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RealBand
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I just purchased Music Creator 5 from PG. However, I use the Ketron SD2. I want to access using MC5 my SD2 upper banks. Therefore, I need the file "SD2.INS". Can't find on Cakewalk Forum yet or their web site. If you know how to get this file please let me know or send me the link.
Thanks from Milwaukee Mike
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RealBand
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Joined: May 2003
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My friend uses it with Sonar SD2 Software Utilities
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RealBand
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Joined: May 2000
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Thanks, John.
Ketron Italy site was down or not found all weekend. Glad to see they're back in the pool now.
Cakewalk Instrument Defionition File downloaded, unzipped and emailed to Milwaukee Mike.
--Mac
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RealBand
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 674
Journeyman
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Mike - I have been answering you on the cakewalk forum, but since you posted here as well I thought I'd share my answers here also for the benefit of others who might be reading this.
MC5 (all previous versions of MC as well) does not support custom INS DEF. you have to upgrade to Sonar Home Studio, Sonar Studio or Song Producer version for INS DEF support.
however, as I explained there, that doesn't mean you can't use the SD2. all it means is that you have to choose the patches by NUMBER instead of by NAME. that just means you have to look at your manual for the SD2 and match the patch name to the bank/patch number and choose that bank/patch number in MC instead of seeing the patch name in the choices.
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RealBand
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 28
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OP
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Thanks I will dig out the manual.
Milwaukee Mike
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RealBand
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 674
Journeyman
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mike - check the cakewalk forum again. I posted pictures showing what you can expect. http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.aspx?m=2043846
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RealBand
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Joined: Dec 2003
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OP
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Thanks Beagle. Could you tell me the differenct between C5 and the other Sonar products you stated above. Do they look the same? Thanks for your info.
Milwaukee Mike
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RealBand
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Journeyman
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Hi Mike,
MC5 and SHS7 (and the SHS7XL version) are very similar in looks and functionality. the only difference between them is that SHS has more functions available including sysx send/receive, custom INS DEF, I/O limits, bus and FX limits and track limits.
MC5 is limited to 8 buses, 8 softsynths, 8 FX per track, 24 FX per project, 2 simulaneous audio inputs and outputs, 32 audio track limit per project and 128 MIDI track limit per project. SHS's limits are much higher on all counts and the I/O is limited only by the hardware.
the XL version comes with more softsynths and FX.
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RealBand
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Joined: Aug 2007
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Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2007
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Sonar Studio and Sonar Producer are quite a bit different from MC and SHS. they are the "professional" versions of the software. the softsynth and FX limits are not there (technically they are just very, very high), the track limits are gone (again - very, very high), the GUI is very different but much more powerful and functional. there are many user functions in both programs not available in the lower softwares like Audiosnap (quantization for audio tracks), v-vocal (pitch correction), and many other features.
the differences between producer and studio are only the amount of toys you get with each (AFAIR). producer has many more FX and softsynths.
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RealBand
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Joined: Dec 2003
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Thanks Beagle,
Before I step into this swamp, I would like your opinion between Real Band & Powertracks and how they stacks up to C5, and how RB & PT stack up to the higher end Products you stated above.
A bit about me: I am a professional Jazz Guitarist 35+years but I'm only about 2.5 years into working all this stuff. Thats 2.5 years with PT and now RB (pretty much the same). RB and PT can be buggy, and many times when something doesn't work I can spin like a top trying to find out what is wrong. Most of the times it's something stupid I did or didn't do, but sometimes it's the program. I've gotten better at the check down, but ...
This is the swamp that worries me. I've alway been of the opinion, when I do something I want to do it the best I can. I'm willing to pay my dues. Sometimes, however, the moon is high enough, and I don't need to shoot for the stars. Especially if the stars will cause me a lot of NOT FUN. In the 2.5 years I've gotten pretty good at PT and RB, in otherwords I've reached the moon. Do you think it could be my MO to go further. Beagle, you seem very detailed and you seem to understand the programs out there, and I value your opinion here.
Milwaukee Mike
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RealBand
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Joined: Aug 2007
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hi mike - MC5 and PT basically perform the same functions, but unfortunately your question is one that only you can answer, IMO. it's a matter of what's easier for your work flow.
I don't have PT to even compare the two myself. I have BIAB and RT, but my use is very different from yours. I use BIAB andRT to help me write new songs, then I use the real tracks for parts that I can't perform myself and I record everything in Sonar and import the MIDI or real tracks from RT/BIAB of the parts I can't perform ito sonar.
what do you use these programs for? for accompinament while you're playing live? for recording? those kinds of questions will help you determine which programs are best for your use.
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RealBand
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Joined: Aug 2006
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I think Beags question is the 64 dollar one. What process. To me unless you need something that MC5 has that PT or RB for that matter does not, then why jump over.
For me MC5 does not have anything that RB has except the better VSTi handling, but i get that from MTS so i do not use MC5 hardly at all. They took far to much out of it on the last revision. I also find RB and PT just a little bit buggy, but getting better all the time. Let's remember that the RT Rd development and RB is only really about two years old, and this was a very big marriage of two very different programs. It is still very young. Programs like Sonar, and by extention MC5 are very mature. Still those programs are somewhat buggy at times. I have not found a program yet that does not have some bugginess, as this is the nature of software.
Sonar has all the bells and whistles, but i do not have the budget to keep Sonar up to snuff and BiaB and RB, so since Sonar does not have any of the really cool RT, RD, and style construction tools it is BiaB all the way. I can live with the small amount of issues i have cause i will have them with almost any platform.
The key is to learn a software and get proficient with it.
Last edited by Robh; 07/02/10 10:09 AM.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
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RealBand
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Joined: Dec 2003
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OP
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Hi Robh
Great advice. It's nice to get confirmation on a direction. Espically when the advice comes someone who has done this much long then I have. Sometime, I feel like a fish grabbing the shiniest lure out there, when the food in mouth is just fine. We know what happens to the fish!
I purchased the C5 for one thing, and that is to use the EZmix VST plug that doesn't work properly in RB. And then I started exploring. This, at times, can be a big mistake.
Is MTS Multi Track Studio? If not what is it, and what do you use this for? If it is Multi Track, then someone else on this site who I respect also uses this program. I'm still in the 30 window with C5. Your opinion is appreciated.
Milwaukee Mike
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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.
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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!
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Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
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- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
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- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
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