I'm back looking again at RB and am still finding some things very odd. I imagine again that I'm missing or misunderstanding something, but I can't yet see what or where, so...
I have the default synth set to VSTSynthFont64, setup IIRC via [MIDI Devices]. I've also there turned off Re-Route MIDI playback to default Dxi/VSTi synth. Tracks seem to play suitable instruments OK. I don't know which synth.
Now on a track in "Tracks" view, I click the down-arrow on the track to which I want to add a VSTi, to expand the VST control tab and click [Edit VTSi/DXi...]. Up pops the DirextX/VST Window. So far, so good.
On this window, the top entry says ">> VSTSynthFont64 (Default) <<", which seems reasonable-ish, though I don't knowingly have any tracks named thus. If I click on that box, I get a drop-down that offers lots of tracks. Scroll to the top and I see my named trackes. Select a named track, some things flicker and the DirextX/VST Windows reverts to as it was. Not what I expected.
Go down that window to the first plugin box showing "<VSTi> VSTSynthFont64", click it and select Kontakt. Some flickers and the window opens now with Kontak. OK. Find and double-click an instrument and after a pause it appears in the window. OK.
It seems that I can enter multiple instruments here into Kontakt but and these instuments now appear on all tracks when I click that [Edit VSTi/DXi..] button. That seems odd. All of the track description boxes still show "MIDI: Microsoft GS Wavetable synth" ... and I suspect that's still what it's still playing. It's certainly not yet playing the Kontakt instruments.
Presumably, somewhere, there's some kind of MIDI routing for this, but at present I can't find it, though I think I've succeded in the past in getting a VSTi to play here.
The PGM video for VSTs shows only effects, not VSTis.
The RealBand Manual shows only CoyoteWT, which offers a drop-down with "channels"(MIDI?), but Kontakt does not.
So how, please, do I connect a track to a VSTi instrument?
It also seems to lose Kontakt after saving and reloading. Again that isn't what I expected.
Any pointers, please? Thanks.
Gordon.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
the plug in windows work differently for synths and fx. firstly if you are using synthfont i would enable it as 'divert to dxi/vst sytnth in the midid river set up.
secondly i would replace the sounds with nicer ones. synthfont can take GM soundfonts and a nice one is 'timbres of heaven'. look up my post in the forum 'synthfont is silent' and you'll see how to load new sounds. mt problem was solved by updating synthfont.
so the plugin windows work differently for synths and fx. if you clik the blue track window it will show the default synth in slot 1 and if you want to use a vst or dxi fx, use slots 2, 3 and 4. but don't forget, in the mixer for misi tracks you have a knob for reverb and chorus which semds midi isntructions to the synth.
to use a different synth for a track, select the track and it tuens red. right click and select 'specific vst/dx syth for midi track. then you'll get a drop down and you can select the synth you want.
then when you click the blue fx tag on the track the new synth will show in slot one. and you can select the instrument you want.
one difference i think is that kontakt is not a GM synth - you can't just select it as a default synth and play GM patches. (at least i think i'm rigfht - i don't use kontakt but i thinks its like pforszando) you'll have to open a separate instance on each track and select the instrument you want.
The RealBand Manual shows only CoyoteWT, which offers a drop-down with "channels"(MIDI?), but Kontakt does not.
...................
Gordon.
Kontakt does have MIDI channels. Click on MIDI ch., port (it is usually port A, Kontakt allows 4 different MIDI ports with 16 channels in each), the select your MIDI channel.
Note that Kontakt is NOT GM and that you have to assign a sound (patch) to each channel. I don't use Kontakt in RB but in my DAW I assign a different Kontakt to each track; this works best for me. I believe you must assign a different Kontakt to each track but I may be wrong about that.
I hope this helps.
Back in my day the only time we started panic buying was when the bartender shouted "last call"!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
"All of the track description boxes still show "MIDI: Microsoft GS Wavetable synth" This is normal - but the synth in slot 1 is what is playing
and i think Mario is endorsing my idea that you need a separate insance of kontact for each track. however, you may like the default synth sound on one track. setting a different synth for each track allows you to mix and match sounds from different sources
I can't find "divert to dxi/vst synth" and guess you mean the "Re-Route MIDI playback to default Dxi/VSTi Synth". I've checked that again. I still have something playing, though I'm unsure what at present. I have VSTSynthFont64 set as default and I already have "Timbres of Heaven" as the soundfont. All the tracks still say "Microsoft GS etc.", though.
I think I'd unchecked that "Re-Route MIDI playback to default Dxi/VSTi Synth" because I read that I needed that to allow multiple VSTs, but I remember two checkboxes and at present I have only one there, so maybe I'm not where I previously was. Hm, that all sounds a bit existential :-)
Just FYI, the instruments I'm using aren't NI's own, they're Bolder Sounds Roots Upright Bass and Indiginus's Blue Street Brass. That said, from Mario's, I can see where the MIDI channel is set, so I'll play with that tomorrow (it's 11pm, so not now). I'm not sure where RB sets it MIDI channels, but at least I know where to set this end.
RB doesn't presently seem to allow me to set up multiple and I get all the instruments in the one Kontact.
Hmm ... Blue Street Brass is playing ... I'll have to explore the difference! It seems to be playing the bass track .... Ahhh! Got it! Yes!
Thanks guys. That's probably fixed that enough for me to progress.
I just tried a save, close RB, start RB and open and the VSTi stuff has gone again, so there's obviously another hex I need to cast for that. Tomorrow.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
The MIDI channel for the instrument channel is set by right-click on the channel, then Channel->number The MIDI channel on the Kontakt instrument is set as Mario indicates above.
I can "Save Group" and "Load Group" from the DirectX/VST Window, which speeds things up, but as above, it isn't saved in the .SEQ file even though RB thinks the song has changed.
So at the moment, I'm rather back where I started.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
I don't have Kontakt, but you have 16 software synth ports available. That is what assigns different synths to different tracks.
Ah, this refers to right_click track ->Port XX I think. I seem to have many more than 16, but that may be a change. That's where I also see ">> VSTSynthFont64 <<" shown, on Port 17 is appears.
Doing that also changes the description box to inclure "MIDI: >> VSTSynthFont64 <<" or "MIDI: << Kontakt <<", which makes sense.
Originally Posted By: rharv
Each of the 16 Ports can use any of the 16 MIDI channels.. not sure on how to save the Kontakt settings in the SEQ file
I've set up as above and have RB Track 10 set with MIDI channel 1 going to Kontact->Roots Upright Bass listening on MIDI channel 2, and RB Track 5 set with MIDI channel 2 going to Kontakt->Blue Street Brass listening on MIDI channel 2 and all of that runs as expected.
I've set all other RB MIDI tracks to Port 17 as above and left their MIDI channels as is. All other instruments now also play as expected.
Almost there ... I think I now have just that save with plubing se-up issue to resolve.
Edit: "Track" in DirectX/VST Window" seems to offer tracks and MIDI ports. Selecting one of the latter allows me to put VSTi synth on the 1...16 synth ports. I wonder if there's some rationale to the name change between Ports on the right-click and Tracks here.
Edit 2: I saved the DiredctX/VST Synth group, saved the project, closed RB, opened iRB and loaded teh SEQ file. Now the VSTs and settings are saved. Resolved
Last edited by Gordon Scott; 01/03/2209:07 AM.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
Glad that helped Sometimes RB does magic stuff, but it's hard to find .. having cut my teeth on PT, RB comes a little more naturally to me than some
/I seem to be batting 3 for 3 this weekend; I had two other friends call me with similar Port issues in the last couple days, and now all 3 appear happy maybe I should get a lottery ticket so I don't have to go in to the day job tomorrow
//I have many more Ports than 16 also, but I was referencing 'software' Ports, not hardware. If I include all ports it more than doubles, depending on how many devices I have attached, but I think only about 16 are available for various software synths (plus the default synth, which makes 17 I guess)
Last edited by rharv; 01/03/2209:31 AM. Reason: wanted to
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
//I have many more Ports than 16 also, but I was referencing 'software' Ports, not hardware.
Aye. It can tricky for we newbies to PGM stuff to pick up these things. 30 years of backwards-compatible adapting tends to have that effect :-)
Thanks again all.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful. AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11 BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software. Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts .
Kontakt is great in that you can use one instance, and load multiple instruments, changing their midi channel to match your tracks, ie you have bass on channel 1, the bass instrument in Kontakt needs to also be on channel 1 and so on. If you computer has the power, it is also ok to load Kontakt on every track if that is what you want to do.
The routing is always the key to any of this.
I tend to use RB to audition and get the idea, then I go into my DAW for the serious bits. It just seems to me that RB, while very powerful, is harder to use, but it could just be ignorance on my part Too!!
My wife asked if I had seen the dog bowl. I told her I didn't even know he could.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
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.
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