This must be explained somewhere, but I can't find it.
I've some a VST on the Bass track. The instrument plays two octaves below the MIDI notes, so I've pitch-shifted it via Prefs->Channels to get the played notes correct.
I generate and play the song and I hear my Bass, but I still hear also the default MIDI patch, playing at the two-octaves higher pitch. I select "no MIDI patch" and try again, but I still get the original instrument playing.
How does one stop it playing please?
BTW, I notice also that the original instrument is playing something like a quarter second after the VSTi.
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 .
Is that MIDI also being routed to the 'default' synth somehow?
I imagine so.
Yes, MIDI and in case it helps RINGS.STY.
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've just just discovered that the mixer volume controls affect the VSTi, but does not control whatever other synth is running. I can fade my wanted instrument to nothing, but the unwanted one just keeps playing.
Here's an additional curiosity ... If I solo the other two tracks and try fading out the VSTi, the one with the VSTi also plays the original instrument, but the one that's re-routed to the other does not.
Oh goods grief ... this is so confusing.
If I set all the VSTi track volumes to zero and regenerate I get the some VST instruments only. I get the bass (VSTI) and strings (re-routed to guitar track VSTi), but not the guitar track VSTi itself.
If I set all the VSTi track volumes to non-zero and regenerate I get both default and VSTi on the bass and guitar tracks but no default instrument on the strings (re-routeed to VSTi) track.
At the moment this all appears completely out of control.
I seems like there are multiple interactions between volume faders, regenerations, VSTis, synths and MIDI re-routes that are quite difficult to tie down.
Taking a break.
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 .
Half the trouble is that so many things appear to be interacting, that it's hard to say what causes what.
I now have: Kontact VSTi on bass track. Kontact VSTi on Guitar track. Kontact VSTi on Strings track.
Each is its own copy of Kontact. Each are set to re-route MIDI to channel 1. None are set to re-route to MIDI plugin.
If I set the volumes of al tracks to ~90 and regenerate I get both VSTi and another instrument on most, though at the moment I have no VSTi playing on the Guitar track ... I know not why ... the instrumnent shows keys playing.
If I set the volumes to zero and regenerate, then raise the volumes, I get the VSTi playing, but not the other instrument, except that guitar track which now remains silent.
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 type of behavior you describe can happen if there's been an audio file rendered of the BIAB song. The audio will automatically load and play along when you open and generate the song.
Did you try muting your audio track to see if that gets rid of the unwanted bass sound?
What I do in situations like this is to mute every track and then listen to each track individually, one by one. Eventually I discover which track is causing the problem and so then I start working out how to solve it.
Did you try muting your audio track to see if that gets rid of the unwanted bass sound?
Hi Noel,
No I didn't, but the bass track mute button mutes it, so I think it's not an audio track.
OK, exit lazy mode ... I just tried it and no, muting the audio track makes no difference.
Incidentally, as I hadn't bothered to save the song, I quickly set it up again from scratch, individual VSTi on each track, re-route as my images, and the behaviour is the same. Volumee non-zero for regenerate, I get the two default instrument on all VSTi tracks, volkume zero at regenerate, I get only the VST instruments as I'd have expected. I haven't yet done a factory reset.
It isn't just the bass, it's doing the same on every track with a VSTi. It isn't so intrusive on the other tracks as they're low-ish in volume and at the same pitches, but it really notices with the base because it's played the two octaves high(*).
(*) I'm using Bolder Sounds' "Roots Upright Bass", which has the notes shifted up two octaves, so that the notes can be played in the right hand and the articulations can be handled with the left hand.
BiaB 2022, build 912. I thimk this is likely a bug. I can't see it mentioned in subsequent updates, but I may update to check. I've taken the philosophy this year of updating only when there appears an imperrative.
BTW, I've just set the default synth from Coyote to None, but that makes no difference.
Hmm .. I just did RTFS Most, set the volumes up, started a regenerate and had a bunch of crackling and a BiaB crash. Restarted BiaB, repeated the aetup, OK the second time.
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 set up VirtualMIDISynth and default synth again; First regenerate completed, but BiaB crashed after playing a few bars.
Restarted, set up the VSTis again, generates and plays again now, but the problem remains.
It's Monday morning, so I'll guess that PGM will find this thread soon, otherwise I'll report it via support.
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 .
Although it is very likely, this is a user forum, and there is no guarantee that PGM staff will review the thread. So 'belt-and-braces' it may be worthwhile to mention it to support also.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Yes, sensible; I only need a short note and the URL. It'll give a pertinent heads-up, not increase the workload. --- Done.
Last edited by Gordon Scott; 02/14/2202:02 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 .
Could it be harmony. I think that with the Harmony tool it can bet set to No Harmony. It should stop. Worth the try...
Good thought, but I'm pretty sure not. I did check and it was already set to no harmony.
The other instruments all appear on the same tracks as the VSTi and I think Harmony gets written to only either the Melody or the Soloist tracks.
Both VSTi and the other instrument are muted by the mute button on their track, but the volume slider affects only the VSTi.
As an aside, I think the volume of the other instrument may vary from generate to generate or possibly from program run to program run. Today the non-VSTi instruments on the guitar and strings tracks are almost inaudible, so I wouldn't normally have noticed them. They have certainly been louder before. Oddly so far, the bass track non-VSTi always seems to be quite loud.
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've just bumped to 918 as requested for a different issue, so retested this. The problem remains the same.
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 wonder if you are getting some cross talk between the Kontakt tracks. I know that it shouldn't happen but just maybe it is happening. Here are a couple of things that I would try if it was my problem:
1- Assign each Kontakt track a different channel. Some thing like bass #2, guitar #3 and strings #4. Stay away from channel #1 in all cases.
2- Add each Kontakt track one at a time. Start from scratch then add the bass. Any problems? Then add the guitar. Any problems? Then add the strings. I would do this with all tracks set to channel #1.
I would like to think that suggestion #1 would work.
I don't use Kontakt in BiaB, I use it in Studio One Pro, but at times I have had Kontakt reset its volume to a lower setting. In order to eliminate that I place a CC7 at the start of the track.
I hope this helps and good luck.
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
1- Assign each Kontakt track a different channel. Some thing like bass #2, guitar #3 and strings #4. Stay away from channel #1 in all cases.
Good thought, but no, it does the same with MIDI channels 2, 3 & 4.
Originally Posted By: MarioD
2- Add each Kontakt track one at a time. Start from scratch then add the bass. Any problems? Then add the guitar. Any problems? Then add the strings. I would do this with all tracks set to channel #1.
Hmm, just the bass alone still does the same. I changed it to MIDI channel 2, but to no avail.
Originally Posted By: MarioD
I don't use Kontakt in BiaB, I use it in Studio One Pro, but at times I have had Kontakt reset its volume to a lower setting. In order to eliminate that I place a CC7 at the start of the track.
I hope this helps and good luck.
I've been presuming that it's not a Kontakt issue, but you've prompted me to try a different plugin instead. I tried PianoTeq (on bass) and I also get the same result with that.
Extending that further, I put sforzando on the guitar track and Reaktor on the strings track. Both of those also do the same.
What's becoming increasingly perplexing is that nobody else has confirmed this, which suggests that the problem really is only on my system. Mind you, most people seem to build a bunch of stuff on BiaB and then transfer to a DAW, so maybe other people don't see it.
I've alwqays built this song from scratch as it's easy to do and I always know the starting point. I've just decided to save it: "VSTi Blues"
Oh! ... OK ... I've just tried something else that's stopped it doing this. I just changed the MIDI Output Driver from VirtualMIDISynth to <no MIDI/Sound output>, enabled VSTi/DXI Synth (CoyoteWT) and the problem goes away.
Presumably it isn't VMS itself causing this as it must be being sent the MIDI, but it does give a pointer to why I'm seeing it and nobody else appears to be.
OK, next test, use the Microsoft GS wavetable synth. Oh, interesting; That doesn't do it either.
Finally back to VirtualMIDISynth and the problem reappears. That's really rather bizarre.
Last edited by Gordon Scott; 02/15/2208:23 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 .
I did come across something similar, managed to sort it out somehow, I cannot remember what I did. However I recall that I did change something in the preferences (thought it was the harmony).
Could it be the "Output Chords on Channel"? I got it set off, as in the illustration below:
Gordon, great detective work. I'm glad you found and corrected your problem.
PS - I'm one of those guys who do most all of my work in my DAW and not in BiaB. I get out of BiaB as fast as I can. However I use BiaB in a much different way then others as I work mostly in MIDI.
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
I did come across something similar, managed to sort it out somehow, I cannot remember what I did. However I recall that I did change something in the preferences (thought it was the harmony).
Could it be the "Output Chords on Channel"? I got it set off, as in the illustration below:
That looks like a good thought, though my settings are as yours, except for the Output MIDI Sync info, which I have unchecked.
I may explore some further areas like that.
Thanks.
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 .
Gordon, great detective work. I'm glad you found and corrected your problem.
PS - I'm one of those guys who do most all of my work in my DAW and not in BiaB. I get out of BiaB as fast as I can. However I use BiaB in a much different way then others as I work mostly in MIDI.
Hi Mario,
I haven't really sorted it, because I wanted to use a better synth than CoyoteWT and VirtualMIDISynth still has the peoblem.
In another thread it was suggested that I should move vst3 programs and posssibly VSTSynthFont64 back to the default locations. That's a bit frustrating because they're all over the place, but I guess I'd best do it. If I do, maybe VSTSynthFont64 will work again and resolve the issue that way. Ho Hum.
This kind of detective work is part of what I've spent my life doing. The hardest part of fixing a bug is reliably beoing able to reproduce the bug.
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 .
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