Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
PowerTracks Pro Audio
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6
Newbie
OP Offline
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6
Newbie question...

I have a song with 5 MIDI tracks: 4 tracks use VST plugins (DVS Guitar, 2 x Richman2 & DSK BassZ), 1 track (drums) uses Microsoft GW Wavetable SW synth.

For me, the PowerTracks Mixer volume controls only work on the non-VST track - i.e. even when all are positioned at zero on each VST track I still hear sound. To change the volume on the VST plugin tracks I have to open the "DXi/VSCi Synth Configuration Panel..." dialog and adjust the VOL or Output GUI controls...which is a bit inconvenient.

Is there something I've overlooked?


PowerTracks Pro Audio 12
Onboard RealTek ALC883 audio
PowerTracks Pro Audio
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,488
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,488
Must be a VSTi synth specific issue, as many tracks here work with the slider. I have had a couple that didn't and just chalked it up to the VSTi


I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
PowerTracks Pro Audio
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,992
M
Expert
Offline
Expert
M
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,992
simplicio..just a guess ..
by any chance are you useing midi traks you got from somewhere ??
look in the events window or midimon.exe and see if there are any commands
overwriting your settings. sometimes creators of midi traks
embed commands that override.
you have to delete such commands embedded in the midi file.
then set your own.


retired puter engr....powertracks on amd......NICE !
"what is the black art of audio engineering ?"
my silly songs...motagator.com/bmanning
see my tips in the tips section.
PowerTracks Pro Audio
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6
Newbie
OP Offline
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6
The midi tracks were created by TuxGuitar so I think they're probably ok.

I ran $midimon.exe and it shows a few initial "Main Volume" commands before starting to play, and when I adjust the volume sliders on the mixer (or the track) I see midi "Main Volume" commands being issued - but no change in volume is heard. When I adjust the volume in the VSTi plugin I hear the volume change, but I see no midi "Main Volume" commands as a result. Looks like the plugin is ignoring MIDI volume commands and setting its own output volume.

Maybe I'm just unlucky in choosing three VSTi plugins that have this behaviour. I'm starting to expect weirdness from VSTi plugins now - one VSTi plugin (DrumTable) produces no sound at all until I tweak the base keys (C0 C1 etc) and even then I can't really be sure what sound should come out!

Anyway, I might just have to live with it. I'll do some more testing. Maybe my onboard audio is a POS.


PowerTracks Pro Audio 12
Onboard RealTek ALC883 audio
PowerTracks Pro Audio
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
M
Mac Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
M
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
These kind of problems are usually traceable to the way the VST was written. It is kind of a Wild West out there as regards VSTs, sometimes the VST was written before certain things were standardized, other times the thing may be "newer" than what the host program was written to handle, then there's the known issue with RB and PT in which certain VSTi's that need some sort of Timing Data don't work fully.

At the end of the day, free VST plugins may be worth what you paid for them.

On the other hand, when you find some that work and work well, be happy.


--Mac

PowerTracks Pro Audio
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,992
M
Expert
Offline
Expert
M
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,992
simplicio
youll have to talk to the plug in creators re how they handle volume changes.
but first thing i would do is strip out those embedded commands in the midi
like volume , and see if that helps. then put in your own commands.


retired puter engr....powertracks on amd......NICE !
"what is the black art of audio engineering ?"
my silly songs...motagator.com/bmanning
see my tips in the tips section.
PowerTracks Pro Audio
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 27
J
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
J
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 27
Maybe it's the same problem that my plugin, when I send a message to the PowerTracks by the DLL or EXE, I send on port 21 (the VSTi) of PT, so that it only recognizes the first 16 ports, VSTi start at the port 17. The PowerTracks still using only 16-port and 21 port message is sent to port 16.

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!

Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!

We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.

Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!

Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.

If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!

Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!

We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.

Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.

Happy New Year!

Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.

Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!

Season's Greetings!

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!

The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.

Team PG

Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window

In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe

This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®

With your version 2026 for Windows 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)
  • Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)

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 PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics85,837
Posts796,808
Members39,968
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
mcpro, Chris##, hendsatri, Gennaro Pirozzi, annegrpan31
39,968 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 176
Noel96 151
DC Ron 120
rsdean 107
dcuny 90
Today's Birthdays
Luc Soens, robertschult
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5