I just bought Garritan JABB3 and I can't install it (via Options, MIDI/Driver Setup, ...) :
- If I want to associate the ARIA Player VST_x86.dll file (according to PG Music instructions: https://www.pgmusic.com/tutorial_garritan.htm), I have the following error message: "Not a valid VST Plugin. C:\Program Files(x86)\Common Files\VST2\Garritan\Aria Player VST_x86.dll is not a valid VST plugin. If it is a 32-bit VST plugin use the 32 bit version of Band-in-a-Box, or install jbridge ..." [img]https://1drv.ms/i/s!AlZhnWjETQollIkqbrJ9tz6vMKhTuw?e=DE3dMn[/img]
You should use the 64bit version with 64bit Band-in-a-Box 2019 or higher (bbw64.exe).
Quote:
If I try to associate the ARIA Player VST_x64.dll file, I get the following error message: "Band-in-a-Box Sounds. Your copy of PG Music Inc Band-in-a-Box Sounds is not activated. Saving instruments from this bank is disabled"
This is a bit strange. There is a 'Band-in-a-Box Sounds' (HiQ instruments) bank included with Band-in-a-Box that is used with Sforzando, and there isn't any activation required for this. Sforzando also uses the Aria audio engine (as does JABB) to play samples, so there must be some link there. Perhaps the Aria build that ships with JABB has detected the Band-in-a-Box sounds bank and expects all banks to be licensed in a specific way. Since you won't be using the Band-in-a-Box Sounds bank with JABB this is probably not an issue - does the message pop up more than once or otherwise cause any problem?
If it does cause a problem, as a test you could try uninstalling the HiQ Instrument (search for 'HiQ' or 'sforzando' in the Apps / Add/remove programs area of the Windows control panel.
I haven't yet tried to remove the Band-in-a-Box HiQ instruments to see if I can associate the ARIA Player after that, but for information I can already use the sounds of JABB ... via Sforzando!
And there may be another problem with the ARIA player or its installation because, apparently, it works less well than Sforzando: when I use JABB from a MIDI keyboard via the ARIA player in standalone mode, I have a high latency, whereas when I use JABB from the same MIDI keyboard via the Sforzando standalone mode, I have very low latency.
Maybe I should read the 65-page ARIA player manual first ;-)
P.S. : If I understand you correctly, the instructions on the page https://www.pgmusic.com/tutorial_garritan.htm are partly outdated : with BiaB 2020, I can, and even I must, use the ARIA Player VST_x64.dll file and not any more the ARIA Player VST_x86.dll file ?
Right, you don't HAVE to, you can use the 32bit plugin with bbw.exe if you want - bbw.exe (32-bit) is there in the bb folder if you need it. But I would recommend using the 64bit version, bbw64.exe.
Today I was able to associate the ARIA Player VST_x64.dll file with Band-in-a-Box without getting the error message "...Your copy of PG Music Inc Band-in-a-Box Sounds is not activated..." Don't ask me how ;-)
But I still have a problem with ARIA Player:
- When I choose ARIA Player as VSTi for Band-in-a-Box, and I choose an instrument via ARIA Player, I have no sound: neither with the JABB instruments, nor with the other VST instruments I have. While I still get the sounds of JABB if I choose Sforzando as VSTi for Band-in-a-Box. And I even get the sounds of JABB and others with ARIA Player open in Band-in-a-Box but used in standalone via the keyboard displayed on the screen !
- I uninstalled the HiQ Instruments delivered with Band-in-a-Box, and restarted my PC but the problem is still there: no sound from JABB or other instruments !
IIRC Garritan's JABB3 uses the mod wheel for volume so if your mod wheel is a zero then you will get no sound. Move the mod wheel and let us know it that is the solution to your problem.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
IIRC Garritan's JABB3 uses the mod wheel for volume so if your mod wheel is a zero then you will get no sound. Move the mod wheel and let us know it that is the solution to your problem.
Yes, exactly as Mario indicates. That is the way I remember it. But that has to go back a decade or more.
It's been a while since I've tried JABB with BiaB, but I believe you need to load in the sounds in JABB on specific channels. In other words, you can't just press Play in Band-in-a-Box and expect it to work automatically. Find out which channels BiaB is using for the various instruments in Options | Preferences | Channels. For example by default the Bass track is on channel 2. In JABB, load a bass on channel 2 and then play a Band-in-a-Box MIDI style and see if you hear it...
What a sum of experience and knowledge are brought together in this forum!
Mario D, thank you for the idea of using the mod wheel: I didn't know it allows to change the volume of the ARIA Player! But here, this is not the solution to my problem.
For my case, the winner is Andrew! Indeed, to have the sound of an instrument via the ARIA Player, you must not only, in the Band in a Box mixer, select the ARIA Player as plugin for the chosen track, but then, in the window of the ARIA Player, indicate to which MIDI channel the selected instrument should be directed.
And this is not obvious, because the MIDI channel choice zone is not clearly indicated in the ARIA Player: it is in fact the small gray number on the far right of the line under the name of the instrument and you have to click on it to bring up the list of MIDI channels...
I just figured out that if you right-click on the SWAM instrument in the mixer, you get a MIDI event editor. You can insert a Control message (Expression) at the beginning of the tune (it has to have a value.) And save the song... This saves you from "jogging" the Expression slider in the SWAM interface.
One issue with using JABB in BIAB is how it deals with dynamics.
Instead of using note velocity, it uses CC1 or CC11 events.
I'm really new to biab, but so far I've been using bidule to 'snoop' all MIDI events coming into ARIA and insert a CC1 event in real time that is equal to the the note's on velocity (value 2).
Another perk to setting bidule as the default vsti synth, is that I can easily get my VST3 plugins into the game too.
Yet another bonus is the ability to manipulate the velocity curves of drum kits before they hit their respective plugin(s). I.E. Garritan JABB drum kits need more 'velocity' to cut through the mix. Cranking up the 'volume' for the kit isn't always enough.
As far as BIAB knows, it's talking to a single instance of the Bidule plugin. Inside bidule, I have a party going on, where I can mix and match sounds from any plugin I like.
Here I've got an instance hosting: Synthfont64 (VST2), Roland Sound Canvas Plugin (VST2), Two instances of HALion 7 (VST3), Groove Agent 5 (VST3), MIDI output to a hardware Fantom XR (MIDI output), Garritan/Plogue ARIA (For JABB3) with Velcoity to CC1 injection (VST2), Roland Zynology (VST3), East West Play (VST3)
I can easily route any channel to the plugin/channel of my choice using a special matrix, that can also save remote controllable presets.
One issue with using JABB in BIAB is how it deals with dynamics.
Instead of using note velocity, it uses CC1 or CC11 events.
I'm really new to biab, but so far I've been using bidule to 'snoop' all MIDI events coming into ARIA and insert a CC1 event in real time that is equal to the the note's on velocity (value 2).
Another perk to setting bidule as the default vsti synth, is that I can easily get my VST3 plugins into the game too.
Yet another bonus is the ability to manipulate the velocity curves of drum kits before they hit their respective plugin(s). I.E. Garritan JABB drum kits need more 'velocity' to cut through the mix. Cranking up the 'volume' for the kit isn't always enough.
As far as BIAB knows, it's talking to a single instance of the Bidule plugin. Inside bidule, I have a party going on, where I can mix and match sounds from any plugin I like.
Here I've got an instance hosting: Synthfont64 (VST2), Roland Sound Canvas Plugin (VST2), Two instances of HALion 7 (VST3), Groove Agent 5 (VST3), MIDI output to a hardware Fantom XR (MIDI output), Garritan/Plogue ARIA (For JABB3) with Velcoity to CC1 injection (VST2), Roland Zynology (VST3), East West Play (VST3)
I can easily route any channel to the plugin/channel of my choice using a special matrix, that can also save remote controllable presets.
At first glance it seemed very complicated, but as I dug into it some I see how it could be very helpful. I may have to give this a try.
My wife asked if I had seen the dog bowl. I told her I didn't even know he could.
Since posting to this thread, I did find an issue with bidule in BIAB that I had not noticed before. I'm pretty new to BIAB so I'm still much learning.
For some reason things I host in bidule will not 'render' or export tracks/songs into wav/mp3/etc.
I'm not sure why this isn't working with BIAB, as instant rendering/audio export/etc, does fine in bidule (both VST2 or VST3) with all my other DAWs. Might be something "I" am doing wrong. Could be a problem with bidule, or it might be with BIAB.
Until I can sort it out, my 'sidestep' for now is to just render tracks or songs in realtime with a recorder inside bidule itself. Costs some extra time but during exploratory stages of trying songs/styles with an endless pallet of sounds to choose from easily, I suppose the trade off is worth it.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
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XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
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No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!
Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed 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 transcribe 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, and much more!
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