This and click OK.
Next, click on the Plugins button in the File or Misc toolbar, and choose Default Synth. In the upper right, make sure the option selected is <AUi> Apple: DLSMusicDevice.
The input/output ports are already set as you suggested. When I chose the plugins button, and chose Default Synth, the option you suggested is not in the list of plugins available.
Hmmmm... GarageBand uses that synth, too. Do you have it installed with all of the instruments? If not, do so and install any of the electronic instrument packs, then reboot.
Tell us what happens.
BIAB 2026 Audiophile Mac 24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia/Tahoe, M1 & M5 MBAir, 2012 MBP Digital Performer11, Logic, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScore/Notion/Overture
the option you suggested is not in the list of plugins available.
Also, can you please post a screenshot of your plugins dialog showing this? You can use Command+Shift+f4 to take a screenshot, and then attach it to your forum reply using the 'File Manager' link.
Hmmmm... GarageBand uses that synth, too. Do you have it installed with all of the instruments? If not, do so and install any of the electronic instrument packs, then reboot.
Tell us what happens.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
I went into GarageBand, downloaded all available sounds, and I can use BIAB again! Yay!
We're still a little puzzled at this issue to be honest. DLSMusicDevice is built in to macOS, and Band-in-a-Box doesn't require having Garageband installed - this is why we can have a fresh install of Catalina work with Band-in-a-Box immediately.
In addition, I suggested the GarageBand fix to another customer, and it didn't work for him, so there are likely multiple layers to this issue.
I'm puzzled by the online suggestions that say that one needs to access it through a User account.
While not denying it works for those users, this doesn't make sense.
I'm wondering if this isn't related to an OS bug I found. To be brief, I could not access the default templates—directory is empty but when I follow the path, they are in place. While creating a new template, I had no place to store it so I created a new folder. When I went to load the template, all the default templates folders now appeared as they should alongside the one I'd created earlier. This happened in both Catalina (2012 MBP) and Mojave (2017 iMP).
Weird
BIAB 2026 Audiophile Mac 24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia/Tahoe, M1 & M5 MBAir, 2012 MBP Digital Performer11, Logic, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScore/Notion/Overture
I am pleased to see that I am not the only one with this DLS problem.
Among the proposed solutions, there is only one that worked for me : create another user session. But this is not very satisfactory for the workflow because my Logic Pro work sessions are on my main session. It makes you juggle from session to session. It's annoying.
To help understand all of this, I bring the following informations. Under my main session, I still get the message "APPLE DLS ...". Therefore "Apple DLS" is never available in the midi input / output options. However, if I first launch Logic Pro X (with an APPLE / DLSMUSIC / DEVICE instrument track), by setting the midi outputs of Band In A Box (option> midi input / output ports) to "BIAB Virtual Output" and selecting only the midi styles, I get the sound. But I don't have any sound at all if I select the Real Tracks styles. And if I close LOGIC PRO X, the sound stops immediately in Band In A Box.
If I set the midi outputs (option> midi input / output ports) to "Midi Plugins", I have no sound, either for midi styles or for Real Tracks styles.
Does PGMUSIC at least work on these issues?
I was hoping the move to MacOs Big Sur would unlock something. But it is not.
I also tried to reinstall Band In A Box. But it didn't work either
On your account that has the DLS problem, if you open GarageBand, do you see the DLSMusicDevice or AUMIDISynth, and if so what happens when you try to select them?
To find this in GarageBand, show 'Smart Controls' if they are hidden (hotkey: B), then in the bottom 'Track' Controls' area click on Plugin --> AU Instruments --> Apple.
If I do this, the behavior is the same as described in my previous post: - in Band in a Box: midi sounds but not RealTracks sounds - mute sounds as soon as I remove the track "GarageBand Apple DLSMusicDevice" or as soon as I close Garageband
If I create a GarageBand track with AUMIDISynth or AUSampler, it's the same. The only difference compared to AppleDLSMusicDevice is that all midi notes in Band In A Box are played by a single sound. Whereas if I select AppleDLsMusicDevice, I have all the sounds of the arrangement (bass / piano / drums / ...)
If I do this, the behavior is the same as described in my previous post: - in Band in a Box: midi sounds but not RealTracks sounds - mute sounds as soon as I remove the track "GarageBand Apple DLSMusicDevice" or as soon as I close Garageband
I'm not sure if we are on the same page. To clarify, I'm ONLY talking about the original user account where you have the problem. Could you please compare what you see on your system with the screenshots below.
1. In Band-in-a-Box, open the Plugins dialog - you can get there via the Plugins tab of the Mixer.
What I was emphasizing is that whether or not I had sound on my main session depended on opening Garage Band (or logic pro x) with a track with AppleDLSMusicDevice. This is the only way to have sound on my main session (the one where I have the problem). As soon as you close the track (or directly Garage Band / Logic Pro), the sound stops in Band in A box
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
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Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
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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.
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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
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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)
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