When I load an all midi style into real band, it will play every instrument within Coyote. Now when I change default player to Aria it seems that I have to choose/load everything from scratch into the Aria Player slots. Is there a command to import the coyote settings (channel and instrument program) loaded directly to Aria ?
No. You can set up multi's in Aria with common BIAB combinations (Acoustic Bass, E Piano, Guitar etc.) in the appropriate channel slots. Then when you load a song, you can choose the appropriate multi with the instruments you want. Does that make sense? I don't think you can make the Aria player a GM type VST that is controllable as you want. I am not an expert though, so somebody may know more than I about that.
My wife asked if I had seen the dog bowl. I told her I didn't even know he could.
No. You can set up multi's in Aria with common BIAB combinations (Acoustic Bass, E Piano, Guitar etc.) in the appropriate channel slots. Then when you load a song, you can choose the appropriate multi with the instruments you want. Does that make sense? I don't think you can make the Aria player a GM type VST that is controllable as you want. I am not an expert though, so somebody may know more than I about that.
Hi Joe Thanks for the help. I can understand what you mean ..
No. You can set up multi's in Aria with common BIAB combinations (Acoustic Bass, E Piano, Guitar etc.) in the appropriate channel slots. Then when you load a song, you can choose the appropriate multi with the instruments you want. Does that make sense? I don't think you can make the Aria player a GM type VST that is controllable as you want. I am not an expert though, so somebody may know more than I about that.
Hi Joe Thanks for the help. I can understand what you mean ..
General MIDI (GM) is at the bottom of the sounds good spectrum and Coyote is very near the bottom IMHO. GM is a somewhat universal as each GM number is assigned to a specific sound, i.e 1=piano, 19=rock organ, etc. See here:
I say somewhat universal as each GM sound set may have a different piano, or trumpet, or rock organ, etc.
A step up from Coyote are some soundfonts (SF2). If you need or want to keep in GM then check out some free soundfont players and soundfonts. Some soundfonts are free some are not. The Cakewalks TTS-1 is also a better sounding GM.
BUT the best MIDI sounds are not in GM mode. They included SFZ as well as Aria, and the more expensive sounds like Kontakt, SampleTank, East West Play, etc. Why? Because GM must contain 128 instruments and 7 drum kits, thus they are constrained by the total sample size (KBs). For instance I have one piano sound that is larger in sample size than an entire GM, but it sounds a whole lot better than the GM #1 piano.
So if you want better MIDI sounds you have to get a non GM sound set. But you will have to assign what sound you want for each MIDI channel. Depending on what sounds (presets) you have with Aria you may find that you have a number of trumpets for example. That is the beauty of non GM in that you can have multiple options for sounds from more that one sound source.
What you need to do is to assign say a piano to the BiaB MIDI track by selecting Aria, placing a piano in Aria, then matching the BiaB channel and the Aria channel. In non GM sounds nothing is preset, you have to set everything up but the resulting sound(s) is much better.
I do all of my setting up in my DAW and not BiaB but others here can help you with that.
Good luck and I hope this helps.
I'm in a fitness protection program. I'm been hiding from exercise.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Why? Because GM must contain 128 instruments and 7 drum kits, thus they are constrained by the total sample size (KBs).
This is not really true. I have GM sample sets ranging in size from a few meg to a few gig. The GM spec does not restrict the sample size; the synth/hardware does.
'Finding' a good GM sample set is a whole 'nother problem, but the spec isn't the issue. There could be more awesome GM sound sets if there were a market for it.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
Why? Because GM must contain 128 instruments and 7 drum kits, thus they are constrained by the total sample size (KBs).
This is not really true. I have GM sample sets ranging in size from a few meg to a few gig. The GM spec does not restrict the sample size; the synth/hardware does.
'Finding' a good GM sample set is a whole 'nother problem, but the spec isn't the issue. There could be more awesome GM sound sets if there were a market for it.
By being constrained by total sample size I meant to indicate that a GM sound set with excellent sounds like those from Kontak, Sampltank, East West Play, etc, would be an extremely huge file and would take sometime to load. I'd bet many of us don't have the HD space or the ram to use such a huge file. I have 16 Gigs of ram and I don't think that would be enough.
I agree that there is a very limited market for GM. Anyone serious about using better MIDI sounds moves away from GM very quickly.
I apologize for any inconvenience that I may have caused.
I'm in a fitness protection program. I'm been hiding from exercise.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Using Aria is a good idea, just have to set it up for each tune if the instrumentation changes. As Mario has said, GM sounds are just not very good. OK for a quick listen to get the idea of a style maybe, but only just that. Really not good if you want to do something professional. IK Multimedia was having a great sale on their Total Studio Max 2, which includes Sample Tank 4 and a huge library of great samples, as well as Amplitube 5, T-Racks 5, more than I can remember. Quite easy to learn to use as well. Their licensing and authentication system can be confusing and there are a multitude of downloads to do when you purchase, but in the end it is worth it.
My wife asked if I had seen the dog bowl. I told her I didn't even know he could.
Where do you find Synthfont64 you say is provided for BiaB 64?
Page 11 of the 2021 Band-in-a-Box user manual.
The first mention I can find is on page 13 of the 2019 Band-in-a-Box user manual. That would make sense as I believe 2019 is when 64 bit BiaB was introduced.
The file itself is located at x:\bb\Data\libx64\VSTSynthfont64.dll where "X" = your BiaB drive.
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.
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.
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.
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)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean